Local information

WEST is located along the M4 corridor between Cardiff and Swansea in South Wales.

Bridgend is a fast growing area in terms of new and smaller industries and new, modestly-priced housing.

This is a ‘Bible belt’ area in terms of the number of churches where a good expository biblical ministry is exercised. In the immediate area, there are 8-10 churches which WEST students attend and where they are welcomed and find plenty of good fellowship as well as opportunities to serve and gain experience.

Local facilities include:

Excellent junior / secondary schools
Sports centre / pool just 1 mile away, near town centre
Mountains and large parks 7-9 miles away
Sea and beaches within easy access, 8 miles

Further afield, 20 miles to the east is the major city of Cardiff, capital of Wales. It is a seat of government, has a superb shopping centre and waterfront development (Cardiff Bay). Here there are museums, concert halls, sports stadia, theatres and restaurants in profusion. 20 miles west is Swansea and beyond it the delightful Gower Peninsular, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 10 miles north lies the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Travelling is easy: good access to the M4; excellent rail link to London; also Cardiff Wales International Airport at Rhoose is approximately 10 miles (16 kilometres) from WEST. Bridgend has a good coach service too.
International students need to be prepared for the weather, which can be wet and windy though it rarely falls much below freezing.

You may find the following links useful for more information about the local area:

Wales Tourist Board - www.visitwales.co.uk
Brecon Beacons National Park - www.breconbeacons.org
Bridgend County Borough Council -www.bridgend.gov.uk
BBC Local Information page for Bridgend - www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/bridgend
Local weather:
Met Office weather for Wales
Metcheck weather for Bridgend area
BBC page showing the webcam at Rest Bay (Rest Bay beach is in Porthcawl, about 6 miles away) -