Welsh Family History Archive

Images of Wales

Porthcawl
Glamorgan

Photography by John Ball - 27 July 1999
(scanned from colour prints taken with a Sigma SA-300 35mm single lens reflex camera)

Porthcawl is a popular holiday resort situated on a low rocky promontary on the northern shores of the Bristol Channel, midway between Cardiff and Swansea. While sheltered from north and east winds by the neighbouring hills, it is open to the warmer westerly breezes of the Atlantic. Porthcawl is especially proud of its sea-front, captured below on a hot and sunny afternoon in late July.

Above: Looking eastwards along the south-west facing Esplanade.
The low tide reveals the rocky shore.

Above: The handsome Grand Pavilion on the Esplanade, where first-class
entertainment is staged throughout the season.

Above: Enjoying the sunshine on the Esplanade, once described in holiday brochures as
"...a gay and popular rendezvous for holiday-makers".

Above: Pietro's Coffee and Ice Cream Parlour.

Above: A mobile ice cream seller heads along the Esplanade.

Above: Looking westwards along the Esplanade; the glistening dome of
the Grand Pavilion is just visible on the right.