Margam Discovery Centre

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  Bar: We have a licensed bar stocked with local ales and spirits, wines, soft drinks and snacks. Bring your own alcohol is not permitted.
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  Capacity: The centre has 33 rooms all with en-suite facilities, arranged over four separate corridors and are controlled by programmable key fobs for security.
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  Car Parking: There is car parking space for approx. 30 vehicles.
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  Children's Facilities: We have games and activities on-site for children aged 8+; however, younger children are welcome.
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  Common Room: There are two student common rooms at Margam Discovery Centre. Both with facilities for making hot and cold drinks and watching television.
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  Disabled Facilities: Five of our rooms are fully accessible and have specially adapted facilities for wheelchair users.
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  Hot and Cold Drinks: We have hot and cold drinks making facilities accessible around the centre.
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  Kitchen: Fully catered services for most dietary needs are available, as well as packed lunch-making services.
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  Linen: All bedding is provided. Please strip your beds on departure.
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  Outdoor Clothing: You can hire wellingtons, waterproof trousers and coats
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  Outdoor Facilities: Extensive range of on-site and off-site activities.
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  Shop: Our shop sells drinks, snacks and souvenirs of your stay as well as a selection of Field Studies Council publications.
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  Wi-Fi: Free guest Wi-Fi is available throughout the centre.
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  Workrooms: The centre has five classroom teaching facilities with interactive whiteboards and wireless internet access.

We want your stay to be as comfortable as possible. Our residential centres offer a range of room sizes and layouts from single and twin up to larger dormitories. Note: not all centres have single/twin rooms. All rooms are subject to availability. Some rooms are en suite and others have shower and toilet facilities close by. Please contact us if you want to discuss your room requirements.

Each centre also has places to relax during any free time such as a lounge, games room and outdoor space.

For one day visits you are usually asked to bring a packed lunch unless it is specified otherwise.

Residential visits include freshly prepared seasonal meals, with a hot breakfast, packed lunch and choice of evening meal. Food is sourced locally wherever possible and we can cater for most dietary requirements. All of our residential centres have been awarded the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award which recognises organisations which go the extra mile to make sure visitors are receiving healthy, nutritious and sustainable meals.

To get a better idea on what food we offer at our centres, please see our sample meals

Margam Park Discovery Centre is located within Margam Park, an 850-acre country estate nestling on the narrow coastal plain and southern slopes of Mynydd Margam.

Within the park are Broad-leaved, coniferous and mixed woodlands, scrub, grassland, bog, lakes and streams, providing a biodiverse and rich landscape for fieldwork studies. This is a stark contrast to the nearby industrial landscape of Port Talbot.

Many common mammals call Margam Park home including foxes, badgers, hares, grey squirrels, voles and shrews. Margam is also home to species of woodland birds such as the nuthatch, jay, and blue tit plus heathland birds such as the stonechat and reed bunting.

The surrounding area offers a range of ecosystems to study from freshwater ponds, coastal rocky shores and streams to mixed woodland and grassland.

Virtual tour Video tour of the area

As part of our environmental commitment we encourage all visitors to travel by coach, train or public transport.

By road – Margam Country Park is easily accessible off Junction 38 of the M4 Motorway. If travelling from Swansea take Junction 38 and continue along the A48 signposted to Pyle. You pass the main gates to Margam Country Park and continue for just over a mile until you reach a very short section of dual carriageway. Just after the start of the dual carriageway you will see a brown sign on your left for Margam Discovery Centre and Twyn yr Hydd House, turn left here down the slip road until you approach a large set of double gates. If travelling from Cardiff, take junction 38 off the M4 motorway and go right around the large roundabout and take the A48 signposted to Pyle, the rest is the same as for the Swansea directions.

By train – Frequent Great Western links London Paddington, Reading, Swindon and Bristol Parkway (connections from northeast England and Midlands) with Port Talbot.
Arriva Trains Wales direct to Port Talbot from Cardiff, Newport, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Crewe and Manchester, with connections at Cardiff from south and west of England. For overseas visitors, there are good rail/air links from London Gatwick & Heathrow, Bristol and Cardiff International Airports. Bus X1 from outside Port Talbot train station; taxis are also available at station minibus transfer or taxi from centre possible from Port Talbot Parkway – approximately 10 miles away. Train information National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50

By bus – There are stops at the main road entrance, it’s a 15 minutes’ walk to the reception area. From Bridgend & Pyle: First Cymru X1 From Neath: First Cymru 226 or 227 to Port Talbot Bus Station, then X1 From Port Talbot Bus & Train Stations: First Cymru X1 From Sw

Accessing Centre Gates – You will arrive at two sets of gates. The Margam Discovery Centre gates are the gates to the right and signposted ‘Margam Discovery Centre’. You will need to press the ‘CALL’ button in the silver box to the right of the gates to gain entry. Please speak clearly, specifying your name and organisation, our centre staff will activate the gates to allow you access.
Once inside the park, please follow signs to Margam Discovery Centre (left for cars, right for coaches). Once you have crossed the little stone bridge, take the next left and follow the road to the Discovery Centre. The centre car park is at the back of the building. Please park your vehicle and report to reception.