| If you have time, children, money, or any | | | | down to it takes you past a riding stables and |
| combination of the three on your hands, you could | | | | cottage that is often open for refreshments. Parking |
| do worse than visit some of these Bridgend places... | | | | is at your own peril as the river can rise! Stepping |
| - Coity Castle On the outskirts of Bridgend in the | | | | stones lead across to the other side and on to the |
| historic village of Coity lies the impressive ruins of | | | | picturesque village of Merthyr Mawr. Staying on the |
| Coity Castle. Although there is no car park per se, | | | | near side of the river gives an opportunity to explore |
| there is a patch of land where you can park for free. | | | | the castle and its dried up moat. Entrance is free. |
| Entrance is free and it's a lovely place for children to | | | | - Macarthur Glenn ~Outlet Village If the weather is |
| let their imagination run wild. Be careful when climbing | | | | inclement, never fear as all ages and tastes are |
| the old staircases though. Coity Castle is one of a | | | | provided for at Junction 36 of the M4, the Bridgend |
| few places in the Bridgend area that holds outdoor | | | | turning. Popular with locals and visitors alike, it boasts |
| plays and concerts. The summer fayre is always | | | | a large cinema and food court hosting a range of |
| worth a visit although parking is at a premium. An | | | | fast food outlets. Although the shops are obviously |
| added bonus for those with children is the presence | | | | the main attraction, an undercover play park and |
| of a wooden play park directly outside the castle | | | | coffee shops allow a breather for the credit card! |
| walls. It is small but perfectly formed! | | | | Father Christmas is a seasonal visitor too. |
| - Bryngarw Country Park To the north of the M4 at | | | | - Margam Park Situated just beyond the border of |
| the Bridgend junction is the peaceful country park. | | | | Bridgend County, in Neath Port Talbot is the old |
| Car parking is plentiful and costs 2. There is no | | | | family home of the Talbots. Parking is 3.50 but |
| admission fee but be aware that a charge is payable | | | | entrance to the lovely gardens, ruined abbey, |
| for certain events that are held there. Whether you | | | | fairytale area, play fort and orangery is then free. A |
| just fancy roaming somewhere new, playing in a | | | | cafe and shop with outdoor and indoor seating is to |
| river, feeding ducks,eating ice-cream or wearing out | | | | be found up at the main house and ducks are |
| the children in the large play park and climbing rock, | | | | plentiful on the small lake. To the far side of the park |
| give Bryngarw a try! | | | | is a small farm. A train runs from the car park to the |
| - Ogmore Castle Lying to the south of Bridgend | | | | top of the hill at an extra cost. Disabled visitors can |
| town is the Norman castle of Ogmore, situated on | | | | park at the main house. |
| the banks of the river. The narrow lane that leads | | | | |