LLANTWIT MAJOR – CASTLE DITCHES – TRESILIAN BAY

Glamorgan History Walks & Talks – Walk Two

Saturday 11th May 2024 – Meet at the Llantwit Major old town cross CF61 1SB at 9:00am

Llantwit Major is believed to be the location of Britain’s first university. Its role was pivotal in bringing Christianity to Britain, Ireland and northern France. We visit the sites of this 5th Century institution and its medieval successor. We pass through an Iron Age hill fort believed by some to have been the site of Camelot, and we walk a section of the Wales Coastal Path to a bay with a princely patron and the setting of a chilling pirate story.

History topics discussed

  • Early medieval Wales
  • Iolo Morgannwg
  • The Iron Age
  • Pirates and smugglers
  • The legends of Colyn Dolphin
  • and others…
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Places we visit

  • Llantwit Major Square
  • Church and the tombs of Welsh kings
  • Castle Ditches
  • Tresilian House & Bay
  • The Dovecote
  • Llantwit Castle (Hen Plas)
  • The Great House
  • Lunch & refreshments at ‘The Old Swan Inn’ Llantwit Major
  • The cost of food and drink is not included with your booking.

Route Information & Data

Meet outside the old town cross in Llantwit Major CF61 1SB at 9:00am

  • Parking: Car park behind the town hall
  • Distance: 4.96 miles
  • Elevation: 460 feet
  • Walking time: 2.5 hours

Walker Level

This walk has been graded as suitable for ‘All Abilities’. More information on these gradings is available on this link.

It is just under 5 miles but only a couple of small hills and a few styles. Terrain is firm. If you don’t mind lifting it over the odd style this one is suitable for pushchairs.

Map of the route

Map of Llantwit major history walk

Photos from the walk

Get a taste of some of the local history we will be discussing with this video. Just click on the picture below to watch.

Do you want to read more about the history and folklore discussed on this walk?

If you want to read more about the history and folklore of this area and the places visited on this walk, then these two books are a great start. Available at discounted prices on this website. Just click here to read more about them and order your copy.

Both volumes of Legends and Folklore of Bridgend and the Vale
#glamwalks