Rest Bay Porthcawl
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.