skip to top navigation skip to main navigation skip to content skip to site search skip to basket

Porthcawl / Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr

Take a personal sea-fishing trip or learn scuba diving with trained instructors. Sign on for surf lessons with Porthcawl's own Surfing Academy. Visit the indoor skateboarding centre right on the harbour or try sand kiting with the largest kite centre in Britain. During the summer months hop aboard the pleasure steamers Waverley & Balmoral that leave Porthcawl's harbour for cruises along the Bristol Channel, and over to Lundy Island.
The Wales Coastal Path also passes by Porthcawl in its 8th and final section. The Path is the first of its type in the world and runs continuously from Chester to Chepstow, covering every inch of coastline.
Only a few minutes north of Porthcawl is the Kenfig National Nature Reserve - one of the most impressive conservation sites in Britain.
Other annual events include the Porthcawl Elvis Festival and the Jazz Festival. The Coney Beach Pleasure Park at the western end of the promenade brings a little taste of Coney Island to South Wales, whilst the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club has a formidable international reputation.
Nearby Newton village has the historic Norman church reputed to be founded by one of the Knights of St. John. St. John's well on the green is reputed to have healing waters, while the well at Nottage village is closely associated with the patron Saint of Wales in fact it bears his name.
There are dozens of quality hotels and guesthouses in the resort as well as top quality shows at the Grand Pavilion on the seafront and events throughout the summer including the annual Porthcawl Carnival and Sea Festival, or the Beer Festival at Newton. The annual Jazz weekend and Wales' only Celtic Festival of music and dance.