Nash Point - Glamorgan Heritage Coast - Cwm Nash

Peter Salenieks

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Nash Point is a popular venue for outdoor activities such as walking, sea angling and birdwatching. This walk takes in part of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, which was the first designated heritage coast in Britain, together with points of archaeological and geological interest.

Start at the entrance to the car park, where light refreshments are available in season. Follow the footpath down into Cwm Marcross, passing an interpretive sign and cross Marcross Brook by a small, wooden footbridge. Walk up the other side to reach the site of an Iron Age promontory fort. This is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It is one of a series of promontory forts situated along the coast of the Vale of Glamorgan that were built between about 700 BC and the Roman invasion of Wales in 76 AD. Only a small remnant of the fort has survived centuries of erosion and undercutting of the cliffs.

Follow the footpath along the clifftop, crossing several stiles before dropping down into Cwm Nash. There are fine views of cliffs, bays and coastal scenery. Children should be supervised closely, as the footpath is unfenced in places. The walk proceeds along the rocky foreshore to Nash Point. This offers a fresh perspective on the horizontally bedded rocks of the Lower Lias series that form the coastline. There is some unusual rock scenery, together with opportunities to explore the beach and rock pools.

Note that the foreshore between Waypoints 3 and 4 is not accessible around high water. Consult the local press for details of the tide times before you start and plan your day accordingly. Predictions of the tide times at nearby Porthcawl, for up to thirteen days ahead, can be found by visiting the tourism section of the website Bridgend County Borough Council .

If in doubt, it is safer to return along the clifftop footpath.

Wales - South Wales - Vale of Glamorgan - Coast