Top 13 Things to See and Do
It truly is an adventure discovering signs of the past, spotting wildlife and exploring the lakes, woodland and gardens. Here are some ideas for your next visit. Best of all, apart from parking, most of these are free*
1. Orangery Gardens
A personal favorite of some of our members. This hidden gem is one of the quietest places in the Park. A perfect spot to spend the afternoon reading. Hedgehogs love the formal gardens, they spend the daytime sleeping in a leafy bed hidden away to appear at nigh to feed. Earthworms, slugs and beetles are its favorite. 2. The Fish Pond This beautiful spot has a variety of wildlife. In the winter months the striking Mandarin duck can often be seen, not native to the UK, this has been introduced in recent years. Call on a Sunday and see the Model Boat Club sail intricate scale boats powered by electric or steam. Looking across the lake you will see the banks covered in Rhododendron bushes. In the spring they are covered in pink flowers. 3. Margam Castle
Now it wouldn't be a top 15 list without the Castle being featured. Built between 1830 - 1840 by CRM Talbot, the Tudor Gothic inspired mansion designed by Thomas Hopper has been featured in many programs such as Doctor Who. Take a walk inside through the great hall and gaze up at the monumental staircase. A sight worth seeing! 4. Capel Mair
Known by many names over the years such as the Cryke Chaple, Hen Egwlys and Capel Mair, the place of worship, established circa 1470 was built as a place of worship for local peasents/yeomen who did not have the right to worship in the Abbey itself. It is a grade 2 listed building situated on the Graig Fawr hillside. Translated the name means 'The chapel of St Mary on the hill' (Capel Mair ar y Bryn) 5. 26 Acre
A perfect place to see the deer! Look out for a huge vatiery of wildlife that include foxes, badgers, hares, grey squirrels, voles and shrews and moles. The park supports a rich variety of bird life including common woodland birds like the nuthatch, jay and blue tit and heath land birds such as stonechat and reed bunting. Buzzards, Kestrels and occasional Sparrow Hawks may be seen hovering over the area, searching for small mammals. 6. Iron Age Hill Fort
An area of about seven acres enclosed by a massive bank, which would have been topped by a wooden fence, a ditch and another smaller bank is established on Mynydd-y-castell. The hillfort was occupied by the Silures, an Iron Age tribe, who fought with the Romans from 48AD until 70AD. Recent geophys is hoping to discover more about the site. Join us on one of our guided walks to the Iron Age Hill Fort. 7. The Orangery
The Orangery at Margam was built between 1787 and 1793 to house a large collection of orange, lemon and citron tree .Aligned east-west and at 327 feet in length, it is the longest Orangery in Britain. Restored and opened by Her Majesty the Queen during her Silver Jubilee visit in June 1977. The building continues to be used in as a prestigious venue hosting a variety of activities. 8. Bro Morgannwg Stone
Looking across the hillfort slope is the Pulpit Viewpoint. There are excellent views from here over to Devon, Somerset, the Gower peninsular and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast The big blackbird you may see from here is Britain’s largest crow, the Raven. The updraft from the steep slope provides them with great lift, they can put on a remarkable aerobatic show. 9. Fairy Tale Village
Within the Orangery Gardens is the Fairy Tale Village. Designed for children 10 and under the village has miniature houses all with Fairy Tale themes! It boasts a toddler play area, picnic area, giant chess and draughts, willow cathedral and and adventure trail and an Adventure Castle! 10. Chapter House Ruins
Located within the Orangery gardens is the remains of the fine twelve-sided Chapter House. The Cistercian Monastery was founded in 1147 and was to become the largest and wealthiest in Wales. It is said this was where Cistercian monks copied out the Domesday Book hundreds of years ago. 11. Children's Adventure Train*
Let the Margam Train take the strain as she takes you on a journey from the Car Park to the Castle. Enjoy spectacular views beside the New Pond as the track runs alongside the water and over the dam, enjoy the spectacular view across the lake to the distant Castle and terrace walls as you wind your way to the castle station. 11. Visitor Centre The Visitor Centre is situated around the Castle Courtyard and includes Charlottes Pantry Cafe, the Gift Shop where information on our activities is available, toilet and baby changing facilities and our administration offices. Charlotte's Pantry which is conveniently located in the Castle Courtyard are our tearooms where you can enjoy a well earned rest. 12. Go Ape!* The very first adventure to cross the border into Wales is located in woodlands of Margam, which boasts a 1000 acres of parkland and the largest herd of deer in Wales. The Tree Top Adventure at Margam boasts the biggest Tarzan Swing in the UK. You'll have to gear yourself us for a leap of faith, which features a stomach-wrenching drop of six metres! 13. Farm Trail
Walk on past the Margam Castle Play Area and head along to the Farm Trail where there is a selection of farm animals to see. The Glamorgan Cattle are our speciality. You may have seen the herd in the fields next to our main car park. It was thought that the Glamorgan breed had died out in Britain in the 1920’s. Fortunately a herd was discovered in 1979 in Sussex, and the entire stock was purchased and brought back to the park, ensuring the survival of the breed. |
* Please note these are activities that are chargeable. Car Parking £6.60 with free entry to the park.(On Special event days an entry fee will apply). Information on this page is correct of August 2021 and is subject to change. We recommend you contact the Park directly before you travel.