How to Visit Dunraven Bay in Southerndown & Filming Location of Doctor Who Southerndown Beach in Wales!
Updated: November 2022
With so many pretty beaches to visit in South Wales, it’s nice to visit a lesser-known beach in Southerndown called Dunraven bay but locally known as Southerndown beach. Easily accessible with a scenic coastal walk, Dunraven beach sits between cliffs and often goes unnoticed (it’s not even in Lonely Planet’s Wales guide so you know it’s off the beaten path).
I explored Dunraven Bay by chance because I was heading to this part of the Welsh coast for a Cobbles Kitchen sandwich and looked for the nearest beach to enjoy the food with a scenic view. There was ogmore-by-sea beach or Dunraven beach and I went with the latter because I’d never visited before. I’m so glad I did because it was a beauty.
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Contents
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Where is Dunraven Bay Beach / Where is Southerndown Beach?
Dunraven Bay Wales and Southerndown Beach can be found in South Wales on the Welsh coast in between a staycation haven, Porthcawl, and a sleepy village, Llantwit Major, in the Vale of Glamorgan. Barry Island is only half hour away.
- Cardiff to Southerndown = 40 minute drive
- Swansea to Southerndown = 40 minute drive
- London to Southerndown = 3 hours, 15 minute drive
Southerndown Beach Map
Is Dunraven Bay also known as Southerndown Beach?
Yes! If you’re looking for how to get to Dunraven Bay or how to get to Southerndown Wales, look no further because they are the same place and read on for the directions. I use Dunraven Bay, Southern Down Beach and Dunraven Beach Wales interchangeably throughout this post.
How to Visit Dunraven Bay in Southerndown
Dunraven Bay (Southerndown bay) is part of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast found in Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. Go to Dunraven beach on google maps here.
- Southerndown postcode – CF32 0RH
- Dunraven bay car park postcode – CF32 0RP
- Ogmore by sea postcode – CF32 0PE
- Cobbles Kitchen postcode – CF32 0QP
Read this: Sayings Heard in South Wales
Dunraven Bay Parking
There are two car parks to choose from for Southerndown beach parking: Beach Road Car Park and Dunraven Car Park. I parked in Beach Road because the views were the best as this one is at the top of the cliff and then we took a nice stroll down the Dunraven Bay walk. Dunraven car park is right next to the pebbled beach and below Dunraven castle.
Dunraven Bay parking charges and Southerndown parking charges vary depending on the time of your visit. Whenever you visit by car it is £1 for 1 hour so cheap as chips if just popping for a stroll and some food but is £6 for anything after 1 hour and before 4pm. After 4pm, the price drops to £3. If arriving by bus or coach, it is £12 for all day or £6 for all evening.
What to Do at Dunraven Bay Southerndown
For somewhere so small, Southerndown South Wales has a lot to offer and so much you can pack in a trip to Dunraven Bay South Wales. It’s a standard beauty spot in Wales as well as history in the castle, filming location for Doctor Who and waves perfect for surfers.
Dunraven Bay History
The area’s cliffs here were formed 350 million years ago which is why it’s a popular place for fossil hunting. The cliff edge is in the shape of a Witch’s nose and has been named Trwyn y Witch (trwyn is nose in Welsh).
1. Southerndown Beach
To spend some time on Dunraven beach be sure to check the Southerndown tide times to make the most of your visit to the bay. Dunraven Bay is a popular surf spot and when I visited over the Easter bank holiday, I spotted a few surfers walking to and from the beach. Of course you can do all beach activities here including the growing trend of stand up paddle boarding! Compare the best inflatable SUP to take with you.
Southerndown beach is towered by cliffs and starts as a pebbled beach leading to the sand before the waves. For tide times Southerndown, check here.
You May Like: Penarth Beach and What to Do in Penarth
2. Walk the Glamorgan Heritage Coast
Dunraven Wales coastal path is a gorgeous walk and from the car park, while looking at the sea if you turn right you can walk along the old wall for great views, brisk walks and see sheep along the way (this is Wales after all).
On the walk back, the view of the Southerndown cliffs is breathtaking so definitely bring your camera. You can also walk down to Southerndown beach from the top car park by following the beach sign and the steps.
Join a 5 Hour Guided Wales Coast Path Tour with Included Transportation!
3. Dunraven Castle Southerndown in Dunraven Park
You will be able to see Dunraven Castle Wales from the path to Dunraven bay and the bottom car park is right next to the church. I can only describe this scene as something from gothic literature and I was getting Wuthering Heights vibes.
This is a great area to walk around especially if you haven’t checked the Dunraven Bay tide times and the tide is in, this gives you something to explore and learn about. There’s also ghost stories surrounding this castle and grounds if you dare to visit at night.
Related South Wales Post: Discover Castell Coch Near Cardiff
4. Find Southerndown Fossils
The cliffs that form Dunraven Bay are so old (350 million years old) that it is a popular place where fossils are found. This is great if you love history, palaeontology or for the kids to see if you can find any precious fossils. This is one of the best things to do in Southerndown.
People have been known to find fossils that no-one else has found before and wouldn’t you love your name in the paper? I was channeling my inner Ross here. Remember to check those Dunraven Bay tide times so it’s out when you visit!
5. Dunraven Bay Doctor Who
Calling all Doctor Who fans! At Southerndown Beach Doctor Who was filmed!
When you visit Dunraven Bay, you’ll be visiting a Doctor Who filming location. Scenes involving the Doctor and Rose were filmed at many areas on the beach as well as an above shot. See if you can recreate scenes and snap pictures at the Doctor Who locations. You can take the full guided DOCTOR WHO tour here or more below.
It was also used as a filming location for Merlin!
Related Post: Filming Locations for Gavin and Stacey
6. Dunraven Bay Swimming / Surfing
In the summer, catch some waves or go for a swim in Southerndown Bridgend. Even in Winter, take a cold morning swim and look out for many of the groups (like Blue Tits) who do this all year round!
7. Southerndown Pubs
When I visited, the Wales Covid-19 restrictions were still in place for hospitality so it was sad to see so many pubs in Southerndown closed on a lovely bank holiday. Next time I visit Dunraven Bay, I’ll be going to 3 golden cups Southerndown pub for a few drinks in their beer garden!
Explore Nearby: Caerphilly Mountain Walk and Castle
Eat Nearby at Cobbles Kitchen
Cobbles Kitchen is the main reason I came to Southerndown because I’d heard rave reviews about the food here. We arrived promptly for opening time at 10am and there was already a queue outside. There’s free parking and you can queue outside for walk-ins on the left hand side and there was a friendly staff member who was communicating with everyone about times and orders. There were also people who were waiting for their order or had pre-booked food so this is why you see people dotted about.
They have a chalkboard menu of sandwiches, Welsh meals and fresh bread and food in the cabinet such as lasagne, Mac n cheese and pasties.
We ordered two sandwiches: The Reuben (beef brisket) and a steak sandwich, ordinary and chorizo scotch eggs, sausage roll and two lattes. We waited about 15 minutes for our sandwiches to be freshly cooked in the little kitchen behind the store front and drank our coffees while we waited. As soon as we got our sandwiches, we drove about 5 minutes to Southerndown bay to enjoy them, looking out to sea.
I highly recommend Cobbles Kitchen sandwiches, they bread was lightly toasted, warm and soft and the beef was quality and local meat. The fillings on both sandwiches were delicious, a pickled topping for the steak sandwich and a sweet, Russian sauce on The Reuben. Also, the chorizo scotch egg was the best non-traditional scotch egg I’ve ever had.
Visit their website here for the menu, opening times and to pre-book.
Related Post: Eat at Goodsheds Barry
Dunraven Bay Accommodation
Unless you’re trying Southerndown camping, there’s not a lot of Southerndown hotels. In fact, I could only find these two self catering stays within walking distance of Southerndown beach Wales:
- Click here to see latest prices of Glanhafren
- Click here to see latest prices of Little West Bungalows
Nearby:
There’s plenty to do near Southerndown if you’re staying for longer than a day trip. Very close is the Heritage Coast centre, Southerndown golf, go to Ogmore beach, explore the nearby village Brides Major, Y Wig, Llantwit Major and Cowbridge or the closest town of Bridgend so you can also find Dunraven Bay Bridgend accommodation.
I hope this has helped you on how to visit Dunraven Bay in Southerndown!
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Parking quoted here is incorrect. Just turned up at 5pm and owners asking £5 for the 3 hours before they close!
Hi John. Was this the beach road car park or the one at the bottom of the road? Please see the vale website here – https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/living/Parking/Coastal-Car-Parking-Charges.aspx.
Those views are stunning 😭 The UK has so much to offer, I didn’t know there were so many hidden gems like this one! Love it!
Yes Wales is definitely underrated too, not many people know about these little beauty spots.
Another great article! Our Stephen is of Welsh decent (half), and we’ve been itching to visit Whales. We can’t wait until we can make it back across the pond so we can finally do that. And either of us have ever had a Scotch egg… yet… but we’re kinda obsessed with having that authentic experience for the first time!
Ah really, that’s so cool! It would be great for you to visit Wales then and possible discover your heritage… do you know what part of Wales? I’m 99% sure you’ll love a scotch egg.
I’ve never heard of this place before! Sounds like an amazing vacation destination for sure!
It’s definitely an off-the-beaten path destination in Wales. In fact, not many people even come to Wales, tourists usually stay in England!
I’ll take a friend who is a Dr Who fan when i go this way.! Beach looks great, pity there is a charge to park. The Glamorgan Heritage Coast walk looks like my kind of a walk, Love cliffs and sea views.
Yes your friend would love it, I’m sure! I agree, I enjoy a walk along the coast.
This looks and sounds like a great vacation town to visit with beautiful views and fun things to do.
It’s great for a day trip or a base to explore other spots around the area 🙂
Nothing better than a cheeky scotch egg…
A must! Especially when they’re a scotch egg with a twist!
Being used to Thai island beaches, Dunraven Bay does not seem like my idea of a ‘beach’. Haha
That said, this place is absolutely beautiful, and I’m surprised that there’s so much to do there too. I’t s a shame about so many places being closed with COVID restrictions.
I like the idea of searching for fossils and possibly getting your name written down in history. Thanks you for a very interesting read.
You’re very right. The difference between a Thai beach and a Welsh beach is humungous haha… Sunbathing, swimming and reading on a Thai beach but some fossil hunting in Wales (with umbrella and a coat).