Celtic Ocean Home :  Places, Towns & Cities : Bridgend

Bridgend, County Borough of Bridgend

Bridgend is a busy 16th century market town.

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Events

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The town is situated on the A48 road between Cardiff and Swansea and just south of the M4. Through the town, the River Ogmore flows some 4 miles to the beautiful Glamorgan Heritage Coast. The town is also the Seat of Bridgend County Borough.

The original settlement grew around the river crossing point for pilgrims travelling to and from St. David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. Overlooking this fording place is the medieval fortress of Newcastle and Church House also known as St. John’s Hospice. At the foot of Newcastle hill, bearing names that reflect their religious connections, were three inns where the more affluent pilgrims would stay. The Cross Keys, The Angel, and the Lamb and Flag. Of them all, only the Angel has survived, but now with a new ‘trendier’ name!

It is thought that the town took its name from the old Bridge built across the river in 1425 at a spot where the pilgrim ford used to be. There is also evidence in a document dated 1447, indicating that the name Bridgend is derived from the ancient Welsh ‘Bryggen Eynde’, the meaning of which has been lost in time. The name of the river – Ogmore, is from the Welsh eog – salmon, and mor – the sea that also means an estuary, river or lake.

Historic industries in the locality included a woollen factory, tanneries and potteries; some of which still exist.

There are festivals and events throughout the year including the ‘Summer Fayre’ in June, followed by the 'Bridgend County Show' and the town’s ‘Wintertime Festival’ in December.

Prior to 1836 the provisions market was held under the arches and on the steps of the Old Town Hall, a site now occupied by the central Post Office. The livestock market was also unhygienically held there and in the surrounding streets and even worse, the slaughtering of the animals, often took place right there on the spot!

Today the town has a mixture of independent shops and multiples. The old Victorian market hall has since gone, but the original 18th century Market Bell still hangs in the Rhiw Shopping Centre near to the entrance of the new Covered Market.

Information by courtesy of Bridgend CBC

Directions

M4 Jctn. 36 A48 Road Cardiff - Swansea