The preserved county of West Glamorgan sits roughly in the middle of South Wales, opening out to the south coast. West Glamorgan borders its sister county of Mid Glamorgan to the east, Dyfed to the west, and Powys to the north. Created from the ancient region of Glamorgan, West Glamorgan now survives in name only. In 1996 it was separated into Swansea and the authority of Neath Port Talbot.

Swansea is one of the biggest cities in Wales. It was built on industry and continues as an academic centre and gateway to the scenic Gower Peninsula. It is an important destination for Welsh business and tourism. The district of Neath Port Talbot lies along the south coast of Wales, a short drive northeast of Swansea. The borough of Neath Port Talbot is primarily comprised of the major towns of Neath (Castell-Nedd) and Port Talbot.

Neath is a historically rich area, but until the 14th century prosperity was stinted as a result of Welsh/English conflicts. After this, Neath flourished as a market village. It later became a prolific coal mining and copper smelting area, both of which were exploited during the Industrial Revolution. Similarly, Port Talbot developed out of the small river port of Aberavan, utilising the rich coal seams and proximity to the River Afon, which allowed dock trade and the use of water-powered machinery. Port Talbot takes it name from the influential Talbot family, who owned a large local ironworks and created Port Talbot’s docks and railway, which greatly contributed to the town’s industrial success.

Over recent years, both Neath and Port Talbot have seen significant decreases in the manufacturing processes that built the area. Neath is reinventing itself as a leisure destination, but Port Talbot remains invested in the remaining industries. Port Talbot retains the feel of a highly industrialised area, while Neath celebrates its history and the future to create a diverse cultural mix. Attractions in Neath Port Talbot are largely based around historical sights, such as Neath Abbey, or the attractive scenery of Aberdulais Falls. However, the attractions of Swansea and Cardiff are only a short distance away, as is the beautiful Welsh coast.