WALK 5: GNOLL COUNTRY PARK - MOSSHOUSE WOOD - NEATH

The Gnoll Estate Country Park is full of interest where you can enjoy the countryside and discover some of the water works the Mackworth family had constructed in the 19th Century to supply power to local industry. Photo: J. Davies

Map: OS Explorer 165, or Landranger 170

Distance: Approximately 2¾ miles; 4.5 kilometres.

Terrain: Easy – to moderate, with some steep and muddy sections – good footwear essential, allow 2 hours

Start: Fairyland Estate Bus Terminus; Grid Reference SS765975

Bus there: First Cymru Service 153 from Neath (connections from Swansea and Port Talbot); frequency, every two hours daytime, Mondays to Saturdays, not Sundays or Bank Holidays. Alternatively take any bus to Neath Bus Station from which it is about ½ mile, mainly uphill to the Visitor Centre.

Walk: The walk starts at the Gnoll Country Park main gates (bus terminus), which is 400 metres (¼ mile) from the Visitor Centre; from there the footpath follows the watercourses of the former Gnoll Estate from the ‘Fishpond’ via the ‘Guinea Pond’ to the Mosshouse Wood Reservoir with its impressive dam. The path is way marked but is steep in places and can be muddy underfoot. Return the same way to the Visitor Centre, then take the footpath around the western side of the ‘Fishpond’ leading to the paved road through Preswylfa Dingle, past the Great Pond and emerging at the Gnoll Memorial Gates, the boundary of the Park. From here it is a short walk to Victoria Gardens bus station.

Finish: Neath Victoria Gardens; Grid Reference SS753974

Facilities: The Visitor Centre has a gift shop, refreshments and toilets

Bus back: First Cymru Services X5 to Swansea; X4 to Port Talbot

Tickets: First Day Swansea Bay tickets are valid from Swansea, Pontardawe and Port Talbot; from Neath Bus Station, a normal single or return ticket is cheaper; holders of Welsh concessionary bus passes can travel free!