Terrace with Pools and Flower Beds Fronting Margam Orangery

The terrace with pools and flower beds fronting the Margam Orangery is a significant 18th-century feature. It consists of a gravel surface bordered by a balustraded parapet that is interrupted by steps. The terrace includes pools and flower beds integrated into the gravel area. The balustrade is made up of closely-spaced balusters topped with flat stone coping that has a moulded underside. This structure rests on a projecting ashlar plinth with moulded coping. Square piers with moulded capping stones, which support urns on pedestals, punctuate the balustrade.

The balustrading runs straight across the front and curves around to the sides, where the piers hold statues. The balustrade continues for a short distance before curving outward towards the orangery, forming a solid wall of ashlar that creates an ogee effect in plan. Both the solid walls and the piers feature raised panels with pecked surfaces. The urns at the front, some of which have been replaced, are adorned with swags and lion heads, except for those beside the central steps, which display masks. The larger urns on the curve are decorated with mermaids. The statues on the side piers are in the form of two cupids.

There are three flights of steps at the front, each flanked by two sections of balustrading. The outer flights consist of four wide, plain steps. At the center of the balustrading is a large circular pool with a moulded rim and five steps around its exterior, which appear as swept steps from a distance.

Additionally, two smaller circular pools are set into the terrace at each end, surrounded by low stone walls three courses high, featuring egg and dart moulding on the saddleback coping. Each pool has a fountain in the center, composed of three entwined dolphins whose tails support a canopy of scallops. Between the three pools, there are two flower beds, all with moulded stone coping. The flower beds are rectangular, except for the sides facing the pools, which are convex to align with the circular shape of the pools.