Bridgend

Bridgend (Welsh: Penybont ar Ogwr) is a town in Glamorgan, South Wales. It is the principal town of the County Borough of Bridgend and has a population of around 40,000 people.

Bridgend has developed from a small, vibrant market town to a major regional industrial and service centre. Bridgend's position roughly equidistant between Cardiff and Swansea has made it a popular dormitory settlement for commuters to both cities.

Bridgend is perhaps most famously home to a Ford Motor Company engine plant, one of the area's biggest employers, but has also in the past had a significant presence by Japanese electronics giant Sony.

• The Castles of Bridgend: dating back to the Norman conquest of South Wales (12th century), these three castles were built to provide a "defensive triangle".
  • Newcastle Castle. Dramatically positioned on the hill overlooking the town centre, accessible via a set of stairs on Tondu Road opposite the Brewery Field. Entrance is free. The area around Newcastle is a conservation area that includes period properties and various other listed buildings of interest including St Illtuds Church.
  • Coity Castle. In the village of Coity about 2 miles to the north east of the town. Free entry.
• The Old Bridge. The biridge from Bridgend got its name. Not as spectacular as the original bridge but an important and iconic local landmark.
• Merthyr Mawr. An idyllic village with authentic, traditional thatched roofs
• Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes. This is a large network of dunes, among the largest in Europe. This area was used to film the movieLawrence of Arabia. It's also well used for cross-country running, wildlife spotting and even live action role-play! There is a charge to use the car park.
• Newbridge Fields. A large, maintained open space in the centre of Bridgend and is popular with dog-walkers and anglers.

The Castles of Bridgend: dating back to the Norman conquest of South Wales (12th century), these three castles were built to provide a "defensive triangle".

• Newcastle Castle. Dramatically positioned on the hill overlooking the town centre, accessible via a set of stairs on Tondu Road opposite the Brewery Field. Entrance is free. The area around Newcastle is a conservation area that includes period properties and various other listed buildings of interest including St Illtuds Church.
• Coity Castle. In the village of Coity about 2 miles to the north east of the town. Free entry.

The Castles of Bridgend: dating back to the Norman conquest of South Wales (12th century), these three castles were built to provide a "defensive triangle".

• Newcastle Castle. Dramatically positioned on the hill overlooking the town centre, accessible via a set of stairs on Tondu Road opposite the Brewery Field. Entrance is free. The area around Newcastle is a conservation area that includes period properties and various other listed buildings of interest including St Illtuds Church.
• Coity Castle. In the village of Coity about 2 miles to the north east of the town. Free entry.

The Old Bridge. The biridge from Bridgend got its name. Not as spectacular as the original bridge but an important and iconic local landmark.

Merthyr Mawr. An idyllic village with authentic, traditional thatched roofs

Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes. This is a large network of dunes, among the largest in Europe. This area was used to film the movieLawrence of Arabia. It's also well used for cross-country running, wildlife spotting and even live action role-play! There is a charge to use the car park.

Newbridge Fields. A large, maintained open space in the centre of Bridgend and is popular with dog-walkers and anglers.

• Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel & Golf Course. About 3 miles east of Bridgend, in the grounds of a Victorian mansion turned hotel. Parkland course. 18 holes.
• St Mary's Hotel & Golf Club. A championship-standard course located near M4 Junction 35 near Pencoed, complete with a hotel. Parkland course. 18 and 9 hole courses.
• Bridgend Golf Club. Just off the A48 road to south of the town. Includes a driving range. Parkland course. 9 holes.
• Bridgend Recreation Centre. near the town centre has timetabled public swimming sessions between 12PM-3:45PM and approximately 6PM-9PM on weekdays with extended sessions at weekends. It costs around £3.50 for casual swimming. The Recreation Centre also has a fully equipped gym and sports hall. Ask staff for details.
• Darren Fawr Mountain Trails Garw Valley. Mountain biking.

Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel & Golf Course. About 3 miles east of Bridgend, in the grounds of a Victorian mansion turned hotel. Parkland course. 18 holes.

St Mary's Hotel & Golf Club. A championship-standard course located near M4 Junction 35 near Pencoed, complete with a hotel. Parkland course. 18 and 9 hole courses.

Bridgend Golf Club. Just off the A48 road to south of the town. Includes a driving range. Parkland course. 9 holes.

Bridgend Recreation Centre. near the town centre has timetabled public swimming sessions between 12PM-3:45PM and approximately 6PM-9PM on weekdays with extended sessions at weekends. It costs around £3.50 for casual swimming. The Recreation Centre also has a fully equipped gym and sports hall. Ask staff for details.

Darren Fawr Mountain Trails Garw Valley. Mountain biking.

• Odeon Cinema. A 9-screen cinema in the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Village. Prices per film range from £6.30 to £7.45 for an adult and £4.30 to £5.10 for a child depending on the time of day.
• Bryngarw Country Park. A 113-acre country park located at Brynmenyn, around 5 miles from Bridgend town centre. Various outdoor events take place during the year, especially the summer. The park includes various woodlands and grasslands, and a Japanese garden.

Odeon Cinema. A 9-screen cinema in the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Village. Prices per film range from £6.30 to £7.45 for an adult and £4.30 to £5.10 for a child depending on the time of day.

Bryngarw Country Park. A 113-acre country park located at Brynmenyn, around 5 miles from Bridgend town centre. Various outdoor events take place during the year, especially the summer. The park includes various woodlands and grasslands, and a Japanese garden.

• Bridgend Festivals. Several themed festivals take place every few months in the pedestrianised area of Bridgend town centre. They've included a Celtic Music Festival, French Market, Mardi Gras, Christmas Market and Street Running/Fun Run.
• Bridgend County Show. An annual summer (June or July) agricultural and animal show that takes place at Pencoed College grounds about 4 miles from Bridgend.
• Glynogwr Agricultural Show. In August.

Bridgend Festivals. Several themed festivals take place every few months in the pedestrianised area of Bridgend town centre. They've included a Celtic Music Festival, French Market, Mardi Gras, Christmas Market and Street Running/Fun Run.

Bridgend County Show. An annual summer (June or July) agricultural and animal show that takes place at Pencoed College grounds about 4 miles from Bridgend.

Glynogwr Agricultural Show. In August.

• McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Bridgend. A factory outlet store 2 miles north of the town centre. There are over 90 stores selling designer brands at discount prices.
• The Rhiw Centre, Nolton St, CF31 3BL, +44 1656 658704. The main shopping centre in Bridgend town centre and contains Bridgend Market. It's home to various high-street chain shops.
• Brackla Street Shopping Centre. The second main shopping centre in the town focusing on value retailers and home to larger stores such as Argos and Peacocks.
• Adare Street. The main open-air shopping street in the centre of town; it houses most of the main high-street chain stores and banks.
• Siop yr Hen Bont, 2 Old Bridge, CF31 1JH. Near the Old Bridge is a shop specialising in Welsh literature, gifts and presents.

Cardiff and Swansea are home to the bigger brand names/department stores.

McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Bridgend. A factory outlet store 2 miles north of the town centre. There are over 90 stores selling designer brands at discount prices.

The Rhiw Centre, Nolton St, CF31 3BL, +44 1656 658704. The main shopping centre in Bridgend town centre and contains Bridgend Market. It's home to various high-street chain shops.

Brackla Street Shopping Centre. The second main shopping centre in the town focusing on value retailers and home to larger stores such as Argos and Peacocks.

Adare Street. The main open-air shopping street in the centre of town; it houses most of the main high-street chain stores and banks.

Siop yr Hen Bont, 2 Old Bridge, CF31 1JH. Near the Old Bridge is a shop specialising in Welsh literature, gifts and presents.

There are no distinctly "upmarket" restaurants in the town, and you can expect to pay between £15-30 for a three-course meal.

• An Khang, 2-4 Park Street, +44 1656 661222. Vietnamese.
• Braseria El Prado, High Street, Laleston, +44 1656 649972. Spanish/Mediterranean.
• Natraj Tandoori, 16 Wyndham Street, +44 1656 667853. Tandoori/Indian.
• Old Cottage Bistro, Queen Street, +44 1656 766839. Traditional homemade.
• Poco Poco, 14 Wyndham Street, +44 1656 667999. Tapas Bar/Mediterranean.
• Zia Nina, 28 Dunraven Place, +44 1656 660045. Italian.

An Khang, 2-4 Park Street, +44 1656 661222. Vietnamese.

Braseria El Prado, High Street, Laleston, +44 1656 649972. Spanish/Mediterranean.

Natraj Tandoori, 16 Wyndham Street, +44 1656 667853. Tandoori/Indian.

Old Cottage Bistro, Queen Street, +44 1656 766839. Traditional homemade.

Poco Poco, 14 Wyndham Street, +44 1656 667999. Tapas Bar/Mediterranean.

Zia Nina, 28 Dunraven Place, +44 1656 660045. Italian.

Most takeaways are clustered around Wyndham Street and Nolton Street in the town centre.

Cheese and Chips seems to be something of a local post-alcohol delicacy.

• Olympic Kebab House, 100 Nolton St, +44 1656 669366. A cheesy chips eatery.

Olympic Kebab House, 100 Nolton St, +44 1656 669366. A cheesy chips eatery.

• Bauhaus Coffee Shop, 9 Wyndham Street, +44 1656 667333. Independent coffee shop.
• Cosy Cafe, 18 Derwen Road, +44 1656 665449. Traditional.
• Cup & Saucer, 14 Market Street, +44 1656 647285. Traditional.
• Il Panino, 1 Market Street, +44 1656 766618. Italian cafe.
• Ty Coffi, 1 Market Street, +44 1656 656415. Traditional.

Bauhaus Coffee Shop, 9 Wyndham Street, +44 1656 667333. Independent coffee shop.

Cosy Cafe, 18 Derwen Road, +44 1656 665449. Traditional.

Cup & Saucer, 14 Market Street, +44 1656 647285. Traditional.

Il Panino, 1 Market Street, +44 1656 766618. Italian cafe.

Ty Coffi, 1 Market Street, +44 1656 656415. Traditional.

• Domino's Pizza, Tremains Road.
• Domino's Pizza, Quarella Road.
• Harvester's.
• Subway, Caroline Street.
• Toby Carvery, South Road. McArthur Glen Designer Outlet has a food court home to McDonald's, Starbucks, Harry Ramsdens, Pizza Hut, KFC, Sidoli's Ice Cream and Fat Jacket's.

There is a second McDonald's and a second KFC at Bridgend Retail Park to the south of the town.

Domino's Pizza, Tremains Road.

Domino's Pizza, Quarella Road.

Harvester's.

Subway, Caroline Street.

Toby Carvery, South Road.

Bridgend town centre is an alcohol exclusion zone meaning alcohol drinking is restricted to pubs, clubs and other licensed premises. Police have the power to confiscate alcohol from and issue fines to persons drinking alcohol outside the designated areas.

• Angel Inn, Park Street.
• Coity Castle, Morfa Street.
• Jaggers Toll House, Derwen Road. Live music.
• Old Castle Inn, Nolton Street.
• O'Neills, Nolton Street. Irish pub.
• Phoenix, Wyndham Street. Converted church.
• Princess of Wales, Market Street.
• Red Dragon, Litchard Hill. Family friendly gastro-pub.
• Tair Pluen, Quarella Road. Sports pub.
• The Railway, Derwen Road.
• Riverside Tavern, Brewery Lane.
• The Roof, Market Street. Pub and nightclub.
• Three Horse Shoes, Queen Street.
• Ty-Risha Inn, Penycae.
• Wyndham Arms, Dunraven Place. Wetherspoons chain pub.

Angel Inn, Park Street.

Coity Castle, Morfa Street.

Jaggers Toll House, Derwen Road. Live music.

Old Castle Inn, Nolton Street.

O'Neills, Nolton Street. Irish pub.

Phoenix, Wyndham Street. Converted church.

Princess of Wales, Market Street.

Red Dragon, Litchard Hill. Family friendly gastro-pub.

Tair Pluen, Quarella Road. Sports pub.

The Railway, Derwen Road.

Riverside Tavern, Brewery Lane.

The Roof, Market Street. Pub and nightclub.

Three Horse Shoes, Queen Street.

Ty-Risha Inn, Penycae.

Wyndham Arms, Dunraven Place. Wetherspoons chain pub.

• Cody's, Derwen Road.
• Hobos, Queen Street. Live music, especially rock/alternative.
• Lava Ignite, Derwen Road.
• Tom's Bar, Market Street. Live music.

Cody's, Derwen Road.

Hobos, Queen Street. Live music, especially rock/alternative.

Lava Ignite, Derwen Road.

Tom's Bar, Market Street. Live music.

Bridgend is a relatively safe town by Welsh and UK standards. Care should be taken when in the town centre at night as alcohol related violence is a fairly common sight. Pickpockets have been known to target shoppers, especially the elderly in Bridgend town centre.

Bridgend has come under the spotlight of the media due to drama film about a cluster of suicides among young adults in the area between 1996 and 2010. The vast bulk of suicides took place, not in the town itself, but in the county which also shares the name Bridgend and has a population of over 130,000. Although the number of suicides was high, and unusual, the figures didn't vary wildly from the average for an area this size. Many in the town felt that Bridgend had been misrepresented and that media outlets were exacerbating the situation. It would be rude to bring up the suicides in casual conversation as an outsider.

Glamorgan Heritage Coast consists of the coastline stretching from Porthcawl to Aberthaw(Gileston) in the Vale of Glamorgan. It includes some spectacular cliff faces, sheltered beaches and a collection of small villages. There is a coastal footpath following the coast. The Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre is in Southerndown, around 7 miles from Bridgend.

• Porthcawl
• Southerndown and Ogmore Castle
• Cowbridge
• Afan Forest Park. The network of mountain trails is considered to be among the best in Western Europe. The park is in the Afan Valley around 12 miles north of Bridgend and 5 miles north of Maesteg. Many of the trails are described as being only suitable for experienced or expert mountain bikers.