waterfall
Melincourt Falls
An 24m fall in the Neath Valley painted by Turner in 1795, reached by a short riverside path.
24 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomWales
Bridgend
Wales, United Kingdom · Europe
About Bridgend
Bridgend works well as a base: 10 minutes from Aberkenfig, 30km from Nedd Fechan Gorge.
Bridgend is in Wales, United Kingdom, with about 50,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Aberkenfig, about 4 km away.
Bridgend (English: ; Welsh: Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr or just Pen-y-bont, meaning "the end of the bridge on the Ogmore") is a town in the Bridgend County Borough of Wales, 20 miles (32 km) west of Cardiff and 20 miles (32 km) east of Swansea. The town is named after the medieval bridge over the River Ogmore. The RiverRead more
Ewenny also flows through the town. The population was 49,597 in 2021. Bridgend is within the Cardiff Capital Region which in 2019 had a population of approximately 1.54 million.
Historically a part of Glamorgan, Bridgend has greatly expanded in size since the early 1980s – the 2001 census recorded a population of 39,429 for the town.
Where to Stay in Bridgend
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Bridgend.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Bridgend.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Bridgend?
Within an hour or so of Bridgend: Melincourt Falls (24 km), Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls) (29 km), Sgwd yr Eira (30 km), Nedd Fechan Gorge (30 km).
Are there any good drives near Bridgend?
The nearest famous roads are Porlock Hill, Countisbury Hill and Black Mountain Pass (A4069).
Where is Bridgend?
Bridgend is in Wales, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Aberkenfig.
Road trip
Drive to Bridgend
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Bridgend. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 49,597
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Wales
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.5058, -3.5772
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Bridgend
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
waterfall
Sgwd Gwladys (Lady Falls)
A graceful fall on the Afon Pyrddin near Pontneddfechan, also walkable behind, in the heart of Waterfall Country.
29 km · about 35 min drive
waterfall
Sgwd yr Eira
Spectacular waterfall in the Brecon Beacons where you can walk behind the curtain of water on a natural rock ledge, a truly unique experience.
30 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
Nedd Fechan Gorge
A limestone river gorge threaded with falls and caves between Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte, the spine of Waterfall Country.
30 km · about 35 min drive
waterfall
Sgwd Clun-Gwyn
The first of the Four Waterfalls on the Afon Mellte, a wide stepped fall in the limestone gorge near Ystradfellte.
31 km · about 35 min drive
famous road
Porlock Hill
Britain's steepest A-road, where the A39 climbs out of Porlock onto Exmoor at gradients up to 1-in-4 with two severe hairpins. A scenic Victorian toll road offers a gentler coastal alternative.
33 km · about 40 min drive
waterfall
Henrhyd Falls
At 27m the highest waterfall in south Wales, and the Batcave entrance in The Dark Knight Rises; reached by a steep wooded path.
33 km · about 40 min drive
famous road
Porlock Hill (A39)
One of England's steepest A-roads at 1-in-4 with hairpins out of Porlock onto Exmoor; a toll road offers a gentler alternative.
34 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Bridgend
- 33 kmPorlock HillBritain's steepest A-road, where the A39 climbs out of Porlock onto Exmoor at gradients up to 1-in-4 with two severe hairpins. A scenic Victorian toll road offers a gentler coastal alternative.
- 34 kmPorlock Hill (A39)One of England's steepest A-roads at 1-in-4 with hairpins out of Porlock onto Exmoor; a toll road offers a gentler alternative.
- 34 kmCountisbury HillA long 1-in-4 climb on the A39 out of Lynmouth onto Exmoor, with sweeping views over the Bristol Channel.
- 38 kmDunkery BeaconThe highest point on Exmoor and in Somerset at 519 m, with views to the Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor on clear days.
- 42 kmBlack Mountain Pass (A4069)Top Gear's favourite British road, a smooth, empty ribbon of hairpins and open bends over the western Brecon Beacons between Llangadog and Brynamman.
- 43 kmPen y FanThe highest peak in southern Britain at 886 metres, the flat-topped summit of the Brecon Beacons offering sweeping views across Wales.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Bridgend.
Plan a trip around Bridgend
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Bridgend.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.