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

Last week we went to the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Llandow, in the Vale of Glamorgan. We were invited as guests of the Principality Building Society which was very nice.   The Principality is Wales’ largest mutual building society and is the main sponsor of the National Eisteddfod choral competitions. The Eisteddfod is a [...]

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We stopped off today at Llantrithyd Church. It’s situated in the centre of the rural Vale of Glamorgan half way between Cardiff and Cowbridge. It’s off the beaten track along a small lane that runs from Bonvilston through the countryside eventually ending up in Llantwit Major. The church appears to date from the 1500s and [...]

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It’s a few years since we last visited Illtud’s 216 restaurant in Llantwit Major but we popped along on the spur of the moment for my birthday last week. Even though it’s been 3 years the restaurant hasn’t appeared to change much. Although fairly non-descript on the outside the inside has a medieval feel to [...]

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We visited St Augustine’s Church in Penarth last week.  The church is set high up on the headland between Cardiff Bay and the Bristol Channel.  Its prominent position means that it’s clearly visible for miles around. I see the church almost every day but have never visited it before.  It has stunning views back across [...]

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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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A couple of weeks ago we walked from Ogmore by Sea to Southerndown.  It’s a great walk along the coastal path with great views across the Bristol Channel. As we passed one of the bays I spotted these Trials bikes practising on the limestone slabs.  Click on the photo for a better view. It looked [...]

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The Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show is taking place tomorrow (Wednesday 19th August 2009) @ Fonmon near Cardiff Airport.  Well worth a visit and the weather forecast is looking OK as well.  More info here – http://www.valeofglamorganshow.co.uk/

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