The story of Cosmeston

During the development of Cosmeston Lakes Country Park in 1978, excavations uncovered the remains of a community over 600 years old, and so began a unique archaeological project to restore the village of Cosmeston.

Archaeologists and the Vale of Glamorgan Council have since worked together to reconstruct an authentic, entertaining view of life in a Medieval village.

And the work is still going on - the Vale Council and the Cardiff University of History and Archaeology have recently teamed up on a new community project to involve the public in finding out more about the archaeology of this unique site.

The reconstructed village has been set in the year 1350. It was a fascinating time in history - King Edward III ruled a land at war with the conflict with France (the Hundred Years War) in its twelfth year, while Britain was slowly recovering from the Black Death of 1348, which killed almost half the population.

The best way to find out about Cosmeston Medieval Village is to visit and take a tour, accompanied by one of the interesting villagers.