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The Town of Cowbridge is a picturesque little village situated just 15 mile West of Cardiff, with so much to offer the town of Cowbridge is a perfect place to visit on a day out with the family.
The Town of Cowbridge has long been a popular destination for tourists, Cowbridge, attracts visitors from all over the world, for short weekend breaks or the annual family holiday. The Town of Cowbridge has an abundance of Hotels and B&Bs so is perfectly placed for you to enjoy some of Wales's most popular attractions and annual events.
The Town of Cowbridge is uniquely located near to rolling countryside and dramatic Heritage Coastline. Benefiting from being just a short drive from Wales’ capital city, Cardiff and the gate way to the beauty spots of West Wales.
On driving in to Cowbridge the thing you notice it’s huge diversity and choice of retail shops a individual mix of traditional independent retailers and modern national chains. Cowbridge has something for all, a great place to visit either for the day or longer.
“Cowbridge is a department store on one high street – fashion, gifts, health and beauty, food and drink”.
Your trip to Cowbridge can take you from a beautiful antique store on to the traditional craft barn. Independent or family owned shops offer the perfect shopping destination
“Cowbridge has such a unique choice of shops it can boasts more independent boutiques per square mile than any other town in South Wales”.
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Cowbridge has a reputation for it’s food and drink, eating out in Cowbridge is always a pleasure, if you’re looking for either lunchtime, a three-course meal or afternoon tea, Cowbridge boasts a huge array of bistros, restaurants, real ale pubs and wine bars, Cowbridge aims to cater for all tastes and budgets all with individual character and style.
Throughout the year, Cowbridge plays host to some of Wales’ most popular events whether it’s the Cowbridge annual Food and Drink Festival or Cowbridge Fashion Week, there is always something going on in the great little town of Cowbridge.
A brief history of Cowbridge Town.
*Cowbridge as a Roman Fort.
The town of Cowbridge lies on the site of an old Roman settlement / fort considered by scholars to be called Bovium or cow-place.
Recent excavations through our Cowbridge have revealed extensive Roman settlement, the town lies alongside a large Roman road.
* Cowbridge as a Middle Ages Village
The town centre is still arranged on its medieval plan, with one long street divided into "burgage plots".
It is one of very few medieval walled towns in Wales, and substantial portions of the walls, together with the south gate, are still standing.
On 13 March 1254, Cowbridge received its first borough charter from Richard de Clare, the Lord of Glamorgan.
The largely medieval church of the Holy Cross was initially a chapel of ease to the parish church at Llanblethian.
* Cowbridge during the Georgian Period
There are 17th century references to a 'cow-bridge' over a tributary of the river Thaw (which flows through the town)
The Welsh name, Y Bont-faen ( Cowbridge) means literally 'the stone bridge'.
The Cowbridge Grammar School was founded in 1608 and had close links with Jesus College, Oxford. Some of the schools famous ex-pupils included the poet Alun Lewis and the actor Sir Anthony Hopkins.
The present town hall, a building dating back perhaps as far as the Elizabethan era, served as a prison until 1830, six of the original prison cells are still intact.
The remainder of the building is used by the town council and hold public events.
The Cowbridge Town Hall is now used as a museum and is home to archaeological finds from Cowbridge and the surrounding district, as well as displays on the later history of the town, including industrial and domestic artefacts, a photographic collection, and a small historical costume collection.
The main street contains a number of Georgian houses, including the former town houses of important local families such as the Edmondes and Carnes. The Carnes' town house is known as Great House, a Grade 2* listed property of Medieval origin.
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The Cowbridge Physic Garden.
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When in Cowbridge you must make a point to visit the Cowbridge Physic Garden, just a small stroll off the high street, pass the Holy Cross Church on your left and behind a high stone wall lies one of the best kept secrets of Cowbridge, the Cowbridge Physic Garden.
"The Cowbridge Physic Garden has been described as an oasis of calm and tranquillity, just a few steps away from the noise and pressures of modern day life."
The Cowbridge Physic Garden is an original part of the Old Hall Gardens, is was first designed and built by the Edmondes family in the 18th century. Due to neglected and forgotten for years the Cowbridge Physic garden lay un-touched for years. In 2004, with grants from the Vale of Glamorgan Council an amazing group of volunteers had the vision to create the Cowbridge Physic Garden you can see today. The Cowbridge Physic Garden is a glorious array of medicinal plants and herbs, typical of a physic gardens from centuries past.
"The garden is of such an exceptionally high standard; a feat recognised by the award of a ‘Green Pennant’ in 2009".
The Cowbridge Physic Garden is surrounded by lovely flat paths, well maintained for pedestrian the wheelchair access is easy.
Open every day from 10am-4pm in winter, except Christmas Day and open 10am-6pm in summer.
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