River Kenfig

River Kenfig (Afon Cynffig)
River
These extensive reed beds lie close to the mouth of the river
Countries	United Kingdom, Wales
Region	South Wales
County	Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend
Cities	Pyle, Marlas, North Cornelly
Source
- location	Mynydd Margam, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
Length	18.0 km (11 mi)

The River Kenfig (Welsh: Afon Cynffig) is a river in Wales, straddling the county boroughs of Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend. It is approximately 18 kilometres long.

The river rises in the forest of Mynydd Margam, not far west of Maesteg, in close proximity to the River Afan and the Llynfi River. From here it flows south, and turns west near the town of Pyle, through the area known as the M4 Corridor. The river is at the northern edge of the Kenfig National Nature Reserve, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. It also forms the boundary of the Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend districts for much of its course, before running into the sea at Margam Sands, close to Margam Moors. It flows through an area steeped in folklore and local legend, much of it tied in with the lost towns beneath the shifting sands of Kenfig Burrows.

Although the river has few significant tributaries, it picks up a few small streams on its course. Major tributaries include the Nant Iorwaeth-goch, which joins the river as it turns westward north of Kenfig Hill, the Afon Fach, a stream which flows through North Cornelly and Pyle, and the Coal Brook, which rises in Margam Park.

The final stretch of the River Kenfig at Kenfig Sands is at the northern boundary of the Kenfig Nature Reserve. This reserve contains Kenfig Pool, the largest lake in South Wales, and Kenfig Burrows, its largest sand dune system. The river does not actually flow through the village of Kenfig itself. It runs about a mile to the north; however, it flows past the remains of Kenfig castle, which is at the original site of the village. This site was abandoned in the 13th century when the sand dunes, shifted by wild storms, began to bury parts of the village. Only the tower of Kenfig Castle is now visible.