What are the Glamorgan History Walks?
The “Glamorgan History walks” are an annual heritage event. The festival takes place in spread across all the Unitary Authorities that make up the ancient county of Glamorgan. Namely; Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Neath & Port Talbot, Swansea, Rhondda – Cynon – Taff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
It is an award winning festival of immersive historical discovery. Where instead of reading about history or watching documentaries about history, you go outside and walk to the places where our history happened.
Have the stories brought to life in their natural setting. And you even get to stick your fingers in the bullet holes!
In 2026 we did 28 walks in all. We kept in old favourites, as well as a load of new ones.
The itinerary for 2027 will be announced in March 2027.
What were the key features of these walks?
Key features of the Glamorgan History Walks in 2026 were as follows:
- Season ran from May to August 2026
- Shorter walks on Thursday evenings, longer ones Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons
- 28 Unique routes within the county of Glamorgan
- Every walk led by a history expert often supported by specialists in their field
- Adult places £10
- Child places free
- Mix of distances from 2.6 to 10 miles in length
- Mix of historical periods and subjects for discussion
- Mix of historic sites from all periods of Welsh history
- Some walks that were suitable for wheelchair users
- Clear joining instructions letting walkers know about hills and distances
- Discounts and simple booking procedures for multi-bookings
Every year, after our season ends, we conduct a survey amongst our walkers. This drives what new features we will add to our next programme of walks.
Walk the routes in your own time
Here is a small selection of our favourite routes from our itinerary.
Each walk has its own web page with interactive maps, so you can walk them in your own time.
All these routes are circular so you arrive back where you started. If you click on the route you will open a page with detailed information about the route. Places you visited, connected history and route information.
It has also been pointed out to me that most of them incorporate a fantastic pub. Something that had passed me by.
| Route Location | Distance |
| Barry & Porthkerry | 5.7 Miles |
| Llantwit Major & Tresilian Bay | 5 Miles |
| Dunraven & Ogmore Castles | 7 Miles |
| Bedford Iron Works & Danes Vale | 4.5 Miles |
| Mynydd-Y-Gaer & Peterston-Super-Montum | 9 Miles |
| Kenfig and Sker | 7 Miles |
| Merthyr Mawr & Island Farm POW | 4.6 Miles |
| Coity & Coed y Mwstwr | 5.6 Miles |
| Llangynwyd & Mynydd Margam | 6.5 Miles |
| St Athan & Gileston | 4 Miles |
| Llantrisant | 5.2 Miles |
| St Donats & Monknash | 6.8 Miles |
| Cowbridge & St Hilary | 6.6 Miles |
| Dinas Powys & Salmon Leaps | 5.5 Miles |
| Newton & Candleston | 6.9 Miles |
Are these walks any good?
Well here are a couple of ways of deciding for your self.
Firstly, we are very proud to announce that for two years running we have been recognised with awards.
Probably a better indicator of how enjoyable these walks are, is to look at what people who took part in them had to say.
We are truly humbled that every single review we’ve had to date on TRIPADVISOR (and there are 38 of them) rate us as “EXCELLENT” with five-stars.
Here are some examples…
Testimonial snippets
“We received a wealth of information about the area’s history”
“I find it easy to recommend these history walks because Graham’s extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, and delivery, combined with the relaxed, informal pace, make it a very enjoyable experience”
“Thoroughly enjoyable day, paced just right and taking in places and views I wouldn’t otherwise have seen”
The itinerary from the Summer of 2026
- 2 May – Margam
- 3 May – Neath
- 16 May – Mumbles
- 17 May – Port Eynon
- 23 May – Arthur’s Stone and Reynodston
- 30 May – Cyfarthfa Ironworks
- 13 June – Llanbradach
- 14 June – Ruperra Castle
- 20 June – Mynydd-Y-Gaer
- 21 June – Maerdy
- 27 June – St Mary Church and Old Beaupre
- 1 July – Ogmore Castle
- 2 July – Llantwit Major
- 9 July – Cowbridge
- 11 July – Penllyn & Llansanor
- 15 July – Aberthaw & Fonmon
- 18 July – Dunraven
- 19 July – Tinkinswood
- 23 July – St Athan
- 25 July – Llancarfan
- 26 July – Cefn Cribwr
- 30 July – Kenfig Castle
- 1 August – Kenfig & Sker
- 2 August – Merthyr Mawr
- 6 August – Coity
- 8 August – Llangynwyd
- 9 August – Bridgend
- 16 August – Cardiff
See you next year…
