Bryncoch

Bryncoch is a village near Neath in Neath Port Talbot County Borough, Wales. The name derives from the Welsh 'red hill' (bryn is hill, coch is red), originally the name of a nearby farm.^[1]

Bryncoch is divided into two wards: Bryncoch North and Bryncoch South, and is in the community of Blaenhonddan. The area is not regarded as hugely affluent, but is one of the generally better off areas in the deprived county borough of Neath Port Talbot

Historically the village of Bryncoch was centred on Main Road and a few adjacent streets, but the village expanded considerably in the 1960s with the building of the Furzeland Drive and Elias Drive developments. This area makes up the council ward of Bryncoch North, which has only one small street of social housing at Heol Pant Glas, named after a nearby farm located at the furthest northern corner of the ward. The council ward of Bryncoch South includes the distinct areas of the Rhyddings, Gilfach, Penywern, Leiros Parc, and the large social housing estate of Caewern.

There are two village primary schools: Blaenhonddan and the Bryncoch Church in Wales school. There is also a special school, Ysgol Hendre. The nearest secondary school is Dwr y Felin Comprehensive. Many village children also attend the Welsh-language secondary Ysgol Gyfun at Ystalyfera and the Welsh-language Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castell-nedd.