5 things to see and do in Bridgend County, Wales

Surf some of the best breaks in Britain

Bridgend County

It's as much a draw for savvy holidaymakers as it is for television and film crews, with shows like Doctor Who and Torchwood scouting out captivating locations.

The extensive coast and Victorian promenade of Porthcawl are easy to reach, yet Bridgend County still remains a bit of a secret.

Here are five of the best things to see and do in Bridgend County:

Surf some of the best breaks in Britain

It may not be as well known as New Quay or Gower, but Bridgend County has some of the hottest surf breaks in the country, so much so that South African pro surfer Ingemar Cressey recently opened Cressey's Surf Academy here.

Porthcawl Surf School and Adventures Wales also offer surf lessons throughout the year, while events and festivals extend the surf vibe into the county’s bustling towns.

We recently sent Jack Palfrey to Porthcawl to find out more.

Wander along the Wales Coast Path

The Wales Coast Path is a coastal trail that stretches right around Wales, but Bridgend County provides some of the route’s most unique landscapes. Along the way, try watersports at the award-winning Rest Bay or head to the sands of Ogmore, where you’ll have to navigate stepping stones in a river to reach Ogmore Castle. The Dare to Discover app is the best way to access the coastal and inland walking routes in the area.

Navigate stepping stones in a river to reach Ogmore Castle
Crown Copyright (2015) Visit Wales

Follow in the footsteps of movie stars

Visit the mighty Merthyr Mawr sand dunes, which stood in for the Arabian Desert in the Oscar-winning epic Lawrence of Arabia, and have hosted the casts of Doctor Who and Torchwood. Later this year, Bridgend County will star in a BBC adaptation of D.H Lawrence’s classic, Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

Film bloggers, Tiia and Satu, visited some Bridgend County movie hotspots to find out more.

Learn the stories of the magical Nature Keepers

If you’re exploring as a family, youngsters will want to take part in the Nature Keepers Quest. There are 14 ‘keepers’ located throughout the coastal dunes and rugged valleys of the county, and these giant wooden sculptures come to life with videos and poems if found using the Dare to Discover app.

Find the 14 'nature keepers' located throughout the coastal dunes
Bridgend County

Cycle from peak to beach

High up in the Welsh Valleys, the Darren Fawr mountain biking trails offer exhilarating riding through stunning surroundings. They connect straight onto the Garw Valley and Ogmore Valley routes, which go through the amazing Bryngarw Country Park and onto Merthyr Mawr, before ending up on the sands of Ogmore By Sea. The best bit is that this complete peak-to-beach route is downhill all the way.

The region offers some fantastic mountain biking trails
Crown Copyright (2015) Visit Wales

So, the secret is out. Bridgend County is a great place to visit, combining exciting experiences with dramatic landscapes and welcoming locals.

Click here for your chance to win a family holiday in Bridgend County, including a surfing lesson (for up to four people) and a chocolate-making party.