Reaching Fontygary steps led them down then up and through Fontygary Leisure Park with its rows of neat static caravans before steep steps in the cliff brought them out onto the salt flats at Andrew’s Pant on an ebbing tide. Over the sea defence wall that keeps the land dry at Pleasant Harbour and a visit to the ruined Aberthaw Limeworks that stands like a sentinel guarding the lake in front of it where a swan was observed sitting patiently on its nest.
By the turn of the 17th century the port at East Aberthaw was thriving with ships taking items to and fro to Somerset, Devon, northern France, Spain and Ireland. With smuggling being rife within the treacherous Bristol Channel many illegal imported goods no doubt found homes in the village. The Limeworks, built in 1888 utilised the local blue lias limestone from the foreshore, which also had hydraulic qualities so could be used in the building of canals, docks and lighthouses.
Onward along the coast path and across the bridge over the River Thaw which was re-routed when the Aberthaw Power Station was built and officially opened in the early 1960’s, and where its buildings are slowly being demolished after its closure in 2020.
Exiting at Limpert Bay a series of gates and bridges led them behind the sometimes called ‘dragon’s teeth’ that are huge cubes formed from pebbles with an outer coating of cement, sited there to form a barrier as part of the coastal defences during World War Two against invading German tanks.
Tramping a narrow path overlooking fields below Gileston Farm and crossing awkward pebbles to reach Summerhouse Point, the forecasted rain arrived forcing outer clothing to be hastily donned. At this point there is evidence of a fairly big Iron Age fort which was surrounded by ditches and also the remains of an 18th century summerhouse, utilised as a look-out and a picnic site and which during WW2 was used for defensive purposes.
Moving on along the clifftop and reaching Castle Ditches, this fort also relates to the Iron Age being protected on its southern side by the tall cliffs. A narrow rocky path and steps brought them downhill to Llantwit Beach and as the rain stopped, they sought shelter behind the sea defences near the Afon Col-huw, which winds it way down through the valley to exit into the Bristol Channel, for their lunch break out of the breeze.
Climbing steps onto the clifftop and following the pathway inland above Cwm Col-huw where many years ago a port stood, the story goes that after being raided by Irish and Viking men on many occasions, the locals lured the raiders in with wine and dancing girls before successfully attacking them and so May 3 held a celebration of this for many years, called Annual Day.
Entering Llantwit Major and heading for the Church of St Illtud there was time on their linear walk to visit the Galilee Chapel, initially used by priests to prepare for the service and which having been rebuilt now houses a fantastic collection of Celtic Stones. Surviving from a period after the Romans left and when Christianity began to flourish many were found in the churchyard and surrounding area and were brought inside to preserve them. The Celtic St Illtud built the first church in 500 establishing a monastery, mission centre and school, believed to be the oldest centre of learning in Britain. All that was left was to make their way to Llantwit Railway Station for the journey back home, after a lovely trek through history.
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