Things to do in Bridgend County Borough

Bryngarw Country Park is a country park and public garden near Brynmenyn in Bridgend County Borough, occupying the grounds of the former Bryngarw House estate and providing one of the principal countryside recreation destinations for communities in the Garw and Ogmore valleys. The park covers approximately 115 acres of woodland, meadow, formal garden and riverside habitat along the River Garw, with a Visitor Centre, café, children's play areas and various event and educational facilities. The woodland at Bryngarw includes mixed deciduous and ornamental plantings alongside native woodland species, and the formal Japanese Garden is a distinctive and peaceful feature of the grounds. The park is managed by Bridgend County Borough Council and provides freely accessible countryside close to the post-industrial valley communities of the Garw and Ogmore valleys, serving as an important green space for local communities throughout the year.

Romantic ruined castle, a storyboard in stone Originally founded in the early 12th century, Coety’s remains are a centuries-spanning jumble of architectural styles that reflect its lengthy occupation. Begun as an earthwork castle around AD 1100, the stone keep and curtain wall were late 12th-century additions. Major rebuilding took place in the 14th century and again in the 15th, after Owain Glyndŵr laid siege to the castle during his uprising against English rule. Further modifications were made in the early 16th century, including the addition of a third floor. Though the castle is now a ruin, remaining features from each era shed light on its long and storied life.

Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve near Bridgend in south Wales contains one of the largest sand dune systems in Europe, a spectacular landscape of shifting dunes, dune slacks, ancient woodland, grassland and beach habitat of exceptional ecological and geomorphological significance. The dune system at Merthyr Mawr includes dunes rising to over 80 metres at the Big Dipper, among the tallest in Europe, providing an extraordinary landscape of bare sand and vegetation at various stages of succession. The reserve is of considerable archaeological interest, with prehistoric artefacts and early Christian cross fragments indicating human occupation of the dune landscape across many millennia. The adjacent village of Merthyr Mawr, with its thatched cottages and medieval church, is one of the most picturesque in Wales. The combination of exceptional natural heritage and attractive heritage village makes Merthyr Mawr one of the most distinctive and rewarding nature destinations in south Wales.

Rest Bay is one of the finest beaches on the South Wales coast, a broad open arc of golden sand on the western edge of Porthcawl in Bridgend County Borough facing directly into the Atlantic swell of the Bristol Channel. Its consistent wave quality has made it one of Wales's premier surfing beaches and it is regularly used for national and international competitions. The beach is managed by Bridgend County Borough Council with a café, car park and seasonal lifeguard coverage. Views extend across the Bristol Channel to Somerset on clear days. Porthcawl itself is a Victorian seaside resort with a long esplanade and working harbour, and the surrounding coastline includes the medieval ruins of Ogmore Castle and the spectacular Merthyr Mawr dune system, one of the largest in Europe.

Kenfig National Nature Reserve near Bridgend in south Wales is one of the most important coastal sand dune systems in Wales, covering over 1,000 acres of shifting dunes, slack communities, a freshwater lake and vegetation of exceptional botanical diversity. The reserve is managed by Natural Resources Wales and is recognised as one of the finest Atlantic dune systems in Wales, supporting rare plant species including fen orchid, creeping willow and various rare bryophytes and lichens alongside diverse bird and invertebrate populations. The remnants of the medieval walled town of Kenfig, swallowed by the advancing dunes in the medieval period, can be found within the reserve. The Kenfig Pool provides one of the largest freshwater dune slack lakes in Wales, popular with wildfowl in winter and supporting breeding warblers in the surrounding reedbeds during summer.

The name Candleston is probably derived from the de Cantelupe family who built a fortified manor house here in the later 14th century. Surrounded by the huge sand dune system of Merthyr Mawr, over time the lands of the manor later became covered with dunes and thus valueless. Candleston Castle was built upon a promontory of land overlooking the Merthyr Mawr sand dunes and it is probable that there was originally a small harbour near the site. It consisted of a D-shaped courtyard enclosed by a substantial curtain wall. A two storey hall range occupied the eastern side. A tower, consisting of a vault on the ground floor and a solar on the level above, were added shortly after on the southern end of the hall. This is a fabulous little castle, one of my favourite ruins in all of South Wales to explore. A walk round the interior discovering its fire places, kitchen area, windows and solar, you get a real sense this was a luxurious fortified home. It's very easy to imagine the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen as the lords in their finery return home. Access to the castle is very easy as its located next to a pay and display car park, for walks in the woods and enormous sands dunes.

Pink Bay Beach is a small, sheltered cove located on the south coast of the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, positioned between the larger and more famous beaches of Pobbles Bay and Three Cliffs Bay. This intimate stretch of sand is part of one of Britain's most spectacular coastal landscapes, designated as the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956. The beach takes its name from the distinctive pink-hued limestone that characterizes parts of the cliff face and rock formations, particularly visible in certain lighting conditions when the sun catches the mineral content in the stone. Despite being overshadowed by its neighboring beaches, Pink Bay offers visitors a sense of seclusion and tranquility that is increasingly rare along popular coastlines. The geological history of Pink Bay is intimately connected to the Carboniferous limestone that forms the backbone of the southern Gower coast. These rocks were laid down approximately 340 million years ago when this area lay beneath a warm, tropical sea. The distinctive coloration comes from iron oxide deposits within the limestone, which weather to create subtle rose and salmon tints in the rock face. Over millennia, wave action and weathering have carved the dramatic cliffs and created the small bay, which sits nestled between rocky headlands that provide natural shelter from prevailing westerly winds. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Stone Age found throughout the Gower Peninsula, though Pink Bay itself has remained relatively undisturbed compared to larger settlements. Standing on the beach at Pink Bay, visitors encounter a compact crescent of sand backed by imposing limestone cliffs that rise dramatically from the shore. The sand itself varies with the tide and season, sometimes golden, sometimes with a greyish cast from weathered shells and rock fragments. The atmosphere is one of peaceful isolation, with the constant sound of waves breaking on the shore and the cries of seabirds echoing off the cliff faces. The rock formations create interesting pools and gullies at low tide, and the water in the bay typically appears clear and inviting, though as with much of the Welsh coast, it remains brisk even in summer months. The sense of enclosure created by the surrounding cliffs gives the beach an almost secret quality, as if it exists in its own protected world separate from the busier stretches of coastline nearby. The surrounding landscape is characteristically Gower, with the beach accessed through areas of limestone grassland, gorse scrub, and patches of maritime heath. From the clifftops above, visitors can enjoy spectacular views across the Bristol Channel toward North Devon and Somerset. The nearby Three Cliffs Bay, just to the west, is one of Wales's most photographed beaches, recognizable by its three distinctive limestone peaks that rise dramatically from the sands. To the east lies Pobbles Bay, another attractive cove that shares similar characteristics of sheltered sand and limestone scenery. The entire stretch of coastline forms part of the Gower Coast Path, which traces the peninsula's perimeter and offers some of the finest coastal walking in Britain. Inland from Pink Bay, the landscape transitions to rolling farmland interspersed with small villages and ancient woodland. Accessing Pink Bay requires some planning and a willingness to walk, as there is no direct vehicle access to the beach itself. The most common approach is from Southgate, a small village with limited parking facilities. From there, visitors can follow coastal paths that lead along the clifftops before descending via sometimes steep and potentially challenging paths to reach the beach. The walk takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes each way, and the descent involves negotiating uneven terrain and steps that can become slippery when wet. Alternative access is possible by walking along the beach from Three Cliffs Bay at low tide, but this requires careful attention to tide times as the route can become impassable or dangerous when the tide is in. Proper footwear is essential, and visitors should be prepared for typical Welsh coastal weather, which can change rapidly even in summer. The best times to visit Pink Bay are during spring and early autumn when the weather tends to be more settled and the summer crowds have diminished. The beach faces south-southwest, making it a pleasant spot for afternoon sun. Low tide reveals the most extensive stretch of sand and exposes interesting rock formations and pools ideal for exploration, though visitors must always be aware of incoming tides and plan their visit accordingly. The secluded nature of the beach means it rarely becomes as crowded as nearby Three Cliffs Bay, even during peak season, though its limited size means that even a modest number of visitors can make it feel occupied. Swimming is possible for the brave, but there are no lifeguard services, and the usual cautions about rip currents and cold water temperatures apply. Dogs are generally welcome, making it a popular destination for those wanting to explore with their pets. One particularly fascinating aspect of Pink Bay and the surrounding coastline is its role in smuggling history during the 18th and 19th centuries. The isolated coves along this stretch of the Gower coast were ideal for landing contraband goods, particularly brandy and tobacco from France and the Channel Islands, away from the eyes of customs officials. Local legends speak of hidden caves and tunnels, though many such tales are likely embellished. The limestone cliffs do contain natural caves and fissures that would have provided temporary hiding places for smuggled goods. More recently, the area has become important for wildlife, with the cliffs providing nesting sites for various seabirds including gulls, cormorants, and occasionally peregrine falcons. The rock pools at low tide host diverse marine life, and seals are occasionally spotted in the waters around the bay, particularly during pupping season in autumn.

Bwlch Mountain forms part of the upland ridge separating the Swansea and Neath valleys in South Wales, rising to over 400 metres and offering panoramic views across the South Wales Valleys, the Bristol Channel and on clear days as far as Somerset and Devon. The name Bwlch is the Welsh word for pass, reflecting this upland's historic role as a route between valleys. The heather, bilberry and rush moorland of the summit is typical of South Wales upland habitat, providing ground for skylark, curlew and occasional red grouse. The views from the ridge encompass the full sweep of the valley landscapes shaped by two centuries of coal mining and steelmaking.

Newcastle Castle in Bridgend, also known as Newcastle Bridgend, is a ruined Norman castle in the centre of Bridgend, dating from the twelfth century and consisting of the remains of a round tower and gateway associated with the Norman settlement of the Vale of Glamorgan. The castle is a Cadw-managed site providing a modest but historically genuine fragment of Norman military architecture in the commercial heart of the town. The Vale of Glamorgan was one of the most thoroughly Norman-colonised areas of medieval Wales, and numerous castles, mottes and earthwork fortifications were established throughout the vale from the late eleventh century onward as part of the systematic conquest and settlement of the fertile coastal lowland of south Wales. The Vale of Glamorgan Heritage Coast to the south provides dramatic limestone cliff scenery within easy reach.

Kenfig Castle is one of the best discoveries of all the hundreds of castles we have visited across the country. The castle is partially buried under the huge expanse of rolling sand dunes that stretch out in every direction, hidden beneath tangled undergrowth. Finding this castle you will need a map of the Kenfig sands. You can park off the road opposite the public footpaths that cross the sands. As you progress up and over the grassy sand dunes without any firm landmarks it can be easy to lose your way and the paths soon disappear underfoot. With the motorway far to the right of you, the sprawling Port Talbot steel works ahead, look out for the stub of the tower that sits upon a tangled grassy mound. If you come across the railway line as you head towards the steel works, work your way to your left, away from the motorway, and eventually you'll spot the stubby tower ruins. After you have visited the tower and work away from the tangled ruins, you will spot other sections of castle walls that appear from under the undergrowth, indicating there is still much that is hidden from view that still awaits excavation to reveal its secrets. On a hot day such as ours, make sure you take plenty of water for the walk. The Prince of Wales pub once back at the road provides a well earnt drink after a very long but enjoyable walk.