Looking for fun things to do over the Platinum Jubilee Weekend? From artisan markets and vintage picnics to fireworks, Bridgend County has plenty of fun fillers to make this weekend one to remember. Sit back, relax and enjoy your bank holiday.
On the evening of 2nd June, visitors to Porthcawl will be treated to a free fireworks display, thanks to The Hi Tide Inn and Coney Beach Pleasure Park.
Porthcawl has long known how to commemorate a Jubilee. The Royal Porthcawl clubhouse dates back to 1891 and was built for Queen Victoria's Jubilee. It showcased in Crystal Palace before making the pilgrimage to Rest Bay. It was the cutting edge of architecture in its day!
Porthcawl’s promenade, built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee runs along the seafront from Lock’s Common in the west to the harbour, before joining the eastern promenade and leading to Coney Beach and Griffin Park. There are many cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels located along the promenade which offer spectacular views across the Bristol Channel; traditional ice cream parlours run by South Wales Italian families have never lost their popularity.
Today you can enjoy the promenade on foot, by bike, open top bus or land train. The Cymru Coaster open-top bus returns to Porthcawl on the 2nd June and will run from Trecco Bay to Rest Bay on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (along with bank holidays). When you get up on an open topper, you can see everything on the wonderful Welsh coast. You can also jump aboard Lucie the Land Train in Porthcawl and sit back and enjoy the seafront scenery as you are swept along the Eastern Promenade. You can travel from Sandy Bay all the way up to Rest Bay and back again, with stops in between. The route takes in the Marina, the main Promenade, Rest Bay Water Sports Centre, The Grand Pavilion, the town centre, and the fairground.
There is plenty to do around Bridgend County throughout the week of half term.
A Dogs Trail with Snoopy is a spectacular free public art trail that is pawing its way across South Wales. From 8th April to 5th of June 2022, Porthcawl will be home to six supersized Snoopy sculptures, all intricately designed and decorated by South Wales-based and national artists, along with 12 miniature sculptures decorated by local schools. Locals and visitors to Bridgend County, together with their four-legged friends, can put their best paw forward to enjoy the trail and locate each of the colourful artworks around the town.
Green Top Events will bring their market to Bridgend on the 28th May and Porthcawl on the 3rd June. Featuring independent producers, talented crafters, artisan makers and a few tasty surprises, you can meet friends, support local, shop, eat and enjoy! Explore Bridgend's oldest habitable dwelling on Newcastle Hill. St. John's House open day is the 28th of May.
Kenfig Nature Reserve hosts an artisan market on the 28th May and farmers market on the 5th June. The KNR Farmers Market, presented by Double Trouble Coffee and The Hyde Out, has fresh local produce including a variety of foods, from meat, cheese, bread and coffee. The Ash Tree Artisans are local artists, crafters and small businesses.
Bridgend Town Centre will celebrate over two days, with a Family Fun Day on the 2nd June with family fun and games, craft, food and drink stalls, music and Disney characters. On the Friday come along and join in the Vintage Picnic with food and drink stalls, music from seven decades of rule - 1950s to present day. Why not celebrate by dressing up using inspiration from the decade of your choice?
