Gnoll Estate Country Park
Andrew Scott Ltd are delighted to have successfully completed the £12m restoration of the historic Gnoll Estate Country Park in Neath for our client, Neath Port Talbot Council.
Funded by the UK Government, the project has been carefully designed to enhance the facilities within Gnoll Park for regular visitors, while celebrating and preserving the park’s rich historic significance.
Key elements of the project included the demolition of the existing ageing visitor centre and the construction of a new, fully accessible, two-storey facility. The new visitor centre features a contemporary café with stunning south-facing balcony views across the lake, event, meeting and conference spaces and a dedicated children’s soft play area. The existing adventure playground has also been extended, providing a destination attraction for children and families.
Further restoration works carried out include the refurbishment and reopening of Pond Cottage, the consolidation and repair of the historic Gnoll House ruins and the restoration of the park’s spectacular water cascades. Information and interpretation points have been installed throughout the site to highlight the park’s cultural and historical importance.
Enhancements to recreation and walking routes include the construction of a new bridge linking the park to the adjacent Brynau Farm, a 57-hectare Woodland Trust site known for its rich wildlife and rolling landscapes. This transformational project has also delivered wider landscaping, parking and infrastructure improvements, ensuring the park remains a cherished destination for generations to come.
Gnoll Country Park has also just been announced in Keep Britain Tidy’s list of the UK’s top ten green spaces. The People’s Choice ‘top ten green spaces’ list is voted for annually by thousands of votes from park users across the UK.
Mark Bowen, Managing Director of Andrew Scott Ltd, said, “We are incredibly proud to have delivered this regeneration project at Gnoll Estate Country Park in partnership with Neath Port Talbot Council. The restoration celebrates the site’s unique heritage, whilst creating modern, inclusive spaces for the whole community to enjoy. From the new visitor centre to the restoration of historic features, this project reflects our commitment to enhancing local environments through high-quality construction and restoration. We’re confident that Gnoll Park will continue to be a much loved public park and attraction for generations to come.”
Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said: “We would like to thank Andrew Scott Ltd for its hard work on this extremely important project which will play a part in boosting the local economy and wellbeing.
“While the Gnoll has a long and very interesting history, the first-class work completed here by our contractors will ensure it plays a part in our future and will continue to offer a combination of natural beauty and recreational opportunities, providing both a space for relaxation and a place for active leisure.”