Passionate about South Wales - the best pubs, restaurants, hotels and places to visit

St Illtud’s church in Llantwit Major is a remarkable place. A church was first set up here by St Illtud in AD520 when he created the first collegiate church and monastery. It has often been called “the oldest university in the world”. Llanilltud Fawr became the centre of learning throughout Christian Britain.

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Unfortunately the Blue Anchor Inn in East Aberthaw has caught fire again last weekend. This is a great local pub with a huge amount of character.   The building dates from 1380.  It has caught fire a number of times in its history – a thatched roof and log fires don’t mix very well You can [...]

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Last night we fancied avoiding cooking and decided to go out to a local pub.  We wanted to avoid Cowbridge since we guessed that it would be very busy on one of the last Friday’s before Christmas. A friend recommended the Red Fox Inn in the village of Penllyn just off the A48 near Cowbridge.  [...]

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I was looking for somewhere local for my special girl’s birthday last Sunday.  A friend suggested “Illtud’s 216” in Llantwit Major.  Of course I knew it, but had never been.  For me it was famous as where Pugsley went after leaving the well known Plough and Harrow in nearby Marcross.  I quickly discovered that Pugsley [...]

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We went a bit further afield today to the Newbridge Inn in Tredunnock, near Usk (map). The Newbridge Inn is a pub / restaurant and hotel owned by Chris Evans of Radio and TV fame. The head-chef is Iain Sampson. We had booked for lunch, but there wasn’t any need as it was very quiet. [...]

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A few days ago I met up with some old school friends from Cowbridge in the Bear Hotel in Cowbridge. I was early and had missed the earlier opportunity of a free meal in Cardiff so I decided to go for a bar meal while I waited for my friends. I decided to go for [...]

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