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Photo: John Thorn, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
An idyllic village with authentic, traditional thatched roofs
Merthyr Mawr is a village and community in Bridgend, Wales. The village is about 2+1⁄2 miles from the centre of Bridgend town. The population of the community at the 2011 census was 267. The community occupies the area west of the Ewenny River, between Bridgend and Porthcawl. It takes in the settlement of Tythegston and a stretch of coastal sand dunes known as Merthyr Mawr Warren. It is in the historic county of Glamorgan.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
This is a large network of dunes, among the largest in Europe. This area was used to film the movie Lawrence of Arabia. It's also well used for cross-country running, wildlife spotting and even live action role-play! There is a charge to use the car park.
A large, maintained open space in the centre of Bridgend and is popular with dog-walkers and anglers.
The bridge from Bridgend got its name. Not as spectacular as the original bridge but an important and iconic local landmark.
Dramatically positioned on the hill overlooking the town centre, accessible via a set of stairs on Tondu Road opposite the Brewery Field. Entrance is free. The area around Newcastle is a conservation area that includes period properties and various other listed buildings of interest including St Illtuds Church.
In the village of Coity about 2 miles to the north east of the town. Free entry.