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Major city · United Kingdom

Southerndown

Go for one day, not a base: Dunraven Bay at low tide plus the clifftop walk, 20–30 min by bus or car from Bridgend.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Southerndown is a small Vale of Glamorgan village whose beach, Dunraven Bay, is the reason to come: sand and rock pools at low tide, limestone cliffs above, and a Heritage Coast path that runs east to Ogmore and west toward Nash Point. There is almost no accommodation in the village itself, so most visitors sleep in Bridgend, Porthcawl or Llantwit Major and treat Southerndown as a half or full day out. Check tide times before you go: at high tide the sand is gone and the bay is a narrow strip of shingle.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Dec–Feb (wet, windy, little open)
Airports
CWL · BRS
Nights
1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Southerndown999 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance999
  • Police non-urgent101
  • NHS non-urgent (England and Wales)111
  • Coastguard (via 999)999

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Southerndown, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
  • BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
  • Metro or bus rideBus fare, short hop£2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
  • Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedPub or guesthouse double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedPub or guesthouse double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £160 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Dunraven Bay beachGlamorgan Heritage CoastClifftop walkingSoutherndown Golf Club
Airports
CWL Cardiff Airport (About 30–40 min by car via the A48 and B4265) · BRS Bristol Airport (About 1 h 30 min by car across the Severn; rail plus bus is slower)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  5. May

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest Jun (10). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Southerndown: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

16 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

13 rd

Mar

10°C (50°F)

4°C (39°F)

13 rd

Apr

13°C (55°F)

6°C (43°F)

11 rd

May

16°C (61°F)

9°C (48°F)

11 rd

Jun

19°C (66°F)

12°C (54°F)

10 rd

Jul

21°C (70°F)

14°C (57°F)

10 rd

Aug

21°C (70°F)

14°C (57°F)

11 rd

Sep

18°C (64°F)

12°C (54°F)

12 rd

Oct

14°C (57°F)

9°C (48°F)

15 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

6°C (43°F)

16 rd

Dec

9°C (48°F)

4°C (39°F)

16 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

No train station in the village. First Bus 303 runs between Llantwit Major and Bridgend via Southerndown; the B4265 is the only road in. A car is easier for the beach car park and for reaching Nash Point and Ogmore. On foot, the Wales Coast Path links Dunraven Bay with Ogmore Castle and Merthyr Mawr to the east.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Ogmore Castle and Merthyr Mawr

go

Door to door: 1–1.5 h on foot from the bay

Coast path east from Dunraven Bay, or drive to Ogmore-by-Sea

Free castle ruins by the river; stepping stones to Merthyr Mawr, careful in high water.

Nash Point Lighthouse

go

Door to door: About 20–30 min by car

Drive west along the coast road, or walk the Heritage Coast path

Cliff-top lighthouse and the best stretch of the coast path; check opening times before going inside.

Bridgend

go

Door to door: About 20–30 min

First Bus 303 or the B4265 by car

Rail connections and the practical base for beds and shops.

Porthcawl

caution

Door to door: About 20–30 min

Car via the A48 and A4106

Seaside town with more food and hotels, but public transport from Southerndown needs a change.

Cardiff

go

Door to door: About 45–60 min by car

Car via the M4, or bus to Bridgend then rail

Full city day: castle, museum and bay; see the Cardiff guide.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Southerndown village

Very few beds; a pub with a campsite and a handful of self-catering places. Book far ahead for summer weekends.

Bridgend

Best transport base: rail, buses and the B4265 to the coast; 5 miles north.

Porthcawl

Seaside town with more hotels and restaurants; about 20–30 min by car.

Llantwit Major

Closest rail station to the coast path; bus 303 links it to Southerndown.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£35–60 (≈ US$50–80) excl. bed
Mid
£60–110 (≈ US$80–150) excl. bed
High
£110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Pub or guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × £110£110
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85£170
First Bus 303, Bridgend to Southerndown, one way2 × £3£6
Beach car park, per day1 × £5£5
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£31
Trip total≈ £171 per person per day, bed included£342≈ US$500

2026 estimate in pounds; most visitors stay outside the village. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
Pint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
Bus fare, short hop£2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
Beach car park£3–6 (≈ US$4–8) per day
eSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low-crime rural area; the real risks are tides, cliff edges and slippery limestone. Check tide times, keep back from the edge, and do not cross the Ogmore stepping stones in high water.
  • Tides: at high tide the sand disappears and the bay narrows sharply. Check a tide table before you walk the beach.
  • Cliff edges and loose limestone: stay back from the edge and off closed sections.
  • The beach car park fills on sunny summer weekends and bank holidays; arrive before late morning.
  • Stepping stones at Ogmore can be submerged or slippery: do not cross in high water.
  • Bus 303 is infrequent, especially on Sundays: check the last return before you set out.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
999
Police non-urgent
101
NHS non-urgent (England and Wales)
111
Coastguard (via 999)
999

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

SoutherndownSoutherndown

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

I'r cyfeiriad hwn, os gwelwch yn ddaTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance999
  • Police non-urgent101
  • NHS non-urgent111

Embassy

No embassies in Southerndown; nearest consulates-general are in Cardiff and Bristol, embassies in London.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus 303 Bridgend → Southerndown: about £3 (≈ US$4), 20–30 min
  • Beach car park, per day: £3–6 (≈ US$4–8)
  • Taxi Bridgend → Southerndown: £12–18 (≈ US$16–25)

Say or show

  • Helo — Hello (HEH-lo)
  • Diolch — Thank you (DEE-olch)
  • Os gwelwch yn dda — Please (os GWEL-ookh un thah)
  • Traeth — Beach (trite)
  • Ble mae'r safle bws? — Where is the bus stop? (bleh myre SAHV-leh boos)
  • Hwyl fawr — Goodbye (hoo-il vowr)

Welsh is co-official in Wales; English is spoken everywhere here.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Southerndown. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (wet, windy, little open) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Tide-table fixture for Dunraven Bay so the beach plan can be marked go or skip by hour.
  2. Bus 303 timetable check with last-return times for the beach.
  3. Beach car park capacity and summer fill times, field-checked.
  4. Coast path stage pages with cliff-safety notes and cutoffs.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources