How to make the most of Porthcawl’s hidden gems

Where to stay THERE’S no shortage of places to stay, whatever your budget.

For a start, it’s home to the massive Parkdean Holiday Park at Trecco Bay, where you can stay in a caravan or lodge.

If you like camping, sites to park up your motorhome or pitch a tent include the Hi-Tide at Sandy Bay, where they host free fireworks displays in the summer and are known for tribute and cabaret nights.

Or for a more peaceful setting, try Brodawel Camping Park, on the outskirts of Nottage.

Prefer a hotel? You’ll get some of the best views across the Bristol Channel at the three-star Fairways Hotel (West Drive, king with breakfast from £90) from its recently refurbished orangery.

Or stay at a luxurious guesthouse like Foam Edge (9 West Drive, double with breakfast from £90), which has a top Tripadvisor rating, great views and well-rated breakfasts.

Closer to town, bou- tique bed and breakfast Olivia House (44 Esplanade Ave, double with breakfast from £85) is an Edwardian townhouse, where you could land yourself a roll top bath.

Air BnB offerings include charming 200-yearold cottage the Nook (From £99 per night), with inglenook fireplaces and stone floors, accommodating four guests. What to eat and drink Definitely fish and chips. There are plenty of outlets competing for your custom – and every local will have their own favourite.

Join the queue at Beales (2-3 Eastern Promenade), stroll up Station Hill to Finnegans (16 New Road), or if you’re in town, there’s Well Street Fish & Chips (13-14 Well Street).

For Italian gelato, head to Pietro’s (32 Esplanade), or enjoy a cappuccino with a view from inside the glass Piccolo Bar on the seafront itself.

When the sun’s shining, bag a seat on the terrace of the Waterfront pub (27-29 Esplanade), which is a great spot for people watching.

When night draws in, head a few doors up to Cosy Corner Lounge (33 The Esplanade) for a bespoke G&T. The restaurant and cocktail bar is winning rave reviews for dishes like Welsh lamb, rib-eye steaks and fish. They also do a good breakfast and Sunday lunch.

While at 19 Mary Street , there’s traditional Spanish tapas from boquerones and piquillos peppers to braised ox cheese and albondigas, and a drinks menu specialising in mojitos and sherry.

If you’re in the mood for a curry, there’s only one option but it’s a good one, the Jaipur (34 Esplanade). Where to shop If you love rooting through charity shops, head to the main shopping street, John Street.

You’ll also find independent boutiques like The Closet (3 Well St) for women’s fashion, Koko (20 Well Street) for jewellery and Bliss (50 John St) for homeware.

At surf shop Porthcawl Marine (20 New Road), you’ll find all the gear for surf life, from wetsuits to boards, as well as the local tide times.

If you’re putting together a picnic, Home and Colonial (64 John Street) sells homemade treats from Welsh cakes to scrumptious scotch eggs.

A recent addition to town is seafood deli The Fishmonger’s Cat (14 John Street).

Other shops to visit include the RNLI shop (Eastern Promenade, near Porthcawl Pier) for nauti- cal gifts and clothing sold to support the charity.

And if you’re a keen gardener check out the The Vineries nursery (263 New Road), run by local florist AJ Guttridge. Things to do 1. Walk the Wales Coastal Path There are plenty of walking routes, and you can head east or west along the rocky coastline.

For an afternoon walk, it’s three miles from the prom to Sker Point, over grassy Locks Common (check out the Miami-style houses on your right), through surfers’ favourite Rest Bay, along a wooden boardwalk to Pink Bay, named after the glow of pebbles sloping down to the sea. 2. Tee off at one of the UK’s best golf courses You can see the sea from every hole at the prestigious Royal Porthcawl, where you could be tested by the wind.

There are time frames every day when visitors can play (18 holes from £130).

Also welcoming visiting players is the Grove (18 holes from £16pp) and scenic links course Pyle and Kenfig (from £60pp). 3. Spend an afternoon at the beach From sandy to rocky, and bustling to remote, there are seven very different beaches to explore.

Fly a kite, search for crabs in the rock pools or ride the waves on a bodyboard.

Busier Coney Beach has donkey rides for children and is in front of the fairground, whereas surfers and locals tend to head for the golden sands of Rest Bay, which has been awarded Blue Flag status.

At Newton Beach, you’ll see powerboats and jetskis, and its long sands are a popular place for dog walkers and horse riders.

There’s also Trecco Bay, Sker beach, Pink Bay and the seafront beach, known locally as “the Tarmac” because its flood defences. 4. Take a surfing or paddle board lesson Lessons are held all year round. A two-hour lesson including equipment with Porthcawl Surf School at Rest Bay starts from £30pp. 5. Join the parkrun It has grown in popularity, and now you’ll spot hordes of runners along the seafront every Saturday morning at 9am for a 5km race against the clock. 6. Walk the pier Obviously not when there are gale force winds. 7. Sink a pint on a village green If it’s a sunny day, spread out on one of the town’s village greens.

Nottage, easily walked from town, is surrounded by three historic village pubs, the Rose and Crown, the Swan Inn and the Farmers Arms. All serve food.

At Newton Green, you’ll find the Jolly Sailor and Ancient Briton.