Locations get starring role
EVELYN Waugh’s novel Decline and Fall is currently impressing viewers on BBC One on Friday nights, but did you know much of the action was filmed in Wales – and some of it in Bridgend county borough?
Starring Desperate Housewives’ Eva Longoria and comedian Jack Whitehall, the three-parter took in many gorgeous locations. Let’s take a look at some of the places we spotted... 1. Southerndown Beach The rocky beach featured in the programme is filmed at Southerndown.
It’s even more beautiful on a sunny day. 2. Plough & Harrow, Monknash A favourite of many an A-lister, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Plant, Elijah Wood and the All Blacks, the Plough and Harrow is a proper pubbypub a short walk away from Monknash beach in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The extra bonus is they have a grand selection of local beers and cider, and also serve food. 3. The Glamorgan Building, Cardiff University The imposing, pillared front of one of Cardiff University’s most impressive buildings was put to good use in the drama about a posh Oxford student who gets thrown out after a prank goes wrong. The former Edwardian town hall really looks the part with the 1920s cars too. 4. Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil Eva Longoria was particularly enamoured with the 19th century mansion, built by ironmasters, the Crawshays, despite not being able to pronounce the name of it (not for want of trying).
Now home to a fantastic collection of artefacts spanning 2,000 years of Merthyr’s history, the museum houses the first steam whistle, the first voting ballot box and dresses by Laura Ashley and Julien McDonald. 5. Park House, Cardiff One of Cardiff’s most unique restaurants in that it’s set in a 19th century mansion in the heart of the city centre.
Book in there and you’ll be transported back into the 1920s thanks to its oak-panelled dining room and crisp, white tablecloths. 6. Atlantic College, Vale of Glamorgan The seaside college with amazing surroundings, picturesque views and atmospheric stone buildings looks stunning on the screen.
You won’t be sorry if you take a walk on the Glamorgan coast and check out St Donat’s Castle where the college is based. 7. Insole Court, Cardiff One of Cardiff’s true gems reopened last year after a £4m transformation. The 19th century, Grade II- listed former home of the Insole family is packed full of historical friezes, beautiful antiques and enough stories about the place to shake a stick at. And it’s got a great tearoom too.