The coastline near Cardiff that's known as the Glamorgan Heritage Coast is a wild and ruggedly beautiful coastline that's well worth exploring if you visit or live in Cardiff. It's easiest if you have your own transport, so you can stop off along the way when something catches your eye.
Situated in Dunraven Park at Southerndown, the Heritage Coast Centre itself offers information about the coastline and its features, and incorporates a small shop as well. It isn't amazing in itself, but it is a good starting point for exploring some of the highlights of the heritage coast, which stretches for 14 miles from West Aberthaw to Porthcawl.
Overlooking the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre itself are the ruins of Dunraven Castle, which was actually not really a castle but a 19th century mansion - sat above banded sandstone cliffs. From there, on your journey along the coast you get to see some beautiful low cliffs, Celtic hill forts, and lots of sand dune areas (mainly in the west), including some of the largest dunes in Europe at Merthyr Mawr Warren. For swimming, Southerndown is a good spot, and about halfway along the coast is medieval St. Donat's Castle, now a school, which offers guided tours in the summer months when school's out.
Footpaths snake along the coast for walkers - but sometimes suffer landslips, so watch out. read more