First look inside Neath’s transformed Gnoll Country Park

Major changes unveiled

The transformation of Gnoll Country Park has touched almost every corner of the 240‑acre site. At its heart is a new two‑storey visitor centre, replacing the ageing building with a café, flexible event spaces and a balcony that looks out across the lake.

Families will find a dedicated soft play area inside, while outside children can explore Gnoll Towers — a woodland adventure playground of three climbing towers, the tallest rising nearly 30 feet.

Visitors looking to stay longer can now book Pond Cottage, a restored Victorian groundkeeper’s home turned dog‑friendly holiday accommodation. The cottage sleeps up to six and comes with its own gardens, a log burner fuelled by wood from the park, and views across the pond and surrounding wildlife.

Elsewhere, the ruins of Gnoll House have been consolidated, the park’s historic cascades restored to their former spectacle, and new walking routes opened up.

A bridge now links the grounds to Brynau Farm, a 57‑hectare Woodland Trust haven, extending the reach of the park into the wider Vale of Neath landscape.

Alongside the physical changes, the site has been given refreshed branding, a new website and updated interpretation materials to guide visitors through its history.

Council’s perspective

Neath Port Talbot Council says the new facilities are intended to enhance the visitor experience and increase footfall. Council leader Steve Hunt described the visitor centre as “stylish” and said Pond Cottage would provide “a unique and authentic base” for exploring the wider Vale of Neath Heritage Corridor.

Cabinet member Cen Phillips added that the project would ensure the park “continues to play a big part in Neath Port Talbot’s future.”

Historic backdrop

Gnoll Country Park has a long history dating back to Elizabethan times, when the estate was granted to the Earls of Pembroke. It later passed to the Evans family and, through marriage in 1686, to Sir Humphrey Mackworth.

Mackworth developed the estate into an industrial hub and expanded the house and gardens. His son, Herbert, continued the work, laying out the grounds as a landscaped garden and adding features such as cascades and a grotto — elements that have now been restored as part of the latest project.

Opening soon

The park is due to officially reopen next month, with the council hoping the investment will secure its place as one of Neath Port Talbot’s most popular attractions for both residents and visitors.

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Swansea Bay parks and green spaces recognised among world’s best with Green Flag awards

Keep Wales Tidy has confirmed that Wales now flies more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country worldwide, with a record-breaking 315 sites recognised this year — including 223 community spaces.

Among the winners are six of Swansea’s main parks, including Clyne Gardens, Singleton Botanical Gardens, Brynmill Park, Parc Llewelyn, Cwmdonkin Park and Victoria Park. All are managed by Swansea Council and welcome thousands of visitors annually.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Our city is blessed with some beautiful parks which we are proud of and work hard to maintain. They all provide a space where families and visitors can relax, have fun and enjoy the outdoors. I’m thrilled that these locations have been recognised on a national level.”

Additional Green Flag Awards have been given to Swansea University Singleton Campus, Penllergare Valley Woods, and Mount Pleasant Hospital, managed by Coastal Housing Group.

Thirteen community-based gardens and green spaces in Swansea also received Green Flag Community Awards, including Friends of Coed Gwilym Park, Pontlliw Park, Swansea Canal, Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden, Swansea Community Farm and Coedbach Park.

Cllr Francis-Davies added: “It’s great to see a large number of community gardens get recognition for what they offer residents. This is largely down to community groups and volunteers, who take it upon themselves to look after these green spaces and make sure that wherever you live in Swansea, there is certain to be somewhere nearby that families can visit.”

In Neath Port Talbot, a wide range of parks and gardens have also achieved Green Flag status, including Gnoll Estate Country Park, Margam Country Park, Talbot Memorial Park, Victoria Gardens, and Swansea University Bay Campus Grounds.

Community Awards were also given to Amman Valley Trotting Club, Cilybebyll Community Growers, Craig Gwladus Country Park, The Friends and Neighbours Centre, Gardd y Pobl, Sandfields Community Garden, Cwmafan Community Orchard, Glantawe Riverside Park, Vivian Park Nature Garden, and The Lane Community Garden.

A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesperson said: “These awards signify parks and community green spaces which have met very high standards and they represent a reward for outstanding environmental and gardening efforts and the maintenance of excellent visitor facilities. These are awards are due to a great team effort from our dedicated staff and from many hard working, much appreciated volunteers from our local communities.”

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Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said: “We’re thrilled that green spaces managed by Swansea Council and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council have once again achieved the prestigious Green Flag status — a true testament to the dedication and hard work of the many staff and volunteers who care for them.”

The Green Flag Award is delivered in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy and supported by Welsh Government. Sites are judged against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management and community involvement.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who holds responsibility for Climate Change, said: “I am very proud that Wales continues to lead the world in community-awarded green flag sites. Our local green spaces play a vital role in connecting us to nature, supporting biodiversity and providing opportunities for healthy recreation.”

A full list of Green Flag and Green Flag Community Award winners for 2025/26 can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website.

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Work ‘progressing well’ on transformational Gnoll Estate Country Park project

Cllr Hunt visited the park on Monday, December 16th, 2024, for an update on the transformational scheme which will enhance facilities for regular users, bring out the historic significance of the park, and attract visitors from further afield. 

During his visit, accompanied by Neath Port Talbot Council Chief Executive Frances O’Brien, Deputy Leader Cllr Alun Llewelyn, fellow councillors, officials and representatives of project contractors Andrew Scott, Cllr Hunt was able to use a recently completed bridge which takes visitors from the park to Brynau Farm – a wildlife haven of 57 hectares of Woodland Trust land perfectly set on rolling hills next to Gnoll Estate Country Park.

Led by Neath Port Talbot Council and paid for by UK Government funding, the work will involve the construction of a new, fully accessible two-storey visitor centre encompassing a modern café with a south facing balcony enjoying views across the lake. 

It will also have event, meeting and conference facilities and a dedicated children’s soft play space. A new woodland adventure playground designed as a ‘destination attraction’ for children and families will also be built nearby.

Cllr Hunt said after his visit:

“I have been very impressed to see the good progress being made on this extremely important, transformational project which will bring Gnoll Park up to date while retaining the historic features that make it so attractive.”

Work done so far includes: 

Visitor Centre

• Demolition of the former visitor centre – complete
• Erection of the steel structure of the replacement visitor centre – under way with the steel decking now in place on the ground floor and concrete being laid on the same floor.

Cascades

• Restoration work on the historic cascades is now almost complete.

Pond Cottage

• The roof at Pond cottage – replaced.
• Work on the restoration (external render and repointing of stonework) – under way.
• Internal work (rewiring/complete refurbishment) – under way.
• Talks are ongoing with an interior designer on the fit-out which will be sympathetic in design with the park’s history and heritage.

In the New Year, repairs and restoration to the Gnoll House ruins will take place and excavation work from the visitor centre side of the lake to Pond Cottage will go ahead. Although this will cause some disruption, it will provide a much-needed upgrade.

Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:

“Throughout the work, which will finish in 2025, we have ensured temporary facilities such as catering and toilets have been in place so people can still come to the park and enjoy its lovely walks and views. 

“At the end of this project our residents and other visitors will enjoy an improved Gnoll Estate Country Park with better, more modern facilities giving this beautiful spot a new lease of life.”

[Lead image: Neath Port Talbot Council]

#GnollEstateCountryPark #Neath