Wide Open Spaces

The Gnoll Estate in Neath - All for Free

Neath, Neath Port Talbot, Wales South

Recommendation added: 28/03/2007 20:28
By: mirrired (YSUK rating +91)

mirrired has been thanked 0 times for this contribution

"The Gnoll Estate is situated just above the small town of Neath in South Wales. Its very easy to find. Come off the A465 at Neath and follow the brown tourist signs on the B4434 which will take you directly to the Estate. There is ample free parking.

You can also catch the X5 from the bus depot in Neath.

We love this place as you can spend either an hour or a full day here. The free parking is a real bargain!

Right next to the car park is the visitors centre which has cafe, a gift shop and free leaflets explaining all about the estate and the wildlife you can expect to see. There are coloured coded walks which you can follow. They vary in difficulty from an amble around the lake to a strenuous climb up to the Mosshouse.

We make up our own depending on what we feel like doing. It nearly always involves feeding the ducks at the lake, running up the wall next to the cascades and a visit to see the cows in the field next to the woods.

For toddlers there is an excellent adventure playground next to the visitors centre. Craig has been able to play on it unsupervised since he was two. It is fenced and there are plenty of picnic tables available for Mum and Dad to rest on while they play. It does get very busy in the summer, but as the rest of the estate is quiet most of the time, half an hours mayhem at the playground is bearable!

For older children there is another adventure playground to the left of the car-park, hidden in the woods. Craig is now able to play on it with minimal supervision (he's now 4). It has a low level zip wire which you can hold them on and let them zip (it doesn't go very fast - honest)!

We have sampled the fayre in the cafe and it is reasonably priced and very edible. I don't think they do chips there as I remember, but they do baked potatoes, sandwiches, cakes, biscuits, hot and cold drinks and ice-cream.

However, there are plenty of places for you to have your own picnic. If you walk away from the visitors centre there are plenty of dedicated benches and there are acres of open spaces and woods for picnic sites.

There are lots of people all year around walking dogs and childrenat the Gnoll, but as with many places, if you are prepared to walk 10 minutes away from the car you can find a nice quiet spot to play and relax.

All of the paths are very well maintained, so wheelchair and pram access is excellent.

The Gnoll also welcomes school groups, special needs goups and even lays on a father Christmas grotto throughout December.

You can contact the visitor centre on: (01639) 635808 to book a group visit or check for events."