Creative Rural Communities is Inspiring The Vale

Projects - Tourism Projects

Boosting Tourism in the Vale

Bloom Time for Cowbridge Physic Garden

An ambitious and unique restoration and tourism project which aims to attract a substantial number of tourists to Cowbridge received a grant of £140,000. The money has been used towards the development of a derelict garden in the centre of the town into a Physic Garden.

Cowbridge Physic Garden

'Tremendous' improvements to Visitor Centre

Visitors and parties of schoolchildren are reaping the benefits of improvements to the Vale’s Heritage Coast Visitor Centre at Southerndown. Support from Creative Rural Communities helped fund new picnic benches and a range of new geology leaflets which are proving particularly popular with school parties. New kissing gates have made walks more accessible. Paul Dunn, Head Ranger, said, "The centre was in desperate need of refurbishment. Visitors have commented on how nice our facilities are and new information boards and leaflets have helped tremendously."

Vibrant Vale

Music Festivals with Creative Rural Communities

Support has been given to a number of lively festivals and events in the rural Vale, including Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival and the annual Beyond the Border international story-telling festival at St Donats Arts Centre. Cowbridge Jazz festival and Llantwit Major Summer Sounds, both new festivals, received financial support in 2006 and 2007.

Cowbridge Good and Drink
Llantwit Major Smile
Beyond The Border

Brown Signs Boost Tourism

Vale visitor attractions and tourism providers have reported increased business since hundreds of 'brown signs' were installed as a joint project between Creative Rural Communities and the Vale Council. Around the rural Vale, 47 businesses and attractions have been signposted. Sally Bagstaff, owner of The Curriers B&B in Llantwit Major said: “The brown signs have certainly helped to increase the occupancy in our B&B. They, of course, help visitors looking for somewhere to stay and assist in guiding pre-booked guests to our door. They also help to promote our Guest House in the local area. We are delighted with the result and I am sure that all accommodation providers, as well as restaurants, pubs and visitor attractions will have benefited from them, with increased trade."

Showing the Way

In Cowbridge, new ‘fingerposts’ have been erected to direct visitors to sites of interest in and around the town, and as part of another project, a new town sign has been provided. Llantwit Major now also has a new town sign, and 68 new Village Nameplates have been installed, benefiting 49 communities.

Walk, Rest and Stay

Funds have supported a Vale Trail Improvement Scheme, delivered by Valeways. New stiles have been provided along three walks within the rural Vale, the footpaths have been cleared and brochures have been provided. Walkers can also now take a well-earned rest and linger to enjoy the views from 10 custom-made benches which have been installed along the coast at Ogmore by Sea.