Dog friendly Margam Country Park, Neath Port Talbot

About

Tucked just outside Port Talbot in South Wales, Margam Country Park is one of those places that quietly surprises you. It’s huge, for one thing. You turn a corner expecting a car park and find a castle, then a lake, and then deer. It’s not polished or showy, but that’s precisely why it works if you’ve got a dog with you. No need to tiptoe around or worry they’re too muddy.

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Dog-Friendly Policies

Dogs are very welcome across most of Margam Country Park, but there are a couple of things worth knowing. You’ve to keep them on a lead in certain areas, mainly where there are deer or livestock present. Dogs are not allowed in the main castle and children’s play areas, and must be on leads in the Orangery and Castle gardens, as well as on the farm trail.

There are water bowls available near the cafe and the visitor centre, but it’s best to bring your own when exploring the park. You have benches in the courtyard where you can enjoy a snack near the cafe.

Things To See & Do

First, the grounds are massive, spanning nearly 800 acres. You’ve got proper forest trails, wide open grassy bits, steep hills, and a big lake. You can get formal trail maps with waymarked options from 1 mile to 3.5 miles.

*Margam Country Park Map taken from leaflet*

There are also a few animal attractions, including a farm area and a bird of prey centre. However, please note that dogs are not allowed in these areas, which is understandable.

Access and Facilities

The easiest access is by driving. The park is just off the M4, at junction 38. There’s a big brown sign pointing the way and a large [fees apply] car park.

Toilets and dog bins are located near the main entrance and along the lake path. There aren’t many bins, though, but they do allow you to put items in regular bins. You will also find a cafe with outside seating.

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