Studying a Contrasting Locality - Porthcawl

1. Studying a Contrasting Locality - Porthcawl 12 4 20 15 11 9 5 8 19 21 3 10 6 13 22 25 14 2 7 23 1 17 24 16 18

2. Promenade This picture shows the sea front at Porthcawl. This is the main road through the area. Return to map How does this compare with your nearest main road? What are the main differences?

3. Shopping This is a typical seaside shop. Return to map Do your local shops sell similar things? What different goods can you see? Make a list of the seaside goods on sale.

4. Coney Beach Amusement Park This is one of Porthcawl’s main summer attractions, and one of its oldest. It has a variety of rides and amusements including “The Megablitz” rollercoaster ride which was opened in 1996. The fairground is fun for children of all ages. Return to map Do you have similar leisure facilities in your area?

5. Band Stand This band stand feature in the centre of the town often attracts local musicians and street buskers. It provides a shaded seating area for people to watch the crowds go by. Return to map

6. Town Centre This picture shows part of the town centre shopping area. Look at the architecture of the buildings giving clues as to their age. Return to map Research into the styles of buildings to find the approximate age. How old do you think these buildings are?

7. Town Centre (2) This is another view of the town centre. Note the absence of traffic and the cobbled stones on the roadway. This is further evidence of the financial investment to upgrade the town centre. Return to map

8. Trecco Bay Caravan Park This is part of the Trecco Bay Holiday Park; home to hundreds of caravans. It is the largest caravan park in Europe. It is a complete resort in its own right and includes shops, play areas, swimming pool, go-kart track and many more facilities. Return to map Apart from the many visitors to the camp and regular holiday home owners, in which ways would you expect this area of Porthcawl to be of a big economic significance?

9. Entertainment Complex This is part of the entertainment complex and car parking facility at Trecco Bay. Return to map

10. Trecco Bay These buildings house some of the attractions and amenities at Trecco Bay Caravan Park. Return to map

11. Porthcawl Fire Station This is the fire station at Porthcawl. Return to map Do you have a fire station close to your school? Research into the catchment area of the fire station. How big an area do they serve?

12. Services The ambulance station is located next to the fire station. Return to map

13. Schools This is one of the local primary schools in Porthcawl. Return to map Look at the brick work and layout. Is this a modern or an older style building? How does it compare with your school?

14. Hotels There are several hotels along the Esplanade with grand views overlooking the sea. Porthcawl used to be South Wales’ most popular seaside resort and as a result many hotels were built. The photograph shows the Seabank Hotel – one of Porthcawl’s favourite wedding and party venues. Return to map

15. Entertainment The Grand Pavillion is situated on the Esplanade facing the sea. It is a theatre venue and staging for an assortment of entertainment, concerts, shows, pantomimes and eisteddfodau throughout the year. Return to map

16. The Seaside One of Porthcawl’s main attractions in the summer is the beach. This picture shows that the natural shale beaches and rocks attracts visitors as well as the sandy beaches. Return to map

17. Porthcawl Lifeboat This is Porthcawl’s inshore lifeboat. The lifeboat has a long history of sea rescues off the rugged coast nearby. Return to map Detailed information about these rescue missions can be found on the Porthcawl Lifeboat Station web site.

18. Porthcawl Harbour During the early 19th century Porthcawl used to be a busy coal exporting port. Later it suffered competition from Port Talbot and Barry, both of which had more accessible and deeper harbours. Porthcawl Docks were closed in 1907 and the inner harbour filledduring the 1920’s. However, the town still has a small harbour. Return to map What type of boats can you see? What does this tell us about the uses of the harbour?

19. Porthcawl Lighthouse The lighthouse was built because the coastline near Porthcawl can be very treacherous for shipping. Part of the lighthouse can be seen in the distance in this photograph. Return to map What type of leisure activity is taking place in the area shown in this photograph?

20. Fairground Return to map During the holiday months many people enjoy the attractions of the fairground.

21. Green Areas Return to map Griffin Park situated next to Coney Beach Amusement Park offers a green area for people to enjoy. Mini golf and a play area can be found along the road from the fairground.

22. Fairground (Aerial Photograph) Return to map This photograph shows an aerial view of Coney Beach Amusement Park.

23. Sandy Bay and Harbour (Aerial) Return to map This photograph shows Sandy Bay beach, the fairground and Porthcawl harbour.

24. Harbour and Esplanade (Aerial) Return to map This photograph shows an aerial view of the harbour, lifeboat station and the Esplanade.

25. The Sea Front (from the air) Return to map This photograph shows the Esplanade, the sea front and much of the town of Porthcawl.

26. Caravan Park (from the air) Return to map This photograph shows Trecco Bay Caravan Park in the distance. What other features can you identify?