Tag: Welsh History

The history of Wales (UK)

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Events in September 2026

Looking for your next fix of Welsh history and folklore? Here are some of the events Ive got coming up in early September 2026.

Next weekend is the fantastic, award-winning “Between The Trees festival” in Candelston Woods near Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend. Its a great event and I am doing two talks and a walk so will be setting up my HQ at the Seren Barn.

Friday 28th August (4pm) – Talk entitled “Scoundrels, Cads and Vagabonds” about the antics of the worst people from the history of Wales.

Saturday 29th August (9.30am) – History walk around Merthyr Mawr and Candleston. Taking in 2 castles, Celtic stones, an ancient monastery and a long lost village steeped in legend.

Saturday 29th August (4pm) – talk entitled “Elemental fairies, goblins and forest folk”. The origins of fairy stories date back thousands of years. A discussion of that history peppered with examples of the changing characteristics of magical fairy folk.

These events are only open to festival goers. Tickets for the festival are available on this link.

Rhoose Library are having an Open Day, Saturday 5th September to celebrate their 10 year anniversary. I will be there along with with other local authors. Signing books and discussing our work. This is not a ticketed event, please feel free to come along bewtween 10 and noon.

The Gilead Chapel in Coity is celebrating its bi-centenary this year. As part of that, on Thursday 17th September (7pm) at I will be givin g a history talk at Gilead Chapel Coity. The subject is “Owain Glyndwr’s Glamorgan campaign and the Siege of Coity Castle”. Tickets are available if you email annettestoneham@yahoo.com.

As part of Ogwr History Month, a festival celebrating the history of Bridgend County.

Friday 11th September (10am) History Walk around Cefn Cribwr, the lost village and castle of Sturmi and Danes Vale.

Saturday 19th September (10am) History Walk around Kenfig and Sker. A lost town and castle, magical landscapes and a Tudor mansion rocked by the reformation.

Tickets for these and other festival events are free of charge and available on this link.

In addition to these public events I am also speaking at Roath History Society, Cardiff West Probus Society, Port Talbot & District History Society, St Hilary WI, Llangan Primary School, and Pontardawe Library.

Hopefully something for every interest in amongst that lot. See you at an event soon.

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King Arthur or Cavemen?

King Arthurs Stone

When an explanation is needed why a single, huge rock dominates the landscape high up on the moors above Reynoldston on Gower, you’ve got to love the explanation put forward by the local medieval monks. I mean, obviously it was put there by King Arthur. There is no other possible explanation. Especially when its location is so remote.

King Arthur’s Stone may only be a few miles from the city of Swansea but it feels like a world and several millennia away. It sits on a peak towering above the north Gower coastline with commanding views. There is something deeply etherial about the area. I know nothing about things like ley lines but if someone were to tell me this place was riddled with them I wouldn’t doubt it. 

We have many sites in South Wales associated with Arthurian legend but this place is one of the most picturesque and dramatic.

It got its name as the result of an old legend. It was said that on his way to the Battle of Camlan, Arthur felt a stone in his shoe. He removed it and threw it to one side, but such was the magic he possessed that as it travelled through the air it grew and grew until it became this vast boulder.

In reality, this is the cap stone of a collapsed Neolithic burial chamber. There are loads of them dotted around this hill top. Its like the “Highgate Cemetery” of 3,000 BCE. Suggesting that to the ancient Welsh, this was a place of spiritual importance.

Its just one of many prehistoric relics on Gower. Other include the earliest evidence of human life in the UK ever discovered. Only a few miles away from here was the discovery of the Red Lady of Paviland Cave. A human skeleton dating back approximately 33,000 years.

There is also another brilliant story associated with King Arthur’s Stone. A wonderful custom or tradition associated captured by Victorian folklorist Marie Trevelyan. It was believed that if a maiden wanted to know if her betrothed would be faithful to her, she should crawl on her hands and knees around the rock three times. If he then appeared to her he would always be true. If not he’d be off tomming at the drop of a hat. Just like the rest of them!

How do you fancy coming here on a guided visit?

Well if you do fancy it, come and join me when I lead a walk around all these burials, show you the sites and tell you all the stories associated with them. This year, The award-winning Glamorgan History Walks has this place on its 2026 itinerary. You can join us here on Saturday 23rd May 2026. We set off at 11am from the green opposite the King Arthur Hotel in Reynoldston.

Tickets for adults are £10 each and children go free. All information on the starting point, the route and to buy tickets are available on this link: https://grahamloveluckedwards.com/etn/king-arthurs-stone-history-walk-2026/

And if you fancy a teaser, please enjoy this video I made of the Arthurian legend. Excuse the buffering sound though. It was rather windy the day I made this…

More videos on Welsh history and folklore available at https://youtube.com/grahamloveluck

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New film about the Great Flood of 1607.

It was 9am on 30th January 1607, and the people of south Wales and the south west of England were going about their business as usual. Completely unaware of the horror that was approaching at a rate of knots.

Contemporary accounts describe what the people of places like Cardiff, Newport, Burnham-on-Sea and Ilfracombe saw that fateful morning when they looked out across the Bristol Channel. “A wall of water that did shut out even the sun”.

What was worse, this watery leviathan was fast moving. “No man could outrun it, even if riding on a galloping horse”. Over 2,000 people lost their lives that day. Thousands more died from the aftermath as famine set in. All the livestock had been drowned, top soil had been washed away and salt water contaminated the soil so no crops could grow for years afterwards. Even fresh drinking water became scarce as sea water had contaminated all the wells.

Pretty dramatic stuff I’m sure you would agree, and a story that needs to be told. So I have been planning on making a film about this event for some time.

Why this event?

I lived for many years in the pretty little village of Redwick on the Gwent Levels in Monmouthshire. A place which was wiped out at the time and has a marker on the church walls which shows how high the standing flood water was after the initial wave had gone. So, I was already aware of the event the history books call “The Great Flood”. My knowledge however was quite scant so I knew I needed to do some serious research to do it justice. Once I started pulling the various strands of research together however, I realised that this task was way too big for me to undertake on my own. So I reached out to various experts. Many in fields you would not associate with a history piece.

Archivists, meteorologists, geologists, geographers and even volcanologists all played their part in the making of this film. I learned so much more from doing this project than I ever could have imagined.

My Objectives With This Film

There were a few things I was particularly keen to do with this film.

The first was to make sure that proper emphasis was put on the price paid by the people and communities of south Wales. When I saw that Channel 5 had made a documentary called “The Killer Wave” about the event I was really interested. But was so dissapointed when I watched it to discover that it focussed entirely on the town of Barnstaple with hardly a mention of the impact on the south Wales coast. So to redress the balance my film focusses predominantly on places in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. Barnstaple gets mentioned once.

Nothing personal – just that you’ve had your film. Now its our turn.

I also wanted to fill in some gaps in the history books. In additions to the loss of lives, livestock and property, significant buildings were lost that have never been replaced. Entire communities had to be rebuilt as 24 parishes had been lost to the waters. Also a rash of ports mysteriously disappeared around this time. I wanted to verify what was lost because of the flood and what was lost to other events (because as you will learn from this film, there were others).

Finally, I wanted to recreate some of the key events. I know not everyone is a fan of AI, but it is so much cheaper and easier to work with than CGI. So I used it to do some re-enactments and reconstructions to give a visual account of what happened.

Anyway, enough of me rambling on. The film is now done. It is 30 minutes long and it is available to watch on my YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe as the cool kids say.

To watch it from this page, simply click the image below to watch in full.

And who knows. May be we’ll feature some of these destinations in the forth coming Glamorgan History Walks programme?

#greatflood #tsunami

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The “Worst Bad Guys in Welsh History” come to West and Mid Wales and the Welsh Borders.

Testimonials from people who saw the show in January 2026

Audiences have been raving about “The Worst Bad Guys in Welsh History” events being held in venues across Wales through 2026. An entertaining evening that combines history discussion, storytelling and ancient folk music, to demonstrate the various routes through which we get our history. Join us as we take a lighthearted look at some of the worst behaviour ever recorded, from the villains, scoundrels and bad guys of Welsh history.

After performing to sell out crowds across south Wales throughout January 2026, historian, author and broadcaster Graham Loveluck-Edwards (off the telly!) is bringing these events, based on his new book “Scoundrels Cads and Vagabonds from Welsh History” to venues in West Wales, Mid Wales and the Borders. Suitable for all ages. Tickets for adults £12, and children under 12 go free.

West Wales

19th March 2026 (7pm)St Peter’s Hall, Carmarthen>BUY TICKETS
20th March 2026 (7pm)Penparcau Hub Aberystwyth>BUY TICKETS
17th April 2026 (7pm)The Guildhall, Cardigan>BUY TICKETS
18th April 2026 (7pm)Haverhub, Haverfordwest>BUY TICKETS
25th April 2026 (2pm)Parc Howard Museum, Llanelli>BUY TICKETS
Dates and venues for Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion

Powys

21st March 2026 (7pm)Pant-Y-Dwr Hall, Rhayader>BUY TICKETS
26th March 2026 (7pm)Knighton Centre, Knighton>BUY TICKETS
Dates and venues across Powys

Gwent

12th February 2026 (7pm)St Woolos Cathedral, Newport>VIEW DETAILS
27th March 2026 (7pm)Melville Theatre, Abergavenny>BUYTICKETS
23rd April 2026 (7pm)Miners’ Institute, Cefn Fforest>BUY TICKETS
Dates and venues for Gwent (Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthshire)

How to order tickets:

Here’s how to get your ticket. First of all, from the list above, choose the date and venue that suits you best and click on the “>BUY TICKETS” link to see full information about the venue including: time of performance, a Google Maps pin, best place to park and bus routes. Once the page opens, if you are using a PC the ticket buying widget is to the right of the main photo. If you are using a phone, scroll right the very bottom of the page. Select how many tickets you want with the + and – buttons. Once your transaction has gone through you will be sent an order confirmation email.

THERE IS NO NEED TO DOWNLOAD OR PRINT OFF TICKETS. Once you have ordered tickets, your name gets added to a guest list which we go through on the door.

Video Taster

Want a flavour of these events? Sure! Here is a short video that was shot at the Pontypridd event earlier in the year. It gives you an idea of content and delivery without any spoilers. Enjoy.

An exert from one of these events held in Pontypridd in January 2026
Scoundrels cads and vagabonds from Welsh history cover artwork

Get the book…

These events are based on Graham Loveluck-Edwards’ latest book: Scoundrels cads and vagabonds from Welsh history.

A compilation of bad guys and horrible history from Wales. This is Graham Loveluck-Edwards’ fifth book on Welsh history and those who love his witty style and irreverent approach are in for a real treat in this rogues gallery of scoundrels and their scandalous behaviour. Everything from traitors to tyrants and from pirates and highwaymen to the bishops who bent the rules.

It is available to buy for £13.99.

BUY NOW
scoundrels from Welsh history tour banner
Coming to a venue near you
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Old photos of Victorian Cardiff animated into life

Cardiff Castle south gate 1890

When I visit a city full of history like Cardiff, I often wish I could step back in time, just to have a look around and see it as it was in its hey day. Thanks to modern AI, we can now do exactly that and as 20th December 2025 marks 70 years since Cardiff was made capital city of Wales it seemed a fitting time to make this video. 

I have created it by using AI to animate a series of photographs taken at various points around Cardiff between 1880 -1909. I have seen these photos many times before but the injection of movement and human interaction really adds another dimension to them.

I realise that some of these landmarks have changed a lot down the years, so here is what you are looking at, in each clip:

  1. Trolley buses in front of Cardiff Castle. Note the “Animal Wall” used to be there and not along Bute Park as it is today.
  2. Walking towards Canton Bridge looking up at Duke Street. Castle and clock tower in the back left
  3. Castle walls and clock tower strewn with ivy
  4. Castle South Gate, facing onto Duke Street and part of animal wall.
  5. An ivy covered Norman keep inside the castle
  6. The newly opened Westgate Street which follows the old course of the River Taff, after the land had been reclaimed by Brunel
  7. High Street, looking towards the castle
  8. The first ever edition of the South Wales Echo from 6th November 1880
  9. The Empire Theatre on Queen Street
  10. The old town hall which used to stand where Quay Street meets High Street
  11. Another view of the High Street, town hall on the left
  12. The Angel Hotel as it used to be
  13. Crowds gather outside a pub in Bute Terrace (a murder had just been committed inside).
  14. Queen Street
  15. Duke Street
  16. Four views of Cardiff Docks 
  17. The Glamorgan Canal
  18. Cardiff Docks
  19. The old ’Tiger Bay’
  20. Hospital ship
  21. Football fans at a Cardiff game
  22. Cardiff Intermediate Schools Team 1909

To watch the video just click on the image below…

Now that I’ve got the bug I fully intend to make a few more of these. Taking a retrospective wander down the streets of Welsh towns, cities and villages and breathing some life back into age old photographs.

#Cardiff #oldphotos #history

Cardiff Docks 1890
Cardiff Docks 1890
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Breaking News! Book number 5 and a tour.

Scoundrels cads and vagabonds from Welsh history coming soon

Everyone knows that I am rubbish at keeping secrets, so I might as well get it off my chest now. Yes, I have a new book coming out in October. This will be my fifth book on Welsh history and folklore and this time it revels in the misdeeds of some of Wales most wicked miscreants.

It is called “Scoundrels, Cads and Vagabonds from Welsh History” and is published by Candy Jar books and distributed by Books Council For Wales/Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.

What’s it about?

It is the definitive collection of Welsh horrible histories.

It is all based around questions such as: Who were the worst bad guys in Welsh history? The most tyrannical rulers? The most blood thirsty outlaws? The most unscrupulous traitors?

So to answer them, in this book I take a light-hearted romp through a rogues’ gallery of scandalous behaviour.

Everything from medieval miscreants to swashbuckling pirates. Even a few Kings of England thrown in for good measure.

All viewed from the perspective of the people of Wales. We look at the antics of these scoundrels and ask, “do they deserve their bad reputations?”

Just so you know, the answer is usually “yes!”

As you can guess, it is intended to be a bit of fun so as much as what is contained in it is factually correct, it is told in a manner intended to amuse and entertain. A great ‘gateway’ into history for younger readers, or an alternative narrative for people who are more absorbed by the topic.

Who is in the book?

Well I don’t want to give too much away but I do have certain rules around who is in and who is out.

First of all, to get a mention in this book you need to feature in Welsh history. That does not mean however that you have to be Welsh.

There is no question that Edward Longshanks was not Welsh. Equally however, there is no doubt that he made a big impression on Welsh history.

Secondly, there is no one in this book in living memory. My intention when writing it was to give you a light-hearted overview of some scandalous behaviour from history. The trouble with people in living memory is that commentary on their actions becomes political rather than historical and that isn’t as much fun.

So as much as you might be able to think of any number of politicians from the last 100 years who would qualify as scoundrels, none of them have made it into this book. Even though some undoubtedly deserve to be.

Finally, of course, to make it into this book you will need to have done something very naughty indeed. Something utterly scandalous in fact. It is a rogues’ gallery. A compendium of cads, scoundrels, blackguards and ne’r do wells.

How will I be able to get a copy?

It wont be available in the shops or on Amazon until 27th October but you will be able to get it earlier than that exclusively on my website from 13th October (or possibly earlier printers dependant). It will retail for £13.99.

Did you mention a tour?

Good memory. Yes I did. I have written a live show based on the book. It is predominantly a ‘history talk’ but with a few flourishes and surprises along the way to liven things up a bit. The long term plan is take it on tour to venues all over the country so more dates and venues will be announced.

In the mean time however, I have my dates and venues for January 2026 nailed down and they are part of the Glamorgan leg of the tour.

And here they are:

•Thursday 8th January (7pm):   Town Hall,   Cowbridge

•Friday 9th January (7.30pm):   St Mary’s Hall, Talbot St,   Cardiff

•Tuesday 13th January (7pm):   The Museum,   Pontypridd

•Thursday 15th January (7pm):   Pioneer Hall,   Barry

•Friday 16th January (7pm):   Vivian Hall, Blackpill,   Swansea

•Saturday 17th January (7pm):   Town Hall,   Neath

•Thursday 22nd January (7pm):   St Augustines Hall,   Penarth

•Friday 23rd January (7pm):   Town Hall,   Llantwit Major

•Saturday 24th January (7pm):   Coychurch Memorial Hall,   Bridgend

•Thursday 29th January (7pm):   The Prince of Wales,   South Cornelly

•Friday 30th January (7pm):   Soar Centre, Penycraig,   Tonypandy

In February and March I also intend to add dates in Merthyr Tydfil, Carmarthen, Llandudno, Bangor , Wrexham, Aberystwyth, Brecon, Abergavenny, Newtown, Newport and anywhere else they’ll have me.

Tickets will cost £12 and will go on sale in October, and once again, the best place to get them is from the website.

So for the person in your life who is “difficult to buy for” here is a selection of great Christmas presents to choose from. A book and a ticket to the show for a fraction under £26. Not bad!

Scoundrels January 2026 tour poster A4
Scoundrels January 2026 tour poster A4

Would you like me to contact you when its available to buy?

Just in put your details below. No charge, no obligation. Once the books arrive you will be contacted and offered first dibs on a first print run of the first edition.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

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Glamorgan Heritage: Unique T-Shirts Celebrating Local Legends

Legends T shirts montage

As you know, I am something of a nerd when it comes to Glamorgan legends and folklore. I make no apologise for that. Glamorgan can boast some absolutely incredible and fantastic stories and we have all come to love them over the years.

Here is a new way you can enjoy them and celebrate them. I have launched a new clothing brand called “Glamorgan Heritage”, and hot off the press comes this new range. A series of beautifully designed and quality made T shirts, commemorating those great stories and the people at the centre of them.

Some of them comic, some them artistic. All of them unique.

Local legends with a twist

As much as you may be familiar with the subjects and stories, you might like a couple of special new twists I have added.

First of all, each one has been designed in the style of a famous art movement. Everything from classic baroque masterpieces to pop art and comic strip. So there should be a style to appeal to everybody.

Secondly, they are also a little bit “tongue-in-cheek”. Not meant to be taken too seriously.

Here are the ones you can enjoy.

King Iestyn ap Gwrgant of Morgannwg

Iestyn ap Gwrgant was the Welsh king who lost his kingdom of Morgannwg to the invading Norman army of Robert Fitzhamon, Duke of Gloucester in 1090.

As much as he was a real person from history, there are many embellished stories and legends about him. Most from Sir Edward Stradlings “The taking of Glamorgans lands out of Welsh mens’ hands”.

On this T Shirt he has been drawn in the style of an action comic super hero. Based on his language we also catch him on a bit of an off day in his campaign against the Norman invaders.

View Iestyn Ap Cwrgant

I am sure King Iestyn would be very proud of the fact that he is available in a range of different colours, and of course, in the language of heaven. Although some poetic license is needed. Like I say, these T Shirts are just intended to be a bit of fun. I am fully aware that the words spoken by Iestyn are not what would have been used in the 11th Century.

The Coronation of King Arthur at Llandaff

Coronation of Arthur T shirt front

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, author of “History of the Kings of Britain”, Arthur was crowned King of the Britions by St Dyfrig at Llandaff.

On this T shirt the moment has been captured in the style of a Baroque master such as Carrivagio.

Arthurian symbols such as the red dragon and the three crowns are on show. Along with the famous Epstein statue “Christ in his majesty” which was installed at Llandaff in 1954. Just in time then!

View The Coronation T Shirt

The Maid of Cefn Ydfa

One of the most enduring romantic tales ever recorded is that of Ann Maddox (nee. Thomas), the Maid of Cefn Ydfa in Llangynwyd.

In the story, when her romance with pennyless bard and thatcher Wil Hopkyn is discovered, she is imprisoned in her own bedroom with all writing materials confiscated. But so determined was she to communicate with her lover, she plucked leaves from the tree outside her bedroom window and wrote him love letters in her own blood.

Here she is captured writing the final verse of the love song “Bugeilio’r gwenith gwyn” on a leaf big enough to accomodate it. It is drawn in the style of Charles Robert Lesley’s portrait of Juliette contemplating.

View Maid of Cefn Ydfa

Caradog tribal chief of the Silures

Caradog T shirt front

In the First Century, south Wales bravely fought off the invading Romans under the leadership of a charismatic warrior king. Caradog. Known in Latin as Caracticus.

Their defence of their lands was resolute. The most mighty empire on the face of the earth was held at bay for over a decade.

In the midst of the real history there are many legends and stories about Caradog and his brave defence of his country.

This T shirt shows Caradog in mid fight with some invading Romans. It is drawn in the style of one of my favourite comic strip characters. The cartoons of Asterix the Gaul. A fictional character with a similar CV.

View Caradog T Shirt

The Highwayman Cap Coch

Cap Coch was a terrifying character from Glamorgan folklore.

He ran the New Inn near the Dipping Bridge in Merthyr Mawr. In the dead of night he would creep around the rooms of his guests, slitting their throats and robbing them. He would dispose of their bodies by throwing them into the river Ogmore next to the inn.

In this T shirt we have Cap Coch depicted in the Manga comic strip style. Chillingly offering someone a room facing the river.

We also have a representation of the Dipping Bridge in the background.

Cap Coch T-Shirt front
View Cap Coch T-Shirt

Kenfig is lost

Kenfig is lost t shirt front

The loss of a thriving community and town to nature is always the stuff of legends. And here in Glamorgan we have the incredible tale of how the once great city of Kenfig was devoured by a tidal wave and hidden forever in a watery grave beneath Kenfig Pool. All in recompense for the actions of a love sick boy who commits murder in order to make himself the suitor of the woman he loves.

The scene is captured here as the town is all but lost, in the style of the Romantic artistic movement associated with the likes of Turner and Constable.

View Kenfig is Lost

Ifor Bach kidnaps the Earl of Gloucester from Cardiff Castle

In the 12th Century, Ifor Bach, the Welsh lord of Sengenydd was so furious with William Fitz Robert, the Earl of Gloucester for stealing his land, that one night, he and his soldiers rode up to Cardiff Castle, broke in and kidnapped the Earl.

Ifor Bach held him captive in the dungeons of Castell Coch until the Earl agreed to give back all the land he had taken plus a bit more for good measure.

Here we see the daring raid captured in the ‘Pop Art’ style made famous by the likes of Andy Warhol and David Hockney.

Ifor Bach T shirt Front
View Ifor Bach T Shirt

The Wreckers of Dunraven

Wreckers of Dunraven T shirt front

Walter Vaughan of Dunraven Castle, Southerndown lost his fortune at the gaming tables.

To refill the coffers he joined forces with a local pirate and cut throat called Matt o’ the Iron Hand. Together they reeked havoc on shipping trying to navigate the Bristol Channel.

Through a combination of burning a bright beacon at the castle and tying lanterns to the tails of sheep grazing on the cliff tops, they lured countless ships on to the rocks. Then they plundered what they could from the spoils that washed up on the beach.

This one done in the style of an impressionist painting.

View Wreckers T Shirt

Good aren’t they?

All of these garments are designed and distributed by the “Glamorgan Heritage” brand.

We will also be shortly announcing a range of heritage Glamorgan sporting memorabilia. Celebrating great names and teams of the past and their incredible achievements. Again, there will be a twist so watch this space.

All of these T Shirts are custom made so please read the full descriptions for an idea of turn around time. It is normally 5-7 days.

So get your orders in early for Father’s Day on 15th June 2025! Just saying!

More information on the entire range available at www.glamorganheritage.co.uk.

Glamorgan Heritage Clothing
Legends T shirts montage
Legends T shirts montage

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Scars of World War II 80 years on

VE Day 80 years on

The 8th May 2025 marks 80 years since the end of the European leg of World War II. A series of official events are being planned all over the UK to mark the occasion. Everything from street parties to parades and marches. South Wales paid its own toll in the war. Not just through local people suffering as casualties on the front line, but also German bombing raids in 1941. Cardiff in January and Swansea in February.

VE day parade in Cardiff (May 1945)

You may be surprised at how many scars of the war are still available to see 80 years on, but if you know where to look they are all around us.

When we plan The Glamorgan History Walks festival, we try to ensure that there is a good mix of history topics to discuss. That means taking in a variety of sites which tell a story for each era.

So if the second World War is a subject you are interested in, especially in this important, commemorative year, here are the walks you can join and some of the sites you can see on them which are relevant to this important chapter in the history of the World.

There was a concern during the war, that the south Wales coast was a potential location for a German invasion. The Allies had already proven the viability of an amphibious landing at Sicily so it was not beyond the realms of possibility that the Germans might try the same here.

There were a couple of things that made south Wales viable. The sand on our beaches is very compact and forms a hard surface at low tide. Certainly hard enough to support the weight of armoured vehicles. Secondly, we are only a couple of hours drive from London. And Finally, the area, particularly when compared to the south coast of England, was poorly defended. Most of the military bases here were just training centres.

The result of this way of thinking was the re-enforcement of what few defences we had and the building of a chain of new defences. Concrete bollards nicknamed ‘dragons teeth’ sprung up along wide beach heads and routes out of the area. You can see examples on Gileston Beach which features as part of our St Athan walk on 3rd July. Bunkers and gun emplacements also sprung up along the coast.

If you come on the Glamorgan History Walks, you can visit them. They include various ‘pill boxes’ and bunkers on our walks at Llantwit Major on 12th June, St Athan on 3rd July and Monknash to St Donats on 19th July and 17th August. We also visit the site of WWI artillery gun emplacement which housed an ACAC Gun in WWII on our Barry Island walks on 18th May and 19th June. There is also a far more substantial gun battery on Lavernock Point which we visit on our Sully/Cosmeston walk on 16th August.

WWII Bunker near Llantwit Major
The bombed out shell of Llandaff Cathedral (Jan 1941)

There is also the opportunity on our walks to visit places that were changed for ever as a result of the Second World War.

In January 1941, Cardiff suffered its own blitz. The city was an obvious target as it housed one of Europe’s most significant coal exporting docks, and coal was still vital in the 1940s to Britain’s ability to wage war. It was what the Royal Navy needed to power its ships, what our trains used to move equipment, personnel and materials around the country and it was what powered our industry.

One of the casualties of these bombing raids was Llandaff Cathedral. It suffered a direct hit and had to be substantially rebuilt after the war. Here it is pictured in the aftermath.

We have walks that incorporate a visit to Llandaff Cathedral on 5th June and 21st August.

We also visit the cenotaph and garden of remembrance in Cathays Park on our Cardiff City Centre walks on 8th June and 10th July where we see more of the human cost of the war, albeit in a beautiful setting.

There were bases housing American GIs in the Porthcawl area and we also see evidence of that on a couple of our other walks. On our Kenfig and Sker walks on 24th May, also on 27th July and 14th September we see the old service road to the camp which is still there. Along with the remains of a sentry bunker. We can also see where the old air base was at nearby Stormy Down.

Meanwhile on our walks from Newton to Candleston on 7th June and also 21st September we pass through the old rifle range they trained on.

But by far the most exciting monument we have from the entire era is the wonderful Isalnd Farm POW Camp near Bridgend.

A lot of the camp has now been demolished but Hut Number 9 still stands and is a protected site. We visit it as part of our Merthyr Mawr walk on 10th May.

It is an incredible place and served several functions during the war. It started out as a dormitory for workers at the munitions factory in Bridgend. At the time, the biggest in Europe. It then became a base for US Service Personnel.

However, it is remembered in the history books for the period when it was a prisoner of war camp for high ranking German officers. Notoriety was guaranteed the night when 70 German POWs tunnelled out and escaped.

The single biggest break out of enemy soldiers in mainland Britain for the entirety of the war.

Oops!

Isalnd Farm POW Camp

What ever period of history you are interested in though, there is something for everyone on the Glamorgan History Walks. The full calendar of events is now published and tickets are on sale. Just click on this link to see them all. And if you need convincing how good these walks are, just read the feedback from people who came last year on Trip Advisor.

This video explains everything the festival of walks, history and storytelling has to offer:

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Use the hashtag glamwalks to see Glamorgan History walks content on social media.

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    Step Into History: Glamorgan History Walks Festival Returns For 2025.

    Glamorgan History walks 2025
    Glamorgan History walks 2025

    This summer, history lovers and outdoor enthusiasts have an exciting reason to lace up their walking boots. The award-winning Glamorgan History Walks Festival is back, running from May to September, with over 50 fascinating guided walks just announced.

    What Is the ‘Glamorgan History Walks’ Festival?

    It’s a walking festival like no other—a series of expert-led guided walks that explore the rich history of Glamorgan. Instead of reading about history, participants will walk where it actually happened, with each route ending at a charming old pub—because history is best enjoyed with a tidy pint!

    Glamorgan History walkers exploring Ogmore Castle

    All walks are hosted by renowned historian, author, and broadcaster Graham Loveluck-Edwards. Last year’s festival was a huge hit, earning a special award from Visit Wales. It turns out that discovering the history behind places you’ve passed a hundred times before—while strolling through stunning landscapes—is a winning formula.

    What’s New for 2025?

    The festival has expanded to meet demand! Last year, tickets sold out fast, so more dates have been added for the most popular walks. There are also brand-new routes.

    Many walks last year were over six miles long, which wasn’t ideal for everyone. This time, there are 33 routes, including 9 walks under four miles. Six of these are even wheelchair and pushchair-friendly. So, whether you’re a keen hiker or a casual stroller, there’s a walk for you.

    What Will You Discover?

    Glamorgan is packed with hidden history, and these walks reveal incredible sites, including:

    • 18 castles
    • 13 Iron Age hill forts
    • 2 medieval pilgrimage routes
    • A Roman fort
    • 18 ancient burials
    • 6 Neolithic monuments
    • 11 great houses
    • 15 medieval churches and a cathedral
    • 3 battlefields
    • Sites of execution, lost settlements, and industrial landmarks
    • Even the earliest burial ever found in the UK!

    Last year these walks were hugely popular as these great reviews on TRIP ADVISOR will confirm.

    Glamorgan History Walks and Talks logo

    How to Join a Walk

    All walks must be prebooked online. The festival’s website offers easy search options by date or location. Each walk listing provides details on distance, difficulty level, places visited, and historical topics covered—plus the best places to park.

    Opening Walk: 3rd May in Llangynwyd

    The festival begins on Saturday, 3rd May, with a spectacular walk in Llangynwyd, north of Bridgend. This route features:

    • A church established in the 6th-century
    • The remains of a Norman castle
    • A breathtaking Iron Age hill fort
    • A possible site for the Arthurian Battle of Badon Hill
    • Ancient burials, standing stones, and legends—including the famous Maid of Cefn Ydfa

    Tickets for this and all other walks are on sale now.

    Book Your Spot Today!

    Don’t miss the chance to step into history. Explore, learn, and enjoy a great pub at the finish line!

    For more details and to book tickets, on this link.

    Here is a video to explain more…

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    Use the hashtag glamwalks to see Glamorgan History walks content on social media.

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    St David’s Day Celebrations at The Three Golden Cups, Southerndown.

    St Davids Day poster 2025

    Got any plans for Saturday 1st March 2025? It’s St David’s Day you know. And I am delighted to announce that myself and Chris Jones are hosting a day of events at the Three Golden Cups in Southerndown in Bridgend, and its going to be epic.

    Guided walk with Chris

    It all begins at 10.45am with my good friend Chris Jones guiding you on a walk across Southerndown, Dunraven, St Brides and Ogmore. With some guests and surprises along the way.

    This walk is in Chris’ back yard.

    It is approximately 8 miles in length and includes a couple of hills. But it is stunningly beautiful, has a great blend of coast and country and takes in two castles, two pubs and has plenty of toilet breaks.

    Then its back to the Three Golden Cups where Janine has another surprise in store for you. A traditional Welsh Cawl, freshly prepared. Just what you need after a long walk to build your energy back. And it’s included in the price of your ticket. Although your drinks will be extra.

    History talk with Graham.

    After your cawl, sit back and enjoy an entertaining talk from yours truly. It will be a blend of real history as well as the ever popular legends and folklore. Unavoidable given the topic:

    St David and the Welsh Dark Age Saints

    So we will learn about that amazing period in history when Wales was producing some of the most famous intellectuals in Europe. And all the things they got up to.

    Sound interesting? Well you can buy your ticket for the whole event for just £25 per person and tickets are now on sale. Numbers will be limited as there’s only so many people we can accommodate. So if you like the sound of it, click on this link to buy your tickets.