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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

From Castlerigg farm campsite, looking towards cat bells. Lake District

Castlerigg

in the county of Cumbria

Pictures of Bridgend

in the county of Bridgend

About Bridgend

The Vale of Glamorgan has some splendid valley's and old market town's. Bridgend is an old established market town with a long history. It stands in a spot where the Ogmore, Garw and Llynfi valley's meet, at a point where the waters of the Ogmore River surges towards the sea.

Above the town, a wooded hill shows the remains of an old Norman castle, this echoes the drama of the region in early times when because of constant raiders there was the need to build fortifications.

In more recent times, coal played an important part in the life of the town. In the 17th century the valley's north of the town opened up coal mines, with the Llynfi valley being the first. Iron works and Brickworks were also established in the region, but throughout Bridgend retained its identity as a market town with no coal fields of its own.

During the World War II Bridgend had an important munitions factory and a Prisoner of War Camp. Unlike its near neighbours of Swansea and Cardiff, the town was never blitzed. Following the war years, the town grew at a rapid pace, factories set up and new housing developed. It also became the headquarters for the South Wales Police. Later, Margaret Thatcher's government was to lead to a period of social unrest and the closure of the valley's mines.

Today, the town remains a popular gathering place on market days, it also acts as a base for people wishing to discover hidden valley's and the counties beautiful heritage coast which is backed by high hills with stunning sea and coastal views. There are many charming little bays offering excellent sailing and good opportunities for surfing. Bridgend offers the unique experience of a lovely Welsh market town combined with valley landscapes, a golden coast, and a wealth of visitor attractions.

Recommended towns & villages near Bridgend

Southerndown Beach, Vale Of Glamorgan. August 2004

Southerndown (6 Pictures) in the county of Glamorgan

(3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction SW of Bridgend)

The village of Southerndown is set back from the dramatic dry-stone cliffs surrounding Dunraven Bay, these are mostly formed by alternate layers of limestone and shale, which give the cliffs their unusually regular pattern...

They shall not grow old...

Cardiff (154 Pictures) in the county of Glamorgan

(17.3 miles, 27.9 km, direction E of Bridgend)

Cardiff, vibrant capital city of Wales is located on the banks of the beautiful, meandering River Taff. It is an ancient city with an amazing history and strong maritime connections...

The edge of Exmoor

Selworthy Green (30 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset

(20.6 miles, 33.1 km, direction S of Bridgend)

Selworthy Green is the start of a picturesque walk through steep woodlands to the gorse-gold and heather clad summit of Selworthy Beacon from which there are magnificent views over the undulating countryside...

Porlock Bus service.

Porlock (52 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Somerset

(20.7 miles, 33.2 km, direction S of Bridgend)

Once, long before the 11th-century when the sea receded the village of Porlock was a Port....

St Michael's Church on North Hill, Minehead, Somerset

Minehead (148 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Somerset

(21.4 miles, 34.4 km, direction S of Bridgend)

Minehead is a quintessential English seaside resort on the beautiful Somerset coast whose mild climate has been a magnet for visitors since Victorian times. At the end of Quay.....

All towns & villages in Bridgend
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in Wales

Nearby attractions..

Ogmore Castle, South Wales uk

Ogmore Castle (2 Pictures)

(2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction SW)

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Gardens and House at Margam Country Park, Neath Port Talbot, Wales

Margam Country Park (9 Pictures)

(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction NW)

Set in 1000 acres of glorious parklands, Margam Country Park offers beauty, history, wildlife and a wide range of facilities to.....

Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle (36 Pictures)

(17.0 miles, 27.4 km, direction E)

Resting two miles up the River Taff from the Severn estuary, the majestic sight of Cardiff Castle gives little hint of its.....

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (9 Pictures)

(17.4 miles, 27.9 km, direction E)

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Plantasia, Swansea, Wales

Plantasia (3 Pictures)

(17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction NW)

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Watersmeet near Lynmouth, North Devon

Watersmeet (36 Pictures)

(21.6 miles, 34.7 km, direction SW)

This is a delightful fishing lodge from 1823 located at the picturesque spot in the East Lyn Valley where the waters of the River.....

Valley of rocks near Lynton, Devon

The Valley of Rocks (22 Pictures)

(22.7 miles, 36.5 km, direction SW)

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All attractions in Bridgend
All attractions in Bridgend
Complete A to Z of attractions in Wales