Southerndown

Southerndown is a village in the Vale of Glamorgan. It is mostly known for its beach (officially named Dunraven bay), which is a popular tourist destination during the summer months and since 1972 has been designated a Heritage Coast and is part of the Southerndown Coast SSSI. When the tide is out there is an expanse of sand and pools.

During the summer, Southerndown Lifesaving Club use the beach as opposed to St Donat's Castle. It has a notable golf club, Southerndown Golf Club.

Get in

• on the B4265 5 miles south of Bridgend.

By bus

• First Bus 303 runs between Llantwit Major and Bridgend calling at Southerndown.

See

It has been used in the occasional TV production, including on Doctor Who: as Bad Wolf Bay in "Doomsday" and "Journey's End" and as the surface of the alien planet in "The Time of Angels" and "Flesh and Stone" and as the engine room of the ark ship in "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship". It also appeared in Merlin in the first season episode 'The Labyrinth of Gedref'. It was also featured in the Bob Dylan film Hearts of Fire, with Dylan looking out over the second beach down onto Rupert Everett.

• Glamorgan Heritage Coast Visitor Centre, Dunraven Bay, ☏ +44 1656 880157. Information about the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Free. 
• 1 Ogmore Castle. located about 3 miles south of Bridgend near the estuary of the River Ogmore. There is a footpath from nearby Merthyr Mawr and the castle can be accessed by "stepping stones" over the river. Care must be taken when using the stepping stones. Free entry.  

Do

• 1 Southerndown Golf Course. Tucked away on an undulating hillside overlooking the Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes and Ogmore Castle. Downland course. 18 holes. ££  

Eat

• 1 Frolics Restaurant, 2 Beach Rd, ☏ +44 1656 880127. Italian (updated Nov 2016)

Drink

• 1 Three Golden Cups. Village Pub with campsite offering 25 tent and 10 campervan grass pitches. (updated Nov 2024)

Go next

• Bridgend
• Porthcawl