Cardiff to Swansea: Wales Coast Path Part 2

Aberafan Shopping Centre

A modern shopping centre, but a place for a coffee and to resupply.

Aberthaw Power Station

A coal fired power station that has now reached the end of its life as coal is replaced by renewable energy to reduce man made climate change. It is being dismantled, an example of the continuing de-industrialisation of South Wales. Nearby are the ruins of an old lime works.

Barry Island

Barry Island has been a day trip destination for the people of South Wales since it was linked by railway to the mainland in 1896. With its sandy beach, promenade, cafes and sometime funfair it has attracted many visitors. It has been recently re-invigorated by the sitcom "Gavin and Stacey" which was partly filmed here.

Barry Railway Station

There is also a railway station on Barry Island, although with fewer trains.

Briton Ferry

The Wales Coast Path cross the River Neath by the town of Briton Ferry.

Candleston Castle

Candleston castle is a 14th century fortified manor house, now in ruins among the trees, by the car park at Merthyr Mawr sand dunes.

Cardiff Bay

The Cardiff Bay area is a redevelopment of the old Victorian docks that once exported coal around the world. All the underground coal mines in the Welsh valleys are now closed down and the area has been repurposed as a leisure, living and office work area, with restaurants, cafes, marinas, apartment blocks, a theatre (the Millennium Centre) and offices including the Senedd, the Welsh parliament. A barrage was built across the mouth of the Bay that turned the muddy tidal estuary into a fresh water lagoon, used by sailing dinghies and pleasure craft, the Wales Coast Path crosses this barrage.

Cardiff Queen Street

One of a number of train stations in Cardiff

Capel Mair

Ruins of a chapel dating from 1470, with an excellent view of the surrounding area, reached by a steep climb.

Cold Knap

Cold Knap is a suburb of Barry with a small lake, gardens, a promenade, a few cafes and a stony beach. The Coast path also passes the remains of a Roman building.

Graig Fawr 'Chain Home Low' Radar Station

Buildings remaining the Second World War when this was a radar station to detect low flying enemy aircraft flying up the Bristol channel.

Llantwit Major Beach

Llantwit Major has a stony beach, reached by walking down the valley from the town. Each side of the beach the path rises steeply to the top of the Jurassic cliffs, while on the beach there are with wave cut pavements of Blue Lias limestone layers, and at low side a little sand. There is a cafe and toilets as well as a lifeguard station. In winter the paths can be muddy. The beach is also known as Cwm Colhuw Beach.

Llantwit Major Railway Station

The train station is in Llantwit Major village, where there are also shops, cafes, pubs and old buildings.

Marcross Cliff top Cafe

Great place on the cliff top to get a cup of coffee and a Welsh cake. You can park there and I believe you can camp.

Nash Point Lighthouse

We always called it Marcross lighthouse, there are actually two, the smaller one was superseded by the larger one. There is also a foghorn with two horns.

Ogmore Castle

Ruined Norman castle dating from the early 12th century beside the River Ogmore.

Penarth Pier

Penarth has a stony beach (with patches of mud), unless fossil hunting the main attractions are the promenade, Victorian pier, cafes, restaurants and gardens behind the main shop front.

Swansea Railway station

Port Talbot Parkway Railway station

There are a variety of railway stations on the South Wales section of the Coast Path, I have not waymarked them all. You can easily walk between stations and travel back and fore each day to accommodation at one of the major towns.

Porthcawl

Porthcawl is a seaside town and holiday destination with sandy beaches, cafes, restaurants, pubs and a funfair. I counted four fish and chip shops just on the route of the coast path.

Porthkerry

To the west of Cold Knap and Barry, there is Porthkerry country park with a stony beach and a notable railway viaduct.

Swansea

Swansea is the second largest city in Wales after Cardiff with all the facilities of a major city. As in Cardiff the docks area has been redeveloped for leisure and modern living.

Tata Steel works

Port Talbot or Margam steelworks is now owned by Tata, an Indian conglomerate, but struggles in the face of cut price competition from China and the high costs of operating in the UK. The clouds of steam, and occasional flames make the site a dramatic vista.

Tennant Canal (Disused)

An abandoned canal that the coast path follows on its way into Swansea.