Melincourt Falls Wales

The walk to Melincourt Falls takes you through woodland that feels properly remote, even though Port Talbot is just a few miles away. You'll follow the stream for about forty minutes until the waterfall appears - a thin ribbon of water dropping into a dark pool surrounded by moss-covered rocks. It's not thunderous or particularly high, but there's something quietly compelling about it, especially after rain when the flow picks up.

The real appeal here is the walk itself rather than the destination. The path winds through beech and oak, crossing the stream several times on stepping stones. Families with kids aged eight and up will manage it fine, though it gets a bit muddy and slippery underfoot - proper boots matter. The pool is deep enough for a paddle on warmer days, though the water's properly cold.

Go early on weekends to avoid crowds, or frankly any weekday if you can manage it. Allow a solid two hours for the round trip without rushing. It's free, which helps, and parking near the trailhead in Resolfen village costs nothing either.

If you're based at Willow Springs Campsite just down the road, this is a cracking half-day outing that breaks up the holiday without requiring anything fancy. Combine it with a stroll around Port Talbot's seafront or a visit to the nearby Margam Country Park if you want a proper day out. The Falls themselves are modest, but the walk justifies the trip.