Bridgend County for legendary family adventures

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Darleen Hubbard
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1 Bridgend County for legendry fmily dventures

Welcome to Bridgend County Stroll mong some of Europe s tllest snd dunes Surf some of the UK s best wves Delve deep into Wles fscinting history Ply

Discover prt of Wles you my not know much bout. Esy to get to, the County of Bridgend lies between Crdiff, Swnse nd the Brecon Becons Ntionl prk.

This brochure will help you discover things to DO, plces to STAY nd events to SEE in Bridgend County. www.bridgendbites.

2 Welcome to Bridgend County Stroll mong some of Europe s tllest snd dunes Surf some of the UK s best wves Delve deep into Wles fscinting history Ply round of world-clss, yet unstuffy golf All to the stunning bckdrop of the ll-wles Cost Pth The perfect spot for fun-pcked fmily holidy Dre to Discover prt of Wles you my not know much bout. Esy to get to, the County of Bridgend lies between Crdiff, Swnse nd the Brecon Becons Ntionl prk. This re is lso prt of the Glmorgn Heritge Cost n re of spectculr cliffs, coves, snd dunes nd miles of sndy beches. This brochure will help you discover things to DO, plces to STAY nd events to SEE in Bridgend County. Wht could be more perfect, this is my perfect dy in Bridgend, I m home nd I love it. Dvid Emnuel Horse riding t Ogmore Cstle #perfectdy Bridgend 2 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 3

A Legendry fmily dventure top fmilyfriendly dventures:

dunes. Feel the rush s you sled to the bottom!

Ogmore Cstle before wndering the ncient ruins.

Seek out the mzing keepers of Bridgend County.

3 A Legendry fmily dventure top fmilyfriendly dventures: Climb the mighty Big Dipper, one of Europe s tllest snd dunes. Feel the rush s you sled to the bottom! Skip cross stepping stones in the shdow of the mighty Ogmore Cstle before wndering the ncient ruins. Pedl through rugged vlleys s you wind your wy from peks to bech by mountin bike. Explore the golden snds of Rest By, hven for surfing, body bording nd countless other wtersports. Just one of 7 beutiful sndy beches. Seek out the mzing keepers of Bridgend County. Bring them to life with poems nd videos using the dre to Discover App. From the mighty Merthyr Mwr dunes to the rugged Welsh vlleys. Cn you find ll 14? 4 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 5

Awken the Keepers of Bryngrw In this Yer of Legends, wlk mong the legends residing in Bryngrw. The Keepers of Bryngrw re mythicl gurdins who protect the prk.

4 Awken the Keepers of Bryngrw In this Yer of Legends, wlk mong the legends residing in Bryngrw. The Keepers of Bryngrw re mythicl gurdins who protect the prk. Tke n interctive quest with mgicl Str Tlismn to bring the Keepers to life nd listen to their tles. If you wken ll of them, you cn become Keeper of the Story yourself! Bryngrw Country Prk offers over 113 cres of diverse prklnd with everything from ntive woodlnds to forml grdens nd ornmentl lkes to much loved children s ply re. Also on site is Bryngrw House, beutiful wedding venue, Bryngrw House, s well s visitor centre nd cfe. Meet the wildlife t Prc Slip Nture Reserve Discover the cretures tht inhbit Prc Slip Nture Reserve. With 300 cres of diverse hbitts, you re sure to find something tht crwls, flies, swims or prowls. There re plenty of trils on the reserve, giving you number of options for res to explore. Why not tke leisurely stroll nd finish off your wlk with fternoon te t the Wildlife Trust coffee shop. Explore Kenfig Ntionl Nture Reserve Kenfig Nture Reserve is one of the UK s most importnt wildlife conservtion sites nd it s gret plce for wlkers, birdwtchers, photogrphers nd fmilies to explore. As you explore, look out for the Keeper of the Dunes. To find out more bout her story, nd the plnts nd wildlife she protects, downlod the Dre to Discover App. Downlod the Dre to Discover pp, visit bridgendbites.com Bck to nture 6 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 7

y w s i h t Wlk ile f the 870-m o ½ 1 1 t s ju ost of it!

-winning dunes, wrd c ti m r d f o rves.

p u m s yo plenty of u re free to ro 4 wlks with 1 s st e g g su Of course, yo p p one.

Merthyr Mwr (9 km / 3 hours) A circulr wlk strting t Bridgend rilwy sttion.

stones to the drmtic ruins of Ogmore Cstle.

5 y w s i h t Wlk ile f the 870-m o ½ 1 1 t s ju ost of it! ome to h m is e h y t t n e k u o C m Bridgend t, boy, do we u b h t P l t Wles Cos beches, -winning dunes, wrd c ti m r d f o rves. miles l Nture Rese n Tht s 11 ½ o ti N d n helping cstles t if you d like u b, eye-ctching se le p u m s yo plenty of u re free to ro 4 wlks with 1 s st e g g su Of course, yo p p one. to Discover e long ech se hnd our Dre d n o d of wht to suggestions In n fternoon: Ogmore nd Merthyr Mwr (9 km / 3 hours) A circulr wlk strting t Bridgend rilwy sttion. Enjoy the thtched cottges nd medows of Merthyr Mwr villge before crossing the iconic stepping stones to the drmtic ruins of Ogmore Cstle. Grw Vlley ( 11km / 4 hours) Tking in both sides of the vlley, experience the wooded west nd the open expnses of the est. The drmtic route follows combintion of footpths nd bridlewys. Pln your route To downlod the pp, visit bridgendbites.com 8 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 9

6 Drive time Discover the UK s hidden golf gem. Five courses, one incredible, unstuffy golfing loction. Follow in the footsteps of Tom Wtson, Bernhrd Lnger, Colin Montgomerie nd countless other golfing grets. Pln your own golf itinerry, visit bridgendbites.com Royl Porthcwl - One of Europe s finest links courses nd host of the Senior Open in 2014 nd The on-site Dormy offers ccommodtion for twelve nd with Clubhouse so close to the high tide mrk, the 40ft tide mens tht the view is stunning nd ever-chnging. Roylporthcwl.com Pyle nd Kenfig - course drmticlly cut into the mjestic dunes tht line the Porthcwl cost. Recognised with the Golf Union of Wles Golf Club of the Yer Awrd s they prepre to welcome plyers pre-qulifiers for the Seniors British Open t Royl Porthcwl. The Dormy House is self-contined property in the grounds of the Golf Club. Enbling you to immerse yourself fully in the experience of links golf. Pndkgolfclub.co.uk The Grove - Porthcwl s prklnd course is fntstic chllenge for golfers of ll ges nd bilities. Grovegolf.com Mesteg - The wrmest of golfing welcomes hidden high mongst the rugged Welsh Vlleys with breth-tking views. mesteg-golf.com Coed-y-Mwstwr - A scenic Prklnd course overlooking the Vle of Glmorgn nd twinned with the luxury hotel of the sme nme. coed-y-mwstwr.com It s one of the United Kingdom s hidden golf gems Sky Imges 10 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 11

7 Life s bech Did you know we re home to some of the closest surfing beches to London, with consistent yer-round wves. Rest By Bech is the most populr spot - surfers of ll ges nd bilities shre the wves with vid kite surfers, pddle borders nd kykers. Trecco By is nother populr option, mking the most of the swells rolling in from the Atlntic. If you re looking to ride the Welsh wves for the first time, our locl instructors will hve you hnging ten in no time! Your beches wit Sker Bech C } (t Kenfig) This hidden gem is remote, sndy nd nturlly unspoilt, bcking on to Kenfig Ntionl Nture Reserve. Gret for: nture. Sker Bech is home to wild orchids, insects nd wildlife. Pink By C A quieter snd nd pebble bech, the rocks hve n eye-ctching pink-mrble effect, hence the nme. Wlk here from Rest By. Gret for: chilling out nd getting wy from it ll. Rest By } {= W C z Golden snds tht sweep up to rocky shoreline, bcked by cres of common ground. Gret for: wter sports, prticulrly surfing. There s lso plenty of spce to sunbthe nd relx. Sndy By } {= W C A beutiful flt, sndy by sheltered by Porthcwl s mrin. Gret for: sunbthing, sndcstles, donkey rides nd the Coney Bech Amusement Prk. Porthcwl town centre nd promende re nerby. Trecco By } {= W C z This well sheltered sndy nd rocky bech is close to excellent fcilities for the fmily. Gret for: fmilies, s it is close to Trecco By Holidy Prk, which is lso open to the public. Newton By } W C A lovely sheltered sndy by stretching round to Ogmore by Se. Gret for: dogs! They re llowed on the bech yer-round. The Bechcombers cfé llows dogs outside nd even provides them with wter. Key: } Cr Prk {= Toilets W Sncks vilble C Dogs welcome ll yer round C Dogs bnned between 1 My nd 30 September Lifegurds on duty (during summer seson only) Blue flg bech z Disbled fcilities vilble (Toilets ccessed by RADAR key) The unpretentious Porthcwl surf scene is wht surfing should be ll bout The Independent 12 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 13

Legendry plces Bridgend For gret views of the town, climb Newcstle Hill, pst St Johns House, to the Cstle. Initilly Normn cstle, the site ppers to hve been refortified by Henry II in the 1180s.

Mesteg At the hed of the Llynfi Vlley nd surrounded by mountin scenery, Mesteg grew up in the Industril Revolution, exporting its wres initilly vi horse drwn rilwy tht went to Porthcwl Docks.

8 Legendry plces Bridgend For gret views of the town, climb Newcstle Hill, pst St Johns House, to the Cstle. Initilly Normn cstle, the site ppers to hve been refortified by Henry II in the 1180s. St John s House is n exceptionlly well-preserved lte medievl building set within the historic Newcstle re of Bridgend. Mesteg At the hed of the Llynfi Vlley nd surrounded by mountin scenery, Mesteg grew up in the Industril Revolution, exporting its wres initilly vi horse drwn rilwy tht went to Porthcwl Docks.The historic town hll is well worth visiting, nd even the town s sports centre is in historic ironworks building. Porthcwl Best known for trditionl seside fun on lovely fmily beches, Porthcwl hs growing reputtion s gret loction for ll wter-sports nd surfing in prticulr, which is celebrted with mny events going on throughout the yer. It is lso home to the legendry Royl Porthcwl Golf Club. Blengrw - Seek out the historic Blengrw Workmn s Hll nd discover the origins of the fmous Welsh hymn Clon Ln. Wlk one of the mny scenic routes or smple the re s mountin bike trils. Coity - Step bck in time t Coity Cstle, which mnged to withstnd bttering from Owin Glyndwr in Kenfig - Rich in Medievl nd Romn history, the villge is lso home to Kenfig Ntionl Nture Reserve, one of the finest wildlife hbitts in Wles, s well s the historic Prince of Wles Inn. Llngeinor - A smll villge with big history. This is the birthplce of 18th century philosopher Richrd Price, whose writings were incorported into the Constitution of the United Sttes of Americ. Llngynwyd - Discover Yr Hen Dy (The Old House), reputed to be the oldest inn in South Wles. This pretty hilltop villge is steeped in Welsh history - the ill-fted lovers of locl legend The Mid of Cefn Ydf re buried t Llngynwyd churchyrd. Merthyr Mwr - One hlf chocolte box thtched cottges nd one hlf mighty snd dunes nd fscinting wildlife hbitts. Cndleston Cstle, 15th century fortified mnsion house, sits t the edge of the Shr-like dunes of Merthyr Mwr Wrren. Newton - The villge ws once thriving port nd, during the 17th century, the only hrbour on the entire costline between Aberthw nd Briton Ferry. Seek out the imposing limestone church nd mgicl St John s well. 14 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 15

9 relxed shopping Bridgend hs long since enjoyed reputtion s bustling shoppers prdise - its history s mrket town dtes bck to the erly 16th century. Tody, the 18th century Mrket Bell still hngs in Rhiw Shopping Centre, home not only to mny high street shops but lso more thn thirty stlls selling locl produce nd gifts. Porthcwl. Closer to the cost, Porthcwl town is home to everything from dimonds nd designer dresses to delicious pstries. The min shopping re is centred round John Street, just pebble s throw from the Esplnde. Mesteg. Tlbot St nd Commercil St re the min shopping streets in Mesteg town centre. Known for its historic rchitecture, Mesteg offers chrming indoor mrket, household nmes nd even reptile shop! Just south of Bridgend you will find Ewenny Pottery. Visitors to the workshop cn wtch the pots being mde nd re ble to view the finished wres in the showroom. The pottery industry hs existed in the re from medievl times due to the mterils being redily vilble. For truly relxed shopping, visit Pyle Grden Centre or Ewenny Grden Centre, not forgetting to stop off for tret in the cfé. If you hed just north of Bridgend you ll find the mighty McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, which is home to over 90 designer brnds including Levis, Ted Bker, Clvin Klein, French Connection nd Kurt Geiger. Surfers nd outdoor dventurers re eqully well ctered for, plus wide selection of cfés, resturnts nd the Odeon Entertinment Complex. 16 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 17

Britin s quirkiest festivls! We like to think we ve mde bit of nme for ourselves by hosting clendr of events you re very unlikely to find nywhere else!

2017 is prticulrly big yer for Bridgend County, with the Urdd nd Seniors in ddition to our regulr clendr of events.

10 Britin s quirkiest festivls! We like to think we ve mde bit of nme for ourselves by hosting clendr of events you re very unlikely to find nywhere else! From Elvis nd elves to Cwlwm Celtidd nd Ky, dre to discover selection of our top festivls nd events is prticulrly big yer for Bridgend County, with the Urdd nd Seniors in ddition to our regulr clendr of events. Urdd Eisteddfod My - 3 June 2017 The Urdd Ntionl Eisteddfod, one of Europe s lrgest youth touring festivls tht ttrcts round 90,000 visitors ech yer, will once gin be held during Whitsun week t the end of My. The Senior Open Chmpionship July July 2017 The Senior Open Chmpionship Presented by Rolex will return to Royl Porthcwl Golf Club from July, 2017 following the huge success of Wles first Senior Mjor Chmpionship in Ky Festivl August 2017 KAYA is fmily centred festivl of world music nd culture tht celebrtes the diversity of the communities we support. We work closely with prtners, chrities nd communities to host events cross Wles which show-cse the best in world music, rt, food nd performnce. kyfestivl.com/ Porthcwl Elvis Festivl - 22 September September 2017 Every September thousnds of Elvis fns descend on the Welsh seside town of Porthcwl for unique celebrtion of The King.Where else could you find thousnds of Elvis ficiondos getting ll shook up over weekend dedicted to the king of Rock nd Roll? For full clendr of events, visit bridgendbites.com/events Venues The Grnd Pvilion is situted on Porthcwl sefront. A beutiful Grde II listed building offering diverse progrmme of culturl events nd ctivities, the pvilion offers something for everyone with beutiful view to boot! Mesteg Town Hll is n imposing Grde II listed building positioned in the hert of the town centre. It presents mixed progrmme of professionl nd community events including childrens events, community cinem, live music nd thetre Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 19

Here is tster of the ccommodtion on offer in Bridgend County. From cosy cottges to quirky cmping nd luxury hotels to modern bunk houses, we hve something for everyone. Visit www.bridgendbites.

In n elevted position overlooking Mrgm Vlley nd mountins nd with views cross Swnse By. Ty Gwynneth Romny crvn Ty Gwynneth Romny crvn is cosy for couple.

Nestled t the river s edge on working sheep frm surrounded by ntive trees.

11 Here is tster of the ccommodtion on offer in Bridgend County. From cosy cottges to quirky cmping nd luxury hotels to modern bunk houses, we hve something for everyone. Visit for full listings. Miners Cottge Once prt of the Mrgm Estte nd in the fmily for lmost 200 yers, Miners Cottge hs been lovingly restored to very high stndrd. In n elevted position overlooking Mrgm Vlley nd mountins nd with views cross Swnse By. Ty Gwynneth Romny crvn Ty Gwynneth Romny crvn is cosy for couple. Close to nture, wtch the sunset, listen to the sounds of nture nd let the world go by Our Welsh Crvn nd Cmping A peceful cmpsite with qulity fcilities set in the South Wles Vlleys in Bridgend. Nestled t the river s edge on working sheep frm surrounded by ntive trees. Coed y Mwstwr Hotel A 4-str luxury hotel complete with its own golf course nd surrounded by over 17 cres of woodlnd, this Victorin mnsion bosts plush rooms nd the two AA Rosette winning Eliot Resturnt. Downlod the Dre to Discover pp, visit bridgendbites.com Olivi Guest House Offering exclusive nd stylish ccommodtion in unique recently refurbished Edwrdin townhouse, Olivi House Bed & Brekfst in Porthcwl sits just 50 metres from the picturesque Porthcwl promende, nd within stones throw from the mny brs nd resturnts the sefront hs to offer. Cwm Twel Yurts Whether you re looking for ctivity nd dventure, or relxing brek, Cwm Twel offers unique nd unforgettble experience. Ech of the beutiful, uthentic Nomd yurts from Mongoli hs been furnished with n eclectic blend of rustic nd ethnic furniture. nd hs its own privte deck with BBQ nd seting. Trecco By Holidy Prk The ultimte fmily-friendly holidy complex Splshpool indoor pool nd musements complex nd dventure ply re, not to mention Blue Flg bech on your doorstep! Ty Tnglwyst Frm Cottges Four snug holidy cottges converted from the old stone buildings of 120- cre working diry frm. Kids cn help feed clves, while the 25-cre woodlnd just south of the frm is pcked with beutiful wlking routes. 20 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 21

Adventure wits t every turn in Bridgend County, from the exhilrting mountin biking trils high in the vlleys ner Blengrw to the swells nd breks of Rest By. Where will your dventure tke you?

12 Adventure wits t every turn in Bridgend County, from the exhilrting mountin biking trils high in the vlleys ner Blengrw to the swells nd breks of Rest By. Where will your dventure tke you? The Drren Fwr mountin biking trils Two trils tht wind through the rugged Welsh Vlleys - the blue Glengrw tril for intermedite riders, nd the blck Gellideg tril for experienced riders. Both trils re round 3km in length nd, when combined, offer fntstic 6km ride to chllenge even pro mountin bikers. Ride from pek to bech Cycle ll the wy from the Drren Fwr mountin biking trils to the golden snds of Ogmore Bech! Follow the Grw Vlley Community Route, then down vi Aberkenfig nd Bridgend (nd spot of lunch!) before reching the ruins of Ogmore Cstle nd, finlly, Ogmore by Se downhill lmost ll the wy! Ride the Welsh wves You ll find our beches re populted by much more thn your verge surfers. The wves re eqully idel for wind surfing, pddle bording, wke bording nd kite surfing. Need some tuition? There re mny locl wter sports opertors to ssist you! Adventures Wles From qud biking to zip sliding, Adventures Wles ctivity centre is the perfect spot for drenline-filled fun. Whether on lnd or on wter, expert coches provide sfe sessions for fmilies, groups of friends nd individuls. Try surfing, white wter rfting, cnyoning, gorge wlking or rock climbing. You might not think tht Bridgend County would be one of the best plces for mountin biking in Wles, but it s true! Hed up into the Grw vlley nd you will find the brnd new (nd excellent!) Drren Fwr mountin biking trils Krl Luxford The perfect plce to indulge your inner ry mers. Rough Guides 22 Dre to Discover bridgendbites.com 23

Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Wles Bridgend A4063 Mesteg Ceru Llynfi Vlley Route Grth Blengrw Nntymoel Ogmore Vlley Route Grw Vlley Price Town Route Pontycymer A4061 Ogmore Vle Llngynwyd A4063 Llngeinor

13 Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Wles Bridgend A4063 Mesteg Ceru Llynfi Vlley Route Grth Blengrw Nntymoel Ogmore Vlley Route Grw Vlley Price Town Route Pontycymer A4061 Ogmore Vle Llngynwyd A4063 Llngeinor Betws A4064 Blckmill A4093 M4 A48 Kenfig Hill Tondu Tondu to Pyle Route Aberkenfig A4061 B4280 Sker Rest By B4283 A4229 Nottge 37 Pyle B4281 Newton A4106 Lleston Bridgend A48 Merthyr Mwr 36 Coity A473 Pencoed 35 Coychurch Porthcwl Ogmore Wles Cost Pth Bridgend Nture Keepers Ogmore-by-Se BridgendBites.com Tel: Emil: Website: Bridgend-Bites YouTube BridgendBites Bridgend County Borough Council Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB County Borough Council Whilst every effort hs been mde to ensure ccurcy in this brochure, the publishers cn ccept no libility whtsoever for ny errors, inccurcies or omissions, or for ny mtter in ny wy connected with or rising out of the publiction of this informtion. This brochure my not be reproduced in prt or in whole without the prior consent of the publishers.

Dorridge & District Residents Association A Walk From Dorridge to Blythe Valley Nature Reserve

Dorridge & District Residents Assocition A Wlk From Dorridge to Bly Vlley Nture Reserve This is circulr wlk. It is wlk of round 5 miles from centre of Dorridge, though obviously, those nerer Four Ashes