Storybook village with cosy thatched cottages and a gentle brook running through it
- UK Hidden Gems
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Tucked away among the green, rolling hills of the Vale of Glamorgan, this small village looks as if it has been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook, complete with thatched cottages and impressive historic features.
This Welsh beauty spot, which could easily be mistaken for somewhere in the Cotswolds, sits just a quick ten minute drive from Bridgend.
With only around 300 residents and no busy high street, this picture perfect village has even made its way onto the big screen, as its nearby dunes were used in the 1962 classic Lawrence of Arabia, according to Discover Britain.
A peaceful brook winds its way through ancient woodland, while Shire horses graze in the bright green fields. Best of all, this hidden gem is often wonderfully quiet.
The village’s name, Merthyr Mawr, comes from Merthyr Mymor or Myfor, a Welsh saint who is believed to have died on these very grounds.
Archaeologists have traced the history of the village back thousands of years, finding signs of prehistoric life including Stone Age flints and Bronze Age burial sites.
Moving beyond the dark ages, visitors can see Roman roads sitting alongside Victorian stonework.
At the centre of the village is the Merthyr Mawr Estate, a grand 19th century mansion built by Sir John Nicholl, reports Wales Online.
It remains a private home today, with much of the village and nearby land owned by the people who live there.
This means properties in Merthyr Mawr are highly sought after, rarely coming up for sale and often staying within families for generations.
The best way to see Merthyr Mawr is on foot, giving you time to enjoy the special views and peaceful atmosphere.
A gentle walk past the village greens and tennis club leads you to St Teilo’s Church.
In spring and summer, its churchyard is filled with colourful flowers, and during the day sunlight shines beautifully through its detailed stained glass windows.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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