waterfall
Melincourt Falls
An 24m fall in the Neath Valley painted by Turner in 1795, reached by a short riverside path.
25 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomWales
Porthcawl
Wales, United Kingdom · Europe
About Porthcawl
Porthcawl works well as a base: 10 minutes from Pyle, 28km from Countisbury Hill.
Porthcawl is in Wales, United Kingdom, with about 16,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Pyle, about 4 km away.
Porthcawl ([pɔrθˈkaul] ) is a town and community in the Bridgend County Borough of Wales. It is located on the south coast, 25 miles (40 km) west of Cardiff and 19 miles (31 km) south-east of Swansea.
Historically part of Glamorgan and situated on a low limestone headland on the South Wales coast, overlooking theRead more
Bristol Channel, Porthcawl developed as a coal port during the 19th century, but its trade was soon taken over by more rapidly developing ports such as Barry. North-west of the town, in the dunes known as Kenfig Burrows, lies the remains of Kenfig Castle.
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Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Porthcawl.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Porthcawl?
Within an hour or so of Porthcawl: Melincourt Falls (25 km), Countisbury Hill (28 km), Valley of Rocks, Exmoor (29 km), Lynmouth (29 km).
Are there any good drives near Porthcawl?
The nearest famous roads are Countisbury Hill, Porlock Hill and Black Mountain Pass (A4069).
Where is Porthcawl?
Porthcawl is in Wales, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Pyle.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 15,672
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Wales
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.4790, -3.7036
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Porthcawl
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
famous road
Countisbury Hill
A long 1-in-4 climb on the A39 out of Lynmouth onto Exmoor, with sweeping views over the Bristol Channel.
28 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
Valley of Rocks, Exmoor
A dry U-shaped valley of rock towers above the sea near Lynton, grazed by feral goats.
29 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Lynmouth
A harbour village where the East and West Lyn rivers meet the sea, rebuilt after the catastrophic flood of 1952.
29 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
A water-powered funicular opened in 1890, climbing 152 m of 1-in-1.75 cliff between the two villages.
29 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
Watersmeet
A wooded gorge where Hoar Oak Water joins the East Lyn, with a National Trust tea garden in a former fishing lodge.
29 km · about 35 min drive
beach
Three Cliffs Bay
Triple limestone peaks guard a sweep of sand where Pennard Pill meanders to the sea on the Gower: repeatedly voted among Britain's best beaches yet reached only on foot past a ruined castle. View from Pennard cliffs is the classic.
30 km · about 35 min drive
famous road
Porlock Hill
Britain's steepest A-road, where the A39 climbs out of Porlock onto Exmoor at gradients up to 1-in-4 with two severe hairpins. A scenic Victorian toll road offers a gentler coastal alternative.
31 km · about 35 min drive
Driving roads near Porthcawl
- 28 kmCountisbury HillA long 1-in-4 climb on the A39 out of Lynmouth onto Exmoor, with sweeping views over the Bristol Channel.
- 31 kmPorlock HillBritain's steepest A-road, where the A39 climbs out of Porlock onto Exmoor at gradients up to 1-in-4 with two severe hairpins. A scenic Victorian toll road offers a gentler coastal alternative.
- 31 kmPorlock Hill (A39)One of England's steepest A-roads at 1-in-4 with hairpins out of Porlock onto Exmoor; a toll road offers a gentler alternative.
- 36 kmDunkery BeaconThe highest point on Exmoor and in Somerset at 519 m, with views to the Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor on clear days.
- 42 kmBlack Mountain Pass (A4069)Top Gear's favourite British road, a smooth, empty ribbon of hairpins and open bends over the western Brecon Beacons between Llangadog and Brynamman.
- 45 kmTarr StepsA 17-span prehistoric-style clapper bridge across the River Barle on Exmoor, repeatedly rebuilt after floods.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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