25-05-2025
Parts of my hometown have been left to decay but I pinch myself that I'm lucky enough to live here
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Standing on the rocks overlooking the sea and watching the brilliant orange sun slowly dipping below the horizon, we could have been somewhere exotic like Bali or a Caribbean Island. Instead we were in the traditional 'bucket and spade' seaside town of Porthcawl - the place we are now lucky to call home.
Growing up on the outskirts of Newport, we would usually head for Barry Island for a beach day as it was in easier striking distance - but we would occasionally make it to Porthcawl.
Back then, it was like a magical kingdom to my brother and I as we enjoyed donkey rides, building sandcastles on Coney Beach and all the thrills and spills of the funfair (the water flume looking out across Porthcawl was legendary).
I never imagined that decades later Porthcawl would be my home - and that I'd discover there's so much more to it than fish and chips, buckets and spades and Elvis (since 2004 it's hosted Europe's biggest celebration in honour of the King).
(Image: Richard Williams)
After living in Cardiff for 20 years, I ended up in Porthcawl somewhat by accident. When my partner and I were looking to move in together we needed to get a house that was conveniently situated between Cardiff for me (this was just before Covid and working from home was a thing) and Swansea for him.
And the moment we visited the Newton area of Porthcawl I knew we'd found the place. The pretty village with a church green is a short stroll from the beach, a five-minute drive to the M4 and town centre and has two pubs and a Greggs (essential) in spitting distance.
(Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline)
It's now been five years since we moved here and we've learned so much about Porthcawl. Firstly, let's get the negatives out of the way. It may be a go-to destination but public transport isn't great - there's no train station (shocking) and it's probably quicker to fly to the south of France than get a bus to Cardiff.
And don't get me started on the new £4m bus station that's been the talk of the town - and not in a good way.
During our time here we've seen many town centre shops and businesses close, including New Look, legendary cafe Fulgoni's and branches of Lloyds and the Halifax, but the story is similar in other towns throughout the UK - and there are some beautiful old buildings on the seafront that would have once been the epitome of grandeur but have now been left to decay.
But the redevelopment of the old Jennings Buildings on the waterfront in recent years has created apartments, restaurants and coffee shops that bring a modern vibe to the seafront and appeal to a new wave of visitors along with town centre additions like The Greedy Pig, Bone Cartel and, more recently, Bar 32 which serves cocktails and tapas.
There are plenty of events throughout the year - from the aforementioned Elvis Festival and the famous Christmas Day Swim to the Porthcawl 10k and weekly seafront firework displays in summer. And if you love watersports, from surfing and paddleboarding to wild swimming, the ocean is your oyster.
There's no denying that it's the beautiful natural surroundings that brings people to Porthcawl in their droves - from the beaches, namely the Blue Flag Rest Bay which is a real surfers' paradise, to the famous Merthyr Mawr sand dunes adjoining Newton Beach that are a hit with hikers and the nearby Kenfig Nature Reserve.
(Image: Karen Price)
And, of course, Porthcawl still attracts families looking for traditional 'bucket and spade' fun, especially as it houses one of the biggest caravan parks in Europe - Trecco Bay. But that's one of the things I love about it - this seaside town is for everyone.
Every time I watch the sun setting over the sea (often) and painting the sky brilliant shades of red, I pinch myself that this is now the place where I live.
