Parks, Gardens and open spaces
There are so many beautiful parks and gardens in the Vale you really are spoilt for choice. From local parks and playing fields to fantastic local nature reserves and country parks. You may well have heard about some of our larger Country Parks, after all they are visited by thousands of visitors each year, but we welcome filming and our park Rangers are ready to accommodate your production needs.
Away from the crowds, we also have a variety of smaller, intimate parks that are equally as beautiful. Rural, urban, coastal and walled gardens are all available, each one identifiable by its own quirks, whether an ornate bandstand, wildflower meadow and even a physic garden.
Some of our parks are privately owned however we are happy to introduce you should you wish to make enquiries about filming in those locations.
Parks, Gardens and open spaces
Rhoose Point
Cowbridge & The Rural Vale
This hidden gem in the Vale of Glamorgan is rich in wildlife and is Wales's more southerly point
Dunraven Gardens, Southerndown
Cowbridge & The Rural Vale
Thanks to a £99,000 project, Dunraven Walled Garden in Southerndown has been beautifully restored for future generations to enjoy.
Dyffryn House & Gardens
Cowbridge & The Rural Vale
Dyffryn Gardens and Arboretum is owned by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and run by the National Trust.
Physic Garden, Cowbridge
Cowbridge & The Rural Vale
The Cowbridge Physic Garden was recreated on the site that was once part of Cowbridge Old Hall, the home of the Edmondes family from the 18th to the 20th century.
Old Hall Gardens, Cowbridge
Cowbridge & The Rural Vale
The Old Hall Gardens in Cowbridge are adjacent to the Physic Garden. Access from Cowbridge High Street and the former cattle market site.
Windsor Gardens
Penarth
The gardens were originally laid out as a private space for the owners of the adjoining villas which were owned by wealthy shipping merchants.
Belle Vue Park
Penarth
Belle Vue Park is a small late-Victorian park in central Penarth. Improvements in the Park include refurbished benches, new gates and dog-proof fencing, new signage, new path surfaces, additional tree planting, the installation of two new artworks, and a completely refurbished play area.
Italian Gardens
Penarth
The gardens, which are also known as Beach Rock Gardens, New Rock Garden and Promenade Garden, were built in 1926, with some refurbishments carried out in 1994, mainly to the railings.
Cosmeston Country Park
Penarth
Cosmeston has a variety of habitats covering over 100 hectares of land and water, some areas designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest protecting the rare and diverse plant and animal species.
Victoria Park
Barry & Barry Island
Victoria Park is a classic historic park tucked away in Cadoxton on the eastern side of Barry.
Alexandra Park
Penarth
Alexandra Park is a well-preserved Edwardian public park in an attractive location overlooking the Bristol Channel, retaining many of its original features.
Cosmeston Medieval Village
Penarth
During the development of Cosmeston Lakes Country Park in 1978, excavations uncovered the remains of a community over 600 years old, and so began a unique archaeological project to restore the village of Cosmeston.
Pencoedtre Park
Barry & Barry Island
There is a skateboard park, a toddler play area (that was refurbished the same time as the Splash Pad) and a multi-use games area (MUGA) which is a basketball / five-a-side court
Romilly Park
Barry & Barry Island
Romilly Park is a CADW grade II listed park and has a bowling green, tennis courts, children’s play area, seasonal floral displays and a large open area for recreation.
Parade Gardens
Barry & Barry Island
A small but attractive park with views over Barry Harbour towards Barry Island. The park was laid out in Edwardian times to complement the grand houses on The Parade. The park is very popular with dog walkers and has formal and informal borders filled with seasonal plants and flowers. There are plenty of benches where you can sit and soak up the sun.
Knap Gardens
Barry & Barry Island
One of the most popular all year round destinations in Barry, Knap Gardens are an oasis of calm from the wind blowing in from the Cold Knap, with its flower-filled borders, a sunken garden and gently tinkling fountain.
Gladstone Gardens
Barry & Barry Island
A pleasant green space in the heart of Barry, Gladstone Gardens are named after William Gladstone the four-times Liberal Prime Minister.
Central park
Barry & Barry Island
Reached from King Square, Wyndham Street and Evelyn Street, Central Park is located in the centre of the town, a stone's throw way from a selection of cafes and shops. It is very popular with office workers at lunchtime and with families with young children using the play area.
Porthkerry Country Park
Barry & Barry Island
220 acres of woods and meadowland in a sheltered valley leading to a pebble beach and spectacular cliffs.The park has a number of nature trails, picnic sites, a café and an adventure play area. Picnic tables and benches are situated a short distance from the main car park.
You won't be the first to choose the Vale as the perfect destination for your film/tv production, here are just a few others:
Llantwit Major & the Glamorgan Heritage Coast
Poldark
While most will associate Poldark with the beautiful coast and countryside of Cornwall, few might be aware that some scenes were also filmed on the glorious Glamorgan Heritage Coast in the Vale of Glamorgan. In Season 3, cast and crew re-located to shoot scenes at Dunraven Bay in the village of Southerndown, and those that know our coastline well will recognise the familiar backdrop of the cliffs. A popular location for filming, there have been many productions that have chosen this spot, including Dr Who and TV series Merlin, and Sherlock.
Cowbridge & The Rural Vale
His Dark Materials
Fantasy Drama His Dark Materials is a television series based on the trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman. Produced by Bad Wolf and New Line Productions, for BBC One and HBO, the show follows the orphan Lyra as she searches for a missing friend and discovers a kidnapping plot related to an invisible cosmic substance called Dust. We were delighted to welcome the film crew to the Vale. Rhoose Point, the most southerly point on mainland wales, where the Wales Coast Path follows the shoreline, was used for the filming of a scene for Season 3.
Barry & Barry Island
Gavin and Stacey
Much loved TV sitcom Gavin & Stacey was filmed in and around Barry with much of the filming taking place on iconic Barry Island showcasing the beach and amusement arcades. The show, created by James Corden and Ruth Jones, revolves around the romantic relationship between Gavin from Essex and Stacey from Barry. The use of Barry Island adds to the show's authenticity and charm and visitors from around the world still make the journey to Barry Island to visitor iconic locations made famous by this very much loved, award-winning programme
Penarth
Sex Education
Viewers will recognise some familiar scenes in Penarth from the hit Netflix series Sex Education. The Netflix hit comedy-drama Sex Education follows Otis, Eric, Maeve, and their motley crew of friends and family as they navigate through the tricky topic mentioned in the show's title - 'sex education'. Viewers will recognise some locations in Penarth where the Paget Rooms was used for the school hall scenes and Penarth Pier and esplanade features in later episodes.
Penarth
Doctor Who
The Vale has been the backdrop for much of the filming of Dr Who over the years. Viewers will have seen the Tardis pop up on the coastline at the Knap in Barry, against the stunning backdrop of Dunraven Bay on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and at St.Donats Castle, which has also been home to the filming of Wolf Hall, Keeping Faith and Decline and Fall. Keep watching for more iconic locations from the Vale in the new season.
