waterfall
Melincourt Falls
An 24m fall in the Neath Valley painted by Turner in 1795, reached by a short riverside path.
11 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomWales
Maesteg
Wales, United Kingdom · Europe
About Maesteg
Maesteg works well as a base: 5 minutes from Bryn, 19km from Nedd Fechan Gorge.
Maesteg is in Wales, United Kingdom, with about 21,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Bryn, about 4 km away.
Maesteg (English: ; Welsh: [maisˈteːɡ] ) is a town and community in Bridgend County Borough, Wales. Maesteg lies at the northernmost end of the Llynfi Valley, close to the border with Neath Port Talbot. In 2011, Maesteg had a population of 20,612. The English translation of Maesteg is 'fair field'.
Maesteg officiallyRead more
became a town in 1826 and is celebrating its bicentenary in 2026 with organised events and celebrations being organised by a committee of residents and local groups and businesses.
Historically a part of Glamorgan, the growth of the town started with the opening of ironworks in the 1820s and 1830s. Once a coal mining area, the last pit closed in 1985. With the decline of the coal industry and, more recently, the closure of one large factory producing cosmetics and another manufacturing vehicle components, the valley has become a residential/dormitory area for the Port Talbot, Bridgend and Cardiff journey to work areas. 11% (1,867 out of 20,702) of the town's population speak Welsh with 27.9% of 3-15 year olds speaking the language. It is one of the few areas of Wales where the traditional Mari Lwyd is still celebrated during Christmas.
The community of Maesteg had a population of 17,580 in the 2011 census and includes Nantyffyllon. The built-up area having a population of 21,000.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Maesteg?
Within an hour or so of Maesteg: Melincourt Falls (11 km), Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls) (18 km), Sgwd yr Eira (19 km), Nedd Fechan Gorge (19 km).
Are there any good drives near Maesteg?
The nearest famous roads are Black Mountain Pass (A4069), Countisbury Hill and Porlock Hill.
Where is Maesteg?
Maesteg is in Wales, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Bryn.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 21,001
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Wales
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.6093, -3.6582
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Maesteg
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
waterfall
Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls)
A graceful fall on the Afon Pyrddin near Pontneddfechan, also walkable behind, in the heart of Waterfall Country.
18 km · about 20 min drive
waterfall
Sgwd yr Eira
Spectacular waterfall in the Brecon Beacons where you can walk behind the curtain of water on a natural rock ledge, a truly unique experience.
19 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Nedd Fechan Gorge
A limestone river gorge threaded with falls and caves between Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte, the spine of Waterfall Country.
19 km · about 20 min drive
waterfall
Henrhyd Falls
At 27m the highest waterfall in south Wales, and the Batcave entrance in The Dark Knight Rises; reached by a steep wooded path.
21 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Sgwd Clun-Gwyn
The first of the Four Waterfalls on the Afon Mellte, a wide stepped fall in the limestone gorge near Ystradfellte.
21 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Black Mountain Pass (A4069)
Top Gear's favourite British road, a smooth, empty ribbon of hairpins and open bends over the western Brecon Beacons between Llangadog and Brynamman.
30 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
Llyn y Fan Fawr
The larger and wilder of the two Black Mountain lakes, sitting beneath Fan Brycheiniog at 600m with almost no visitors.
30 km · about 35 min drive
Driving roads near Maesteg
- 30 kmBlack Mountain Pass (A4069)Top Gear's favourite British road, a smooth, empty ribbon of hairpins and open bends over the western Brecon Beacons between Llangadog and Brynamman.
- 34 kmPen y FanThe highest peak in southern Britain at 886 metres, the flat-topped summit of the Brecon Beacons offering sweeping views across Wales.
- 34 kmCorn DuPen y Fan's twin summit at 873m, with a Bronze Age cairn and the finest view over the Beacons' north escarpment.
- 43 kmCountisbury HillA long 1-in-4 climb on the A39 out of Lynmouth onto Exmoor, with sweeping views over the Bristol Channel.
- 45 kmPorlock HillBritain's steepest A-road, where the A39 climbs out of Porlock onto Exmoor at gradients up to 1-in-4 with two severe hairpins. A scenic Victorian toll road offers a gentler coastal alternative.
- 45 kmPorlock Hill (A39)One of England's steepest A-roads at 1-in-4 with hairpins out of Porlock onto Exmoor; a toll road offers a gentler alternative.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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