Neath Abbey was established in 1130 by an order which shortly later
became absorbed into the Cistercian order.
The abbey flouished and at the height of wealth it owned estates as far away as Somerset.
The abbey fell victim to the Protestant Reform. It was dissolved in 1539 and fell into the hands of owners who treated it as a stately home.
In the 18th century it was used as a centre for copper smelting, after which it fell into general disrepair.
Neath Abbey is maintained by CADW. It is located just off the A4109, just West of Neath and can be visited by the public without payment.