Places to Visit: Kenfig Nature Reserve

Kenfig National Nature Reserve is a huge coastal dune system near Porthcawl in Glamorgan, South Wales. The nature reserve has a 3 mile storm beach, rolling dunes and a mosaic of wetlands including Kenfig Pool which is the largest natural lake in South Wales. The reserve hosts a number of species and some very rare and endangered plant life.

Dunlin taken at the edge of Kenfig Pool

It can be noted for having a wide variety of bird visitors because of the variety of environments found in the reserve. In the winter birds such as the Meadow Pipit, Stonechat and Merlin can be found as well as the Hen Harrier and the Short-eared Owl. In the summer Whitethroats, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Willow Warblers are very numerous in the sand dune areas.


It has a 70 acre freshwater lake making it the largest natural lake in South Wales it is mainly rainfall fed and therefore unpolluted. The water is relatively low in nutrients and these lack of nutrients makes conditions difficult for algae to grow and the water remains clear with these conditions many of the plants that grow in the lake are rare.

How to get there: Kenfig on Streetmap

External Links:
Official Site
Bridgend Site