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Newton Porthcawl (8km, 5.5 Miles)
Only a few minutes from the bustling seaside resort of Porthcawl is the charming picture postcard village of Newton. The village dates back from the 12th century and was once a thriving port. Candleston Castle was a 15th century fortified manor house inhabited until the last century by the powerful de Cantelupe family.
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Going is easy but may be wet in places.
Starting Point - Newton
Newton Village
The village dates from the 12th century and was founded as the 'New Town' close to the Saxon settlement of Nottage. By the 17th century it was a thriving port exporting wheat, oats and importing fruit and salt.
The Church
Founded by the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem 800 years ago.
The Well
To the south of the church is St. John's Well where it was believed the water had curative properties.
Leave the village via Church Street and bear right into Bryneglwys Avenue, then left along a well surfaced waymarked footpath. You will notice the path getting sandier as you approach the dunes.
Newton Burrows
In 1973 a 3000 year old tomb was found near here which was one of many burials in the area. Archaeological finds also indicate that the Iron Age Celts and the Romans settled here.
Follow the waymarked sandy track across the dunes past the hamlet of Wig Fach on the left.
You are now following the route of the long distance Heritage Coast Path which runs for 27kms (18 miles) from Newton to Gileston in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Continue and as you reach the valley known as Cwm y Befos, you are on the edge of Merthyr Mawr Warren, a site of special scientific interest.
You now have a choice
1) You can continue directly to Candleston Castle
2) Or, follow the path through Cwm y Befos taking you across fields to a road.
Turn right and the road follows a ridge with good views of the mountains and valleys of the Heritage Hills to the left and the remains of Saxon workings in the field on the right.
At the gate on the right rejoin the path for Candleston Castle.
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