Penarth Seafront, South Wales

After the severe gales and storms of January 2014 we found a sunny day to visit Penarth seafront to survey the devastation.  This section of the coast seems to have got away reasonably lightly with very little visible storm damage.  Pebbles and seaweed had been washed up onto the pathways, and the odd sandbag was still visible, but otherwise it was its usual pleasant self.

Where is Forte's Cafe?

One important item which is currently missing is the Forte Cafe; always good for a warming cup of coffee or a cooling ice-cream.  The whole block of buildings is being renovated, so hopefully the cafe will return on completion.

Fishermen were taking the opportunity of a lull in the storms, but there was little evidence any of them had been successful.  I wouldn't be happy carrying all that gear from the car to the beach and back again just for the privilege of standing, looking at the sea!   I can do that just carrying my handbag!

Fun to find washed up on the beach, were stones showing signs of fossils, but my favourite were the stones worn to reflect the waves of the sea.  I'm surprised someone hasn't collected them up to make a fantastic patio. This isn't a suggestion, merely an observation.

Penarth Pier & Pavilion

What a joy to see the sad old pier rejuvenated and looking so spectacular in the sunshine.  Whenever we visited Penarth it was intriguing to wonder what was behind the shuttered windows. Now its incredible, well worth the efforts and heartache.

"The Art Deco pavilion opened in May 1929. Unusually for its period, it was made almost entirely from ferro-concrete, including the curved roof."

It has been refurbished with a gallery and cafe downstairs and meeting rooms and cinema upstairs.

The railings really takes you back in time

This art deco building has always looked amazing, even in its worst state.  I wonder what visitors would have thought when it was opened originally?



The cafe provides all-round views of the bay with the pier disappearing in a lesson of perspective in the centre.  Coffee and snacks along with a warm reception has already made this a favourite spot for many  who live locally.  I'm sure in the summer months they will find it difficult to get in.

The Penarth Pier Pavilion Project is wholly owned and run by Penarth Arts and Crafts (PACL) a registered charity (Charity No. 1081276), established as a social enterprise in 1998 to provide a range of education programmes especially targeted at disadvantaged members of the community, to organise exhibitions of art and craft, and to renovate and sustain heritage buildings.

The glorious art deco clock facing the roadway is no up and working as it was when the building was first opened. 

Ceramic in the entrance hall of the Pavilion

Close-up of the original ceiling decoration above the ceramic circle in the entrance hall

View of the pier from the upstairs window of the pavilion

http://www.penarthpavilion.co.uk/news

http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=penarth-pier-pavilion

Wales Coastal Path

Newport's Historical Transporter Bridge

Fantastic!!

It has only been open a year, and already it is estimated to have brought around

£16million to the Welsh economy.

Barry Lighthouse

To celebrate this anniversary, Brendan McNally, a Canadian writer is opening a seven-part web series titled: 

"The Wales Coast Path:  Walking the South Coast of Wales."

Each episode takes listeners from Chepstow around the coast of Wales.  Brendan helpfully gives ratings to sections of the path.

Barry Island Beach

walkingthewalescoastpath.wordpress.com

Winter sun reflected on Penarth Beach
 

The variety of landscape and beautiful beaches along the southern stretch, Chepstow to Porthcawl, are well worth exploring.

www.walescoastpath.gov.uk

www.llwybrarfordircymru.gov.uk 


 

South Wales Beaches are the finest

Whilst visiting the South Wales Valleys, why not visit one of our gorgeous beaches on the south coast.  We have some of the largest, quietest, cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the United Kingdom.

Penarth, enjoy the pebble beach and ice-cream from the seafront cafe.

Barry Island, well-known through the TV series "Gavin and Stacey."
Rossili - three miles of clear, uninterrupted sand with a backdrop of cliffs, and mountain greenery.
Porthcawl - famous for being overrun during "Miners' Fortnight," when many miners families from the valleys made their way to stay in a caravan during the summer shut down.

Use the link to find out more about South Wales beaches.


http://bit.ly/walesbeach