Sully Sound

Sea, Estuary, Creek in Glamorgan

Wales

Sully Sound

St Mary's Well Bay just west of Lavernock Point The foreshore here is like layers of sloping pavement where the thin strata of Blue Lias limestone overlay one another. — St Mary's Well Bay just west of Lavernock Point Credit: Penny Mayes

Sully Sound is a picturesque coastal area located in Glamorgan, Wales. It is a unique combination of a sea, estuary, and creek, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and water sports enthusiasts alike.

The sound is situated on the southern coast of Wales, approximately 9 miles southwest of Cardiff. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the south and the River Ely to the east, creating a diverse ecosystem that supports a wide variety of marine and bird species.

The sea at Sully Sound is known for its rugged beauty, with rocky cliffs and stunning views of the open waters. It is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and fishing, attracting locals and tourists alike.

The estuary at Sully Sound is formed by the River Ely as it meets the Bristol Channel. This brackish water environment is home to a rich array of wildlife, including wading birds, shellfish, and various species of fish. The estuary is an essential breeding ground for many bird species, offering a sanctuary for nesting and foraging.

The creek at Sully Sound is a narrow inlet that winds its way through the surrounding marshland. It is a tranquil and scenic place, perfect for kayaking or simply enjoying a peaceful walk along the water's edge. The creek provides a habitat for various marsh plants and aquatic creatures, making it a haven for nature lovers.

Overall, Sully Sound offers a unique blend of marine and estuarine environments, providing a diverse range of recreational opportunities and a haven for wildlife. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, a water sports enthusiast, or simply seeking a peaceful coastal retreat, Sully Sound is a must-visit destination in Glamorgan.

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Sully Sound Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.398097/-3.2025238 or Grid Reference ST1667. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Mary's Well Bay just west of Lavernock Point

The foreshore here is like layers of sloping pavement where the thin strata of Blue Lias limestone overlay one another.

Penny Mayes

Sully Island

The west view taken from on top of this small island. The rock strata are gently inclining. The water is part of the Bristol Channel and is pretty muddy! In the distance lies Barry.

Richard Knights

Sully Beach

A midwinter view of Sully Beach. The island is in the mid distance.

Richard Knights

Sully Houses

An example of one of the residential streets of Sully. Just behind these houses lies the Bristol Channel.

Richard Knights

Sully High Street

The high street is the main Penarth to Barry Road. On either side of this road lie the residential streets of the ribbon development that comprises a large part of Sully.

Richard Knights

The edge of Sully

Looking back at Sully from a field near Cog.

Richard Knights

St. Mary's Well Bay

Low tide at St. Mary's Well Bay, looking across to the caravan park above the bay

Andrew Spenceley

Ty Hafan, Children's Hospice for Wales

This new facility is set in extensive park like grounds overlooking the sea.

Tony Hodge

The Sand Spit St Mary's Well Bay

Gareth Williams

Shingle spit reaching out to Sully Island

View across from Swanbridge at half tide towards this small island composed of warm orange Triassic sandstone. The mainland coast is undergoing active erosion.

Alan Bowring

Lower Lias cliffs west of Lavernock Point

Tide and waves have generated a coastal rock platform from the mudstones and limestones of the Lower Lias whilst the cliff retreats inland at the expense of the S & W Wales Wildlife Trust nature reserve atop it.

Alan Bowring

St Mary's Well Bay

This truly is a bay of two halves - the west side (foreground) is carved from warm-coloured Triassic sandstones which dip moderately steeply southwards. The far side (east) is backed by cliffs of the Lower Lias limestones and mudstones which have a 'cold' feel to them. Ball Rock is seen in the middle foreground at high tide.

Alan Bowring

Causeway revealed!

You feel like Moses parting the red sea if you stand at the edge of the causeway to Sully Island as the tide rapidly recedes - within the space of a minute this transformed from a body of water to something that could be crossed using walking boots rather than wellingtons! The picture was taken about half way through this transformation. For some strange reason the water flow was going in the opposite direction to the obvious local water flow at this point - I guess this was down to wind direction and wave flow at the minute or so we were there.

Hywel Williams

Vivid changes in rock colour

This area is a geologist's dream - and Sully Island is so in a microcosm - the island's western tip looks like a blancmange with the number of rock types that can be observed in such a small rock edge.

Hywel Williams

Victorian sea wreck

You could be forgiven for ignoring this when visiting the island as a relatively modern sea wreck - but on closer inspection this is fascinating - the ship was wrecked over 100 years ago - yet the craft work of the builders can still be seen in detail if you examine what remains.

Hywel Williams

Bow of a sunken Victorian vessel

It's amazing how much can survive over 100 years of seas and the 2nd biggest tidal range in the world. You can still run your fingers over timbers that were put in place by craftsmen and ship builders on this wreck that is submerged for most of the day, twice.

Hywel Williams