Bridgend Miniature Railway

The little steam engines that chug around Bridgend's miniature railway are genuinely charming - the kind of thing that'll occupy kids for a solid afternoon without costing you much. It's a proper working line with narrow-gauge trains that potter along through the park, and even if you're not obsessed with railways, there's something satisfying about watching the thing actually move under its own steam.

You'll want to allow a couple of hours to do it justice. Get there early on weekends if you can, as families pile in and the queues build quickly. The ride itself takes about fifteen minutes, which is long enough to feel special but not so long that restless six-year-olds start climbing the walls. If the weather's decent, grab a spot trackside with a cup of tea from the refreshment stand - beats sitting in the carriage in August heat.

It works well as part of a Porthcawl trip. You're only five miles away, close enough to swing by after a morning on the beach or as a rainy-day backup plan. If you're staying at Trecco Bay Holiday Park, it's a natural fit between that and the coast. Not everyone will get excited about miniature railways, admittedly. But if you've got kids aged five to ten, or you're a genuine railway enthusiast, it delivers.