The best walks and hikes around Welsh St. Donats

See also https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/llanblethian-castle Quentin's Castle, also known as Llanblethian Castle was probably built by English nobleman and military commander Gilbert de Clare in the early 14th century, the most notable remnants of this castle are its huge, twin-towered gatehouse and high stretch of curtain wall on the north of the site. In the centre of what was once a large fortress is an earthen mound with the remains of a thick-walled building on top of it, which may be all that’s left of an earlier keep. Links to Caerphilly Castle too - see plaque in the gatehouse.

The Clump Source: https://www.sthilary.org.uk/history/clump Here's the story of the Clump (or more accurately Bryn Owain, meaning Owain's Hill), including the battle of Stalling Down, which was part of was part of the Glyndwr Rising, the Beacon ceremonies, gory executions and fireworks! The Clump appears to have a colourful history. It is reputed that the Battle of Stalling Down took place in the late autumn or early winter of 1403, between the supporters of the Welsh leader Owain Glyndwr and those of King Henry IV of England. It was part of the Glynd?r Rising or Welsh Revolt of 1400-1415. The exact site of the battle and the precise details of the action are not known. The general site is known locally as Bryn Owain, meaning Owain's Hill. The site was known as Stallington, evolving to Stalling Down. A Roman road runs over the hill as it traverses the area and would have been a convenient route for moving a very large army along for the English[i]. See the link above for much more

Pendoylan is a lovely village in the Vale of Glamorgan which has proudly been named Wales' Best Kept Village. With a high number of listed buildings, it’s home to the historic St. Cadoc’s Church and the popular Red Lion pub, which has great views over the Ely valley and beyond..

What a man! or What ? A man?

Nestled within Hensol Forest is Pysgodlyn Mawr, a designated SSSI site and owned by the Welsh Forestry Commission. Here you'll find a beautiful serene coarse fishing lake.

Probably built by an English nobleman named Gilbert de Clare in the early 14th century, this castle is known for its large twin-towered gatehouse and tall curtain wall on the north side. In the centre, there's a mound with the remains of a thick-walled building, possibly the last bit of an older keep.

Lllanblethian is a quaint and picturesque village that sits above the River Thaw in the Vale of Glamorgan. It's an ancient village, outdating the nearby market town of Cowbridge, and hosting a number of beautiful historic buildings. The village is home to St Quentin's Castle, a 14th-century castle perched upon a hill, a church that dates back to the 12th-century dedicated to St John the Baptist, and an early 18th-century great house that sits along the river.

The marvellous St Quentin's Castle is perched on a hill overlooking the wonderful village of Llanblethian. It was built in the 14th century by English nobleman and military commander Gilbert de Clare. The grounds are free to enter and feature two inside rooms and an upstairs to explore. The remains of the castle span backward into a huge area of green open space with a bench, the perfect spot for a picnic.