Ah the Rec! I went on so many sorry excuses for a school trip here I've lost count. It played a…read moremassive part in my childhood and teens and I've always spent a good portion of time here as an adult. They have skate parks both inside and outside at various points in the year and these have become a regular haunt for troubled teens, judging by the amount of graffiti knocking about. There's a decent park for smaller children which is pretty large and well equipped. The interior of the Rec is fairly old hat and dated nowadays but it's still got plenty on. It's pretty much the main hub of activity and fitness for the town. There's a swimming pool where pretty much everyone from my generation had a birthday party at some point. It's got a wave machine, large floats and a water slide which is pretty cool. There's a really well stocked gym with plenty of equipment and squash and badminton courts downstairs too, which can also be used as basketball courts and for football. There's a special oldies gym upstairs which is always popular. They also have a large function room which has been used for gigs, parties, competitions etc. There's a jacuzzi and a sauna which is a great place to chill out after a workout or a swim too. To get access to all these services you need a bridge card, or for certain things such as squash and badminton you can pay a one off fee providing no-ones pre-booked a court . A bridge card is £31 a month and it means you can book ahead. With that fee you can use most of the services for free and there's no annual contract either. You can also use it in most leisure centres in the area and use their services for free too. It's not a bad deal if you're going down there regularly but if not it can seem a bit expensive. It's a great local facility though and they used to put gigs on there every week for local bands, which is what made me fall in love with the place, as you were playing to at least two or three hundred people a week. Sadly they don't put many gigs on anymore but it's still an essential facility for the people of Bridgend.

Good facilities, massive fields area behind with rugby pitch, cricket pitches and athletics club…read more The rec doesnt have a fitness pool but its more of a family mess around pool with slides and waves machine. Never been to the gym here so cant comment on it. Sports hall is to a good standard. Lots of information available on upcoming events/courses, and staff are all to willing to explain and help you with anything.

Splashland is an indoor swimming pool situated inside the Trecco Bay holiday park…read more This is a fun pool, with most of the features mainly suiting children and families. It is very busy during the school holidays and summer. The pool operates on a timed slot basis, and you are given a coloured band which indicates the start and end time of your session. The pool has a decent waterslide, a children's pirate ship play area and a separate toddlers area. There is a jacuzzi type bubble area where you can sit/lie which is joined to the main pool. There are two swimming lanes - sometimes roped off and sometimes not - which are fine for some relaxing swimming - but due to the size and temparature (Very warm) of the pool they are not really suited to serious swimmers. You can sit and watch the swimmers in a seated area, and there is a good size changing village, including family size changing rooms. There are aqua aerobic classes available during the week.

a fantastic place to take the children,very reasonably priced,well maintained,plenty of lifeguard…read moresupervision,a very comfortable changing village. Great water slide and fun pool that includes a toddler end including slides, a pirate ship area for babies and toddlers,set seperate from the main pool. Main pool includes two swimming lanes for those keeping fit. reccomend to all!

Bridgend's emerald jewel, Newbridge Fields. A perfect place to sit back and listen to the thwock of…read morethe cricket ball, squinting at the dazzling white fielders lazily returning to their expectant positions. A place to enjoy a lovely summers day. OK, it's not always summer, but all year round the Fields host events, games, strolling, walking the dog, sitting, general activity, meetings, in a beautiful setting bound along their far edge by the gurgling River Ogmore, which curves its way round under the steep wooded slopes of its furthest shore. Watch out for leaping fish, herons and kingfishers along its banks. Walk from here all the way to the coast at Merthry Mawr, via the lovely Dipping Bridge ( http://www.qype.co.uk/place/1475439-The-Dipping-Bridge-Bridgend ) and the unasuming New Bridge ( http://www.qype.co.uk/place/2585907-New-Bridge-Bridgend?hide_related=true ). Not to be missed.

A superb fitness centre situated just of the main road. Has a big gym, excellent changing…read morefacilities, many sports gyms and a small cafe downstairs. Esporta also has a pool, jacuzzi and sauna present if you prefer to take a more relaxed attitude to fitness.

It is as good as it looks in the pics and there is more depth to this club than one might think…read more This is just not simply a Gym; there are additional classes (no extra cost) throughout the day and into the evening from anything from Yoga, Zumba, pilates to spin cycle and aerobics classes etc etc. its not cheap but it is good value if you take classes along with swimming and normal gym work. It has everything you could need. An example yoga it has six different yoga teachers at different times, styles and days the choice is exceptional I know because I go to most of the Yoga classes! BoaT

A spectacular view as you wend your way down Beach Road in Southerndown, down from the Three Golden…read moreCups pub, it opens right out across the Bristol Channel and then down the sheer cliff top to the beach below. A tentative gasp as you engage 1st gear to crawl down the incredibly steep hill to the little car park at the bottom - or if you prefer, park at the top and walk down (just remember you have to go back again!). The beach is pebbly and rocky at high tide but extends dramatically as the tide goes out, revealing golden sands and lovely rock pools on the exposed wave cut platform (remember that term from 3rd yr geography - not much else mind). Surfers love the place (westerly facing), sun worshippers and even fossil hunters too; the massive, domineering cliffs bounding the beach are full of dead creatures' imprints - just watch out for big lumps that fall off regularly. Behind the beach, steep undulating hills provide walking excursions and exploring and there are the ghostly ruins of Dunraven Castle up at the top to wander round (in a black cape would be best). Apparently a couple of the Dr Who episodes were filmed here too. Fantastic place - definitely recommended.

I wish I could say I came here to rock climb, but mainly I just visit Ogmore-by-Sea with my beloved…read moreand his two-year-old daughter (which explains the my photo of a stuffed cow on the grassy knoll). Even on cold, dreary days, you'll find surfers of all ages here. When the sun emerges, be prepared, as this beach gets crowded with picnickers and lovers walking hand in hand. This was my first excursion to a Welsh beach (I ignorantly thought all seafronts in the world were lined with soft sand), so it was a pleasant surprise to find jagged cliffs and smooth rocks in place of fine white grain. I think Ogmore is the ideal spot for a picnic, with spectacular views, ample car parking and pretty clean bathrooms for a beach spot (there was even soap and loo roll!). Be careful during certain times of the day, as the tide comes in much faster than you'd expect - we set up our blanket and within 15 minutes had to move it to back!

I grew up in Ogmore by Sea, and lived pretty much right on the beachfront until I was about 15…read more Stupidly, I've probably been to the beach here more in the 6 years since moving away than in the entire 15 years I lived there! This is one of the nicest and most popular beaches in the area, and one of the largest. When the tide's out there's plenty of space here and there's also some really interesting caves all along the front stretching down to Southerndown. These were used by the famous smugglers of the area. Their modus operandi would be to attach lanterns to the local sheep. Passing ships would then come in towards land and get wrecked on the many submerged rocks in the area. The smugglers would then loot the wreckages and store their various goods inside the caves. There are even rumours that when the smugglers' local tavern was demolished (on the banks of the River Ogmore) a concealed tunnel was found, stretching about a mile to Southerndown. They would use this to make a quick escape. There's plenty of history here and there are many more interesting stories emanating from the local area, adding further mystique to the beach itself. Quick word of warning though - keep your eye on the tides as you can get stranded if it catches you unawares When the tide's in, the only area accesible is pretty rocky. I'm no expert (as the next few words will demonstrate) but there are many cool looking rocks to be found here (!). I've found plenty of fossils - some of them pretty large. Apart from the beach itself, in the summer there are burger vans and ice cream vans to keep you refreshed. It's a great part of the South Wales coast and it's teeming with history. You can walk pretty much all the way around the coast as well, around to Southerndown and Nash Point. If the sun's out, I would highly recommend it as there's some truly breathtaking views to be had along the way.

Massive expanse of water, sand, dunes, air and horizons! Fantastic sunsets. Surfing. Take a pony…read moreride through the surf. Beautiful place, check it out.