What's on inGlamorgan

Glamorgan is a former administrative county of Wales and one of the thirteen historic Welsh counties. The original administrative county was made up of the Vale of Glamorgan, the industrial valleys and the Gower Peninsula and was bounded by Carmarthenshire, the Bristol Channel, Monmouthshire and Brecknockshire. However the county boroughs of Glamorgan and the administrative county were broken up and abolished on 1 April 1974; three new counties were established: South Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan and West Glamorgan. In addition the name is still used in the county borough of Vale of Glamorgan.

Historically, Glamorgan has changed hands a number of times. Originally known as Glywysing it was fought over by Welsh princes and Norman lords before being taken over by the Normans and becoming Glamorgan. Because there was so much conflict the landscape is peppered with a wonderful concentration of old castles and ruins. By the 17th century the region had become an important part of the industrial revolution, known as the crucible of the Industrial Revolution, and exploited its natural resources to the full, including a rich vein of coal. By the 18th century it had also become a tourism destination for English gentlemen on their grand tour and it has been attracting visitors ever since, particularly the coastal towns of Mumbles, Aberavon, Porthcawl and Barry Island.

Nowadays most people come to see the beautiful Glamorgan Heritage Coast which runs for more than 14 miles from Porthcawl to Aberthaw and offers up stunning cliff tops, secluded coves and hiking and biking trails for all levels that showcase the towns, views and wildlife of the coast. Walking the18 mile Glamorgan Heritage Coast trail will allow you to see some of the highlights of the whole county, from Merthyr Mawr, a charming village of thatched cottages that also features the UK's largest dune system (and a Site of Special Scientific Interest), to the eerie ruins of Candleston Castle, as well as St. Donat's Castle, a medieval castle restored by William Randolph Hearst.