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Aberavon to Bynea on the Wales Coast Path by Jack_Walkaholic.

Previously on the Wales Coast Path, I walked from Chepstow to Aberavon, and if you missed it, check out my previous episodes on Resolven District News! But now, we’re ready for a new adventure starting at Aberavon.

Early morning in Aberavon is a magical experience. The sun slowly rises and the mist adds an ethereal touch to the surroundings. Growing up, Aberavon was a dirty beach, but not anymore!

It has recently been awarded a blue flag clean water award. Walking up the beach towards the Neath estuary, I suddenly encounter the power plant – a stark contrast to the clean, wholesome environment. But I continue on, crossing the Old Briton Ferry Bridge, and making my way towards Swansea through Jersey Marine.

From Swansea, it’s a quick jaunt to Mumbles, and from there, I follow the path around the cliffs to Langland and eventually reach Caswell where I stop for the day.

Early morning with a beautiful sunrise and high tide in Caswell is an unforgettable experience.

The only sounds are the waves crashing against the rocks, and there’s no one else around to disturb the peacefulness of nature.

The Wales coast path then takes me around the coast, meandering around Brandy Cove, Pennard, Southgate, and eventually Three Cliffs. At Three Cliffs, I encounter Pennard Castle with its amazing view of the bay. I cross the stepping stones and hike over a sand dune and cliff to reach Oxwich – a beautiful beach, but unfortunately, the rain starts and obscures the other end of the beach.

Despite the rain, I continue on, walking through the nature reserve, passing Oxwich Bay Hotel and St Illtyd’s Church and around the headland. Next up is Port Eynon Bay where I finish my day, but the weather takes a turn for the worse. Climbing to Port Eynon point and walking to Culver hole is challenging due to the fog, and the rugged coast makes it difficult to see far. I pass by Mewslade Bay and finally reach Worms Head, but unfortunately, the fog is too dense to see the old Coastguard station at the bottom of the cliff.

As I continue onward to Llangennith, I begin heading east for the first time, walking to Llanmadoc and Whitford Point, (also known as Whiteford Point). When I finally reach Whitford Point, I’m standing on a spit of shells, mesmerised) by the waves coming from both directions. It’s hard to leave, but it’s getting late, and I must continue on.

Another day of rain take me through Cheriton, Llandimore, and Weobley Castle! As I wander through these quaint places, I can’t help but feel like I’m stepping back in time. Weobley Castle is so close, yet mostly, hidden from view, it’s almost like a secret waiting to be discovered. Just past the castle lies the Marsh Road, a beautiful stretch of land that can get flooded during high tide. But don’t worry, I’m up for a challenge!

As I continue my journey, I reach Crofty and take a moment to look back at how far I’ve come.

I can see the path winding ahead of me, and I can’t wait to see where it will take me next. The next few miles are on the road, and I’m following in the footsteps of those who once transported cockles from Penclawdd to the rest of the world. The scenery is breathtaking, and I can’t help but stop and admire the view from the mountain behind the ‘Rake and Riddle’.

But wait, the adventure isn’t over yet! The path takes me up a hill, where I can take in stunning views of the estuary. Then, back down to sea level, the path seems to have a mind of its own. I find myself on a road, then through a campsite, across a railway and a bridge, and suddenly, I’m in a park! But I’m not lost, I just follow the signs and trust that the path will lead me to my next destination.

Finally, I cross the Loughor Bridge into Carmarthenshire. Since starting this journey on New Year’s Day, I’ve walked over 150 miles through 7 counties, with 720 miles left to go. I’m hoping to finish by the end of the year, so stay tuned for next month’s Resolven District News to find out how I fare!

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From Chepstow to Newport was a big fiirst day, to start me off on my quest to walk the length of the Wales Coast Path. (See January 2023 – ‘Day 1 Walk by the Resolven Walkaholic’)

But there’s no need for me to be so ambitious, so during January I get my first 100 miles under my belt NEWPORT to ABERAVON. There’s a lot to see on the way as well as stretches of nothingness that seem to go on and on. 

START Newport

I pass the Transporter Bridge, which looks as impressive in the day as it does the night, I follow the path through the streets of Newport, out of the city and find myself back on the Bristol Channel. Soon the West Usk Lighthouse comes into sight, it was used in a ‘Doctor Who’ episode and has a TARDIS outside. A few miles later and I’m in Cardiff, the Path winds its way through the city and before I know it I’m in The Bay area being a proper tourist and snapping the iconic buildings on the dockside.

Across the barrage, over the hill and into Penarth ( the Mumbles of Cardiff)! I’ve not been here before but with its pier and seaside vibe, I’m sure I’ll be back soon.

This is the first proper beach I’ve been on since starting this journey, it only took 50 miles to get here. It’s dark at 4.30 and I’m out of light, my day is done and I’ll continue from here.

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From Penarth the next village is Lavernock Point. The first wireless signal was broadcast from here, over the water to Flat Holm in 1897.

Then Lavernock to Sully via a field that has a river flowing over it, and now for the near future an imprint of my face pressed into the soil.

Next is Barry,. I’ve been here but don’t remember much about it. The Path drags me down a busy road into the town where I end up at the docks, There are still some big ships using the docks and new apartments over the other side.

I follow the path past the fun fair to the site of the old Butlins campsite. New houses occupy the site now and there’s a view over the harbour entrance.

Around the island is the beach, made famous in ‘Gavin and Stacey’, a great bucket and sand beach.

Into the mainland and around to The Knap. (Barry has areas with very different feelings all shaken together and served with a bit of sunshine. )

PorthKerry Country Park is the next stop, a very pleasant and peaceful park with a nice coffee shop. This is where the Glamorgan Heritage Coast starts, the limestone cliffs stretch for 14 miles and are an underrated tourist attraction.

South of Cardiff Airport is Rhoose Point, this is the furthest point South of mainland Wales. A pillar of stone stands to mark this point. ( Make the most of it as there’s nothing to mark the North, West or East.

Time to say goodnight, another day over and a great place to start next time, the only way is up from here.

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To Aberthaw. There’s a lime works ruin here. It must have been very profitable as there’s lime everywhere in the area. The power station is a huge site and is currently undergoing decommissioning.

At Llantwit Major, surfers dominate the sea. (Maybe. too cold for sensible people to be in the water? )

On to St Donat’s, home of lifeguard training and the place where the rescue lifeboats were designed. Apparently, there’s a Tudor rose garden in the grounds of the Atlantic College here, but since I don’t have a weather programme and my name isn’t Derek I’m not getting an invite.

Nash Point next,

if you haven’t been here, why not? > Two lighthouses, beautiful cliffs and fossils everywhere. This is one of the most picturesque places of this walk so far, It’s one of those places you just fall in love with.

From Nash Point the path goes over the cliffs, so that’s what I did. However, if the tide is right there’s a much better walk along the beach. There’s a Magic Waterfall that falls from the cliffs onto the beach just before you get to Dunraven Park. Dunraven house is sadly no longer with us, but the path passes by the walled garden and it would be rude not to take a look inside.

Ogmore by sea has grown and is now a very busy tourist spot, again mad surfers brave the arctic-like conditions to ride a wave.

End of the day and I’ve walked miles- time to recover, just one more walk this month.

Ogmore Castle There’s a bouncy bridge and the sand dunes of Merthyr Mawr before I’m reunited with the sea again. The sun is low, and the waves are crashing, The water is shining like diamonds as it catches the light,

This is what I thought the coast path was going to be like before I started. instead I got mud and cows.

Porthcawl Need I say more? I will!

The area around Trecco bay is worth seeing, I haven’t been to this side before. On the other side of the town, there’s a boardwalk from ‘The Rest’ beside the golf course and it takes me almost to Sker House. Sker House was built as a monastic grange by the monks of Neath Abbeyand there have been 2 books written with it as the setting.

Kenfig sands is a well-kept Its , a long stretch of beach that you can access through the Kenfig Pool and Dunes National Nature Reserve.

Not too far from home and rarely too many cars in the car park.

The path splits at the roundabout by Margam Crematorium, the choice is through the back streets of Margam or through Margam park. The park route is by far the most scenic route but as I’m short of daylight I head for the back streets and arrive at Aberavon seafront. 

That’s as far as I’ve got in January.

It’s a little over 100 miles from Chepstow and 770 miles to Chester. Longer days mean more time to enjoy the coast. If you’re interested in more photos take a look at my Instagram account jack_walkaholic.

How far will I get in February? You’ll have to come back to RDN to find out.

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