Southerndown, Dunraven Bay and Ogmore Castle

The walk starts from the car park above Dunraven Bay at Southerndown. A path climbs on to the cliff top and follows the coast west for about 3 km, high above the rocky shore and the layered limestone cliffs, down to the mouth of the River Ogmore at Ogmore-by-Sea. From the Rivermouth car park a path runs up the east side of the river, along its sandy edge and then through fields, to the lane that leads to Ogmore Castle, a ruined Norman castle that began in the early 12th century as an earth and timber fortress; entry is free according to Cadw. The way back climbs from the village on a bridleway across high ground and returns by tracks and lanes to Southerndown and the bay.

It is 11.5 km with 168 m of ascent; allow about 3½ hours. The grade is Moderate, for its length rather than its climb.

The cliff path runs close to unfenced edges, and the Wales Coast Path warns of a large fissure in the cliff edge above Traeth Mawr, east of Dunraven Park on the way to Nash Point, which is not on this walk (notice of 16 January 2026, no end date). The River Ogmore is tidal at the castle: Cadw says the stepping stones beside it are slippery and uneven and asks visitors not to use them to cross, and the castle car park can flood. This walk does not cross the river.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council's Southerndown and Ogmore-by-Sea car parks charge every day from 7am to 10pm, according to its coastal parking page: £2.10 for up to 2 hours and £8.40 for the day.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.