Albion Guide
Menu
Map

Areas

Protected landscapesCountry estatesNature reservesCountry parksCoastlineIslands

Routes

TrailsWaterways

Natural spots

Hills & peaksLakes & lochsWaterfallsBeaches & swimmingViewpointsCavesSSSIs

Historic places

Castles & strongholdsAbbeys & prioriesAncient stonesRoman sitesBattlefieldsChalk figuresNational Trust

Villages & landmarks

Villages & townsPubs & restaurantsChurchesHouses & gardensFarms, vineyards & producersWindmillsLighthousesOther sightsAttractionsFolliesOutdoor saunas

Near you

By townBy countyBy station
Saved
Photo of brown rocky shore during sunset.

Photo Lisa Baker / Unsplash

Places to explore in BridgendWales · South East Wales

Bridgend sits where the South Wales coalfield valleys run down to the sea. Its coast mixes limestone cliff with huge windblown dune — Merthyr Mawr Warren, among the highest dune systems in Europe, and the Kenfig National Nature Reserve, where a whole medieval town lies buried in the sand beside the ruins of Kenfig Castle. The Norman Castell Coety stands inland, and surfers gather at Rest Bay near Porthcawl. Wooded Bryngarw Country Park fills a valley to the north.

The best of Bridgendworth the trip

Photo along the Wales Coast Path, an 870-mile long-distance path running from Chepstow to Queensferry, Wales.Highlight

Wales Coast Path

Long-distance path

Walk the outline of a whole nation — 870 miles of cliff, estuary and beach from Chepstow round to Queensferry.

1400 km · spans 16 counties

Photo of Merthyr Mawr Warren, a rock formation in Bridgend, south east Wales.Highlight

Merthyr Mawr Warren

Rock formation near Merthyr Mawr

Extensive dune system with the Big Dipper, among the highest sand dunes in Europe.

Photo of Rest Bay, a beach near Ogmore-by-Sea, Bridgend, south east Wales.Highlight

Rest Bay

Beach near Ogmore-by-Sea

Wide surf beach at Porthcawl backed by a rocky foreshore and coast path.

Photo of Bryngarw Country Park, a country park near Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend, south east Wales.Highlight

Bryngarw Country Park

Country park near Merthyr Mawr

Wooded valley park near Brynmenyn with riverside walks, meadows and formal gardens.

Photo of Kenfig National Nature Reserve, a nature reserve near Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend, south east Wales.Highlight

Kenfig National Nature Reserve

Nature reserve near Merthyr Mawr

Dunes and freshwater pool over the buried medieval town of Kenfig, rich in orchids and wildfowl.

Photo of Merthyr Mawr, a village in Bridgend, south east Wales.Highlight

Merthyr Mawr

Village

Thatched-cottage village beside sand dunes and the River Ogmore, near Candleston Castle ruins.

Bridgend

Nature reserves in Bridgend 2

Other sights in Bridgend 2

Beaches & swimming in Bridgend 1

Trails in Bridgend 1

Villages & towns in Bridgend 1

Castles & strongholds in Bridgend 4

Ancient stones in Bridgend 1

Churches in Bridgend 1

Hills & peaks in Bridgend 1

Houses & gardens in Bridgend 1

Pubs & restaurants in Bridgend 1

Roman sites in Bridgend 1