1.2 Aberdulais Falls and the National Trust

When the National Trust took over the Aberdulais Falls and the associated buildings, the site was derelict, overgrown and dangerous. Prior to the Trust's ownership, public access to the Falls over the land surrounding it had been denied. Important decisions had to be taken regarding the future of the site.

The A465 slices through the site and the suburbs of Neath have encroached on the river bed on both sides.

Photo: RGB Aerial Photography. © GeoPerspectives COWI A/S ©

Photo: RGB Aerial Photography.© GeoPerspectives COWI A/S

Figure 1: Aberdulais Falls, Skewen, Neath

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Figure 1

Figure 1: Aberdulais Falls, Skewen, Neath

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Informed by its stated aims and objectives, the National Trust's decision-making process swung into action. This was, of necessity, complex and time-consuming. It was determined by the interaction of a range of professionals and senior members of the Trust. In addition, any developments to the site had to be agreed by Cadw – the Welsh equivalent of English Heritage.