ABERPERGWM, Glyn Neath, West Glamorgan 1997
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Notes on ABERPERGWM, Glyn Neath, West Glamorgan 1997
I recently visited this house (build 1560 on a former site) again and was shocked by what I saw. So much had fallen in just 6 years.
This property, still owned by the Coal Board, lies beside a housing estate and with no security and with public footpaths circling the house, is an easy target for vandals. Very little remains and what does is all but invisible in the undergrowth. Much vandalised and surprisingly, considering its state and location, yet to be demolished, but it can only be a matter of time.
A fine wooden door/gateway lies in a pile with bramble coils wrapping themselves around the rotten joins and two medieval windows in the 1980's were discovered in the collapsing masonry.
For further information on Aberpergwm a good starting point would be the excellent book by Elizabeth F. Belcham 'About Aberpergwm : the home of the Williams family in the Vale of Neath, Glamorgan'.
Aberpergwm 1997
Aberpergwm 1997
Aberpergwm 1997
Aberpergwm 1997
I recently visited this house (build 1560 on a former site) again and was shocked by what I saw. So much had fallen in just 6 years.
This property, still owned by the Coal Board, lies beside a housing estate and with no security and with public footpaths circling the house, is an easy target for vandals. Very little remains and what does is all but invisible in the undergrowth. Much vandalised and surprisingly, considering its state and location, yet to be demolished, but it can only be a matter of time.
A fine wooden door/gateway lies in a pile with bramble coils wrapping themselves around the rotten joins and two medieval windows in the 1980's were discovered in the collapsing masonry.
For further information on Aberpergwm a good starting point would be the excellent book by Elizabeth F. Belcham 'About Aberpergwm : the home of the Williams family in the Vale of Neath, Glamorgan'.
Aberpergwm 1997
Aberpergwm 1997
Aberpergwm 1997
Aberpergwm 1997
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Return to: THE GLAMORGANS (Including Neath Port Talbot, Gower, Vale of Glamorgan) or RUINS THROUGHOUT WALES or Galleries
Comments
By Roger Harris: It is absolutely disgusting that such a beautiful historical house such as Aberpergwm has been allowed to deteriorate in this way. All who have been involved with the house from the owners, the NCB and aslo the authorities should be thoroughly ashamed that it has come to this.
I can remember as a young person of the area working for the Forestry Commision helping out there with a function for officials and private landowners. It was beautiful inside and out in the grounds.
It could have been used perfectly for a tourist attraction or museum By B Williams: this house was offerd to the council for a nominal rent per year of 50p and they could turn it into flats all they had to do was maintain the building By S.Johns: I remember in early 80's when contractors came to grounds to start work converting the house into a nightclub. It was said they quickly abandoned the idea as non cost effective. By david henry bartlett: I believe this is the same (BIG HOUSE")my grandmother (rose whitney)took me too in the late forties early fifties I can vaguely remember a conservatory with the venus insect catching plant.I to this day I do notknow the reason for our visit By kaye Caradoc: Just making contact as it seems relevant in my family history. ~What a beautiful house By Susan Herbert: I too agree with previous comments on the state and ruins that once was the envy of all. The NCB should have taken better care of this beautiful house when they used it years ago. Shame on all who could have saved this gem in the Neath valley . I too recal walking through the hous in the early 70's and seeing the beautiful stain glass windows portraying Henry and all his wives, also the beautiful ball room which one could only imagine how wonderful it must have looked in its heyday, what a pity what a shame. If I ever win the lottery this house will be rebuilt. By Anonymous: I can confirm that the house is not owned by the coal board and never was but it is still owned by the Williams family By Nanna: I to remember the manor house,when old Harry was the Gardner, the grounds were perfect he would say to us kids you can come on to the grounds but don't walk on the grass the manor was something for glynneath to be proud off our heritage, but someone let a family go in there supposing to look after it .what a laugh they stripped the lead from the roof and that was the start of its dimise so very sad shame on you and look at the state of it now it begs belef.... By Lewis: I have lived in glynneath most of my life I am now 51 and I walk past this house most days and every time without fail I nod my head in disbelief anger and shame that the powers that be has let this piece of history just crumble to the ground I just don't understand why and I most probably never will shame on everyone By Paul: Apparently it was some man named jesset was in charge of caretaking. He allowed this start of the ruing you see today. By Deb: My father worked here when it was NCB in the sixties. It seemed such a huge long drive but when I returned as an adult there was not much there. I hope I can recreate it in on a story I am working on. Thanks for the photos By Jean Casey: Went to see this yesterday and was shocked to see the state of the place what a shame ,but on a brighter note was taking pictures of the church when the caretakers of said property asked if i would like to see inside what a beautiful church ,they also filled us in on the history of the Estate, the little grave yard.
As a visitor i would like to thank them both for their kindness in opening the church for me By Clare: Disgraceful how this beautiful house has been left to rot I hope someone can save what's left, it would make a lovely park in memory of the Williams family ...as My last name is Williams too By sally: What happened to all the hand cut stone that was left on the floor after the house had to be knocked down for safety sake ?the person who had pigs on it sold it to challengher to build his own house with. shes local called andrea By Big Dave: This house was habitable just 30 years ago.. It shouldnt look any different today. What you see here is sheer vandalism and not natural decay. By Amanda coy: Its realy sad to see it in the state it is in and a great shame to the history of Glynneath. Would anyone know the address off the Williams family as i have a great interest with others from the village of the gardens and orchard think it would make a grate project for children and adults alike, i have soared a lot of info but the address. Thank you x By Robert: Those two morons who have it at the moment demolished rest of it By Jason Baynham: My mam used to take me this way when I was a boy. Absolutely disgraceful By Derrelle Wells: I am a descendant of the Williams family my great grandfather was Erasmus Williams je was from the Williams of Powis castle and Bodlewyden castle I am really pleased that I am looking at my ancestors history and I am hoping that I can get a chance to get the family tree . By amanda williams: Searchers of possible current owner might want to check out the one director of the Aberpergwm Estate company who is a Mr Williams of London. The company is registered with companies house as active but dormant. By Garetb: I've heard lots about this place growing up, my dad had the lease on this in the mid 70s spent lots of money restoring it replacing over 60 sash windows ready to start doing wedding functions etc and later found out there was no entertainment to be done within the grounds so had to give it up. By Peter Baker: I was a pupil at the East Anglian School in Gorleston on Sea near Great Yarmouth from 1964
to 1974. During World War Two the children were evacuated to this house for their safety.
Shame it’s in such a bad state. By Peter Baker: I was a pupil at the East Anglian School in Gorleston on Sea near Great Yarmouth from 1964
to 1974. During World War Two the children were evacuated to this house for their safety.
Shame it’s in such a bad state. By Colin R: Used to visit in the 50's when it was NCB offices.
My aunt & uncle were the caretakers at that time. Such a shame to see it now. By DIANE: I LIVED in the small house up the hill from Aberpergwm House, I walked past there on my way home from school , it was a majestic building, our cottage was built from the surrounding walls of the The main house , lots of history and hauntings!!! By DIANE: I LIVED in the small house up the hill from Aberpergwm House, I walked past there on my way home from school , it was a majestic building, our cottage was built from the surrounding walls of the The main house , lots of history and hauntings!!! By Ian Watkins: A once beautiful location with so much history and potential.
Sadly gone, current people
residing there on the grounds exploiting it for their gain.
Local people know what they are up to.
Who give these people permission to reside there?
Such a shame.
Upper Neath valley has lost so much. By james known: latest is that thier using the grounds as a hide for drug growing and distribution and the owner robert williams knows it but doesnt care ? By Vini: Looking to get in touch with Williams family. I have a family tree amd crest thingy for them. By Deborah: I grew up in Manor Drive in the 1960s. My father worked in the coal board offices of the house. It seemed like a long walk in a child's eye. What a waste of heritage. By David Reynolds: Robert Morgan Williams clearly has no concern for the Williams Estate and legacy.
It’s left to just the foundations now and managed by rogue custodians that claim to lease the land of the estate.
They have exploited what was left for their own financial gain and claim to manage land but it’s with total disregard and for what only they can get out of it.
Legally they probably don’t have a claim or lease it’s just a ploy for their criminality.
All this going on whilst he reaps the rewards of what money the estate as a whole continues to generate.
Such a shame as there’s still some aspects worth preserving albeit very little.
I have have family that recall some Williams’ funerals and have fond memories of Aberpergym and its surroundings.
Lots of the works has been sold and salvaged without the estates knowledge.
A sad state. By Ian Jones: When will something be done about the people claiming they have the right to legally use the land?
For what? Nothing but drugs and crime and everyone knows it.
Ruined the place. By Anne Powell: The people there now are up to no good, the whole family are bullies and not very nice.
Who let them on the land? Burning and running a scrap yard selling drugs.
It’s terrible what’s happened to the estate, lived here all my life it used to be beautiful. By Jen Powell: Reading the above comments in regards to the current custodians occupying the grounds at Aberpergym.
One of them was given a lengthy custodian sentence this week (June 2025) for over 20 years.
Not nice to see on this great write up on Aberpergym House and Estate, but a part of his history nonetheless albeit very bad.
Hopefully the Williams Estate will see this and get them off the land there.
A simple search will give you further information, it’s not pleasant reading I’m afraid.
“A man from Neath Port Talbot has been jailed after he was found guilty of rape and several other offences.
29-year-old Curtis Evans, from Glynneath, raped his victim on three occasions in June 2024”