Chronology of Key Events

Chronology of Key Events

Prehistoric – Roman Era

• Bronze Age farming on Margam Mountain; burial mounds to the north and east of the park.
• Iron Age hillfort established on Mynydd‑y‑Castell.
• Roman and early Christian presence shown by the milestone of Emperor Postumus, the Bodvoc stone and early Celtic stone crosses.

Monastic Era (1147–1536)

• 1147: Cistercian Abbey founded.
• 1200: Twelve‑sided Chapter House built.
• Monks hunt deer and mine coal.
• 1349: Black Death reduces the monastic community.
• 1400s: Cryke Chapel built for locals.
• 1536: Only nine monks remain before the Dissolution.

Mansel Era (1536–1750)

• 1537: Abbey dissolved.
• 1540: Estate purchased by Sir Rice Mansel.
• Tudor mansion created using former abbey buildings.
• 1611: Sir Thomas Mansel becomes a Baronet.
• 1661: First records of gardens and a gardener.
• 1711: Mansel family elevated to the peerage.
• 1727: Catalogue of greenhouse plants produced, including early orange tree records.

Talbot Era (1750–1941)

• 1750: Estate passes to the Talbot family.
• 1768–1772: Thomas Mansel Talbot undertakes Grand Tour before redeveloping Margam.
• 1786–1793: Orangery constructed.
• 1792–1799: Chapter House deteriorates; roof collapses.
• 1794: Gardens fenced; new entrance added.
• 1800: Citrus House built.
• 1802: Lord Nelson visits the Orangery.
• 1814: Estate mapped as ‘Great’, ‘Little’ and ‘Upper’ Parks.
• 1830–1840: Construction of Margam Castle.
• 1837: Temple of the Four Seasons façade re‑erected; West driveway built.
• 1841: Fishpond lake created; model village of Groes built.
• 1852: Orangery terrace completed.
• 1850s–1900: Early photography experiments; Royal visits; greenhouses rebuilt; electricity installed; Twyn‑yr‑Hydd House built.
• 1902: Bamboo garden and pergola added.
• 1918: Estate passes to Talbot Fletcher family.
• 1926: New Pond created.
• 1930: Stable block adapted; tennis court built.

Wartime & Evans‑Bevan Era (1941–1973)

• 1941: Troops billeted at the Castle; estate contents auctioned.
• 1942: Estate bought by D.M. Evans‑Bevan.
• Post‑war: Castle left empty and deteriorates.
• 1950s: Gardens redesigned at Twyn‑yr‑Hydd; new plantations added.

Council Era (1973–Present)

• 1973: Estate acquired by Glamorgan County Council.
• 1977: Restored Orangery officially opened by HM The Queen.
• 1970s–1980s: Archaeological excavations; Castle fire (1977); cattle introduced; Castle stabilisation begins; Welsh Sculpture Park established.
• 1987: Early daguerreotype of the Castle saved for Wales.
• 1996: Margam Park becomes part of Neath Port Talbot Council.
• 1999: North Wing refurbished; Citrus House becomes home to fuchsia collection; major concerts held.
• 2000: Elton John concert.
• 2001: Major garden restoration begins; pathways upgraded; new playground; Phase 1 of narrow‑gauge railway completed.
• 2003: Urdd Eisteddfod hosted.
• 2007: Railway extended; Katherine Jenkins concert; Discovery Centre construction begins.
• 2009: £5.6m Discovery Centre completed and handed to Field Studies Council.
• 2012: Heritage Lottery Fund support secured for park restoration and engagement.
• 2013: Citrus House restored; Chapter House conserved; ornamental gardens and Broadwalk steps renewed; Green Flag Award achieved.
• 2014: Major restoration works completed; adventure playground refurbished; venison project launched.
• 2018: WW1 centenary commemorations (“Lest We Forget”).
• 2019: Luminate launched; Community Christmas Tree Festival introduced.
• 2020: Mountain bike trails redesigned; COVID‑19 closure and staged reopening.
• 2021: Grant secured to develop future plans for Margam Castle.
• 2023: Castle feasibility study launched; restoration continues; courtyard toilets refurbished; EV charging installed.