Porthcawl guide

Porthcawl is a small seaside tourist town on the south coast of Wales. Situated on the south coast between Cardiff and Swansea, Porthcawl is a popular destination for daytrippers, offering a sandy beachfront, a funfair and various attractions. Modern Porthcawl came to prominence as a coal port, developed from two villages, the Norman hamlet of Newton and the older Nottage, a Viking settlement. The town became a port for coal exports from 1825, but its growth was hampered by rough seas and gales. A Nash lighthouse was constructed in 1832, with the dock owners, the Brogden family, building a harbour and inner dock in 1866.

The lighthouse had the honour of being the last coal and gas powered lighthouse in the country, finally switching to North Sea gas in 1974 and electricity in 1997. As the town grew and prospered, a promenade was built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee, with Victorian and Edwardian villas populating the wide streets. Despite the lighthouse and improved dock, the port's exposed position continued to put shipping at risk from sudden squalls, with the danger compounded by nearby sandbanks and the notorious Tuskar Rock. The final blow to Porthcawl's docks came after the opening of Barry and Port Talbot docks, leaving the town to reinvent itself as a holiday resort.


Latest Tweets featuring Porthcawl

  • FonLodwig7

    @GeorgiaTandy porthcawl is not in bridgend:o how offensive!

    Today, 13:02

  • mobjones

    @elainemcm1 is that Porthcawl ? Looks dreadful

    Today, 12:53

  • SarahDavies91

    @Non1986 lifes hard. 26 living with your parents in Porthcawl....

    Today, 12:52

  • JayMilnerHayer

    Porthcawl sounds amazing in this weather xD but I'm heading to the gym later I don't know when I'll be back @90_Thomas

    Today, 11:49

  • WiltshireRhino

    Beryl is staying for the weekend. 3-4ft with offshore = "sponging" perfection! #Bodyboarding @ Rest Bay, Porthcawl. http://t.co/AxwqR3Sc

    Today, 11:40

  • HannahBull199

    Porthcawl Friday with @ZoeElizabeth95, cant bloody wait tbh!<3

    Today, 11:31

  • ZoeElizabeth95

    Porthcawl with the one and only @HannahBull199 ! gna be mence <3

    Today, 11:29

  • TouristDisinfo

    Treat yourself this long weekend with a trip to the jewel in Wales' crown that is #porthcawl drink too much & fight a local! #visitwales

    Today, 11:27

  • abbjonesy

    Porthcawl on #homesunderthehammer cool

    Today, 11:26

  • jeddbeavis

    Plans Saturday will? Porthcawl playing Pyle first in rugby! @NKeylock

    Today, 10:45

  • tcjudo

    Looking forward to porthcawl beach later with @ConnorJI @jcrosse90 @kyle_66

    Today, 10:12

  • JessJayneBaugh

    Porthcawl with mam an baby finley-george #cute

    Today, 09:51

  • danmog

    Me circa 1981 @ Porthcawl http://t.co/8VCc1erd

    Today, 09:42

  • BridgendSchFA

    District fixture tonight: BRIDGEND vs Barry & The Vale. All players to arrive at St. John's, Porthcawl @ 4:45pm.

    Today, 08:59

  • 6NationsPlayers

    RT @TomPrydie: Round if golf at royal Porthcawl to finish the day of!

    Today, 01:43

Featured Businesses and Services in Porthcawl

Other Businesses and Services in Porthcawl

  • Seabank Hotel
  • Atlantic Hotel
  • Nash Point Lighthouse
  • Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

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