St Athan Village

Places to see

West Farm. Grade II Listed, West Farm is about 500 years old. Like most old village properties, it was thatched until the 20th century. It has dressed stone tudor-arched doorways, straight-cut with fillet ceiling timbers and gable-entry stone stairs.  The west part retains its broad chamfered ceiling beams.  Like other old properties, additions were made in the 19th century. West Farm is noticeable due to its castellated stone bay windows.

New Barn Cottage.  This was part of the Radcliffe estate until sold in 1928. At the time it was described as a freehold 3 roomed thatched cottage with 28 perches of land.

Higher End Well.  Just south of the stream leading to St. John’s Well and down the Rills Valley, this Well was once noted as being the supply for drinking water to the village.  It is still in good condition and surrounded by a wall to keep animals out.  There is a stone style giving access to where water was drawn.

Myrtle Cottage. This cottage is grade II Listed. It has a huge Bay Tree near the gateway and a Myrtle Bush next to the northeast corner of the property. Myrtle Cottage is the last remaining thatched property in the village. The cottage still has its iron bread oven and above the fireplace is a huge oak beam.  Myrtle Cottage is located in Higher End.

West Orchard Farm. This farm is Grade II Listed.  Built in the 17th century, it has a Tudor Arched doorway, broad chamfered beams and gabled porch.  It is unusual for a secular building, in that it has five inline chimneys.  It has a 19th century external staircase for farm workers to the rear.  The house has a hall, dining room, parlour, kitchen, back kitchen, front and back stairs, six bedrooms and a dairy. Farm buildings, which included the barn and granary, have been converted to what is now Porth Glyndwr and Swallows Rest (across the road). A Trap Shed is now known as the Wagon Barn.

The Croft.  This is a 19th century building with a symmetrical facade.  It has a rounded-head door opening and square-headed openings for the windows.  It is believed this building  may only date from about 1922.  A pigsty at the rear of the property is now a workshop.  The Croft is located in Higher End.

The Willows.  Built in the late 17th century and illustrated in “Glamorgan Farmhouses”. It has a lobby entrance, end chimney and lateral-entry stone stairs.  The Willows is located in Higher End.

Beggars Pound.  Driving west to Cowbridge, you pass through Beggars Pound before leaving the village. Its name on the 1885 village map is Beggars Bound. The name as also been recorded in the past as Beggars Pond, Beggars Bond, Beggars Well, Beggars Bush and Beggars Field. Within Beggars Pound are St John’s Well, and nearby Howell’s well.  These Wells are believed to be of mediaeval origin, possibly earlier. The Wells are where travelers watered their horses and villagers got their daily drinking and washing water.

The Old Chapel can be found on the road to Castleton from Beggars Pound. It ceased being a chapel in 1950 after 90 years continuous use.  Now converted to a private dwelling.  To the rear of the building are Chapel Cottages, now also private houses.

A stream runs from West Orchard Castle through St John’s Valley to St John’s Well where there used to be a ford across the path to Beggars Pound. Down the hill into Beggars Pound can be found Beggar’s Roost, Brook Cottage and the old police station.  The stream carries on past the Old Chapel towards Castleton.  Turn left at the crossroad and you find Beggars Pound Cottage and Sunnyside (previously cottages) before you rejoin the road to Cowbridge.  Straight on takes you past the Old Chapel to Castleton. Turning right takes you to the Four Bells public house.

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