If you want to take a break from the daily stresses of life, you’ve come to the right place. The Bryngarw estate was developed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries by members of the Traherne family as a place of beauty and relaxation. It has the same purpose today, but now it’s a park for everyone to enjoy. It plays an important ecological role too, being home to a diverse range of flora and fauna living in a mosaic of natural habitats.
Run by Awen Cultural Trust in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council, Bryngarw Country Park has benefitted from the addition of some excellent facilities over the years, most recently an improved visitor centre that includes a café, interactive displays about the park, a storytelling den and more.
Our park rangers can help you get the most out of a visit, and we offer a year-round programme of activities featuring everything from open air theatre to guided walks. There are plenty of educational opportunities too, from ‘bird bingo’, nature trails and pond dipping to ranger-led group activities.
Whether you want to hit the woodland trails on your bicycle, spot some amazing wildlife or simply enjoy the peace and stillness of our Oriental Garden, a visit to Bryngarw Country Park will recharge you and help you connect with nature.
Discovery Gateway
Bryngarw Country Park is one of 12 Discovery Gateway sites designated by Welsh Government as part of the Valleys Regional Park initiative (VRP). The aim of the initiative is to recognise and maximise the potential of the natural and cultural heritage of the South Wales valleys. Welsh Government, through its VRP programme, has worked with Awen Cultural Trust to invest almost £750,000 in the infrastructure of the park, to improve the visitor experience and enhance our educational offer to even more schools and groups.
Our History
The Bryngarw estate, with its beautiful house, formal gardens and picturesque lake, has a rich history dating back hundreds of years. It used to be part of a much larger estate, known as the Coytrahen Estate, which included Coytrahen House and grounds, as well as numerous other pockets of land around Glamorgan.
Y Tîm
Adam Davies - Country Park Manager
After leaving a career in the automotive industry, I followed my heart and passion for nature and took the step into environmental conservation and habitat management. My new journey started with lots of hours volunteering in various locations across Wales, and over the past 5 years I've worked as a Park Ranger, Park Supervisor and now, Bryngarw Country Park Manager. I'm incredibly lucky to wake up every day and feel excited about going to work and taking on the challenges that each day brings. I'm extremely passionate about enhancing biodiversity in our native green spaces and strive to inspire the next generation to look after special places like Bryngarw Country Park. Volunteering is also close to my heart, and I love seeing the multiple benefits that working outdoors in nature can bring people. I have a special interest in Bushcraft, primitive technologies and wild food foraging and have attended many courses on the subject. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and watching sports, I have a particular interest in American Football and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Carys Whiteside - Country Park Supervisor
I have a degree in Zoology with Conservation from Bangor University and a postgraduate degree in Environmental Biology: Conservation & Resource Management from Swansea University. I started my career as a reserve intern at WWT Llanelli in 2016, and eventually worked my way up to the role of Reserve Manager, where I led various conservation management initiatives and conducted wildlife surveys. I also spent four years working at a Local Environmental Record Centre where I gained experience in biological data recording, GIS mapping, and social media engagement. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the outdoors with my two dogs, travelling, seeing live music and listening to podcasts.
Ewan Drummond - Country Park Ranger
I am passionate about nature and the outdoors and have spent time traveling and living overseas. I lived in New Zealand for several years and while over there, I was able to hike up mountains, glaciers, and volcanoes. In addition to that, I traveled around Southeast Asia, where I obtained my Padi Open Water Certificate and got to explore coral reefs and see the amazing wildlife they have to offer. These experiences sparked my interest in conservation and eventually, the pursuit of a career in this field. I was previously a Park and Heritage Warden for Merthyr County Borough Council, promoting habitat management and biodiversity, working with schools, volunteer groups, and the local community. I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring the outdoors together, along with our two dogs. I am very enthusiastic about sport and live music, and last but certainly not least, food, and trying a variety of cuisines from different cultures.