Situated on the Bristol Channel the seaside town of Penarth is the second largest town in the Vale of Glamorgan after Barry, approximately six miles along the coast. It shares a common boundary with Cardiff – the capital city of Wales and its Victorian/Edwardian character and charm serve to highlight its popularity as a much sought after place to live and as a magnate for holidaymakers and day visitors.
Urban in character, with a population in excess of 20,000 people, its coastal position commands fine views of the Bristol Channel, the islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm and the English coastline opposite. Flanked by the sea to the east and Cardiff to the north, its southern and western boundaries extend into open countryside. Despite development pressures countryside planning policies have prevented the coalescence of Penarth with the neighbouring smaller communities of Dinas Powys and Sully, thus preserving the semi-rural character of the East Vale area.
