Penarth and District Ramblers walk from Cowbridge Town Hall

They set off alongside the River Thaw to enter reasonably dry fields, despite previous rainfall at the rear of Cowbridge Comprehensive School and passing a farmer and his dog that were out checking a herd of cows they arrived at the village of Aberthin. Crossing a fairly busy road by the Hare and Hounds pub they followed the Nant Berthyn whilst admiring pretty cottages on the opposite side of the book, before a climb to Stalling Down.

Pausing to admire the silhouette of a Lancaster Bomber which forms the back of a memorial seat they arrived at the Gorsedd Stone that records the first meeting of the Gorsedd of Bards on Primrose Hill, London in 1792. This was the brainchild of Edward Williams better known by his bardic name of Iolo Morgannwg, who also created the Gorsedd symbol of three sun rays symbolising Love, Justice and Truth. He was passionate about Glamorgan calling it ‘the garden of Wales’ but was later ousted as being a fabricator and forger.

Legend has it that the Battle of Bryn Owain was fought in the early 1400’s at Stalling Down when Owain Glyndwr fought and beat Henry IV’s English army, but this has been questioned, however with 300 male bodies being found buried without coffins in the crypt of St John the Baptist Church, Llanblethian perhaps there is something that rings true!.

They continued across the A48 and up the leafy lane to The Clump where for twenty years criminals were publicly hanged, with the last execution in 1787. A refreshment break whilst soaking up the warm sunshine followed, with wide ranging views over the surrounding countryside and across the Bristol Channel to Somerset. Retracing their steps they visited the tall memorial to the Glamorgan Yeomanry admiring the listed battles they took part in during the Great War.

Another leafy lane led them to St Hilary where they were welcomed by the Vicar and Church warden of the 12 century Church of St Hilary, dedicated to St Hilarius, Bishop of Poitiers, entering to admire the interior. Exiting through the churchyard they passed the 17th century thatched Bush Inn before following a tree-lined lane towards New Beaupre, passing through leafy woodland with a brand new kissing gate to replace the awkward stile that previously stood there and was still in situ when the leader recently completed a recce.

On past the long drive to the house, where the remnants of the dismantled railway can be seen, before crossing a road to enter fields containing young cattle beside the River Thaw. Making their way to Llanblethian and passing the 18th century Great House, a road led them onwards for the climb up Castle Hill to enter the grounds of the ruined St Quentin’s Castle for lunch break.

The castle is a scheduled ancient monument under the care of CADW and around 1102, Robert Fitzhamon first Norman Lord of Glamorgan bequeathed the lands of Llanblethian to Herbert de St Quentin who is thought to have built the first wooden fort or castle with a stone keep being added in the late 12th century. In the early 14th century, Gilbert de Clare began building the stone structure, but it is believed that because of his death at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, the castle was never completed.

Refreshed they followed a winding pathway down to the River Thaw before passing through the ancient South Gate in Cowbridge and entering the Physic Garden, with its beautifully laid out beds, plants, vines and trees all with medicinal values, plus Iolo’s poem to Laudanum, before returning to the start via the High Street.

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