Glamorgan Heritage Coast Explorer

Images courtesy of © Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales.

A tour visiting Wales’ most southerly point. Starting at Wales Capital to discover the maritime heritage of Cardiff Bay, and Penarth Marina to the Barrage overlooking the Bristol Channel. Next the picturesque village of St Fagan’s to the open-air museum and formal gardens. Lunch stop at the elegant market town of Cowbridge. After lunch a walking tour of Llantwit Major, a town steeped in history and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, infamous for its ship-wrecks and smugglers tales. Photo stop at Ogmore Castle and stepping stones which leads to Merthyr Mawr, an idyllic little settlement with an outstanding collection of thatched dwellings.

Times: Departs 09.00 & Returns 17.30 approx

Prices:
Adult £45.00
Concession £40.00 (over 60s & Students)
Child £25.00 (over 5years & under 16 years

Departure Day: Thursday all year round

ITINERARY

Cardiff Bay is the regeneration area created by the Cardiff Barrage which impounded the River Taff and River Ely to form a new 500 acre freshwater lake around the former dockland area. Enjoy a short walking tour and discover its maritime heritage, marvel at innovative architecture, alongside historical buildings.

The Barrage is located in Penarth Marina and nearby is the former Customs House, a listed building, now home to two restaurants - El Puerto and La Marina. The Barrage offers amazing views of Cardiff, Bristol Channel, the coastline of England, and the islands of Steepholm and Flatholm.

Next we travel to the picturesque village of St Fagan’s, home to one of Europe's largest open-air museums. St Fagan’s National History Museum, 100-acres of beautiful countryside with over forty buildings that have been moved stone by stone from locations across Wales and re-erected in the museum grounds. Buildings include an elegant mansion house, a quarryman's cottage, farmhouses, and a terrace of six cottages, a toll-house and Celtic village. We use the Castle Gardens entrance to nearby St. Fagan’s Castle for a guided tour followed by free time to explore the stunning formal gardens and buildings.

Lunch stop at Cowbridge, nestled in the heart of the rural Vale, steeped in heritage and its historic past is reflected in its present buildings which add to the interest and character of the town.

Short walking tour of Llantwit Major which still retains an air of antiquity with its narrow streets and quaint stone cottages. St Illtud's Church, built on the site of the famous monastery of St Illtud founded in the 5th century, contains one of the most significant collections of Celtic stones in Wales. A coaching inn reputed to date back to the 11th century and formerly a banking house for the last Welsh Prince of Glamorgan.

Southerndown beach, which is part of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast we take a closer look at the layered limestone cliffs some 335 millions years old. They strangely resemble giant steps into the sea and give testament to the treacherous nature of a coast once infamous for its wrecks and smugglers. This coastline was the design inspiration for welsh architect Jonathan Adams, who was commissioned to build Wales Millennium Centre at Cardiff Bay.

Nestling in the beautiful Ewenny Estuary is the original earthworks of the imposing 11th century Ogmore Castle. From the castle we cross the ancient stepping stones (optional) and Swing Bridge to Merthyr Mawr, an idyllic little settlement with an outstanding collection of thatched dwellings, beautifully positioned around an old village green. Nearby is Ogmore-by-sea and Europe's tallest sand dunes, which in 1961 was the location for filming scenes for Lawrence of Arabia. Many passengers take on the challenge to walk up to the top of the dunes!

Departure & Return Point: National Museum CF10 3NP Click here to see map

Inclusions
Mercedes Executive mini- coach with large panoramic windows to deliver the best views and air conditioned. Services of a professional driver, who will select the best scenic routes for your tour and personal guide to provide live commentary en route and be on hand all day to give advice and information.

Exclusions
Lunch and refreshments

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Your guide is on hand all day to give advice and information and your coach driver to select the best scenic routes for your tour. Mercedes coaches renowned for their reliability & safety, huge panoramic windows for the very best views above the hedgerows. 15 high backed coach seats, 3-point seat belts, first class sound system and air conditioned.

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