West Aberthaw

Settlement in Glamorgan

Wales

West Aberthaw

Tidal flats near East Aberthaw Credit: Alan Hughes

West Aberthaw is a small village located in the county of Glamorgan, South Wales. Situated on the rugged coastline, it lies approximately 9 miles west of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The village is nestled between the towns of Barry to the east and Llantwit Major to the west.

The main feature of West Aberthaw is its proximity to the Aberthaw Power Station, a coal-fired power station that has been in operation since 1971. The power station dominates the landscape and provides employment opportunities to many residents in the area. The village itself is mainly residential, with a mix of traditional cottages and more modern houses.

Despite its industrial surroundings, West Aberthaw boasts stunning natural beauty. The nearby coastline offers breathtaking views across the Bristol Channel, and the village is surrounded by lush countryside and farmland. The coastal path that runs through the area provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking and cycling.

West Aberthaw is well connected to the rest of the region through a network of roads and public transportation. The village has a small shop for basic amenities, but residents often rely on nearby towns for more extensive shopping needs.

In conclusion, West Aberthaw is a village in Glamorgan that combines industrial heritage with natural beauty. It offers a peaceful and picturesque setting for residents and visitors alike.

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West Aberthaw Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.391961/-3.403042 or Grid Reference ST0266. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Tidal flats near East Aberthaw

Alan Hughes

WW1 Memorial at former St Athan Boys' Village

The Boys' Village opened in 1925 as a holiday home for up to 180 boys from families of the working class in South Wales. The Boys' Club movement (now Clubs for Young People Wales) had been started in the early 1920s by Captain J Glynn-Jones and David Davies of Llandinam. Davies was the chair of the Ocean Coal Company and Glynn-Jones was its Welfare Officer. The memorial was erected as part of the construction of the camp to commemorate the youth of all nations who died in the First World War. It was located at the focal point of the village within a formal landscaped garden with the village buildings surrounding. It was later amended with the dates of World War II. The Club closed in 1990 and is badly vandalised. The memorial is a grade II listed building.

Colin Cheesman

Wales Coastal Path

The upgraded footpath is on the left. The original, very wet path is on the right and it can be several feet under water during Spring high tides.

Guy Butler-Madden

Channel in the tidal flats at East Aberthaw

Eirian Evans

Lime works at Aberthaw

The lime works opened in 1888 and closed in 1926. This is now a listed building, Grade II, as a well preserved C19 structure from an important regional industry. Link

Eirian Evans

Lime works at Aberthaw

Another view of the lime works ST0366 : Lime works at Aberthaw showing its west face and the kiln openings. The area and ponds near the lime works is now Aberthaw Nature Reserve

Eirian Evans

Pond at Aberthaw Nature Reserve

Eirian Evans

Sign - Aberthaw Biodiversity Area

The derelict lime works in the distance

Eirian Evans

Warning sign near the Wales Coast Path

Over the other side of the hedge is a grass-seeded ash hill, from the nearby power station.

Eirian Evans

Sea wall and groynes, Leys Beach

Eirian Evans

Concrete groynes at Leys Beach

Reinforced with wood

Eirian Evans

View through a chain-link fence

Aberthaw Power Station was a coal-fired power plant, it generated enough power to meet the needs of 1.5 million households. It closed in March 2020 and is now being decommissoned

Eirian Evans

Decommissioning at the Aberthaw Power Station

Eirian Evans

Wales Coast Path about to cross the River Thaw

A footpath runs alongside the pipe bridge over the river. This is the longest river in Glamorgan and supports a healthy population of brown trout.

Eirian Evans

Estuary of the River Thaw

From the footbridge and pipe bridge, at Breaksea Pint

Eirian Evans

Move along!

Notice of toxic hazard at Aberthaw Power Plant, "please do not loiter in the vicinity of this sign"

Eirian Evans

Centre for Energy and Environment at Aberthaw

The Aberthaw Centre for Energy and Environment (ACE2) provides a facility for schools, colleges and community groups throughout South Wales to deliver interactive educational programmes.

Eirian Evans

Aberthaw Power Station Caisson

Located about 400m off Breaksea Point, the caisson provided part of the cooling water process for Aberthaw Power Station. It was constructed onshore in 1958 before being floated and towed into position. Closed to shore are two domes, described as "outfall" on the OS map

Eirian Evans

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West Aberthaw is located at Grid Ref: ST0266 (Lat: 51.391961, Lng: -3.403042)

Unitary Authority: The Vale of Glamorgan

Police Authority: South Wales