The day I reached South Wales, my first visit was to Cardiff Castle and from there I set off to Barry where I was put up. Close to Barry Island was this place called Porthkerry Country Park. Reaching there was a bit funny!
What attracted me the most to Porthkerry Country Park was the green pastures of land and the viaduct! However there were 2 country parks marked close to Barry island on Google maps and the images on both showed the same bridge!!! So anyways, I took the chances and went to the one nearest to Barry. It turned out to be a very small park with nothing except a flat land of grass and a tiny little dirt road on one side and on that direction was the other park.
I thought of proceeding in that road while my guy said its way too lonely and we decided to walk on the black topped road parellel to it and in a while we reached a signage which welcomed us to Porthkerry Country Park. However the place looked much like a true forest than a plain grassland. That very much reminded me of Richmond Park where the initial walk from the railway station to the park was through a road laid in the midst of a forest! So we kept walking and at one point there was a smaller, little bridge with a single arch and quite a few people walking their dogs and some cars parked. I enquired and I was about 20mins walk from the main arches at that point!
From this point it looks more like a green pastures and grass lands than forest! There were a few people walking their dogs. There were certain enclosed portions of land filled with manure. That's to be converted to Wild Flower Meadow for Pollination project. That's a perfect way to welcome spring! There are benches along this stretch.
At the point where the viaduct is, there's also a cafe, a small play area for kids, toilets and a carpark. It has 16 arches and the height varies from 15m to 33m. It serves the train that runs between Barry and Bridgend. The bridge has been in operation in 1900. We were lucky enough to actually spot a train on it when we were there! This comes under CADW which is the branch of government that takes care of historical spots in Wales.
A small walk from this point towards the sea took me to the 3rd most beautiful beach I've ever seen (1st & 2nd place still go to Thiruchopuram & Mudhaliarkuppam). This is called the Pebble beach for obvious reasons, the beach is filled with pebbles. Walking without decent shoes is a bit difficult, however walking barefoot is easy, just that it felt cold to do it in this season! This beach also has a bit of snakes. No, I did not spot any, but a board explaining the various species was here. So you may not want to take off your shoes!
On one side was this gorgeous cliffs and really wanted to walk along this pebble beach to reach Barry, but with the setting sun and the longer distance to be covered before sheer darkness covers, I decided against it.
Btw, that vast expanse of green land and viaduct in background made me a bit crazy and I started jumping much to the dismay of my guy. Check out those shots and what I wore on my other blog, Fashion Panache.
To get there:
On Google Maps: Porthkerry Viaduct
Nearest railway station: Barry (Arriva trains operate here from Cardiff)
Cardiff has a major railway station, bus stand and airport.
Dedicated to Venkat
Such a gorgeous place...wish i get to visit it once.
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That's a very beautiful view, especially when you reached the Pebble Beach. It's really lovely to look at. It's really worth the long walk.
ReplyDeleteThese are truly very quiet places. No other tourists at all, it seems! You will really experience the British countryside.
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful! It looks so peaceful. I also love that there is a cafe and an area for children to play.
ReplyDeletePebble Beach looks amazing! Love the whole scenery and I wouldn't be surprised with the tons of photos you took. :)
ReplyDeleteCool place and scenery. Too bad I don't have money.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if it hurts walking on the pebble beach bare foot? I thought it might as the pebbles might be sharp~
ReplyDeleteI only read about Vales in books. What a gorgeous place. Your photo of the cherry blossom reminds me of the time when I went to Seoul three years ago in Spring. I really like nature parks and such.
ReplyDeletePorthkerry Country Park has a lot of green surface to refresh your eyes. The cliff view is also magnificent.
ReplyDeleteit looks so serene! I can't imagine having a whole beach to myself! I dream of that day!!! Perfect place to go with partner, close friends or family!
ReplyDeleteThe next time I'm in Europe I think I want to pay a visit to Wales. It looks so beautiful there, like I could just relax there forever and ever.
ReplyDeleteCliff and beach is a killer combination! Beautiful pic that is. Though the place looks a bit mysterious and roads too lonely. Beauty can be sometimes scary.
ReplyDeleteI love the serenity and nature at Porthkerry Vale. The blooming Wild Flower Meadow is so pretty, love it.
ReplyDeleteDoes the Pebble Beach have sands also? I think it's hard to walk on those pebbles before reaching the water but indeed it looks beautiful and clean.
ReplyDeletePorthkerry Vale is so hypnotic! It's oddly gloomy but so beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteCool place to unwind and relax. Porthkerry Vale excites me and I hope my dreams of visiting the aesthic place comes true.
ReplyDeleteThat is nice that you got to see a train running while you were there. The pictures you have shared are very nice.
ReplyDeleteWaoooo. This is a wondeful place. I wish I visit the place at least once in my life.
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