For the adventurous

Show your mountain bike some real action in the forests and Heritage Hills north of Bridgend, dust down your family bikes and ride the dozens of community paths that link up with the Celtic Trail national cycle route, or just meander through the beautiful country lanes and villages of the Vale.

 If last year's Ryder Cup being held in Wales has given you the golf bug, you'll enjoy playing on the many superb golf courses that span the length of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and Countryside, including the world famous Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Southerndown, Pyle and Kenfig, Cottrell Park, and the Vale of Glamorgan Golf and Country Club.

Alternatively, if you just want to 'putt' around with the family, then Bryngarw Country Park near Bridgend and Griffin Park in Porthcawl are perfect.

Keen ramblers and gentle strollers alike will love tackling the 14 mile long Heritage Coast Path which offers unparalleled coastal views, while the 13-mile Ogwr Ridgeway Walk will reward you with some of the most aweinspiring mountain and countryside views anywhere in Wales.

For a bigger challenge,join the 72-mile Millennium Heritage Trail or take the Bridgend Circular Walk, which covers just 20 easily negotiated miles in three sections. You can also discover some of our finest local walks during the Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival in May and the Bridgend Love2walk festival in October. Another great way to see the area is by treking on horseback from one of our many riding centres.

We've already mentioned our excellent surfing conditions, and our coastline is also ideal for trying your hand at bush-craft, scuba diving, rock climbing and sea kayaking. What about a day at sea along the coast or aboard a charter fishing vessel? Or maybe you would prefer fishing inland at one of the specialist trout or coarse fisheries.

Turning up the pace a bit, you may want to put your pedal to the metal at Wales' only floodlit outdoor karting track at Llandow, have a go at quad biking, or battle your friends and family at paintball or in the Wales' number one Quasar Centre at Barry Island.