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Photo of a lush green hillside with a valley in the distance.

Photo Veronica White / Unsplash

Places to explore in Vale of GlamorganWales · South East Wales

A green farming peninsula between Cardiff and the sea, the Vale of Glamorgan ends in the layered limestone cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Waves undercut the ledges at Dunraven Bay, and the twin towers of Nash Point Lighthouse stand above them. Neolithic farmers raised the great capstoned tombs of Tinkinswood and St Lythans five thousand years ago. Ogmore Castle guards its river crossing by a line of stepping stones, the market town of Cowbridge keeps its old walls, and Victorian trippers still ride down to Barry Island.

The best of Vale of Glamorganworth the trip

Photo of Barry Island (Whitmore Bay), a beach in the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Barry Island (Whitmore Bay)

Beach near Barry

Broad sandy bay backed by a promenade and pleasure park, the classic Valleys seaside resort.

Photo of Dunraven Bay, a beach near Ogmore-by-Sea, the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Dunraven Bay

Beach near Ogmore-by-Sea

Sandy bay backed by dramatic layered cliffs at Southerndown, good for rock pools and fossils.

Photo of Llantwit Major Beach, a beach in the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Llantwit Major Beach

Beach near Llantwit Major

Rocky Heritage Coast beach at Col-huw reached by a valley walk from the town.

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 Penarth, a village in the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Penarth

Village

Victorian and Edwardian seaside town on the Severn Estuary, with a restored pier and Art Deco pavilion.

Vale of Glamorgan

Photo of Dunraven Walled Gardens, a folly near Ogmore-by-Sea, the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Dunraven Walled Gardens

Folly near Ogmore-by-Sea

Restored walled gardens and terraces of the demolished Dunraven Castle above Southerndown.

Photo: Lavernock Point, a viewpoint near Penarth, the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Lavernock Point

Viewpoint near Penarth

Coastal headland where Marconi made the first radio transmission over open sea in 1897.

Photo of Ogmore Beach, a beach near Ogmore-by-Sea, the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Ogmore Beach

Beach near Ogmore-by-Sea

Wide sandy beach at the mouth of the River Ogmore, with dunes and castle ruins nearby.

Photo of Penarth Pier, a landmark in the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Penarth Pier

Landmark near Penarth

Edwardian seaside pier with a restored 1929 Art Deco pavilion housing a cinema and gallery.

Photo of Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, a country park near Penarth, the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

Country park near Penarth

Two flooded quarry lakes near Penarth with waymarked trails and a reconstructed medieval village.

Photo of Dyffryn Gardens, a garden near St Nicholas, the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Dyffryn Gardens

Garden near St Nicholas

National Trust Edwardian gardens and arboretum around Dyffryn House, laid out by Thomas Mawson and rated by Cadw the finest Edwardian garden in Wales.

Photo of Porthkerry Country Park, a country park near Barry, the Vale of Glamorgan, south east Wales.Highlight

Porthkerry Country Park

Country park near Barry

220 acres of wood and meadow in a sheltered valley beneath a towering railway viaduct, leading to a pebble beach.

Beaches & swimming in Vale of Glamorgan 5

Villages & towns in Vale of Glamorgan 10

Other sights in Vale of Glamorgan 5

Nature reserves in Vale of Glamorgan 3

Houses & gardens in Vale of Glamorgan 2

Trails in Vale of Glamorgan 1

Pubs & restaurants in Vale of Glamorgan 9

Castles & strongholds in Vale of Glamorgan 8

Churches in Vale of Glamorgan 6

Farms, vineyards & producers in Vale of Glamorgan 4

Ancient stones in Vale of Glamorgan 3

Roman sites in Vale of Glamorgan 3

Abbeys & priories in Vale of Glamorgan 2

Hills & peaks in Vale of Glamorgan 1

Lighthouses in Vale of Glamorgan 1