Where the City Meets the Sea: The Diverse Landscape of the South Wales/Severn Estuary

Home to the three sprawling cities of Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, the South Wales Coast Path/Severn Estuary marks the end of The Wales Coast Path. The Severn estuary is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, from which you can witness the phenomena known as The Severn Bore – a large surge wave with the second highest tidal range in the world.

Highlights
  • Cardiff Bay is the capitals thriving marina and a popular tourist destination – ideal for leaving an extra day to take in the area at your leisure
  • Seaside resorts of Barry and Penarth
  • Rest Bay at Porthcawl, world-renowned for its surf
  • National nature reserve at Newport affords a quiet moment for birdwatching and a sanctuary for wildlife
  • From Port Talbot to Portcawl you encounter an old building named Sker House, made famous by RD Blackmore in his book ‘The Maid of Sker’
  • Sweeping views out from the iconic Newport Transporter Bridge (only one other of its kind in UK)
  • Norman Castle at Chepstow, the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain
  • 10 to 11 nights
  • 115 mls (view km)
  • Swansea, South Wales
  • Easy - Moderate
  • Mar to Oct
  • £785

South Wales Coast Path: Rugged Cliffs and Coastline

The estuaries landscape, disseminated with steelworks, power stations and lighthouses could go some way to explaining why the dramatic cliffscape remains overlooked. The unusual rock formations that cover the heritage coast have been used in TV production - including Doctor Who - where the striking characteristics of the coastline have doubled up as the surface of alien planets.

Old railway lines follow alongside the estuary, where the surging Atlantic and rivers that meet form a protected environment for around 85,000 migratory birds and upwards over the winter. As you make your way toward the English border, the riverbanks and marshland meet huge, impressive structures - such as the arches of the Severn bridge stretching over the banks – that emerge along the river. Reaching the castle at Chepstow, on the river Wye, heralds the end of the Wales Coast Path (but the start of the Offa’s Dyke Path– for a complete circuit of Wales!).

Path Walkthrough

Map of our South Wales Coast Path Walking Holiday route
This section of the Wales Coast Path takes you from Swansea to Chepstow

An old canal towpath leads out of Swansea, where you follow the old way out alongside Crymlyn bog, a large nature reserve, shortly following a stretch of road toward the sands at Port Talbot. The start of the journey is occupied by power stations and steelworks, but the path thereon is predominantly sand dunes toward Ogmore, passing the coastal town of Porthcawl. Rugged cliffs and wooded slopes along The Glamorgan Heritage coast, before meeting the seaside resort of Barry.

From the esplanade at Penarth to Cardiff Bay Barrage and waterfront you have an easy-going walk overlooking the Mouth of the River Seven. Through the industrial fringes of Newport you pass the Wetlands centre, here the path re-joins the coast past Goldcliff, around the medieval town of Redwick. The Severn bridge emerges into view as the route meets the Severn estuary, occasionally heading inland through fields towards Chepstow.

Walk Gallery

Image of Cardiff Castle, from Bute Park, part of the South Wales Coast
Doutherndown South Wales Severn Estuary Wales Coast Path
Image of crowd at Porthcawl, Sandy Bay
Severn Bridge/Estuary South Wales Chepstow Coast Path
Sunset over Nash Point Lighthouse Wales Coast Path
Glamorgan Heritage Coast South Wales Severn Estuary Coast Path
Glamorgan Heritage Coast Wales Coast Path Walking Holiday
Penarth Esplanade, South Wales Walking Coast

South Wales & Severn Estuary Walking Holiday Itineraries

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing, single person supplements apply.

Swansea to Chepstow

Length - 115 miles/185 km ¦ Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

CodeDurationStart Price 
SWSE111 nights, 10 days£965 (pp)View Itinerary
SWSE29 nights, 8 days£785 (pp)View Itinerary

Prices are base on two sharing accomodation

Swansea to Chepstow

Eleven nights, Ten days
Price: £965 (pp)
Holiday Code: SWSE1
DaysLocationDistance
Day 1Arrival Swansea
Day 2Swansea to Port Talbot13 miles/21km
Day 3Port Talbot to Porthcawl       10 miles/16km
Day 4Porthcawl to Southerndown             11 miles/17.5km
Day 5Southerndown to Gileston12 miles/19.2km
Day 6Gileston to Barry                    11 miles/17.5km
Day 7Barry to Cardiff Bay13 miles/21km
Day 8Cardiff Bay to Lighthouse Park11 miles/17.5km
Day 9Lighthouse Park to Newport Wetlands10 miles/16km
Day 10Newport Wetlands to Caldicot14 miles/22.5km
Day 11Caldicot to Chepstow10 miles/16km
Day 12Depart Chepstow

Itinerary Information: Eleven nights accommodation with ten days walking. Arrive on day one in Swansea, walk from day two and leave on the morning of day eight.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

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Swansea to Chepstow

Nine nights, Eight days
Price: £785 (pp)
Holiday Code: SWSE2
DaysLocationDistance
Day 1Arrival Swansea
Day 2Swansea to Margam14.5 miles/23km
Day 3Margam to Ogmore16 miles/25.5km
Day 4Ogmore to Gileston           15.5 miles/25km
Day 5Gileston to Barry11 miles/17.5km
Day 7Barry to Cardiff Bay13 miles/21km
Day 8Cardiff Bay to Newport (Transporter Bridge)16.5 miles/26.5km
Day 9Newport to Redwick14.5 miles/23km
Day 10Redwick to Chepstow14 miles/22.5km
Day 12Depart Chepstow

Itinerary Information: Nine nights accommodation with eight walking days. Arrive in Swansea on day one, walk from day two and depart from Chepstow on morning of day ten.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

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  • What's Included?

    We include:

    • Accommodation provided in high standard B&Bs, farmhouses and small local inns, with en-suite or private facilities where available
    • Breakfast included in price
    • Flexible itinerary with choice of daily distances to suit requirements
    • Walk pack including Trail Guide, itinerary, accommodation directions, local interest leaflets and holiday planning
    • Daily luggage transfers
    • Information about packed lunches and getting food locally

    Optional:

    • In-house evening meals where available, or choose from a selection of local inns and restaurants
    • Rest days, where you can explore the area at your leisure
  • Essential Info.

    Please note that it may be necessary to stay at some locations for 2 nights.  This is due to accommodations only accepting 2 night bookings at busy times or where there is no accommodation in remote areas. In such cases, transfers between the path and your accommodation will be included in your holiday cost

  • Getting There

    Getting to the most well connected route out of the Wales Coast Path shouldn't be a problem. Eastbound trains run directly to Swansea, while other directions typically change at Bristol Parkway & Cardiff. Those coming in overseas can fly directly to Cardiff and there are also regular bus services running nearby all sections of the path.

  • Best Time to Travel

    We arrange holidays along this section of the Welsh Coast between Mar - Oct. Generally, The South Wales Coast  has a mild, temperate climate and plenty of opportunities throughout the year to make the most of the fair weather at places like Penarth, Cardiff Bay, Barry and Porthcawl.

    Average Rainfall SWSE   Average Sunshine Day SWSE   Average Temperature SWSE

Enquire About South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary

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