New homes in Cowbridge

Welcome to Cowbridge

Whether you’re browsing independent shops, enjoying a show-stopping meal or taking a trip to the Welsh coastline, the town of Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan has something for the whole family to love. Named the best place to live in Wales by The Sunday Times in 2017, your new home in Cowbridge is not only surrounded by a friendly rural community but it is also within easy  reach of some of Wales’ biggest towns and cities too.

A quick history

Cowbridge dates back to Roman times, when the settlement was built close to a Roman road known as the Via Julia Maritima. It became a walled town in the 13th century — a rarity in Wales — and parts of the wall are still standing today.

During the 18th century, the poet Iolo Morganwg had a bookshop in Cowbridge and set up a bardic assembly known as the Gorsedd. Until 1830, the Town Hall was used as a prison, and some of the cells are now part of Cowbridge Museum. The town has been home to a number of notable people over the decades, including Sir Anthony Hopkins and Anneka Rice.

Business and industry

Cowbridge is home to a number of small, independent businesses spanning retail, leisure and tourism. In nearby Bridgend, big employers include Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Rockwool, TES Parts and Invacare, while Cardiff is home to Admiral Group, Finsbury Food Group, Arriva Trains Wales and Panasonic Manufacturing. Dow Corning are also based nearby in Barry.

Things to do in the area

There’s plenty to see and do in Cowbridge, whether you’re spotting medicinal plants at Cowbridge Physic Garden, seeing a play at the Market Theatre, or watching Cowbridge R.F.C play their home rugby matches. The town also has its own leisure centre, tennis courts and bowling club, ideal if you like to stay active and meet new people through sports.

Cowbridge is a lively town and hosts a number of events throughout the year including the popular Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival, and Cowbridge Music Festival. If you’re interested in history, there are two castles within easy reach of the town, Beaupre Castle and St Quentin’s Castle.

For families moving to a new home in Cowbridge, there are a number of family-friendly days out in the local area, including Warren Mill Farm in Pendoylan, Jump Jam Trampoline Park in Bridgend, Amelia Trust Farm in Barry and The Royal Mint Experience in Pontyclun. The beach and pleasure park at Barry Island are also within driving distance of the town.

Travel and commuting

The journey from Cowbridge to Bridgend takes 15 minutes by car travelling via the A48. There’s no train station in Cowbridge, but the bus journey to Bridgend takes just 20 minutes. Barry is a 25-minute drive away from Cowbridge, while Cardiff can be reached in 30 minutes by car, and Swansea in 45 minutes driving via the M4.

If you’re travelling further afield, London can be reached in three hours ten minutes by car via the M4. If you don’t want to drive, the journey takes around three hours by public transport, with a bus to Cardiff Central station followed by a train to London Paddington.

For international travel, Cardiff Airport is just 20 minutes away from Cowbridge by car, ideal for hassle-free holidays and business trips.