Things To Do in Porthcawl, United Kingdom

Porthcawl Things to Do

Porthcawl is a town in Southern Wales that overlooks the Bristol Channel. Despite possessing a relatively small population, there are still things to do when in the region.

Take a Trip to the Beaches

Newton Beach is on the east side of Porthcawl. It is a long, sandy and rocky beach. It is set against the Newton Burrows and Merthyr Mawr, sand dunes which make great places to explore. The dunes of Merthyr Mawr are actually designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This great beach ends at the mouth of the River Ogmore in a place called Ogmore by Sea. Visitors can also travel to Coney Beach, which is an entertainment area with rides and games. This area is a little old, but remains extremely popular. It was originally built to entertain American troops when they were returning from World War I, and is named in tribute to the world-famous New York City amusement park on Coney Island.

Take in the Sights

The Porthcawl lighthouse sits at the end of the breakwater that guards the harbor. The lighthouse was built in 1860 and is still in use. It beams a continuous light over the entrance to the harbor using red or green lights. Another place to visit is the Newton Church, which was founded by the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem over 800 years ago. It originally looked more like a fortress and contained a fortified tower for watching the surrounding shores.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Porthcawl, United Kingdom.