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The Vale of Neath extends north-east from Briton Ferry to Pont Nedd Fechan. Its picturesque beauty was recorded by Thomas Hornor (1785-1844), who produced several albums of watercolours of the area in 1816-20. This view depicts the upper waterfall on the river Hepste, described in 1835 by William Weston Young in the 'Guide to the Beauties of Glyn Neath': 'When water is abundant, the Upper Cilhepste is a grand sheet, and from the projecting form of the upper ledge of the rock over which it falls, may be walked or even rode under.'

This was painted by Penry Williams in 1819. Penry Williams was born in Merthyr, and moved to Italy where he became an artist popular with tourists.