Bridgend
Bridgend is a town in south Wales. As of 2021 it had a population of 49,597. In Welsh it is called Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr[1][2] or simply Pen-y-bont. It gets its name from a crossing of the River Ogmore (Ogwr in Welsh).
Bridgend is also the name of a much larger county borough, formed in the restructure of Welsh local government in 1996. As of 2015 it had a population of about 143,400. The county borough includes many towns and villages near Bridgend, including Maesteg and Porthcawl.[3]
History[edit | edit source]
In the early 12th century two castles were built: Newcastle Castle in 1106, and Ogmore Castle in 1116. Nearby Coity Castle had already stood since the 11th century. The three castles made a "defensive triangle" protecting the area.
The town of Bridgend developed at a ford on the Ogmore, on a major route between east and west Wales. In the 15th century a bridge was built as a permanent link between the two sides of the river. The bridge originally had four arches, two washed away in the 18th century, the other two still standing today.
Coal mining in the South Wales Valleys then went on to have a huge impact on the town and area as a whole. The areas to the north of Bridgend gained mines, and areas such as Tondu also gained ironworks and brickworks. Bridgend itself never had any coal though. Throughout this time Bridgend was still an important market town.
In the 1980s the development of the Brackla Housing Estate started, since then Bridgend's population has grown significantly. Today Bridgend is one of the main towns between Cardiff and Swansea in south Wales.
Population growth[edit | edit source]
The town's population has grown rapidly in recent years, from 39,492 in 2001 to 49,597 in 2021; more than a 25% increase.
The county borough's population has also grown significantly, from around 128,700 in 2001 to around 143,400 in 2015; an increase of about 11%.[3]
Sports[edit | edit source]
In rugby Bridgend has Super Rygbi Cymru team Bridgend Ravens, as well as lower tier Bridgend Athletic RFC.
Bridgend also has a football club, Penybont FC. They were formed in 2013 after a merger of Bridgend Town AFC and Bryntirion Athletic FC, and as of 2025-26 they play in the Cymru Premier, the top level of the mostly semi-professional Welsh league system.