South Glamorgan

Introduction

Glamorgan is the most heavily populated and second largest county after Carmarthenshire. It is divided into three main areas, Mid Glamorgan, South Glamorgan and West Glamorgan. South Glamorgan was initially formed in 1974 and included districts such as Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan. On 1 st April 1996, both Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan were declared unitary authorities and today, South Glamorgan is a ‘preserved county’ for ceremonial purposes, with a Lord Lieutenant and is home to the Welsh capital city, Cardiff. Along with South Glamorgan the other preserved counties of Wales are Gwent, Mid Glamorgan, West Glamorgan, Dyfed, Powys, Gwynedd and Clwyd. Areas such as Wick, St Brides Major, Ewenny and Pentyrch were transferred from Mid Glamorgan to South Glamorgan, based on their areas and purpose.

Geology, Climate and Landscape of South Glamorgan, Wales

Located on the Bristol Channel, South Glamorgan is surrounded by Mid Glamorgan to the north and west, with Gwent to the east. Basically, Wales is a peninsula that is surrounded by sea on three sides and England to the east. This peninsula is about 274km long and 97km wide and has about 750miles of coastline. This coast and the sea surrounding the peninsula includes the Bristol Channel to the south, St George's Channel to the west and the Irish Sea to the north. The majority of Wales is hilly and mountainous, so South Glamorgan is genrally wetter and cloudier than England. The months between October and January are the best time to visit South Glamorgan and the area around Cardiff has relatively more hours of sunshine than the rest of the country.

Major Towns in South Glamorgan

Cardiff is the most populated city in Wales and has been the capital since 1955. It is situated in South Glamorgan and is a significant tourist centre and a major destination for millions of tourist’s visiting the Principality. Cardiff, once the world's largest coal port, is a fabulous city, surrounded by hills and with plenty to offer its visitors. As a capital city, it plays an important role in improving the economy and development of Wales. The transportation network is excellent and as a tourist, you can spend a pleasant weekend or longer vacation with your family.

Llantwit Major is an excellent destination, located in middle of the Vale of Glamorgan. This old town has a beautiful coastline and is a leading attraction for visitors to Cardiff. The Brecon Beacons National Park, the Gower peninsula, to the west and many historic valleys are the other major attractions in Llantwit. This is the fastest growing and one of the most beautiful towns in South Glamorgan. Llantwit beach is a popular surfing spot and the perfect place to spend a few hours.

Cowbridge, a market town in the Vale of Glamorgan, is another unique place for visitor’s, where the dazzling coastline, mountains and friendly people are the main attractions. The town also has the remains of forts, which offer a glimpse of the Roman Empire. Other attractions that should not be missed include Cowbridge Museum, Guild Hall, the Church and rows of Georgian houses.

Barry, located along the northern coast of the Bristol Channel is another historic town in South Glamorgan. The seaside resorts along the several beaches in Barry are ideal places to spend a few relaxing days with your family or friends. Barry Island Pleasure Park, located on the coast of Barry Island is an amusement park that includes many exciting rides, such as Log Flume, Viper Rollercoaster, Dodgems and so on.

Penarth is another beautiful seaside town in South Glamorgan. It located just 6miles away from Cardiff and is quite a popular summer holiday destination. The Cosmeston Lakes County Park, Cosmeston Medieval Village, beaches, and Penarth cliffs are the major attraction in this part of the county.

Reasons to Visit South Glamorgan, Wales

South Glamorgan is definitely a great holiday destination for visitors travelling from all parts of the world. It’s not only the beautiful coastline, but the historical background and castles that are the major attractions of this part of South Wales. The famous vineyards, the National Museum in Cardiff, the amusement parks, historical monuments, etc all play their part in making, beautiful South Glamorgan such a well known tourist destination. Cardiff Castle, Hensol Castle, Roman forts, the Norman castle and the Victorian mansion are other attractions to look for. The hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, pubs, bars and seaside resorts, along with beautiful scenic locations are the other main reasons to visit South Glamorgan