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Ogmore-by-Sea overlooks the Bristol Channel and Somerset/ Devon coast.  It can be reached via St. Brides Major (B4265) and Southerndown (B4524), but the journey outlined here starts at the other end, travelling through Ogmore!  

Take the B4265 until you reach the village of Ewenny, then turn onto the B4524 towards Ogmore.  You may not notice when you are on the bridge which crosses the Afon Alun (River Alun) where it joins the Afon Ewenni (River Ewenny) just before you reach Ty Maen Mousehouse Antiques & Interiors together with The Swallows Home & Garden and Forest Decking, unless there has been heavy rain and the flood plain is doing its job. 

A little bit further along, is The Watermill pub and restaurant on the right hand side.  This is the site of Ogmore Mill where grain was taken to be ground into flour; a small stream came from the Afon Alun via a weir to power the wheel.  Carry on past the old Schwyll Water Pumping Station on the left.  After crossing the cattle grid you will start to see more of the wonderful countryside – and maybe some of the many sheep which graze freely and wander across the road at will!

Left photo: Schwyll Water Pumping Station
Middle photo: Southerndown Golf Club
Right photo: Star Cottage near Ogmore Castle

Over the fields on the right can be seen the ruins of Ogmore Castle* which are near Ogmore Farm, the thatched Star Cottage and the Riding Stables where you can arrange to go pony trekking.  If you would like to taste some of the local ale you can stop at the Pelican Inn.

* Cross the ancient stepping stones at Ogmore Castle with great care as the currents can be very dangerous.  Check tide times and be extra vigilant when there has been heavy rainfall, bearing in mind that many local streams feed into the Ogmore and Ewenny rivers which can become swollen very quickly.  The footpath on the other side takes you to the village of Merthyr Mawr; after crossing the (Ewenny) river walk 600 yards north eastwards across the suspension bridge. 

Left photo: Stepping stones by Ogmore Castle
Middle photo: Bridge over River Ogmore looking towards Merthyr Mawr
Right photo: Bridge over River Ogmore looking towards Ogmore Village

An alternative route avoiding the stepping stones can be accessed by returning to the main road and turning left towards Ewenny.  At the bus stop approximately 440 yards away (by cattle grid) take the Merthyr Mawr Coastal Path, go up the steps and over the footbridge, across the field and over the suspension bridge.  If you walk through the car park, it is then approximately 150 yards to Merthyr Mawr village.  

Left Photo: Entrance to Merthyr Mawr coastal path avoiding stepping stones
Middle photo: Footbridge crossing Ewenny River
Right photo: Path from footbridge looking back towards B4524

A narrow turning on the left alongside the Pelican Pub takes you up to the magnificent fairways of Southerndown Golf Course with its commanding views of the whole area.  Near this junction a wood carver can often be seen working on his sculptures, and it is fascinating to see items at various stages of progress. 

        Ash chair and love seat

As you follow the Ewenny River it joins the River Ogmore and the road starts to climb.  Just after the signpost for Ogmore-by-Sea, a sharp turning on the right takes you down to the car park and beach.  Owing to the crosscurrents and undercurrents formed by the river flowing under the tide, it is extremely important to only bathe on left side as you face the sea, AWAY FROM THE RIVER.  At low tide the river can appear deceptively shallow and becomes deeper very quickly as the tide turns.  There is an unmanned Lifeguard Station with a red flag permanently flying to mark the boundary where it is unsafe to swim. 

Lifeguards are employed every year by the Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council to patrol for eight weeks during July and August, between approximately 10.00 am and 6.00 pm.  They stay later at particularly busy times.  When the rivermouth and beach area is patrolled, the flag on the lifeguard station is normally changed to reflect this.  During the rest of the year the beach is patrolled on a voluntary basis by the local lifeguarding club, usually at peak times; however there is no permanent lifeguard service.  RED FLAGS MEAN DO NOT ENTER THE WATER  Tide times are usually also on display.  Red and yellow flags denote a patrolled bathing area and you should only swim within the boundary they mark. 

There are many rock pools and plenty of sand when the tide is on its way out.  It is very rare for the water to reach the car park – this only happens when the Atlantic gales blow in. Although there are no shops, an ice cream van is usually in the car park, ready for business, as well as a fast food van.  Across the estuary can be seen Newton Bay, Porthcawl and, in the far distance, Swansea Bay.

Left photo: Ice Cream Van at Ogmore-by-Sea car park
Middle photo: Ogmore Centre Trust
Right photo: Lifeguard Station

If you bypass the beach and carry on through the village, you will pass a steep road on the left, at the end of which is the Ogmore Centre Trust.  This was an educational residential centre where many children (and adults) spent a few days or maybe a week away from home studying a variety of subjects such as mathematics, geography, history, Welsh, dance, sports (e.g. rugby, badminton, football) and music (e.g. brass, woodwind, string, orchestra) etc.  At present the future of this establishment is being considered by the local education authority, Bridgend County Borough Council. 

Tusker Rock

When the tide is out, Tusker Rock can be easily seen.  This rectangular reef of carboniferous limestone has an area of approximately 70 acres and lies about a mile offshore.  The depth of the water between Tusker Rock and Ogmore-by-Sea is no more than 25 feet/7 metres.  Many vessels have been wrecked or stranded here and it is said that it is the presence of this obstruction which prevented Ogmore from becoming a major port, as it has been so hazardous to shipping.

Next left is a cul-de-sac leading to Ogmore-by-Sea Evangelical Church* and then there is a small parade of shops where you will find a General Store & Post Office and Mediterranean Tapas Bar with outdoor seating. 

* At the top of Church Close turn left; the Church is on the right.

Left photo: Parade of shops
Middle photo: Heritage Coast apartments
Right photo: Car park off B4524 near Craig-yr-Eos Bay

Just past the cattle grid is a small parking area on the left hand side, and a footpath opposite this leads down to a small inlet that is a favourite place for sea fishing, known locally as “The Deeps" overlooked by the Heritage Coast Apartments.

The road then leaves Ogmore-by-Sea and you enter Southerndown.

From Southerndown towards Ogmore-by-Sea

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