Llantwit Major Beach is a beach in Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan on the south coast of Wales. It overlooks the Bristol Channel.
History
The beach was once occupied by the Romans. The beach has the remains of a 2000 year old stone wall which was built during Roman times.
In the early 1990s the beach flooded with the tide rising beyond the beach wall and inundating the surrounding pasture which is now used as a campsite.
Geology
The cliffs at Llantwit have undergone dramatic erosion in recent years with the result that many places of the rock structure have collapsed in piles, particularly on the eastern face. The cliff path, once set approximately 100 yards from the edge is now within metres of the nature pathway, leading to extensive new barriers installed by the Vale of Glamorgan council to prevent fatalities.
Tourism
The beach is a popular tourist destination during the summer months and has a campsite on the nearby fields. The beach has a snack bar and restaurant and associated amenities to cater for the increased public demand in recent years.
Scenery
The beach gives access to scenic cliff top walks along the coast to St Donat’s Castle. The beach at low tide is an expansive rocky beach with a stretch of sand towards the far west. The beach offers dramatic views of the Bristol Channel and on a clear day the coastline of Somerset in England can be seen very clearly.
Surfing
Llantwit Major is a popular surfing location in Wales. Although the spot is not as popular as Southerndown or indeed Porthcawl in south Wales the beach still attracts a number of surfers all year round but particularly during the summer. The beach has a respectable lifeguard station funded by the Vale of Glamorgan council built in the late 1990s.
