Plan your trip

WALK HERE

It’s 14 miles following the Wales Coast Path from Aberthaw to Porthcawl. Monknash is a mile inland from Cwm Nash (which is 8 ½ miles from Aberthaw), along the Valeways Millennium Heritage Trail.

GETTING THERE

The walk starts at Limpert Bay car park (grid ref ST019773), just off the B4265 west of Barry. The 303 bus runs between Barry and Bridgend, which are both served by trains; alight at St Athan and walk 20 minutes to Limpert Bay. From Porthcawl, trains and buses run to Bridgend and Cardiff. If you need to retrieve your car, take the 303 bus from Bridgend to St Athan’s and walk as above.

WHERE TO STAY

The Heritage Coast Campsite (01656 890399, www.heritage coastcampsite.com) at Monknash offers 5-star camping (2-person pitch, £16/pn), or glamping in boutique bell tents if you don’t want to carry your own (from £25pp/pn). They’ll even serve you breakfast in bed! For an even more luxurious night, we absolutely love the Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel (01656 860 621, www.townandcountry collective.co.uk/coed-y-mwstwr), an elegant country house nestling in its own myth-soaked woodland near Bridgend, with stylish ensuite bedrooms, locally-sourced menus and an impressive gin listing. Doubles from £100 including full Welsh breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT

In Monknash, the Plough and Harrow (01656 890209, www.facebook.com/ploughand harrowmonknash) is a gorgeous 16th-century pub, rich in character, history and timber. The food – like my steak and ale pie and jam roly poly – is hearty and freshly cooked, with local ales and a wide range of ciders. The Beach Café (01446 792665) at Cwm Colhuw is great for fry-ups, fish and chips, home-made cakes and ice cream.

MORE INFORMATION

Find out more at www. valeofglamorgan.gov.uk, or call or visit the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre at Dunraven Bay (01656 880157, 10am-4pm in summer).