A WALKING festival, led by a TV presenter, will take over the Vale next month.

S4C presenter Chris Jones will be leading 10 guided walks - which will include local stories and folklore brought to life by characters - in the Vale of Glamorgan this May.

Barry And District News: Chris Jones will lead the Vale walks throughout MayChris Jones will lead the Vale walks throughout May

The festival will feature five coastal walks - including in Barry and Penarth - and five in-land walks.

Five coastal walks

  • Vale Trail 1 (Ogmore by Sea walk) on Sunday, May 1. This will offer insight into geology and wildlife, along with spectacular views.
  • Vale Trail 2 (coast and lighthouse walk) on Saturday, May 7. Children’s TV presenter Heini will host a warm up session before exploring rural farmland and ancient woodland. Highlights include Nash Point Lighthouse, St Donat’s Castle and views from the cliffs on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast.
  • Vale Trail 5 (coast and pier walk) on Saturday, May 14. Walkers can visit Lavernock Point, and enjoy views of Penarth Pier and Cardiff Bay.
  • Vale Trail 4 (park and seaside walk) on Saturday, May 21. Experience the Vale’s diverse coastline – exploring Barry Island, Roman remains near the Knap, and a Victorian railway viaduct in Porthkerry Country Park.
  • Vale Trail 3 (celtic crosses and coast walk) on Saturday, May 28. A historical trail around Llantwit Major.

Five inland trails

  • Vale trail 6 (salmon leaps walk) on Monday, May 2. Parts of the walk were recently included in a The Times article on 20 UK beautiful woodlands for winter walks. Starting from Dinas Powys.
  • Vale trail 7 (haunted field walk) on Sunday, May 8. Starting from St Nicholas this circular walk passes Dyffryn House and Gardens and two Neolithic burial chambers which are older than Stonehenge.
  • Vale trail 8 (magical forest walk) on Sunday, May 15. Starting from Forestry car park near St Donats, this circular walk will have large areas of forest, pretty villages, and impressive coastal views.
  • Vale trail 9 (Iolo Morgannwg heritage walk) on Sunday, May 22. This will explore Cowbridge.
  • Vale trail 10 (Ewenny spring flowers walk) on Sunday, May 29. This walk will feature heritage sites , including St. Bridget’s Church in St Brides Major, and – at the furthest reaches of the walk– Ewenny Priory, the most complete Norman church in Wales

Additional details

Walks are limited in numbers; those who register to attend will be given a meeting point for each walk.

For more information, or to book, visit www.visitthevale.com/events