Neath Contents

NEATH, a small but thriving market town in Glamorganshire, seated on the banks of the river Neath, in a beautiful valley, eight miles from Swansea, and 196 from London. The streets were irregular and narrow, but some are now much improved. The new town-hall, which is nearly finished, is a fine building, and will be a great ornament to the town. The church is a large structure, divided into two aisles, by a range of pillars which support the arches of the roof, having a chancel at one end, and at the other a substantial square tower, surmounted by an embattled parapet. A few ruins of its ancient castle still remain, comprising part of the walls, and one of the gateways, which has a massive round tower on each side. The mineral treasures of the adjacent country, and the extensive copper, iron and tin works in the vicinity, create a considerable trade here, which is much promoted by the construction of a canal to Abernant, a distance of 13 miles, which opens a communication with the collieries, copper works, &c. to Briton Ferry, where are several convenient shipping places to take in coal, culm and stone coal. A canal is now cutting to form a junction with the Swansea canal, which must be of great advantage to the town. Six miles northof Neath, is a beautiful cataract, falling nearly 150 feet perpendicular, and one mile to the west stands Neath Abbey, called by Leyland, the Fairest in all Wales; it was founded for Cistertians, by Richard de Granville and Constance his wife, and dedicated to the Holy Trinity : at the time of the dissolution, it contained only eight monks, and it was valued at #132 7s 7d. per annum, it was given by Henry VIII to Sir Richard Williams alias Crumwell. Here the unfortunate Edward II. sheltered himself until he was taken : the remains of it are now inhabited by some poor families belonging to the neighbouring works. No adequate idea can be formed, from the present remains, of the original extent and magnificence of this edifice, foundations ofbuildings are to be traced in the adjacent grounds for a considerable distance, and some of the houses in the village were evidently connected with the main building. To contrast these fine ruins with the humble dwellings that surround them, their present occupiers, with their once powerful possessors, forms a picture of fallen monastic greatness, rarely to be equalled. Near to the ruins stand the crown, and mines, royal copper works, and the extensive iron foundry tha bears their name. Market day, Wednesday. Fairs, Trinity Thursday, July 31, & Sept 12. The population is about 3000.

POST OFFICE, Wind Street, Wm. Howell, Post Master. - The mail to Bristol every morning at three. To Milford every night at half-past ten

Neath Abbey Coal Co, near Abbey
Parsons John, Longford court
+ Penrose & Marriett, Agent W. Mort
+ Protheroe Edw., agent J. Arthur
+ Thomas Lewis, Agent D. Francis
+ Williams W., Agent Jas. Fear

N.B. - Some of the London Traders call at Neath for goods.

Description of Neath from Pigots London Provincial Directory, 1822-3

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