Llantwit Major
Llantwit Major is a small seaside town and community in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, resting on the Bristol Channel coastline. It is one of four towns in the Vale of Glamorgan and the 3rd largest by population (13,366 (2001) after Barry and Penarth. The town's name in Welsh, Llanilltud Fawr, is derived from the name of Saint Illtud, who arrived at the area from Brittany, Gaul. He started the monastery of Illtud and the college connected to it, Cor Tewdws, which would grow into one of the most renowned Christian schools of the times. At peak it pulled in over 2000 students, including princes and several eminent clergymen, some now revered as saints. The modern-day town of Llantwit developed swiftly in the 20th century to accommodate Royal Air Force personnel from the base constructed at neighboring St Athan, however it preserves its medieval cobbled streets and structures of the 15th and 16th centuries. Collugh Beach is a popular surfing location and has the remnants of an Iron Age fort and a few of the finest examples of Jurassic-period fossils in Wales. The pebble beach and its impressive clifftops are part of a 14 miles (23 kilometre)-long coastline protected under the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, which stretches from Gileston in the east to Newton Point beyond Southerndown in the west. Llantwit Major is mostly dependent on regional retail and earnings from more afield. The bulk of the residents commute to work elsewhere, especially Cardiff or Bridgend. Through the summer months tourism is necessary to the town which has "The Precinct", Rainbow Plaza and several clubs and eateries. Of note are the Old Swan Inn, Old White Hart Inn, The Tudor Tavern, and the 17th century West House Country Hotel Heritage Restaurant. For all your home enhancements, make certain to identify trusted experts in Llantwit Major to make certain of quality.