Port Talbot is a town built on its industrial past so it isn’t the first place you would imaging discovering a turkquse coloured Reservoir and a landscape reminiscent on the Canadian rockies. But that’s exactly why it’s become an Instagram paradise!
Brombil Reservoir is one of the South Wales’ hidden gems tucked away off the beaten track on the side of Mynydd Brombil in Port Talbot. This picturesque walk soon transports you away from the nearby steel production plant which can produce nearly 5 million tonnes of steel a year.
In fact it’s this rich industrial history which provides the backdrop to the impressive landscape we see today. The site once featured a nearby colliery at Brombil which was owned by Vivian & Sons of Taibach. These collieries supplied the coal needed for the Copper Works at Taibach and the reservoir supplied the nearby docks.
The attractive colouring of the water is caused by the surrounding limestone rocks which leach calcite crystals into the water, turning it turquoise.
The alkalinity comes from calcium oxide, a white powder which would have originally been left around the site as a by-product of the quarrying process so people are advised against swimming in the water.
As well as this amazing sight, the nearby mountain is full of hidden history. A short walk bring you to Margam Radar Station which was part of the World War II Chain Home Low radar network . The site like others across the UK was used to detect shipping and low flying aircraft in the Bristol Channel.
Three concrete buildings and a platform remain which are set on the edge of the scarp overlooking Groes village. This radar station is the best surviving example in the British Isles today.
My walk continues high above Margam Park where you can soon discover the ruined chapel built by the monks of Margam, dating to the 14th century. This little chapel, dedicated to St Mary, was built by the monks for the benefit of their tenants but this grade 2 listed building situated on the Graig Fawr hillside also has a darker history.
Over the centuries the church and nearby castle have gained a reputation as two of Wales’ most haunted buildings which have long spawned terrifying tales of cowled spectres or aristocratic ghouls.
During my many visits the Resevoir has remained largely unknown but in recent months, Brombil has rocketed in popularity thanks to Instagram, with people heading there in the hope of getting the perfect selfie of the strikingly blue water.
But with growing numbers of people venturing to the reservoir, those living nearby are understandably frustrated having been faced with issues relating to parking. Sadly, the entrance to the walk is from a residential street and while discussions continue about a possible solution people are asked to be sympathetic when parking.
In my opinion it’s a difficult balance with people having spent nearly a year at home and wanting to explore this amazing landscape with the understandable needs of those who live locally.
My advice has always been to park a short walk away or better still go there on foot or bike. Do not head for the widely suggested M4 bridge at post code of SA13 2SR and instead choose to walk from the nearby Margam Park where parking is available or near Groeswen Playing fields.