Gnoll Stadium

Gnoll Stadium sits in Neath, just a short drive from Swansea, and it's the home of Neath RFC - one of Welsh rugby's proper institutions. If you're here during the season and fancy catching a match, you'll find yourself surrounded by passionate locals who actually know the game inside out. The ground itself isn't flashy. It's a working rugby stadium with genuine atmosphere rather than corporate sheen, which appeals to anyone tired of sanitised sports venues.

You'll get the most from a visit if you're either a rugby enthusiast or someone keen to experience how Welsh communities rally around their teams. Families with children old enough to sit through a match will find it accessible and welcoming. The crowd tends to be knowledgeable but friendly to visiting supporters.

Before heading there, check the fixture list - there's no point turning up on a quiet Tuesday. Match days give you the full experience; non-match days the ground's essentially closed to visitors. It's free to watch if you're willing to stand on the terraces, though seated areas cost a bit more.

When staying at nearby Riverside Holiday Park or SWDA Riverside, both just under five miles away, Neath makes for a straightforward evening out. You could easily combine it with a wander around Swansea itself or other valley attractions. Allow a couple of hours if there's a match on - the atmosphere before kick-off is half the appeal.