Abbey Ruins Get New Lease of Life

Margam Abbey’s iconic Chapter House and Infirmary have undergone extensive restoration work this summer to ensure that history is preserved for years to come.

Neath Port Talbot Council was successful in obtaining over £240,000 of grant funding from the European Regional Development Fund (EDRF), WREN, and Cadw to undertake repair works on the 12th century Cistercian Abbey remains.

A recent survey identified that the structures, which are Grade 1 listed by Cadw and are Scheduled Ancient Monuments, were deteriorating and that urgent action was required to avoid any further decay.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to maintain and repair their Listed Buildings and scheduled Ancient Monuments and so the Council moved to secure the necessary funding to undertake the repairs.

These included the removal of vegetation, the repointing of stonework, archways and capping stones and the use of resin to secure cracked masonry.

The completion of the work in July will also now signify the removal of fencing on the site allowing visitors to get in and around the remains, and allow Margam Country Park to promote its historic value to the grounds.

Cllr. Ali Thomas OBE, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said: “It is fantastic that we can secure not only one of the oldest pieces of history in our area, but also one with high historical value.”

“The site holds so many exciting stories to captivate the minds of adults and children alike, from its time as a working Cistercian Abbey to its demise at the hands of Henry VIII.”

“One of the councils main priorities is to refurbish and repair some of our historic buildings to bring them back into use, and this latest project will ensure that Margam Abbey and its ruins will continue to attract visitors for years to come.”