NEATH TOWN
Site Details
- NPRN
- 268078
- Map Reference
- SS79NW
- Grid Reference
- SS7497
- Unitary (Local) Authority
- Neath, Port Talbot
- Old County
- Glamorgan
- Community
- Dyffryn Clydach
- Type of Site
- TOWN
- Broad Class
- Civil
- Period
- Multiperiod
Site Description
The market town of Neath developed on a site that had long been important owing to its position as the lowest crossing point on the River Neath; the Roman fort of Nidum (NPRN 301350) was founded there in the first century AD and remained in sporadic use until the fourth century. In the early twelfth century two castles were built in the area; one in the centre of the present town founded by Robert, Earl of Gloucester (NPRN 402739), the second across the river, founded by his lieutenant, Richard de Glanville (NPRN 94528). In 1130 Glanville went on to found Neath Abbey (NPRN 133) in the shadow of his castle, and a village and market began to develop around them.
Neath’s early history is marred by repeated sackings at the hands of the lords of Afan, but by the fourteenth century relative peace was achieved, and the completion of town walls (NPRN 307205) and a bridge across the river allowed trade to flourish in the regular markets held there. In the sixteenth century coal mining and copper smelting commenced in the area, and paved the way for the eighteenth century industrialisation of the town. In 1795 the Neath Canal (NPRN 34444) was completed, followed in 1824 by the Swansea to Aberdulais Canal, and in 1850 and 1851 the South Wales Railway and Vale of Neath Railway respectively. Many of the signs of Neath’s industrial past remain; the dry dock (NPRN 34269), the Town and Market Halls (NPRN 31909 & 31826), the Mechanics Institute (NPRN 18327) and the Melyn Tinplate Works (NPRN 302182).
K Steele, RCAHMW, 16 December 2008
