Coast And Countryside
Distance: Approximately 73kms, 46 miles
The Borough of Bridgend and the neighbouring Vale of Glamorgan are featured in this tour which offers a kaleidoscope of scenery from coast and countryside to rolling farmlands and dramatic cliffs. Your route criss-crosses the rural "Garden of Wales" along a series of narrow winding lanes taking you through pretty villages like Llancarfan and Llancadle.
From Bridgend, take the A48 heading for the elegant market town of Cowbridge - "Capital of the Rural Vale". Rejoin the A48 after Cowbridge and follow the road as far as St Nicholas. Turn right following the signposts for Dyffryn and follow the minor road for about a mile until you reach Dyffryn House and its magnificent gardens. Do not miss the mysterious Tinkinswood Burial Chamber on your right as you follow the road to Dyffryn. St Lythans - another prehistoric burial chamber lies a little further along the road from Dyffryn Gardens.
Continuing southwards along the minor road you will reach a T-Junction after a short distance where you turn right. After 1/3 mile, turn right by the red post box opposite the farm. Be careful here, as the road is not signposted. Follow the minor road through the lanes to the A4226, crossing straight over the main road and onto another minor road through Walterston and Llancarfan.
In the village of Llancarfan, turn left after the ford then bear right immediately after the church (signposted Llancadle). Follow the country lanes to Llancadle turning right onto the B4265 after the village.
Passing the RAF base at St Athan, your next stop is the town of Llantwit Major - perhaps the Vale's most historic place. Drive carefully through the narrow streets past the old Town Hall, Old Swan Inn and Church, continuing on the minor road to St Donats. Follow the lanes through green farmlands via Monknash rejoining the B4265 for St Bride's Major. At St Bride's, turn left onto the B4524 for Southerndown following the scenic coastal route through Ogmore-by-Sea along the estuary to Ogmore Castle. At Ewenny, take the B4265 back to Bridgend.
|
