Vale of Neath
{{Short description|Valley in Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{coord|51.727|-3.651|display=title|region:GB_scale:50000}}
The Vale of Neath (or Neath Valley, Welsh: Cwm Nedd), one of the South Wales Valleys, encompasses the upper reaches of the River Neath in southwest Wales. In addition to the River Neath, it is traversed by the Neath Canal and the A465 dual carriageway.
Settlements in the valley include Neath, Cadoxton, Tonna, Aberdulais, Resolven, Blaengwrach, Glynneath and Pontneddfechan.
Coal mining was an industry in the valley with mining operations being located at Aberpergwm and Pentreclwydau near Glynneath.[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-news/2008/07/29/black-gold-shines-as-city-firm-tips-miner-a-buy-91466-21421184/ Black gold shines as City firm tips miners a 'buy' - WalesOnline]
Waterfall Country
File:Picturesque Europe14.jpg, Wales - "Picturesque Europe"}}]]
"Waterfall Country" is a nickname given to the Vale of Neath due to the diverse number of waterfalls in the valley.[http://www.summitpost.org/custom-object/403541/waterfall-country-vale-of-neath.html SummitPost - Waterfall Country - Vale of Neath - UK][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHSp9hCF1kg YouTube - Vale of Neath waterfalls] In the upper reaches of the valley, at the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, are the waterfalls of four or five rivers: the Afon Hepste, Nedd Fechan, Afon Pyrddin, Afon Mellte and Afon Sychryd. In the lower valley, waterfalls can be found at Melincourt and Aberdulais.
Vale of Neath Railway
Currently partly used as a goods line, the Vale of Neath Railway once served the area for passenger trains.
Notes
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/GlamWest/Aberpergwm.htm Aberpergwm Drift]
- [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3480025 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of the Vale of Neath and surrounding area]