Ogmore-by-Sea
| Ogmore-by-Sea | |
| Welsh: Aberogwr | |
 Ogmore-by-Sea in 2008 |
|
  Ogmore-by-Sea Ogmore-by-Sea shown within the Vale of Glamorgan | |
| Principal area | Vale of Glamorgan |
|---|---|
| Ceremonial county | South Glamorgan |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRIDGEND |
| Postcode district | CF32 |
| Dialling code | 01656 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Vale of Glamorgan |
| Welsh Assembly | Vale of Glamorgan |
| |
Ogmore-by-Sea (Welsh: Aberogwr, meaning "Mouth of the River Ogmore") is a seaside village in St Brides Major community in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. It lies on the western limit of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast of south Wales.
History
A polished flint axe-head of Seamer type was found at Ogmore Mill in 1976.[1]
Just like its counterparts in Cornwall, Ireland and Brittany, the west-facing beach and coast was notorious as a graveyard for ships during strong on-shore winds (i.e. south-westerly winds from the Atlantic). Many ships in particular were destroyed on Tusker Rock, a brutal reef slightly out to sea that is totally covered at high tide. Also prevalent at Ogmore (and all across the Vale of Glamorgan coastline) was organised shipwrecking; similar to tales in Cornwall where lanterns would be tied to a bull/cow at night resting onto top of a cliff; passing ships would mistake a flickering light as a lighthouse and be lured to destruction. This also happened further down the coast at Southerndown
Geography
Ogmore-by-Sea is about 3 miles south of Bridgend and about 20 miles west of Cardiff. The beaches look out on Tusker Rock, and have sand at low-tide and sharp rocks at high-tide.
The River Ogmore estuary is flanked by Ogmore beach on one side and the dunes of Merthyr Mawr on the other. The estuary makes bathing unsafe from most of the beach. The rocky shoreline is well known as a rock climbing location. It is an interesting place geologically with a variety of fossils clearly visible. Many people use the car-park by the estuary to the River Ogmore, which is just as you enter the village, others move on to Southerndown. Ogmore had many beaches and if you walk along the path from the car park you will find Hardies Bay and Horseshoe Bay which are fantastic for bathing. Further on below Brig Y Don hill there are the deeps with cave and secluded coves but you have to watch the tide times here. Also the deeps is favoured for fishing especially at night when the tide is in. Ogmore by Sea is a jewel often missed by tourists because of the parking.
Notable landmarks
Ogmore centre was built in the 1930s for the benefit of children from all over South Wales. It was closed in the mid-1990s, but was reopened as a Trust in 1998 and continued as such until 2007. Southerndown Golf Club and Portobello House are nearby.
Culture and Arts
"Ogmore-by-the-Sea" is mentioned in the song "Don't get along with me Babe" by Cardiff band Doofer.
References
- ↑ Williams, Glanmor (1984). Early Glamorgan: pre-history and early history. Printed and published for the Committee by W. Lewis (printers) limited. p. 253. ISBN 978-0-904730-04-3. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
External links
- Map sources for Ogmore-by-Sea
- St Brides Major Southerndown and Ogmore-by-sea community website
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Ogmore-by-Sea and surrounding area
