Coastwatch station, Porthcawl, Bridgend County Borough

Details

Accessibility

Brief description

2023: "Situated in the South Wales coastal resort of Porthcawl at the eastern end of the Esplanade, Porthcawl NCI Station is located in the old Victorian Pilot Lookout Tower built in 1870, and is a Grade 2 listed building, adjacent to the RNLI Station. We overlook the Bristol Channel almost opposite Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon, some 15+ miles away. Our field of view stretches east up to Nash Point on the Welsh side of the Channel, over to Minehead and down to Ilfracombe in the west. The lookout has been refurbished with grant funding from the Townscape Heritage Initiative, by Bridgend County Borough Council and the full support of Porthcawl Town Council. The lookout was in use during both the First and Second World Wars and has been used for various activities between those conflicts up until the 1960’s.

Porthcawl is a popular destination all year round, with visitors from all over the world for the surfing and the ‘Elvis’ Festival. The harbour has recently been refurbished with lock gates and moorings for some 70 boats, ensuring an increase in marine traffic. There are also several beaches in view of the lookout. The increase in coastal leisure users from swimmers, surfers, kitesurfers, walkers and fishermen, plus the high tidal ranges in the Bristol Channel, means that the maritime rescue and emergency services are kept busy.

Visitor Policy:

At the present time the lookout is open every day - and visitors would normally be most welcome – although when an incident is on-going this may not always be convenient and the duty watchkeepers may ask that visitors call back later. You may even see a lifeboat launch and recovery at this time, from just behind the lookout.

Access:

Access to the lookout is via the Esplanade. With a plentiful mix of free and paid parking, coffee shops, restaurants and other amenities and the Town Centre adjacent to the Esplanade, all visitors can easily access most areas, including the lookout."

Address

The Old Look Out Tower

Eastern Promenade

Porthcawl

Bridgend

CF36 3YR

Email

porthcawl@nci.org.uk

Phone

01656 782936

Website

https://nci.org.uk/stations/porthcawl

Directions

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

See https://nci.org.uk/stations/porthcawl

Transport

Amenities