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Bryngarw Country Park
Comfortably nestling between the Garw and Llynfi Valleys, just a few minutes drive north of the M4 motorway, is Bryngarw Country Park. The house and grounds were purchased by the local Authority in 1961 and designated as a Country Park in 1980. Grant aid from the Countryside Commission and a Manpower services team, turned the jungle back into beautiful countryside and footpaths, car park and information centre. The Park opened to the public in 1986 and quickly became a favourite with South Wales residents and people further afield.
The Park has 113 acres of beautiful walks and gardens that look spectacular at any time of the year. It might well be called a park for all seasons where nature works its own special magic in a rich palette of colours painting every area of this enchanting park with multi-coloured green and gold.
You will find everything you could possibly imagine, from wild mysterious woodlands to formal gardens, unusual exotic trees to mossy wetlands teeming with life, traditional mighty oaks to beautiful tiny wildflowers, quiet secluded corners to wide open pastures, ornamental lake-lands to fast flowing rivers. Time stands still at Bryngarw Country Park, offering something for everyone - nature lovers who want to explore the flora and fauna, families with boisterous children, walkers who want to stay active or those who just require solitude. It is easy to find your own quiet spot to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this very special place.
Woodlands
The Park has a wealth of woodland habitats from mature sweet chestnuts to a majestic avenue of beech trees, while beside the river lay woodland. Don’t miss the spring when the woodlands are carpeted in stunning bluebells while the summer foliage provides a relaxing cool green canopy, even on the hottest of days. Autumn brings its own special look with a blaze of burnished red, copper and gold, while winter brings a carpet of white to add its own magic of crisp, fresh atmosphere.
Water features
Water is an important feature at Bryngarw. The River Garw flows through the Park and is fringed by wooded banks, and rocky gorges. Close to the main driveway is an ornamental lake. Further inside the park are ponds that delight children and adults alike.
Grasslands
As you would expect in a Country Park, there are plenty of open spaces for the children to run and play. Large areas of open grassland and meadow sweep up the hillside with areas where you can picnic together or just relax in the warm sunshine.
Formal Gardens
There are delightful ornamental gardens, part of which is the exotic Oriental garden down towards the river dating from 1910. This is an inheritance from the last private owner of the park, Captain O. P. Traherne. The pond, pagoda, oriental plants and lanterns provide an insight into the different cultures, which are now part of the local scene. There is another small pond forming part of a series of inter-linked ponds, which are the focal point for an exquisite display of trees, shrubs and decorative stones. Other fascinating features include the bridges and Japanese style Tea Garden Pavilion. The Oriental garden is at its best in spring. At that time it is ablaze with azaleas and rhododendrons and the magnolia, cherry trees and maples are in full bloom.
Flora and Fauna
Bryngarw is a veritable paradise for flora and fauna enthusiasts. Beech avenues and marsh plants, ferns, fungi and mosses are all part of the diverse habitats that harbour a profusion of plants and wildflowers in the Park. Keen bird watchers may be able to spot buzzards, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, woodpecker, jay and heron. The park is also alive with butterflies, dragonflies and insects during the summer months.
The Park has finger posts directing visitors along trails that go from gentle strolls around the gardens to longer walks of up to 1½ miles. There are also colour-coded trails throughout the Park and along the boardwalk over marshy wetlands. The three main walks are:
Bryngarw Riverside Ramble
The first walk takes you on a relaxing stroll along the banks of the River Garw.
Bryngarw Meadow Meander
This second walk provides a pleasant, leisurely stroll through open fields on the valley side of the River Garw.
Bryngarw Woodland Walk
Try this enjoyable walk through regenerated woodlands, where a wide variety of flowers and plants may be seen as well as a number of woodland birds.
Ask a warden for the ‘Nature Watch’ leaflet which includes the three walks, or collect one from the visitor centre
The Park also provides an opportunity to have a much longer day out by providing a route which links to the Ogwr Ridgeway Walk, 13 miles of footpath across some of the higher parts of the area, offering magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.
Although Bryngarw is quite compact, if you wish, you can make a full day of your visit to the park. There are barbecue pits and picnic areas that are sure to please the whole family. Please make certain that your barbecue is properly extinguished after use and remember to take your litter away with you.
In the Visitor Centre it’s possible to learn about the history of the house and park as well as the varied flora and fauna of Bryngarw. A wide range of leaflets is also available.
And we haven’t forgotten Refreshments, which are available in season, right next to the main car park. For a more formal meal, try the Harlequin Restaurant at the house, but remember to pre-book a table.
There is also an Adventure Playground where the children can enjoy themselves on the slides, swings, multi-play units, spring animals and climbing tower.
The Park has Toilets with disabled facilities, but due to the gradient and nature of many of the paths, much of the park could prove difficult for wheelchair users and other disabilities unless accompanied by supporters.
The Country Park is open all year (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day) and is free to enter, although there are car park charges at weekends, and holidays from April to September. Pre-reserved coach parties are welcome.
For more information contact: the warden on +44 (0)1656 725155
Throughout the summer months, the Park is alive with a series of Events. There are several staged from Shakespeare to Opera, from Clowns to Jazz bands with pre- event Dinners at the house. Many events are Free except for the car park charge mentioned above. A brochure is produced showing all these events and is available from the Heritage Coast Tourist Information centres at Bridgend and Porthcawl.
Click here for Bryngarw Park events
Bryngarw House
At the centre of the Park is Bryngarw House, which has always dominated the formal lawns within the park, generating a great deal of interest amongst the many visitors. There is very little material evidence available that fits the house into the Bryngarw jigsaw, but the earliest reference to it is in 1774 when John Popkin of Coytrahen gave the house to his sister Frances on her marriage to Edmund Traherne, a lieutenant in the Royal Glamorgan militia. Edmunds’ lands were greatly enlarged by his shrewd marital tactics. He gained the Castellau Estate from his first marriage, and Coytrahen and Bryngarw from his second marriage to Frances Popkin. Edmund came from Castellau and was also a Collector of Custom’s Taxes in Cardiff.
The Traherne family, were important local gentry and the estate remained in their hands until 1944 when the last member of the family, Onslow Powell Traherne, sold it to Mr. R.S.Hayes.
There is architectural evidence, however that points to the house originally being a farmhouse possibly dating from the 15th century. The house has been altered over the years and therefore displays characteristics from many architectural periods.
It was Onslow Powell Traherne who we have to thank for the grounds as they are today. He was born at Broadlands House, Bridgend in 1866 and was educated at Sherbourne. He became a Captain in the Glamorgan Yeomanry and a member of many fashionable London clubs. In his day the grounds were a model of a true country gentleman’s estate. Pheasant and rabbits were bred for sport, the woodlands provided timber and the grounds were landscaped for leisure. Many of the exotic trees and shrubs that are here today were planted by the Captain or his gardeners.
When the local Authority purchased the house in 1961, it was altered into apartments and the area now used as a car park was used to accommodate caravans. The house that we see today resembles closely the way it looked in 1834 when it was described as a 'small but elegant dwelling'.
In 1994 a European Grant enabled a refurbishment plan to be put into action and a major programme of work was undertaken to clean up the exterior and turn the semi-derelict interior into the high standard finish that is there today. Almost the entire building was refurbished and a Conference Centre with accommodation was established. The remainder has been done over the years, in a systematic manner. More than 220 years since it was first mentioned, and following careful sympathetic renovation and refurbishment the essential character and atmosphere of Bryngarw House has been preserved and also enhanced by the addition of modern creature comforts.
Experience the special charm of Bryngarw House with a meal in the Harlequin Restaurant. A unique experience of quality produce expertly prepared and lovingly served. In the evenings, the conservatory is transformed by soft music and candlelight; providing the perfect romantic setting for a superb dinner or special occasion.
With its complete facilities service, Bryngarw House is now a major conference and function centre. There is a choice of well-equipped conference and meeting rooms while the peace and quiet of Bryngarw makes this the ideal venue for important business meetings, training events, product launches, conferences and courses.
The beautifully furnished rooms offer a perfect choice for an away from it all special weekend or celebration. Each of the 19 en-suite bedrooms is individually decorated to its own unique style and offers tea and coffee making facilities, television and direct dial telephones. A spacious residents' lounge adds to the comfort and enjoyment of this unique venue.
The oak-panelled Traherne Suite provides an elegant venue for that special occasion and an adjoining marquee provides a magical setting for summer weddings.
Pre-booked coach parties are welcomed for tea and coffee stops, as well as lunches and dinners.
Bryngarw Country Park
Brynmenyn
Near Bridgend
CF32 8UU
Telephone: +44 (0)1656 725155
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