Merthyr Mawr is a picturesque village about 2.5 miles from the centre of Bridgend in South Wales. It includes several cottages and a church, the cottages retaining a authentic/traditional feel with thatched roofs and well maintained gardens. Bridgend (Welsh: Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr) is a town in the traditional county of Glamorgan and the main town in the county borough of Bridgend. ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English(100%), Welsh(20. ...

Nearby are the Merthyr Mawr sand dunes, where scenes from Lawrence of Arabia were filmed. The biggest sand dune in Europe can also be found there, known locally as "the big dipper". Also two castles, Ogmore Castle and Candleston Castle are within good walking distance. Thomas Edward Lawrence (August 16, 1888 – May 19, 1935), also known as Lawrence of Arabia, and (apparently, among his Arab allies) Aurens or El Aurens, became famous for his role as a British liaison officer during the Arab Revolt of 1916–1918. ... Ogmore Castle, situated near the village of Ogmore, south of the town of Bridgend in Glamorgan, South Wales, was initially constructed soon after 1100 by William de Londres as part of the Norman invasion of Wales. ...

A famous sheep-dipping bridge is on the ouskirts of the village. The former POW Camp Island Farm is less than a mile away and another picturesque village, Ewenny is within 3-4 miles. Island Farm was a former Prisoner of War Camp (Camp 198/Special Camp IX) on the outskirts of the town of Bridgend, South Wales. ... Ewenny is a village in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales on the Ewenny River. ...

Merthyr Mawr Walks Site (with pictures) (http://www.geocities.com/colinswalesuk/merthyrmawr.html)