Steam&Slate
The cliffs and pebble beach at Llantwit Major on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast

Llantwit Major

Llanilltud Fawr

An ancient town of saints, beside the heritage coast.

Photo: Dominic Nelson / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Llantwit Major claims one of the earliest centres of learning in Britain — a monastic school founded by St Illtud in the fifth century — and keeps a remarkable early-medieval church full of carved Celtic crosses. It sits right on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, with a dramatic rocky beach below the town.

CountyVale of Glamorgan
Best seasonThe least seasonal region

Staying near Llantwit Major

The pick of the heritage-coast bases, combining real history with a beach and cliff walks on the doorstep, and Cowbridge and Cardiff both close.

What's here

The Church of St Illtud and its Celtic crosses; the medieval town centre; Llantwit Major beach and the striped cliffs of the heritage coast; and the coast path to Nash Point and St Donats.

When to visit

Late spring to early autumn for the beach and cliffs; the town and church are a year-round draw.

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Common questions

Why is Llantwit Major historically important?

Llantwit Major is the site of a monastic school founded by St Illtud around the fifth century, often described as one of the earliest centres of learning in Britain. Its Church of St Illtud holds an outstanding collection of early-medieval Celtic carved stones and crosses.

What is the Glamorgan Heritage Coast?

The Glamorgan Heritage Coast is a protected stretch of striped Jurassic limestone cliffs and rocky beaches running west from Barry, taking in Llantwit Major, Nash Point and Southerndown. It offers dramatic clifftop walking within easy reach of Cardiff.

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