Bridgend County is a destination full of award-winning produce and places! From outstanding culinary experiences to extraordinary visitor facilities, you’re in for a quality-stamped adventure when you visit!
Enjoy the best gastro experiences…
Bridgend County’s amazing food venues triumphed in this year’s The Food Awards Wales - with six winning restaurants and food producers further cementing their place amongst the greats of the Welsh food scene.
The awards recognise excellence over various categories, awarding the best food places in Wales. Taking the crown of Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year was Cosy Corner Lounge in Porthcawl, with The Great House Hotel in Laleston Highly commended runners up in the same category. Steak and Stamp in Pencoed were awarded Traditional Welsh Restaurant of the Year and another Pencoed business, Lilos Handmade, won the Welsh Produce of the Year category. French restaurant and cocktail bar Morgan’s Bistro was announced Bistro of the Year (South West), and Porthcawl’s The Rock Inn Bar & Grill won Gastro Pub of the Year.
Also among the winners was Meg’s Grill and Chill, a burger van which attracts people from far and wide with their (very) meaty food challenges! Professional eater and Youtuber Randy Santel visited from across the pond last year and managed to complete the 28 inch long Welsh Breakfast Sandwich Challenge!
As well as the winners, there were several highly commended food businesses awarded from Bridgend County - including Dockside Bar and Grill, Isabella's Brasserie and The Serving Hatch. More finalists to check out are Fablas Ice-Cream, Kaspas Desserts, The Sandwich Co, Poco Poco, The Black Rabbit Laleston and O My Cod Bridgend.
Explore Award-winning natural spaces…
Eight green spaces in Bridgend County hold a prestigious Green Flag Award from Keep Wales Tidy! The award recognises excellent visitor facilities, high environmental standards, and commitment to delivering high quality natural areas - making sure that locals and visitors can hike, cycle and explore Bridgend’s breathtaking green spaces!
One of these spaces is Parc Slip Nature Reserve, a nature-lovers paradise with 300 acres of stunning landscapes - offering visitors unique opportunities to explore the rich natural habitats of South Wales. We hear the cakes in the visitor centre’s cafe are pretty good too!
Another vast Green Flag area to check out is Bryngarw Country Park, with winding woodland trails and colourful gardens to explore, as well as an adventure playground, café and discovery room - the park offers a great day out for those who love the outdoors!
In the Llynfi Valley, Maesteg Welfare Park also proudly holds Green Flag status, with plentiful green areas for residents and visitors to enjoy - and near Pencoed, Coychurch Crematorium flies high its Green Flag for an impressive 14th consecutive year!
Several community areas are also Green Flag approved, with Caerau Market Garden, Spirit of Llynfi Woodland and Tremains Wood all receiving the Community Award. One of Bridgend County’s fire stations in Ogmore Vale has even become the first Fire and Rescue Station in the UK to achieve the community award!
Discover quality coastal attractions…
With three coastal areas that meet the exceptional standards required to receive a Blue Flag Award, it’s no wonder Bridgend County is a popular destination for those looking for adventures at the coast!
The Blue Flag is a coastal award recognised all over the world, with specific criteria relating to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management.
You’ll find our Blue Flag beaches at Rest Bay and Trecco Bay in Porthcawl - where you can play, explore or relax in beautiful surroundings! Porthcawl Marina is also a Blue Flag area worth exploring - there’s something special about sitting in the local bars and cafes in the harbour watching boats come and go!
Get a thrill from award-winning activities…
Porthcawl Surf School
Porthcawl Surf School is no stranger to winning awards! Amongst other accolades, they were crowned the UK’s Best Surf School in 2019 at the UK Surf Awards and also received a Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award in 2022. You’ll also find them as a number one listing on Trip Advisor, coming up at top spot when you search ‘Surfing Wales’. Porthcawl Surf School provides lessons and equipment hire at Rest Bay Watersports Centre.
Adventures Wales
Winner of a Prestige Award for businesses that have proven to be the best in their market, Adventures Wales offer various activities like assault courses, zip slides and paintballing at their outdoor activity centre in Porthcawl, as well as taking visitors to nearby places for adventure sports and outdoor pursuits!
Your adventure awaits…
These award-winning areas and places promise to take you on a top-quality journey when you visit Bridgend County! Through the flavours of the best food producers, to the adrenaline-fuelled thrills of outdoor activities, your visit will leave you with unforgettable experiences and feeling like a winner too! With endless adventures to be had, from mountaintop to coast, you might want to stay a while to get stuck in! Check out more activity providers here.
