your comments
We're making some changes to the sites shortly and although this form will be closing, you will have other opportunities to contribute on our new-look site.
Lorna from Hong Kong
I will try and describe the magic you will feel visiting this enchanted place. No film director, special effects team or novelist has been able to capture the magic of Sker and any attempt I'm sure will fall short. I can remember knee high, swirling mists and brambles scratching my knees as I ran away from goblins hidden in the dunes. In an age where computers rule our kids lives, take them to Sker and watch your childrens imaginations run wild. the best things in life are truly free! Lorna Nott,
Pen-y-bryn 1986-1990.
Gaynor Ball, Kenfig Hill
I love Kenfig. All my childhood memories are here - camping on the beach, horse riding over the dunes, midnight walks with boyfriends!!! Now I have a dog and still enjoy the dunes every day. To Rhys John Emmanuel, my dad was born in Pontrhydyfen also. He knew your family and the Jenkins. He lived in Penhydd street and his surname was Edwards. His family were also Thomas and were heads of the local school. I'm glad you love Kenfig too.
Anna Wintle from Cefn Cribwr aged 10
It's a very nice place to walk a dog and for children to run down the dunes. My favourite is feeding the swans. Its the best place to be in the summer!!!
Steve Evans, Bridgend
In reply to Johns suggestion that more "doggie bins" ought to be placed around the site,it is worth remembering that Kenfig is a European designated SAC site. To place an indeterminate number of doggie bins all over the site would not be the answer... There are two motto's that are well suited to Kenfig, the first is leave nothing but footprints and take home nothing but memories. The second motto is by all means bring the dog but take the dog and its **** home !
LesleyAnne Marke, London
Very fond memories of Kenfig and the dunes. Daily walks, in the summer months, with my sisters to the beach. You could feel the history of the place as you walked, all around you. As a child though, I always felt there were ghosts and spirits watching me walk and if I am honest, I still have that feeling today. When I am home from the smokey city, Kenfig is the first place I head. So many lovely juicy blackberries and wonderful fresh air. I love the fact that from a child, to today (40 plus years) it remains relatively unchanged. Yes the toilets are old and smelly, but I hope they are there forever. Compared to London, where you do not even know the name of your neighbour, everyone I pass smiles and says 'hello'. My favorite sound, definitely the sky lark ascending on a summer's day. I have never been to the Prince of Wales pub, as I heard so many ghostly stories about it when I was a child. Maybe I will give it a go next time I'm home.
David Carrington, Nature Reserve Manager
Flos, there never was a village under Kenfig Pool, the story of a storm drowning the village is a myth. However, the village of Kenfig on the north-east of the site was abandoned during Mediaeval times due to sand encroachment and the population moved to Kenfig Hill. What is left of the village is under the sand and protected as a scheduled ancient monument. Ruins of the castle are all that can be seen today. Have a look at the Kenfig Society's website to learn more about the area's fascinating history - www.kenfigsociety.supanet.com
John. Bridgend
Looking at this site reminds me of a great holiday spent by the pool in the late 60s. Staying with relatives in Aberkenfig we went there to escape the crowds in Porthcawl. We loved it down here so much we moved here from London. As for the vexed question of dog fouling, and as the owner [responsible] of three dogs, can I plead for the Authorities running the reserve to put in some bins. On a recent visit to the New Forest I noticed how many "doggie" bins there were and how well they were used. Nobody had to carry small messages very far ,so the area was very clean,and there were no plastic flags in the trees and bushes. We are so lucky to have places like The Dunes and Parc Slip to see the flaura and fauna within a few minutes drive of Bridgend.
Markaeologist
I can trace my family in Kenfig for 500 years. It is a national treasure. I am so proud to be part of its continuing history. My great-great grandparents used to run the Prince Of Wales pub and my Grandfather was born there. Please visit the pub, have a pint and celebrate its future as well as its past!
Val Albin from Gloucester & now Kent
Spent many happy holidays as a child in Cefn, Kenfig Hill and Pyle. We used to walk to the Angel pub sometimes but I don't know Kenfig Pool as well as I would like. This area is 'home' even though I have never lived there! Lucky old Huw from Kenfig Hill to walk there everyday! I have a sneaky feeling we may even be related! Let's keep working to save such a natural and national treasures!
Floss, Bridgend
How did the village and castle at Kenfig Pool get to be flooded and gone? And does the spire of the castle stick out of the water??
Floss from Pyle/Bridgend
My nan and bampa used to say that there was a town under the pool, and a pike. I believed them until I was 7 years old and then I stopped believing. I can't believe it is true! I don't know about the pike though!
Wayne from Cornelly
My memories of the pool in late sixties and seventies are so clear. We used to walk up through Mawdlam, stop in the old post office for our drinks and sweets then get to Kenfig pool for the day. What an adventure.
Wayne from Cornelly
My memories of the pool in late sixties and seventies are so clear. We used to walk up through Nawdlam, stop in the old post office for our drinks and sweets then get to Kenfig pool for the day. What an adventure.
Shaun from Bridgend
How the hell did that little village come to be covered over?
Keith Walters, Canada
Does anyone remember the Kenfig Pool Races that my father, Dave Walters of Heol Las at the time, organized back in the mid sixties? They started out on the playing fields off Heol Fach, went up past Maudlem Cross, into the dunes, around the pool and back to the playing fields. It was about seven miles the entire race, but road marathoners found it difficult, as did cross country lads. The combination of surfaces combined with the harshness of running the dunes and summer temperatures were really tough. I was always as a lad proud of Pop's accomplishments in trying to revive what was an ancient race. It was combined with a sponsored AAA meet in Cornelly.
Rhys John Emmanuel
I was born in Pontrhydyfen and some of my earliest memories are of my camping holidays at Kenfig in the late 1930s. We were quite a crowd with Grandparents and Uncle and Aunts and their separate families. The pool was not a reserve in those days and we enjoyed swimming there. I remember the shell of an old boat house and witnessed a failed attempt to revive a male swimmer who it was said had become tangled in weeds towards the western edge of the pool. We all camped in a field belonging to the Thomas’s and I recall spending many hours at the farm with Rhoddy Thomas and watch him hand milking. I have a few precious photographs of those days showing myself about 4 years old, my brother Ivor (later to become well known as a singer/actor) and our parents who we lost in an air-raid in 1941. I am delighted to read that the area is still enjoyed by so many but at the same time a bit sorry to hear of the misuse by some.
Gareth, Kenfig
I am the landlord of the Prince of Wales at Kenfig. It's over 500 years old and was the seat of government for the lost city of Kenfig. Come in and I will tell you the history and the legends behind one of the most beautiful places and give you a tour of the old medieval courthouse.
Caroline from Bridgend
Kenfig Pool, the sand dunes & Sker beach are absolutely beautiful places. I remember going there as a child many years ago. Now my husband and myself go most weekends with our dog & walk for miles over the dunes & down to the beach.
Del.Owen, Porthcawl
We brought our Pennsylvanian friends to see the Reserve and they were speechless. They'd never seen so much variety in such a small area and above all not fenced in and completely free! As for dog mess, it's the bags that people carelessly throw into the bushes that annoy me most. I enjoy walking my dog and dispose of mess in the bins or take it home! When I moved to Porthcawl from the North of Bridgend, I wanted to find somewhere close to home to walk that would rival the beauty I saw on Bryncethin Common. Kenfig surpasses it. Let's all strive to keep it wild and clean.
Mark, Cornelly
Great place to take the kids. Fantastic wildlife and breathtaking beauty. I'm so lucky to live just a few minutes away. Now for the negaives - irresponsible owners NOT cleaning up dog mess; it's a disgrace. The motorbikes are ruining the dunes - more fences needed in Water Street. Perverts in the carpark - nothing less than a good kicking should suffice.
Linda from Cardiff
I returned to my childhood summers! What a great pity to not see the vast stretches of sand and dunes that I remembered as a child 40 or so years ago, or is it that my memory plays tricks with me. Nonetheless, the area is truly sublime and peaceful. I must return soon.
Mike Doyle : Belfast
In my day (late 50's 60's) there were more cowboys and indians shot in the dunes than the sum total of Clint Eastwoods work. Also memorable was Kenfig pool freezing over(1963). I used to own a canoe and my mates and I had hours of fun in the summer months walking up through Mawdlam to the pool as if we were going on a Nile expedition. I really hope the area is treated as a national treasure and respected by everyone, as in this day and age places like Kenfig are few and far between. Look after what you've got, you will miss it if you don't.
Neil from Porthcawl
I visit nearly everyday and enjoy it immensely. Plenty of wild flowers and the rabbit population seems to be growing. A quiet walk is, however, increasingly spoiled by motor cyclists terrorising walkers and causing severe damage to paths. I can't remember the last time I saw a warden.
Steve Evans, Bridgend.
I am glad to read that Simon Thomas has discovered the unspoilt beauty of the site.
It seems obvious that he stands a better chance of finding treasure on the site rather than finding one of the many wardens. Had he had the good fortune to bump into one of the wardens then I am sure that if they were awake then they would have taken the time to explain to him that no metal detecting is allowed on the site !
Lets hope that his good fortune holds out,for it is not only the wardens that he needs to leave undisturbed because the site still contains a significant quantity of unexploded munitions that were left there by the american army when they left the site during the war.This problem was last highlighted back in 1998 when an unexploded anti tank mine was dug up on the golf course adjacent to the site.
So think first and dig carefully ! although on second thoughts a very loud bang might do a bit of good provided that it echoes around the reserve center.
Gordon Bennet, Cardiff
Brilliant views, too bad about the litter towards the beach.
Simon Thomas
As a succssessfull businessman i spend time unwinding on the dunes with my metal detector and dog, coco , i wish everyone would come and discover the unspoilt beauty of this treasure.
Steve Evans, Bridgend
Please, Please, Please someone in authority do something to save Kenfig ! This place is undoubtedly one of the jewels in the enviromental crown of South Wales.At the moment the footpaths are choked with dog mess, the dunes are over run with 4x4 vehicles and motorcycles and the visitor centre appears to be overstaffed with comatose wardens who seem to spend the winter months hibernating in the centre and the summer months joy riding in their landrover.It is public money that funds the running of the Kenfig Reserve and it is shameful to see the numbers of staff on site who are sat there doing next to nothing week after week while the site is being over run and ruined.If the present staff are unable to cope then put someone in who can .
Huw from Kenfig Hill
wonderful places and we are lucky to have them. I normally walk the dog there everyday in the summer and on weekends during the winter.
Hot summer days mean all day down on Sker beach with the family. Quite a walk but when you get there the beach is always empty.
It is well recommended.
amy from porthcawl
very nice place, lots of things to do and enjoy, and very nice beach to relax on !! the writers tht say bot the dog mess should think and read signs tht say DOG OWNERS PICK UP DOG MESS! take tht into mind hunnys !! i love sker and pink bay and i realy enjoy the walk !! i think every body should give it a go and see 4 them selfs ! !
Pauline from Birmingham
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do something about the dog mess on the paths. It means you spend more time watching where you walk than where you are walking!
Kelly Pothecary - Maesteg
Fabulous!!!! What a fantastic, well managed place.
Derek Rees from Cardiff
Kenfig. Still a magical place, that holds wonderful memories of summer days in the 50's and 60's spent bathing, fishing and building rafts on the pool, usually preceded by visits to old Mrs Harris' sweetshop near the bus stop. Strange goings on, even in those days, viz. our gang frightened by circle of pigs' heads sitting in a hollow out on the dunes. Recently persuaded my daughter to do her geography project here (wardens extremely helpful). Well, I needed another excuse to come back once again.
John R Jones from Warton, Preston, Lancashire
Kenfig, Sker and Pink Bay all hold memories for me as a child since they were all within walking distance (for a physically fit person) from where I lived in North Cornelly. Prior to the M4 being constructed nearby, there were short cuts via public footpaths across fields from Long Acre in North Cornelly along a stretch of Heol Broom to Heol Ton in Kenfig by the home of Mr Hare, then headmaster of Cornelly County Junior School. This was the regular shortcut for me in the late 60s and early to mid 70s when I was a child. It was a place of fascination for locals who had this so near for visiting, especially children.
Since then the M4 has ripped its way through part of the reserve and although the dunes are beautiful, it is nice to see how the area is being preserved although more communities are appearing in the neighbouring areas.
In those days as children we found plenty to do during daylight and would explore the countryside more rather than congregating in communities with nothing to do like what seems to be happening today. Doing this certainly helped stretch my imagination and developed a good sense of direction for getting around to see the scenery as well as appreciating the countryside more.
Although I was not born in Wales, and have not lived there for years now, whenever I am down as well as visiting friends I have to spend at least a day touring around. The only factor that is not a guarantee of a great day in the area is the weather since you need good weather to get a full appreciation of what there is, although I try not to let it stop me from enjoying myself. I like to see what has changed as well as seeing the more rural areas I have never been before. I will continue to do this until I am unable to and will always find somewhere to admire the scenery and relax.
Alan from Pyle
Never see wardens patrolling on foot, always in a Land Rover, not like it used to be. Motor bikes certainly need controlling, as they come and go as they please, and the activities in the south car park definitely ought to be stopped. This is indeed a 9 till 5 reserve.
Todd Tidball from Maesteg
Was great - really enjoyed it! Recommend it to all.
Pat Duxbury (nee Gillingham) - Pontypridd
We moved to North Cornelly, from Cardiff, when I was 10 years old. I remember Kenfig Pool as our mini 'seaside' that we could walk to from home (!). My brothers, sister and I spent many long 'picnic days'there, during the summer school holidays, with our Mother. On other trips, with friends, I learned how to dive into the water, from an upturned steel drum.
I went back recently to find it lovelier than ever . . . .
Carol from Aberkenfig
I carried out research on rabbit populations in Kenfig NNR for my Masters degree in 2001 and was involved in putting in some of the artificial burrows to encourage the rabbits to move into areas not before populated by them. Actually, the rabbit populations have increased considerably over the last few years and as stated by Dave the Reserves Manager from Kenfig NNR this has improved the management of the flower rich dunes. It is indeed a wonderful nature reserve with dedicated staff.
Kelvin Keane from Merthyr Tydfil
A great day out for all the family, and dogs are members of the family too. How anybody can be disappointed about the place is quite beyond me.
Thank you BBC for a great site.
Michael Aston Los Angeles
The dunes are a magical place. The pool and Castle ruins are a joy to my memory and I count myself as very fortunate to have spent my childhood there ( the 60's)... Ireturn occassionally and walk from my birthplace in north cornelly to Cynfigg and onto Sker via Sker House (haven't seen the remodel and I hope I'm not disappointed as I adored the ruins). I'd go onto Sker (which was ruined in the mid sixties by the robbery of the sands for the grotesque steel mill) from there to margam Park... Yes, indeed, athing of beauty is indeed a joy forever... Clean up sker beach tho;.-)
Pauline from Birmingham
A lovely place. I have been visiting for 28 years and still enjoy the dunes. I have now bought a caravan nearby and the summer time is so relaxing and calming.
Danny Ocean
A magical place, something special.
Tony from Kenfig Hill
The dunes, the pool, the walk to Sker...
that was my summer holidays as a youngster.
Now it is a place to go to not only
to remember past times but to relax
from today's pace.
I have been fortunate to be asked to
make two memorial benches for two
local families. I often go and sit
there and think what a wonderful
place these families have chosen, not
only for themselves but for all of us
to enjoy. I think we all need to stop
and think how lucky we are to have
this wonderful area to enjoy.
Dave from Kenfig
As Reserve Manager, may I first complement this site and thank the BBC for promoting the nature reserve. I would like to confirm that horse riding is allowed on the site though riders are required to stick to the way-marked routes. The two permissive bridle ways have recently been way marked with new posts and signs that lead riders towards Sker Beach.
The creation of rabbit burrows by staff at the reserve is not confined solely to the edge of a main path. In fact the burrows have been created at numerous locations on the site most of which are nowhere near paths. Although some of the rabbit project sites have not had the intended effect, the majority of them have. The project is a success with rabbits moving into areas not occupied for several decades - helping maintain dunes of flower-rich short turf.
The site has wardens at work seven days each week that will be willing to help whenever asked. If they are out on site when you call at the Reserve Centre, a mobile phone number is posted on the front door.
Neil from Mansfield
The dunes is a lovely place for walking, and loads of wild life, I am from North Cornelly, so i used to go there all the time. Kenfig Pool is nice to swam in it loads of times when younger. The dunes is a place where u can go and forget your problems - it's a different world over there.
Katherine from Cardiff
I thought the sand dunes were being protected in a very manageable way and I was impressed by the new rabbit burrows that have been built to try to get rabbits back from the golf course. Unfortunately all 92 of these burrows have been placed next to a regularly used footpath that goes through the reserve, so the project has proven unsuccessful. Otherwise I was pleased with the work done by wardens to try and conserve the area and hopefully Kenfig will be an attraction for visitors for many years to come.
Sammy Young from Cefn Cribwr aged 7
I love birds and am so lucky that my nanna can bring me here after school to see the swans. They also have some good things to do in the holidays like bug hunts and catching moths - I love it.
Jim Powell from New Zealand
So its a nature reserve now! Wonderful! I remember arriving there on a Summer's morning after an hour's drive in my parent's van, trudging over the dunes to the sea. Larks were in the air, we picked wild strawberries and chased rabbits. At that time there was still barbed wire from the war. The pools in the dunes were always warm, unfortunately too shallow to swim in. The surf always seemed to thunder on the beach. Waders pottered on the shoreline.
We were brought by my father who remembered wildfowling on Margam Marshes in the winter of 1947. Our walk back to the car would take in Sker House, then destined to be ruin.
Great to see it now preserved for the future.
Les from Gloucestershire
Visited last week for the first time. Didn't see a great deal but I imagine it must be fantastic in winter. Dog mess appears to be a real problem. Didn't see any dog bins around the pool, but plenty of evidence of the need.
Rhodri from Cardiff
A wildlife resource that is appreciated by visitors and locals alike, but underfunded by the council and often abused by dog owners and motorbikes - more resources bridgend cc please!
Phil from Porthcawl area
We are very lucky around here to have such a place on our doorstep. However just like some areas of Porthcawl town it needs a little financial input. At the end of the day it is a nature reserve & any 'developement' would defeat its purpose. However The demolishen of the existing toilets & their re-siting within a refurbished visitor centre may solve some well known local problems...also as Dai points out horse riding is, I believe, prohibited on this site. About time this was more vigourously enforced. I know that most riders go there outside of 'office hours' but surely an occasional visit by an out of hours warden with the authority to to impose a fine would be a good idea ?...Kenfig Reserve is beautiful & mostly tranquil place. Most visitors are considerate, most locals too, but there are a handful who need to be taught to respect where other people live & where other people enjoy.
Hannah, Cardiff
I found the same situation as Dai, very disappointing. A real waste of what should be a national treasure.
Will from Caerphilly
Very nice place full of wonderful wildlife - a great day out for the family.
Dai Lewis from Cardiff
A wonderful desolate place leading to a nice beach. Some drawbacks - the lavatories are old & need tlc and a good clean. Although horse riding is prohibited, lots of people do so totally ignoring the fact this is a reserve. Never a warden around to report this when you need one.
Thanks for all your comments - we're now inviting you to discuss Kenfig on our main message board.
