A circular walk from St Hilary to Llantrithyd and then Llancarfan where there is a homely village pub
A surprisingly demanding long walk using paths that are good but not well known

• St Hilary – The Garn – Llantrithyd – Llancarfan – Coed Arthur – Tre-Aubrey – St Hilary
• 8 miles / 3/4 hours / 830 feet ascent
• Lots of stiles and gates
• Mainly field paths and tracks, some country lanes

Click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the route

And here is a report of the walk by the Trek Yourself Well walking group.

Valeways is a unique voluntary environmental organisation which supports a diverse range of volunteers to re-open and promote the Vale of Glamorgan's glorious countryside. Activities include:

• a led walking walking programme around the Vale
• weekly cut and clear session to keep footpaths open, including the Millennium Heritage Trail
• easy walking/strolling

For more information visit their website or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Terry Dennis volunteers with Valeways - email him if you have any queries or would like to know more: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

• Cowbridge Physic garden: The hidden treasure of the Vale
• Dyffryn House and Dyffryn Gardens
• Tinkinswood Burial Chamber
• St Lythans Chambered Tomb
• St Quentin's Castle
• Natural Burial Ground

More details and locations

The Glamorgan Heritage Coast is a wonderful, world-class 14 mile / 23 km stretch of coastline from Ogmore to Aberthaw.

It includes a fantastic beach and bay at Southerndown at the western end, where there is also the Duraven Park and walled garden. There is a lighthouse at Nash Point and the historic St Donats Castle.

There are short and long walks along the coastal path. Look up the 303 bus - it will enable you to do a linear walk without retracing your steps!

When the tide is out it is possible to walk from Dunraven to Llantwit along the rocky and sandy shoreline.

Read more on the Vale of Glamorgan and Wikipedia websites.

More photographs

• St Hilary – St Hilary Down – Aberthin – Stalling Down – St Hilary
• 3.8 miles-6.1 km / 2/3 hours / 390 feet ascent
• No stiles or farmyards
• Wide paths, tracks and roads

Click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the route

A Trek Yourself Well walk report of the South East circular walk from St Hilary
https://www.trekyourselfwell.co.uk/home

On 4 August 2024 we met up with Terry and Monica Dennis and Neil Warnock, for a guided tour of St Hilary, The Garn, Llantrithyd & Llancarfan.

We met outside the Bush Inn at 10.30am . After introductions and sharing our love of the outdoors we headed into to the church of St Hilary, where we were welcomed by locals preparing for the morning service at 11am. Luckily we had time to take a peek around the church and gain some further local knowledge.

Heavily but sympathetically restored by the eminent architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1862, this large church retains a number of medieval features. In the north wall of the nave are five steps which in pre-Reformation times led to the rood loft which was illuminated by two (surviving) windows. The font is of early Norman design and is carved from a single block of local Sutton stone. A medieval holy water stoup is set into a recess close to the entrance door. Lancet windows in the north and south walls of the chancel and the square headed priest’s door in the south wall are medieval survivals. The effigy of a layman lies in a recess in the north wall of the nave. He is believed to be a member of the De Cardiff family, lords of the manor of St Hilary in the 12th and 13th centuries. Another effigy lies on a chest tomb in the south aisle. The figure wears full plate armour, and the inscription on the tomb reveals that this is Thomas Basset of Beaupre who died in December 1423. Most of the stained glass in the church is Victorian, some of it designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. St Hilary is depicted in the glass of the west window.

Leaving St Hilary community, we took the narrow country lane passing Coed Hills, a rural art space and venue with some lovely outdoorsy features. We then passed The Garn, where Monica, Terry and Neil, shared more information of the local residents and some deeper history.  I couldn't remember all the names and all the local knowledge but conversation was flowing and we all enjoyed hearing about the history and locals families of the area.

We then headed towards Llantrithyd, where we were so impressed with St Illtyd Church.

A plain country church with some striking family memorials. The Bassett, Mansel and Aubrey families lived in the great house next door. A huge triple decker memorial in the chancel commemorates three generations of the family. Also in the chancel floor are some touching memorials to children of the family. Remarkably, even after the Reformation, the grieving parents asked for prayer for their souls. The Manor house, which is now a ruin, built of local lias linestone with sandstone dressings. It has three ranges, but only parts stand to their full height.

Next we headed out to Llancarfan which is a lovely little rural village in the Vale of Glamorgan. But firstly we had to pass some cattle, and Terry kindly ushered them to allow us to pass with ease. Llancarfan is home to an Iron Age Hillfort, called Castle Ditches. Here we stopped at the Fox and Hounds for a drink, a toilet break, and we ate our packed lunch in the glorious sunshine.

After lunch we visited the Church of St Cadoc.

St Cattwg’s is linked with the Early Christian monastic site of Lann Gharban, later granted to Tewksbury Abbey. The church first appears in the sources in 1106 and is 12th century in origin. The church retains many of its medieval features. As we stood inside the church admiring the wall paintings, Monica kindly read out all the seven sins as we stood around admiring it's offering; George and the Dragon is one of the finest paintings of its kind anywhere in Great Britain if not Europe, but we also have the most marvellous ‘Death and the Gallant’ which I understand is unique, coupled with this the Seven Deadly Sins in most excellent condition and then on the opposite wall the Several Acts of Mercy, which whilst not in good condition are certainly worth seeing.

From here we headed towards an uphill route heading back to st Hilary. The hot afternoon sun started to feel  hot on our backs as we headed out into the wide open space. Some of the paths and stiles were quite tough, the terrain underfoot in these fields was quite sketchy, the ground was solid though, and we were able to avoid falling into the cattle hoof potholes, but we did have to walk with a lot of care. Next we encountered a few fields with horses and young ponies who were quite curious, following us as we headed across the paths.
The next few fields also had cattle, at one point, it felt a little scary as there were young calves, bull's and heifers all watching us edge around the field. I must admit, as we clambered around the broken gate and electric fences, we all gave a sigh of relief!

Homeward bound, we were now on the last leg of the hike back onto the road where we started  We stopped along here to see the ponies, keeping ourselves well watered, we hit the last 3/4 mile stretch to get back to our start at the Bush Inn i St Hilary, where we stopped for a well earned pint and reflected on the day, chatted about new and old routes, before heading back home for a nice evening of rest.

Thanks to Terry, Monica and Neil, a great day was had by all.

Caves, mines and bats and plans – an update from Ewart and Nancy

Overview

Coed y Tor woodland, is the stretch of woodland on the left hand of the road as you walk out of the village downhill towards New Beaupre. It’s in the shape of a bent arm with the elbow being the rocky outcrop that overlooks New Beaupre. This is the Tor. The wood is classed as a PAWS - Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site. Originally, it was an ancient woodland and there are remains of large oak stumps dotted around, but those trees were removed and, possibly later, a larch crop was planted with ash naturally self-seeding. The ground flora indicates that the woodland floor is over 200 years old – the larch is about 50 years old.

Read about the caves, bats and plans

Beaupre Castle is a partly fortified 14th century manor house.

We cannot recommend walking the first part of the route as it is down a busy narrow country lane. From the Bush take the road out of the village, turn right immediately after the church (very narrow). At the junction in about 75 yards, go straight down the hill towards St Mary Church. After about a mile, turn left onto the St Athan Road and park in the lay-by which is immediately on the left.

From the lay-by, go over the stile and follow the clear path though the fields – a great spot for a picnic.

Click here to read about the history of the Castle.

This is a broken step on a stile between the Downs and Stonacre on the footpath to Cowbridge

If you come across any broken stiles/gates or obstructions on a right of way in the Vale you can report it to the Council’s Public Rights of Way via Contact OneVale on 01446 700111 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The more people that report it, the more chance of it being fixed

If you want an OS grid reference and/or a What 3 Words address please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Coed Hills Community and Wedding Venue is about one mile east of the centre of the village

From the centre of the village, take the road past the post box and phone box. After about 3/4 mile, ignore the turn to Coed Hills Farm on the right; the entrance to the Arts Space is about 100 yards further along on the right.

Read more about Coed Hills

Great views over the Vale, followed by peaceful meadow lands, unseen parts of Cowbridge and Llanblethian then a peek at St Quentin’s Castle – finishing with a gorgeous walk through the Vale back to the Bush Inn – and a well earned pint

• St Hilary – St Hilary Down – Stalling Down – Aberthin – Cowbridge – Llanblethian – New Beaupre – St Hilary
• 7 miles-11km / 2.5-3.5 hours / 500 feet-150m ascent
• A few stiles and gates
• Good paths and tracks, minimal road walking

Click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the route

Quiet valley track, meadowland, the byways of Llanblethian, a hidden ridge, the Victoria Inn in Signinstone, the splendour of Plas Llanmihangel and Church, the lanes of Llandough, Herbs in Wales then a peaceful vale walk back to the Bush Inn

• St Hilary – Llanblethian – Sigingston – Llanmihangel – Llandough – St Hilary
• 8 miles-13km / 3-4 hours / 720 feet-220m ascent
• All well marked lanes, tracks and paths; gentle uphill at finish
• Minor boggy factor if very wet, minimal road walking

Click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the route

This is the longest walk in the series with over 1,000 feet of ascent. There are three distinct sections: tracks and woodland to Llanblethian, then fields and little used paths and roads across Flemingston Moor to Llanbethery and finally a quiet country lane back to the village.

• St Hilary – Llanblethian – Llandough – St Mary Church – Flemingston – Llanbethery – St Hilary
• 11 miles-18km / 4½-5 ½ hours / 330m ascent
• Lots of stiles and gates
• Mainly field paths and tracks, some country lanes towards the end

Click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the route

A moderate longish walk with good views, little used paths, a 360 vista, a hidden lake and woodland walks - there’s no pub along the route, so the Bush is the place to aim for!

• St Hilary – The Garn – Llantithyd House – Tair Onen – Hensol Woods – Hensol Lake – Welsh St Donats – Stalling Down – St Hilary Down – St Hilary
• 8 miles-13km / 3-4 hours / 650 feet-200m ascent
• A few stiles and gates
• About half on good paths and tracks – the rest on quiet country lanes

Click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the route

4 routes from St Hilary to Cowbridge - can be combined for circular walks

• A St Hilary Down – Roman Road: Good track, Roman road then road to Cowbridge 1.8 miles 40 min
• B St Hilary Down – Stoneacre: Good track, open land, fields then clear path to Cowbridge 1.9 miles 40 mins
• C New Beaupre – Stoneacre: Lane, fields then clear path to Cowbridge 1.9 miles 40 mins
• D New Beaupre – Llanblethian: Lane, track, fields, lanes, good path to Cowbridge 2.9 miles 1 hour 15 mins

Click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the routes 

• St Fagans (Welsh Folk Museum) - 2019 Museum of the Year
• St Donats Castle and Arts Centre
• Cosmeston Medieval Village
• Welsh Hawking Centre
• Llantrisant

More details and locations

A circular walk to Cowbridge from St Hilary using lesser known tracks and paths. First down to New Beaupre woods, then across fields to the pretty village of Llanblethian. You can visit St Quentin’s Castle and the Physic Garden and a have a pit stop in Cowbridge before returning to St Hilary by St Hilary Down (and avoiding the main road!)

• 4.7 miles / 7.6 km
• 2 hours
• 2 pub stops
• Good paths, tracks and roads

Click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the route

• Low level rural stroll
• A walking tour of village pubs
• High level mountain challenge
• Coastal cliff walk
• 1 hour to all day
• Any day of the week

Walks are free - small donations to village funds appreciated.

We take into consideration the ability, experience and preferences of each walker. 

Contact details

These are the most popular walks in the village - no stiles, gates or farmyards.
No need for a map, just follow these simple directions (the walks can be combined):

The Clump (30 minutes there and back)

• At the crossroads at the end of Church Crescent, turn left taking the lane/track straight up to The Clump

The Garn (1.8 miles / 30 to 45 minutes / flat)

• Take the lane by the post box and red telephone box towards Llantrithyd - ask a villager where they are
• At The Garn Farm (¾ mile), turn left
• Follow the zig zag lane which comes out on the main lane into the village at East Downs Farm (a further ¾ mile)
• Turn left back into the village – take great care because of vehicles

Despite saying no map is needed, click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the routes

Compared to the other walks, this is a strenuous walk but it provides lots of lovely views as it tracks the rim of the land around Penllyn Moors. About 1,000 feet of ascent. In return, you will see a secret filming location of Doctor Who, find a hidden well and walk through castle grounds.  There’s no risk of getting too tired, as there are 5 pub stops along the route!

• St Hilary – The Downs – Aberthin – Llansannor – Penllyn – Cowbridge – St Hilary
• 10 miles / 4-5 hours / 1,000 feet ascent
• Lots of stiles and gates
• Mainly field paths and tracks, minimal road walking

Click here to print/download more details, directions and maps of the route