Margam is situated in the county of Neath Port Talbot, South Wales. With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, Margam's harbour was recognised as a successful port and it ultimately became Port Talbot. However, Margam does not need to rely on its neighbouring town for fame: the abbey and the castle which stand here hold their own fruitful history.
Margam Abbey was established by Robert, Earl of Gloucester in 1147. The abbey later passed in to the hands of the Talbot family, who included the building into their grounds. Sadly in 1536, the abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII, but its nave survived and is still used as a church today.
Margam Castle is actually a large mansion house built for the Talbot family. The "castle" is one of many "mock" or "revival" castles built in the 19th century during the Gothic Revival.