Aberdulais Falls

Aberdulais Falls, where the River Dulais drops through a steep-sided gorge three miles north-east of Neath, has powered industry for more than 400 years, from the copper smelting a German engineer set up here in secret in 1584 to the tinplate works of the Industrial Revolution. The National Trust site takes in the waterfall, the ruined tinworks and the turbine house, along with a waterwheel more than eight metres across, one of Europe's largest electricity-generating wheels, currently stopped for specialist assessment and restoration. The Trust reopened Aberdulais in partnership with the social justice charity St Giles Cymru; terrain is level throughout, with wheelchairs to hire and accessible toilets by the entrance. Reviewers find it a small but absorbing site with friendly staff and a warm welcome. Tips from visitors: park in the car park across the road, keep dogs on a short lead, and bring your own provisions, as there is no cafe.