Forage café near Cowbridge is the perfect starting point for exploring Penllyn Estate, offering five walks of varying distance and difficulty through the estate and surrounding countryside. On a glorious autumn day, the route was full of discoveries that would delight children: hens clucking around the farm, horses watching from the fields, sheep dotted across the hills and a neighbouring field of pumpkins glowing orange against the landscape.
Walk Details and Terrain
The walk is suitable for young children, though not for a buggy due to uneven and muddy sections. It wasn't too strenuous for little ones, and the muddy puddles and squelchy paths were probably half the fun. Boots or wellies are recommended, especially after rain.
Heading into the tiny village of Penllyn, the route passes The Fox, a cosy, quaint village pub full of character, ideal for a rainy Sunday afternoon. It immediately went onto the list for a future Sunday lunch.
Perfect Day Out in Penllyn
The ideal Penllyn day would start with coffee and one of Forage's delicious cakes, followed by a wander through the estate, lunch at The Fox, and then back to Forage for children to burn off energy in the playground. There's also lots of lovely local produce to browse and buy at the café.
The castle itself is currently closed off, but that didn't stop enjoyment of the surrounding estate. It is described as a Norman-style country house built by Robert Fitzhamon in 1135 and reportedly attacked by Owain Glyndwr. In 2005, the semi-derelict castle's stable block and manor house were used as a location for Doctor Who, and in 2018 it was sold to a couple with a view to restoring it to its former glory and using it as a family home.
Final Thoughts
Even though the castle is closed off, there's plenty to explore, and on a crisp autumn day with trees changing colour and countryside stretching out around, it really is beautiful. The only niggle was signposting; more signs along the way would make the walks easier to follow, as there were moments of uncertainty about direction, leading to a road that probably shouldn't have been taken.
Aside from that, this was exactly the kind of autumn day out loved—fresh air, muddy boots, animals, pumpkins, cake and a gorgeous little pub thrown into the mix. One to save for a sunny autumn morning when fancying getting out and exploring somewhere a little different.
