Llantwit Major (3 miles away) or “Llanilltud Fawr” has developed quietly while retaining its meandering medieval streets and fine stone buildings.
It’s intentionally unassuming, yet with unrivalled provenance as the most important early Christian settlement in Wales founded by St Illtud. The town exudes history: Iron Age hill forts, fine Tudor buildings, a Roman villa and a medieval grange. St Illtud established a Church and place of learning here in 500AD. The imposing 11th century Church now standing on this site has been called the Westminster Abbey of Wales and contains a collection of Celtic carved stones in the Galilee Chapel, the finest outside of the National Museum.
In the maze of narrow streets you’ll discover independent shops, friendly cafes serving beautiful dishes for every taste with local produce on most menus. There are a cluster of historical inns dating from the 12th century.
A short drive or gentle stroll takes you to Llantwit Major’s beach, Cwm Colhuw, where there’s a café, great rock pools and easy access to the Wales Coast Path.
