Vale of Glamorgan Council
Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
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Commercial Opportunities at Country Parks

Business opportunities at country parks in Vale of Glamorgan 

 

We are looking to work with businesses that provide the type of activities and services that will complement and enhance these amazing places and we are open to new and innovative ideas.

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council own and manage two country parks: Cosmeston Lakes Country Park and Medieval Village and Porthkerry Country Park. The Parks are situated within a 45 minute drive of Cardiff, the capital of Wales and the fastest growing city in the UK, with a city region population of 1.6 million. It is the short stay capital of the UK with a population of over 350,000 and 70,000 students who study in Cardiff.

 

Our Vision

The Vale of Glamorgan Council have identified a number of opportunities that they wish to develop in partnership with both private businesses and third sector organisations. The opportunities to work with us and supply the services we require are as follows:

  • A range of outdoor activities at the Parks to include the lake and the sea
  • A variety of hospitality services and venues
  • To create and develop our retail offering for our visitors
  • To deliver a range of leisure events
  • To produce a planned annual events schedule in line with our visitor profile

 

Our future plans include:

  • Working with a range of complimentary outdoor activity operators
  • Establishing the parks as events destinations
  • Promoting our unique locations and facilities to more television and film companies
  • To further build our public profile working with partners and using the support of the Council tourism team.

 

We have started to develop and transform the parks through investments made by the council and private sector partners. We are modernising the parks to meet the needs and expectations of our current and future visitors.

 

We currently have over 350,000 visitors per annum who use our Country Parks and enjoy the unique experience they offer. With future plans in place and the support of our tourism team we expect over 500,000 visitors in the future. We are now adapting to the changes in our customers’ needs where they want to stay longer, visit more often and spend more money on new experiences and specialist activities. Present audience:

  • Local families
  • Visitors from Cardiff City Region
  • Education visitors, European, local, and national 
  • General recreational users; walkers, dog walkers, play
  • Event visitors
  • Group travel visitors
  • Specialist visitors – birdwatchers, guided tours.
  • Cyclists

To discuss the many commercial opportunities that exist please contact Steve Pickering Countryside Team Leader

 

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park and Medieval Village

  • Cosmeston Lakes and Country Park has over 250,000 visitors per annum
  • Located a short distance from Cardiff
  • Situated within the City Region population of 1.6 million
  • The Medieval Village is now building a reputation as a wedding venue that can offer wedding blessings, civil ceremonies and wedding receptions. Booking are already confirmed for 2017 and 2018

 

  • Popular destination for bird watching and photography
  • Local Nature Reserve LNR
  • Cafe and BBQ Areas
  • Medieval Village on site used for educational purposes, events, filming and group travel
  • Parking for 700 cars
  • Park has a variety of habitats covering over 100 hectares of land and water, some areas designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest protecting the rare and diverse plant and animal species.
  • Toilets
  • Well known family friendly country park with two lakes and extensive woodland and meadows

  • Filming

    The popularity of Cosmeston Medieval Village as a location for film and television has led to increased demand for the facility.

     

    The BBC has filmed Dr Who and the series 'Merlin' at Cosmeston on several occasions. ABC filmed Galavant and Sky used the medieval village during the filming of the series Stella. Other productions have included various television advertisements, historical programmes and documentaries.

     

    Cosmeston Medieval Village can accommodate both small and large scale productions and also provide onsite unit base parking.

     

    Filming in the Vale

  •  Events

    The Medieval Village has been used as a location for many events to include battles, living history and history through the ages.

     

    Previous events have included many attractions on the day gaining thousands of visitors to the medieval village. These include falconry displays, craft stalls, plays and story-telling, re-enactments, archery and food and drink.

     

    Re-enactment events are not limited to the medieval period - we have seen Romans, Vikings and even pirates. Live action role play events have also taken place.

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

Porthkerry Country Park

  • Located a short distance from Cardiff and Barry Island
  • Situated within the City Region population of 1.6 million

 

  • Popular destination for bird watching and photography
  • Cafe and BBQ Areas

  • Outdoor learning facilities available

  • Part of the National Cycle Network Wales 

  • 12 hole Golf Course

  • Forest Lodge on site for hire 
  • Parking
  • Large meadow used for events, weddings, filming, group travel and educational purposes
  • Pebble Beach
  • Toilets
  • Viaduct 
  • 220 acres of woods and meadowland in a sheltered valley leading to a pebble beach and spectacular cliffs
  • Part of Wales Coastal Path

 

 

To discuss the many commercial opportunities that exist please contact Steve Pickering Countryside Team Leader