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St Brides Major (6km, 4 Miles)
This route takes you out of the County Borough through an area of great landscape beauty and historical interest close to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. St Bride's Major is a picturesque village with an interesting church, which has a 12th century chancel. The Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre can be found at Dunraven Bay and is well worth a visit to learn more about this wild and beautiful 22.4kms (14 miles) stretch of coastline.
Going is easy but may be wet in winter.
Starting Point -St Brides Major
Leave St Brides along the road to Wick keeping to the pavement on the right.
The Pond
The Village Pond is a haven for wildlife and particularly important in an area with relatively few ponds. If you have a dog with you, keep it on a leash as the swans on the pond will give a good fight!
Follow the public footpath opposite the Farmers Arms Inn, car park and follow this to the coast at Dunraven Bay.
The Glamorgan Heritage Coast
The Heritage Coast Project helps conserve the unique character of this 22kms (14 miles) stretch of coastline and its important wildlife habitats.
Although spectacularly beautiful, the coast holds many dangers. Cliff falls are common and many beaches and coves are tide traps. Call at the Heritage Coast Centre for more information.
Dunraven Castle
Take a break from the walk and explore the walled gardens and secret places of Dunraven Park, once park of Dunraven Castle.
Leave the beach area via the concrete steps at the back of the shop and follow the grassy track alongside the road to the gate at the top of the hill.
Cross the road and continue along to Frolics Restaurant, then turn left into The Fields. Follow the lane and take the public footpath to the right at the kissing gate. Head diagonally across the field.
When you get to the road, cross it and turn right following the pavement to Southerndown. Turn left into the village following the road to Heol y Mynydd.
Continue then at the next junction turn right.
Groes Farm
Look for the unusual hole in the gable end of the barn. What's that for?
Follow the road to Heol y Mynydd and pause at the road junction
Here you have a choice
1) If you want to walk to Ogmore by Sea or Merthyr Mawr, cross the road and continue across the grass to a path junction. The path down into the valley will take you to Ogmore by Sea (2kms, 1 ½ miles) and the other path will take you to Merthyr Mawr (2kms, 1 ½ miles) via Ogmore Castle and stepping stones.
2) To continue the circular walk, turn right and at the end of the green, take the footpath on the left. There's a stile at the start. Follow the path across the fields and at the road, turn right and head for the church.
The Croes Antoni
The remains of this stone cross incorporates a cup shaped depression which used to be filled with holy water to be used by pilgrims arriving at the church.
Continue to the main road in St Brides Major and back to the start of the walk.
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