Southerndown

Southerndown, is a village in South Wales and a suburb of Bridgend, close to St Brides Major, Llantwit Major and Ogmore-by-Sea, mostly known for its beach (officially named Dunraven Bay), which is a popular tourist destination during the summer months and since 1972 designated a Heritage Coast. When the tide is out there is an expanse of sand and pools. The cliffs are an obvious example of sedimentary rock.

As Southerndown, along with nearby Ogmore-by-Sea, is a west-facing beach (and hence on the Atlantic coast), off-shore winds from the East generate much good-quality surf, helped by the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.

There are actually two beaches separated by a headland. On the headland is ruined Dunraven Castle.

The second beach is only accessible by steep steps and is largely unused. The steps also reach the beach fairly far out from the cliffside, so it's easy to become cut off from them and stranded on the beach. The second beach is one of the largest in Glamorgan and stretches all the way down the coast to Nash Point near Llantwit Major.

It has been used in the occasional TV production, including on Doctor Who: "Doomsday" and "Journey's End" as Bad Wolf Bay and Merlin in 'The Labrynith of Gedref'.

51°27′N 3°37′W / 51.450°N 3.617°W / 51.450; -3.617

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