Porthcawl is a town of population around 16,000 on the South Wales coast in the county borough of Bridgend, traditional county of Glamorgan.
Originally built as a port to transport coal from the valley mines, it became a popular holiday resort. It has an extensive promenade and several beaches: a tourist-oriented beach at Trecco Bay, at the east end of the town, a blue flag beach at Rest Bay, which lies to the northwest of the town, and a tarmac-covered beach in front of the promenade. There are many hotels and B&Bs and a funfair. Four rocky points line the shore: Hutchwns Point, Porthcawl Point (on which a lighthouse is situated), Rhych Point and Newton Point. Districts within the town include Nottage to the north, and Newton, to the east.
The Grand Pavilion was built during the 1930s and has a seating capacity of 635. It is the venue for popular shows, including the annual pantomime, one of the most popular in Wales. The singer, actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson once performed at the Pavilion.
The town has over recent years become famous for its annual Christmas Day swim. Swimmers brave the cold sea temperatures to raise money for local good causes. The event takes place at 11am every Christmas Day morning and attracts thousands of spectators and sponsors.
It also has an Elvis festival every year which attracts Elvis impersonators from around the world for a weekend in September