"Cowbridge" South Glamorgan by Balam

Due to Cowbridge not existing as far as VT is concerned I have decided to put My Cowbridge page here under South Glamorgan, Although the counties of Wales changed some years ago they are still under the old ones on VT, Hopefully after they have finished updating the look of the site they will update the locations and add Cowbridge.

Cowbridge is a picturesque market town that is situated in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan, an area rich in heritage and culture. The town’s history dates back centuries and is believed to have been founded during the late eleventh century by Robert St. Quentin, a Norman knight of FitzHamon upon the site of a Roman settlement that is thought by some scholars to be the fort of Bovium (cow-place). Recent excavations have revealed an extensive Roman settlement alongside a Roman road.

The most visible history around town is from its medieval past and the town centre is still arranged on its medieval plan which was probably built on the top of the roman one. There is one long street divided into Plots of land or 'burgage plots'. It is one of very few medieval walled towns in Wales and large portions of the walls and the south gate still remain today as do some old buildings like the town hall whose building is said to date back to the Elizabethan era and served as a prison until 1830 when it was converted into the town hall.

Cowbridge Parish Church

The town boasts 5 Inns and an entire department store on one high street!

There are many places to visit around Cowbridge, St Quintins Castle and Beupre castle are just short drives away as is Dyffryn Gardens in fact to much to list really.

Former residents include David Lloyd George who was Britain’s only Welsh Prime Minister, and Iolo Morganwg who devised the rituals for the Modern Eisteddfod.