Bridgend is tucked away on the South Wales coastline, between Cardiff and Swansea.
It might not be the first port of call for a tourist but there's a surprising amount to do here.
Make the most of the many sandy beaches at Porthcawl - also a good place for surfers.
Or pick up a leaflet from tourist information and try one of four recommended drives through the South Wales valleys where there's a view point around every bend.
These are the areas where coal was once the lifeblood of the communities but that shouldn't take away the real beauty just waiting to be discovered.
Stop in the pretty village of Merthyr Mawr, with its quaint thatched cottages.
Watch out for ruined castles hidden away in the landscape and it makes a pleasant diversion on the way to the more well known Vale of Glamorgan.
