Cowbridge (Welsh: Y Bont-faen) is a market town in the Vale of Glamorgan, between Cardiff and Bridgend. It is set in the countryside, about 15 minutes' drive from the Glamorgan Heritage Coast.

Understand

Cowbridge lies roughly halfway between Cardiff and Bridgend, in the Vale of Glamorgan countryside. It has Roman roots, on the road between Cardiff and Neath. A pottery sequence unearthed in Cowbridge suggests a foundation date around 80AD. Nearby villages include Peterston-Super-Ely, Bonvilston and Hensol.

Get in

By plane

Cowbridge is less than 7 mi (11 km) from Cardiff Airport "as the crow flies". There is no direct public transport connection between Cardiff Airport and Cowbridge.

A small number of companies fly into Cardiff Airport, including Aer Lingus, Loganair, Ryanair and Tui.

The nearest larger airport with flights from several destinations in Europe is Bristol Airport - around 60 mi (97 km) away by car. There is no direct public transport connection between Cardiff Airport and Cowbridge.

By train

The nearest railway stations are:

• Llantwit Major - Local Transport for Wales services from The Valleys, Cardiff, Barry and Bridgend. Bus number 321 connects Llantwit Major with Cowbridge.
• Pontyclun - Local Transport for Wales services from Cheltenham, Gloucester, Chepstow, Newport, Maesteg and Bridgend. Bus number 321 connects Pontyclun with Cowbridge.

Long-distance services are available at:

• Cardiff Central - CrossCountry services from destinations throughout England including Nottingham, Derby and Birmingham. Great Western Railway services from London Paddington, Reading, Bristol, Portsmouth, Southampton and Swansea. Transport for Wales services from destinations throughout Wales and England including Carmarthen, Chester, Gloucester, Holyhead, Llandudno, Manchester, Newport, Shrewsbury and Swansea. Bus number X2 connects Cardiff Central with Cowbridge.
• Bridgend - Great Western Railway services from London Paddington, Reading, Bristol and Swansea. Transport for Wales services from destinations throughout Wales and England. Bus number X2 connects Bridgend with Cowbridge.

By bus

There are two bus routes in Cowbridge:

• First Bus 321 - from Llantwit Major, Talbot Green and Pontyclun
• First Bus X2 - from Porthcawl, Bridgend and Cardiff

By car

Cowbridge lies on the between Cardiff Culverhouse Cross and Bridgend.

From the motorway:

• Exit at Cardiff West for then for Cowbridge
• Exit at Pencoed for then for Cowbridge

From Barry and Cardiff Airport, use then for Cowbridge.

Cowbridge also lies at the southern end of the from Pontyclun and Llantrisant. It lies at the northern end of the B4270 from Llantwit Major and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast.

See

• 1 Cowbridge Town Hall. Dating back as far as the Elizabethan era, served as a prison until 1830 (updated Aug 2016)
• 2 Cowbridge Physic Garden. Herbal garden created in 2004 with high stone walls, parts of which date to the 13th century. (updated Aug 2016)
• 3 St Quintins Castle. (updated Aug 2016)
• 4 Beaupre Castle (Hen Gastell y Bewpyr). Late 13th century building with Tudor additions that make it appear more manor than castle. It is in village of St. Hilary, which lies just south of the A48, a few miles west of Cardiff. (updated Nov 2016)

Buy

• 1 Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol Rd, ☏ +44 1443 222716. Wine producer (and seller), rooms and restaurant 
• Farmers Market is in Arthur John's car park off North Rd every Saturday.

Eat

• 1 The Penny Farthing Cafe & wine bar, 54 High Street, ☏ +44 1446 774999. (updated Nov 2016)
• 2 The Market Place Restaurant, 66 High St. (updated Nov 2016)

Surrounding area

• 3 Aubrey Arms, Swansea Road, Bonvilston (A48), ☏ +44 1446 781210. Gastro Pub 

Drink

• Edmondes Arms, Pub. The High Street
• The Vale of Glamorgan. Pub. The High Street
• Horse & Groom. Pub. The High Street
• Duke of Wellington. Pub. The High Street

Surrounding area

• Sportsmans Rest, Peterston-Super-Ely. Country pub 
• The Three Horseshoes, Peterston-Super-Ely. Country Pub 
• The Red Lion, Bonvilston. 
• The Old Post, A48, Bonvilston. 

Sleep

• 1 Bear Hotel, 63 High St, ☏ +44 1446 774814. (updated Aug 2016)

Surrounding area

• 2 The Vale Resort (Vale of Glamorgan Hotel), Hensol Park (near Hensol), ☏ +44 1443 667 800. Luxury hotel in the rural vale close to the M4 (2 minutes away). £££. 

Go next

• Bridgend
• Southerndown
• Gileston
• Barry
• Caerphilly

Routes through Cowbridge

Bridgend ←	W  E	→ Cardiff
ENDS ←	S  N	→ Llantrisant