The Bear: What To Do - Town & Country Collective

Things to do in and around the bear

We want you to have the best time while you’re with us and we’re in a fabulous location with something for everyone. So why not make some plans for a stay to remember?

With us

Eat and drink really well!

Relax over drinks and food in our bars or restaurant – a great wine list, local gin and real ales. Cosy or cool but always relaxed, you can take your pick from our traditional Lounge Bar, lively and dog-friendly Grill Bar or Hafdy (Summer House), our covered courtyard space that’s particularly perfect for a cocktail or two. From light bites and lunches to a la carte dining with food available from noon and right through the evening, there’s something for every appetite and every time of day.

Enjoy a fantastic breakfast just across the road in our Penny Farthing – everything from pancakes to a full English and everything in between. It’s also brilliant for lunch, cakes and afternoon tea. Our Sunday roast is really popular – lots of choice, local meat and vegetables and as much gravy as you’d like – so we’d recommend you book.

It’s also worth exploring our history while you’re here – there are lots of special places to discover around the hotel from mediaeval crests to our restaurant where Napoleon was held captive! Mostly people just find their favourite spot – by the fire, at the bar or in a comfy sofa.

With us

For the children

There’s plenty of variety on the Little Bear Cubs menu and an activity pack including a copy of the children’s classic ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’ plus our very own Bear Hunt, which takes them around the various nooks and crannies of The Bear. And you’re welcome to borrow one of our family board games, available from Reception.

And If you're bringing the dog...

They’re as welcome as you are and get their own welcome pack, too, with some homemade dog treats, plus a toy, their own upcycled blanket and towel, poo bags and a water bowl for your room. They are welcome to join you in the bar or in our outside bar and restaurant, too. There are loads of really good walks locally and lots of dog-friendly shops and some pubs too on the High Street (see below for more dog-friendly ideas).

On the doorstep - and not far

Shop

We’re right on the High Street, where there are lots of independent boutiques and interesting shops from delis to designer and high street fashion, gift shops and so on. Cardiff’s just half an hour away with its award-winning shopping centre, array of independent shops in beautiful Victorian arcades and iconic indoor market for shoppers and foodies alike.

Eat & Drink

Being on the High Street means there are lots of other foodie places to explore within walking distance. Not just cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants, but also places to visit. Every Saturday there’s the Farmers Market, there are a couple of local vineyards - St Hilary Vineyard and Glyndwr Vineyard.

On the doorstep - and not far

Walk

You’re in a great location for amazing town, coast and country walks, here. You’ve got the pick of every type of beach along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast within a half-hour drive. Everyone has their favourite but Southerndown and Ogmore are popular and Monknash (also called Cwm Nash) is pretty special – accessible only on foot, though, but with an interesting path down to it and a great 14th Century pub near the car park - The Plough and Harrow - so you can take a break afterwards. (They serve food, too and are dog-friendly). For history (and warm welshcakes) as well as beach, take a walk at Nash Point Beach and Lighthouse, around 20 minutes’ drive away.

If you’d prefer a country walk, the National Trust’s Lanlay Meadows are beautiful hay meadows with a community orchard and lots of wild flowers and veteran trees. And, if you want it all in one place, Porthkerry Country Park in nearby Barry has 220 acres of woods and meadows as well as a pebble beach and spectacular cliffs. It has picnic and play areas and nature trails, too.

For more suggestions, take a look through the Ten Vale Trails.

On the doorstep - and not far

With the children

Right on the doorstep we have a lovely small play park set just off the High Street and a duckpond off North Road, near our car park – ask for directions at Reception. Or you can explore the best pram-friendly trails in the Vale with the little ones or, just15 minutes’ drive along the A48, pop along to Warren Mill Farm Park where your little ones can meet smaller and larger farm animals. Remember to take cash as they don’t take card payments.

You can also visit the Amelia Trust Farm and Donkey Sanctuary in Barry – even with a dog if they are on a lead – where there are animals, a woodland trail and play area to keep your little ones busy.

Forage Farm Shop is much more than that, with great food as well as events and a big children’s play area – all just five minutes’ drive away. For a totally unique experience within half an hour’s drive visit the Royal Mint at Llantrisant.

For a day at the beach, why not try beautiful Barry Island? Rent one of the multi-coloured beach huts at Whitmore Bay, take a break at Marco’s, as seen in Gavin and Stacey, visit the amusement arcades, play mini golf or try the beachside rides.

St Fagans National Museum of History is a really great day out with the children. Set in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, on our west side of Cardiff, are translocated historic buildings from all over Wales, including farmhouses and cottages, a bakery, a chapel, a school, a church, shops, a forge, a tannery, a pottery and, new for 2024, a pub! And entry is free for everyone – with dogs welcome on a lead (although not inside the buildings).

On the doorstep - and not far

With the dog(s)

The Vale is the ideal place to holiday with dogs as there are great walks, places to eat and shop and visit where they are welcome. Paws in the Vale is an excellent source of information on all things dog-friendly and have a handy list of year-round dog-friendly beaches, too.

Wherever you choose to go off exploring for the day, we can provide you with a Welsh afternoon tea picnic – just let Reception know by 5pm the day before. And, if it’s the ideal picnic location you’re after, we can help with that, too.

On the doorstep - and not far

Gardens, Heritage & Culture

Cowbridge has its own Blue Plaque Trail which you can start at our doorstep and there is also one for Llantwit Major, just a 15-minute drive away.

Also right here in Cowbridge is the RHS award-winning Physic Garden and our Old Hall Gardens. Within 20 minutes’ drive you can explore the National Trust’s Edwardian Dyffryn Gardens and the nearby neolithic Tinkinswood and St Lythans Chambered Tombs. With Wales having more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world, there are historic sites and castles galore within easy reach.

If you’re interested in the local myths and legends, we’d highly recommend downloading the Vale Tales app and listening to local C18th poet, Iolo Morgannwg tell you all about them as you visit.

If your tastes are a bit more contemporary, you can book the popular Gavin & Stacey Tour around nearby Barry or one of Cardiff’s Doctor Who tours.

On the doorstep - and not far

Golf

There are lots of golf courses to explore near us, from 20 minutes away at Cottrell Park, to next to the sea at Southerndown or further afield at Royal Porthcawl.

On the doorstep - and not far

Activity & Adrenaline

If you want something a bit more active, karting at Llandow circuit or paintballing, laser tag and more at Penllyn are each just ten minutes’ drive away. For the really adventurous there’s Zip World Tower an hour away - or why not tackle south Wales’s highest mountain – Pen-y-Fan – an hour and a quarter away in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park (just be sure to choose the route that’s right for you – some are harder than others!). A little further afield (an hour by car), unleash your inner adrenaline junkie at Zip Tower.

Fun Fact

Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins went to school in Cowbridge and TV personality Anneka Rice was born here.

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