St Illtud and St David.
St David himself, patron saint of Wales, lived and studied in Llantwit Major during his early life in the 6th century AD, learning under St Illtud, at the monastic college founded around AD 508, the beginning of the Middle Ages. Part of the original college site is now home to the impressive Norman built St Illtud's Church.
A visit to the church is a must, and if you follow our Blue Plaque Trail through the medieval maze of enchanting streets in this delightful town, you'll learn all about its fascinating history and the architecture of some of the other unusual buildings.
Places to visit around Llantwit Major and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast...
So many lovely green villages to stop by for a pub meal or a walk in our Vale, and so many places to breathe in the sea air and wonder at the views. Here's a selection to tempt you...
St Athan, Wick and St Brides Major, and Tresilian Bay, St Donats and Nash Point...
St Athan village has fascinating history, and is more recently associated with its RAF base, an important flying station in World War II. Now, the airfield houses an end-of-life airliner dismantling company amongst others, including a BOAC liveried Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet being preserved there.
Nearby, SWAM, the South Wales Air Museum at Picketston, is a must for aviation fans, and if you drive the Northern Access Road around RAF St Athan, you'll catch the BOAC B747, and maybe some other airliners being dismantled at their final resting place as you drive by Bro Tathan Business Park.
Wick and St Brides Major are characterful and grassy, green areas to walk, or to stop by for a tasty pub lunch or evening meal, as you continue your exploring of the Vale...
Tresilian Bay, and the distinctive white Tresilian House have pirate and smuggling stories in their past, and the bay is a very pleasant spot to experience the coastline and the amazing limestone cliffs and caves.
St Donats Castle, original home of the Celtic chieftain Caradog, and later renovated by William Randolf Hearst, incidentally a frequenter of The Old Swan pub in Llantwit with such famous filmstar friends as Charlie Chaplin and Bob Hope, is a fine example of medieval building, and can be visited by arrangement through the UWC Atlantic Experience, or on selected public open days.
Nash Point Lighthouse is striking and so very photogenic in its clifftop position, with convenient parking, and the Clifftop Cafe serving hot food and refreshments. Oh, the views...
Dunraven Bay (Southerndown Beach), Ogmore Castle and Ogmore-by-Sea...
Dunraven Bay, often called Southerndown Beach, after the nearby village, is possibly one of the most picturesque points along the heritage coast and attracts many local and thousands of long-distance visitors throughout the year.
Lots and lots of parking, the enjoyable beach for fossil hunting, and grassy hill walks up to the clifftops and Dunraven Castle ruins. Incredible views. Take a picnic. Simply a wonderful spot to experience. The Heritage Coast Centre is based here, and group visits can be arranged by appointment.
Ogmore Castle. The pretty remains of a Norman castle on the River Ogmore, with doggy friendly footpaths and the fun stepping stones across the river.
A little further down the road takes you to Ogmore Beach. A wide open space with lots of parking, lots of grassy areas and the gently sloping beach. Yet another memorable stop not to miss from your Vale travels...
Don't forget to have a look at Barry and Barry Island, and Cowbridge and the rural Vale, and Penarth, and make them all a part of your Vale of Glamorgan experience...
