What's on in the Vale this Month?
Wales Coast Path -
10 Year Anniversary
On May 5th 2012, the Wales Coast Path officially 'opened for business' and walkers have delighted in walking part (or all!) of the routes' 870 miles following the spectacular Wales coastline ever since.
What better way to mark this special occasion than to celebrate our very own 10 Vale Trails, 5 of which follow the WCP with a month long walking festival of our own during '10 Days in May'. Each weekend during the month of May, you will be led on a series of walks, 5 inland and 5 coastal trails exploring the Vale, led by your guide Chris Jones.
As well as presenting a weekly radio show on Swansea Sound, Chris has been presenting the weather on S4C for 29 years and works as a presenter and host in business, education, tv and radio. Passionate about walking in Wales, he will share with you his passion and knowledge as you explore some of the most beautiful scenery and dramatic coastline of the Vale.
Along the way you will be met by interesting characters who will tell you tales of time gone by, visit some amazing places as you pass by on your walk, be joined by local historians who will share stories of local folklore and sample some great local delicacies in the many pubs and café’s you will discover en-route.
During one of the walks guests will be treated to a warm up session by the ever energetic Heini, Welsh Childrens TV presenter and on another some may even enjoy a sing song or two by local musicians.
Whichever walk you choose you will not be disappointed.
All walks are limited in numbers and those that register to attend will be provided with a meeting point for each walk. Booking will be via Visit the Vale as soon as tickets are available.
And if the tickets to join have gone before you get a chance, there are a series of videos hoped to inspire you to order your own copy of the maps and get out exploring with family and friends.
You can order your copy of the full set here.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW
Detailed information for all the walks including distance, terrain, highlights and all the logistical information can be found on the Information page here. Please acquaint yourselves with all this information to help you decide which walk suits you best.
Joining the walks
All walkers will need to register to attend each walk, and spaces will be limited. Once registered, each guest will be provided with further details of the times and location of each starting point. A link to register for the walks will be added to visit the vale page once it is live.
The organisers will announce the opening on the Visit the Vale Facebook page. They kindly ask that only those registered to attend come along as numbers are limited for H&S purposes.
Register to attend your preferred walk here or follow the booking button at the top of the page. Bookings will be accepted on a first come first served basis and places are limited. They will hold a reservation list which they will allocate should confirmed walkers send their apologies. Confirmed details such as meeting times and start points will she shared with participants nearer the time.
Festival Walk 1 - OGMORE BY SEA WALK ’Vale Trail 1’
This route takes you along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, designated for its unique geology and wildlife. Above Dunraven Bay, you’ll have one of the best views along the entire Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Date: Sunday 1st May 2022
Festival Walk 2 - SALMON LEAPS WALK ‘Vale Trail 6’
Parts of this walk were recently featured in The Times in an article detailing ’20 of the UK’s most beautiful woodlands for winter walks’. And it really is beautiful all year round. This delightful, refreshing walk which starts in the village of Dinas Powys includes a glacial valley, the Cwm George Iron Age hill fort, and, if you’re lucky, the occasional leaping salmon as you pass through fields and forests, and follow the Wrinstone Brook. Date: Monday 2nd May 2022
Festival Walk 3 – Coast and Lighthouse Walk ‘Vale Trail 2’
A breath-taking walk featuring the Wales Coast Path as you explore the spectacular cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Inland, you’ll cross rural farmland and ancient woodlands, and discover historic buildings. Begin the adventure with a warm up session by TV presenter Heini, perfect to get you prepared for the challenge ahead. Date: Saturday 7th May 2022
Festival Walk 4 – Haunted Field Walk ‘Tale Trail 7’
Starting in the lovely village of St Nicholas, this circular walk passes the splendid Dyffryn House & Gardens, and two Neolithic burialchambers that are older than Stonehenge. According to legend, the capstone of St.Lythan’s Burial Chamber twirls three times on midsummer eve while its stones go to the river to bathe! Date: Sunday 8th May 2022
Festival Walk 5 – Coast and Pier Walk ‘Vale Trail 5’
Visit the the site of the world’s first radio transmission over open sea by Marconi and enjoy fine views of Penarth Pier and Cardiff Bay as you head Eastward towards Cardiff, the Capital City of Wales. Date: Saturday 14th May 2022
Festival Walk 6 – Magical Forest Walk ‘Vale Trail 8’
The best of inland Vale of Glamorgan: rich and colourful landscape, large areas of native forest, pretty villages, and a series of impressive views of the coast, nearby towns and the city of Cardiff. Highlights include the mixed deciduous and conifer forest which gives the walk its name, home to the beautiful and pure Pysgodlyn Lake. Date: Sunday 15th May 2022
Festival Walk 7 – Park and Seaside Walk ‘Vale Trail 4’
Take in the views from the most southerly point on the mainland of Wales and experience the Vale’s diverse coastline – from quiet coves to the traditional resort of Barry Island, home to the sitcom “Gavin& Stacey”. There’s an eclectic mix of landmarks including Roman remains near the Knap, and a Victorian railway viaduct in Porthkerry Country Park. Date: Saturday 21st May 2022
Festival Walk 8 – Iolo Morgannwg Heritage Walk ‘Vale Trail 9’
Discover the historic and vibrant market town of Cowbridge, its surrounding fields and wooded paths. Romantic poet, political radical and humanitarian, Iolo Morgannwg (1747-1826) was the first to propose that Wales should have its own national institutions lived in the local area, and many of the places of interest are linked to this most colourful of characters. Date: Sunday 22nd May 2022
Festival Walk 9 – Celtic Crosses and Coast Walk ‘Vale Trail 3’
The perfect walking route for history lovers. You’ll discover some of the fascinating stories linked to the town of Llantwit Major, which has been a settlement for over 3,000 years, and is Britain’s oldest seat of Christian learning . Enjoy the fine collection of Celtic carved stones in St.Illtud’s Church, and amazing views on the coastal stretch of this route. Date: Saturday 28th May 2022
Festival Walk 10 – Ewenny Spring Flowers Walk ‘Vale Trail 10’
An idyllic trail with outstanding views across South Wales and towards the Somerset coast. It is rich in heritage sites, including St. Bridget’s Church in St Brides Major, and – at the furthest reaches of the walk– Ewenny Priory, the most complete Norman church in Wales, and the subject of one of JMW Turner’s finest paintings. Date: Sunday 29th May 2022