Ewenny Priory

If you’re taking a trip out of Cardiff to explore the surrounding towns, villages and countryside across the Vale of Glamorgan, it’s well worth visiting this impressive Norman monastic church on your travels.
Founded for Benedictine monks of Gloucester Abbey by the Norman lord of Glamorgan in the 12^th century, today the site is looked after by Cadw, the Welsh Assembly’s historic environment service (‘Cadw’ means ‘to keep’ in Welsh).
It is unusual because it sits within a fortified perimeter wall, much of which is still standing, and it is regarded as the most complete Norman Church in South Wales.
The priory was later converted into a private house, but the nave is still in use as a Parish church, and restoration work has been carried out by Cadw there fairly recently. At the eastern end of the church you can see tombs containing the de Londres family (the family of the Norman lord who founded the place).
It can be found just off the road leading from Bridgend to Llantwit Major. When you enter the churchyard, look out for the magnificent big Yew tree standing outside — some experts say this type of tree was planted in graveyards to represent immortality and resurrection.

If you’re into your monastic history, then this is the place to come! This is an impressive Norman priory founded by Benedictine monks in the 12^th century.
The priory itself is now a private house and is set within a fortified perimeter wall, which is huge and looming, and quite a feat of architecture in itself. But the church is still used today and open to the public most of the year.
But the reason you come here, I would say, is the same reason one might visit a cathedral: there is a certain air of calm and tranquillity wrapped up in tradition and wonderful architecture. When light streams into the church, it can be breathtakingly beautiful in that quiet kind of way.
This is quite a quiet spot where parking is easy and picnicking even more so. A good place to bring studious children, grandparents or people with a keen interest in the historical or religious.