Bridgend is highlighting its attractions as part of Visit Wales’ Year of Discovery.

Just 18 miles from the Welsh capital, Cardiff and 20 miles East of Swansea, Bridgend County offers an accessible escape by the sea, with the seaside town Porthcawl providing seaside getaways year-round.

Its beaches are the closest consistent surf beaches to London, Swansea and Cardiff, offering the chance to learn to ride the Welsh waves at some of the country’s top surfing beaches.

The area is also home to the second-highest sand dunes in Europe, and visitors can now take a fatbike out across these dunes for a completely unique way to explore the Glamorgan Heritage Coast.

This is also one of the UK’s most important wildlife conservation sites, Kenfig National Nature Reserve. The reserve is home to a massive 90% of the UK’s fen orchid population, which is Britain’s rarest flower.

Events in the region include the single largest Elvis event in Europe – the Porthcawl Elvis Festival – and the UK’s largest Christmas Day swim, also in Porthcawl, an event that has been going for 55 years.

Dog lovers can treat their four-legged friend to an afternoon tea of their own after a long walk in the surrounding woodlands of Coed Y Mwstwr Hotel, Bridgend.

This exclusive VIP menu (Very Important Pets) includes dog friendly treats such as bacon and peanut butter bone biscuits, frozen yogurt paw pops, chicken and beef meatloaf as well as salmon and sweet potato brownies. Wash it all down with a bottle of Pawsecco or Bottom Sniffer Beer.

Owners can also enjoy their afternoon tea with a selection of 10 different gins or traditional teas.

http://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/?lang=en

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