Vale of Glamorgan Tour

Opened in 1898, the Victorian Pier was used by paddle steamers to bring passengers too and from the popular Penarth Beach. The Pavilion was opened in 1930, and was refurbished in 2013. The Art Deco Pavilion has been used for many different things in its time, including a nightclub, restaurants and a snooker hall. Today it is home to Penarth & District Gymnasts Club. It is short compared to other piers, as the length of the pier was restricted so as not to interfere with the deep water shipping lanes accessing Cardiff Docks.

Cosmeston Lakes, is a country park located to the East of Cardiff, between Penarth and Barry in The Vale of Glamorgan. Owned and run by The Vale of Glamorgan Council, the park covers over 250 acres and is built on an old Limestone Quarry. The quarry provided the limestone used during the construction and renovation of a number of buildings in Cardiff. During development in the 1970’s, remains of a settlement over 600 years old were discovered. The Vale of Glamorgan Council began to rebuild the village in Cosmeston Lakes Country Park. Today the village is known as Cosmeston Medieval Village, and is set in 1350. The Village is now open to the public but, archaeological excavation of the site continues. New discoveries are being made regularly.

Llantwit Major is a small town with a big history, that is a mix of the old and the new. Located in the Vale of Glamorgan, approximately 15 miles West of Cardiff, this ancient town has been inhabited for over 3000 years. Being one of the oldest towns in Wales, it has no less than 15 listed buildings. With a population of just over 13,000, that makes it 1 listed building for every 866 residents. Possibly one of the highest ratios in the UK. Its beach, Colhugh Beach, is a popular with surfers and fossil hunters alike. Some of the finest fossils from the Jurassic Era in Wales have been found on the beach which is also home to the remains of an Iron Age Fort.

We will drive through this village on the Glamorgan Heritage Harbour Coast with dramatic views out across the Bristol Channem

The southernmost of a chain of 3 castles built alont the river Ewenny by the Normans in the 13th Century to protect Glamorgan from the native Welsh tribes to the West, and also to control an important river crossing

About 15 miles East of Cardiff on the A48, lies the town of Cowbridge. which dates back to Medieval times. Recent excavations have shown it to be the site of a Roman Settlement also. The town is still laid out in its original Medieval format, and parts of the 13th Century town walls are still visible. As is the Southgate to the town. Originally a Market town, a weekly cattle market was held in the town for 200 years, only recently ending. Today, most of the town still retains an old world charm. The majority of the town’s buildings being either Medieval or Georgian. Its ancient charm, pretty buildings and its easy transport links to Cardiff make Cowbridge one of the most sought after places to live in Wales, and can regularly be found either at the top, or near the top of a list of Wales most expensive areas to live.

St Fagan’s Museum of Natural History, used to be known as St Fagans Museum Welsh Life. Before that is was known Welsh Folk Museum. It is located in the grounds of St Fagan’s Castle on the western edge of Cardiff. The Museum is where you can step back in time and explore Welsh Life throughout history. In 1977, the grounds of the Museum were designated as a World Heritage Site, and the Castle was named a Grade 1 Listed building. The castle is actually a 16th Century Elizabethan Mansion. This was built on the remains of a 13th century medieval castle. Today, you can still see some of the 13th century fortifications Called a Castle, it is actually an Elizabethan Mansion from the 16th Century. Although it was built on the site of a 13th Century Medieval Castle, and some of the fortifications can still be seen. Different events are held throughout the year at St Fagan’s Museum of Natural History. These range from Easter Egg hunts, demonstrations and even concerts.