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Vale of Glamorgan

Cwm Nash

6.1 · Beach · Vale of Glamorgan

Cwm Nash is a small, steep-sided cove west of Llantwit Major with a shingle/sand beach backed by low cliffs and reefs. Access is on foot down the coastal path/valley track, with fishing either from the beach into the gully or from rough ground/rock edges at low water. It’s a classic Vale mixed mark: clean sand patches for flats and rays, plus broken ground that holds bass and wrasse, with best sport around tide movement and after a bit of swell.

Should you fish Cwm Nash?

44 Low

Today · Best available

Best available: 03:00-06:00

Most likely species: Lesser Spotted Dogfish and Bass

Poor conditions. Best available around 03:00-06:00, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Lesser Spotted Dogfish and Bass.

W 5 mph Rain 4% High tide 12:05

Consider a backup mark if conditions do not improve.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Cwm Nash — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Cwm Nash is a timing-sensitive Vale of Glamorgan beach and rough-ground mark where the best results usually come from matching the cast to the ground in front of you. Fish the gully, reef edges and darker lanes as the tide floods, then look for cleaner sand or shingle patches if targeting rays, smoothhounds, flats and dogfish. It can produce a good mixed bag, but swell, tide height and footing make it a mark to approach conservatively rather than casually.

  • Know when Cwm Nash is worth the walk-in.
  • Fish the gully instead of wasting casts into dead ground.
  • Find the cleaner lanes for rays and smoothhounds.
  • Avoid the tide stages that turn the mark against you.
  • Switch tactics when the reef starts eating tackle.

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Wick (Vale of Glamorgan) 1.9 mi St Donat's 1.9 mi Sigingstone 3.3 mi St Brides Major 3.4 mi Llantwit Major 3.8 mi

Explore nearby towns: Wick (Vale of Glamorgan) · St Donat's · Sigingstone · St Brides Major · Llantwit Major

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.1 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 5/10

Bass 7/10
Tip: Work the gully and reef edges on a flooding tide; sandeel/peeler crab or SPs/lures in low light.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 7/10
Tip: Reliable after dark on mixed ground; squid, mackerel or bluey on simple running/pulley rigs.
Thornback Ray 6/10
Tip: Target sand between rough ground, especially dusk/night; squid/bluey or crab baits on pulley rigs.
Smoothhound 6/10
Tip: Best late spring–autumn on clean patches; peeler crab or ragworm, long casts and lightish leads help.
Ballan Wrasse 6/10
Tip: Tight to kelp-covered rocks in summer; small crab or rag on strong gear—expect snaggy fights.
Pollack 5/10
Tip: From rocky edges at low water or on the flood; float-fished rag/peeler or small lures close in.
Pouting 5/10
Tip: Often on the night flood in deeper gullies; small fish/mussel/rag baits, keep hooks modest.
Flounder 4/10
Tip: Mainly on the beach/estuary influence after rain; ragworm or small crab fished slowly on the bottom.
Mackerel 4/10
Tip: Occasional summer shoals within range when baitfish are in; feathers/spinners into deeper water.
Dab 3/10
Tip: Clean sand patches can give small dabs on rag/squid strips; better on calmer seas and steady tide run.

Local knowledge

Cwm Nash fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Cwm Nash is a classic Vale of Glamorgan rough-ground shore mark with a shingle beach, scattered boulders and kelpy reef that can fish very well in the right conditions. It’s best approached as a “pick your moment” venue: water clarity, swell and tide height make a big difference to both catch rates and safe access.

  • Rough, snaggy ground close in with patches of sand/shingle
  • Can produce quality fish but demands strong tackle and sensible timing
  • Most consistent when there’s some movement in the water without it being dangerous

Cwm Nash sits on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, west of Llantwit Major, where a steep-sided cwm (valley) meets the sea. Access is typically via public footpaths/track down to the beach, but the descent/ascent and the intertidal terrain can feel committing.

  • Expect a walk-in and a fairly steep approach; allow extra time for the climb back out
  • The beach is shingle with areas of boulder and broken reef—footing changes quickly as the tide floods
  • After heavy rain the path can be slick and the stream/valley bottom can be muddy
  • Mobile signal can be patchy in the dip; let someone know your plan if fishing alone

This stretch of coast is known for a mixed bag, with species changing through the seasons and with water conditions. Cwm Nash’s rough ground favours wrasse and conger-like habitat species, while cleaner pockets and tide lines can bring in bass and flatfish.

  • Wrasse (often a key target on rough/kelpy ground)
  • Bass (especially with surf, colour, dawn/dusk and spring tides)
  • Pollack (around deeper, kelpy edges when conditions suit)
  • Conger (possible from the rougher, rockier sections—expect snags)
  • Dogfish and pouting/rockling (often present, particularly after dark)
  • Flatfish such as flounder/plaice can show where you find cleaner sandier runs (more likely on adjacent cleaner patches)

Successful fishing here is about matching the tackle to the terrain: strong gear for snaggy reef, and adaptable rigs if you can locate sandier lanes. Lure fishing can work for bass when there’s enough depth and a safe platform, but most anglers favour bait fishing due to the rough ground and swell-prone nature of the beach.

  • Rough-ground bait fishing: pulley pennel or strong flowing traces with an aggressive weak link if you’re exploring very snaggy reef
  • Rigs for wrasse: short, abrasion-resistant traces; consider a simple running ledger or strong paternoster when kelp is thick
  • Bass baits: peeler crab, ragworm, and fish baits in coloured water; present baits in the gullies and along the edge of broken ground
  • Conger tactics: big baits on heavy gear, fished tight to structure—be ready to move if you’re wedged in snags repeatedly
  • Lures: soft plastics and metals can score for bass/pollack when you can safely reach depth and fish a clear line; use tougher leaders around rock/kelp
  • Terminal tackle: bring plenty of leads and traces—losses are part of the venue on big tides and in kelp

The mark is very tide-dependent: too little water and much of the ground is unfishable; too much swell and it can become hazardous. Water clarity matters—slight colour or a light surf often improves bass fishing, while clearer, calmer spells can favour wrasse and finesse.

  • Best fishing is often around mid-tide to high water when there’s enough depth over the rough
  • Spring tides can open up new ground and deepen gullies, but they also reduce the safe “window” for staying out
  • A moderate swell can switch bass on, but avoid heavy seas—waves can run up the shingle quickly
  • After prolonged calm/clear conditions, wrasse and pollack can be good; in very clear water, scale down baits and improve presentation
  • Watch wind direction: onshore winds build surf and colour; strong crosswinds can make casting and line control difficult

This is not a beginner-friendly mark in poor conditions: the shingle, boulders and reef demand careful footwork, and the tide can cut you off if you push too far along. Plan the session around a conservative exit time and treat any swell with respect.

  • Wear studded/wading boots and consider a helmet if fishing close to rock in swell
  • Never turn your back on the sea; rogue sets can surge well up the shingle
  • Avoid fishing alone in rough weather; if you do go solo, keep it simple and tell someone your return time
  • The tide can flood gullies and channels quickly—keep a clear retreat route at all times
  • Take care with weed-covered rocks (extremely slippery) and unstable boulders
  • Accessibility is limited: steep approach, uneven beach and moving shingle make it unsuitable for many mobility needs

Facilities are limited right at the mark, as this is a natural Heritage Coast location. Plan to be self-sufficient and keep your kit manageable for the walk and the climb.

  • No on-beach toilets, shops or shelters at the fishing area
  • Parking is typically in nearby areas/at the top of the cwm depending on local arrangements—check current access/parking signage
  • Bring water, headtorch, spare batteries and a basic first-aid kit
  • A compact seat/bucket can help on the shingle, but keep weight down for the walk-in/out

Cwm Nash rewards anglers who take time to read the water and accept that moving a short distance can transform the ground in front of you. Focus on identifiable features—gullies, seams and the edge where broken reef meets cleaner patches.

  • Fish the gullies and darker lanes as the tide pushes in; these act as natural highways for bass
  • If you’re losing tackle constantly, don’t just “power up”—shift a few yards until you find a cleaner run or a better angle
  • Keep baits tight to structure for wrasse and potential conger, but be ready to pull hard—snags are inevitable
  • In surf, use bigger, smellier baits and heavier leads to hold bottom on the shingle roll
  • Pack out all line and bait packaging; the cwm funnels litter and it’s very visible on the beach

There is no widely publicised, blanket “no fishing” rule that clearly applies specifically to Cwm Nash itself, but this is a Heritage Coast area and local restrictions can change (for example around access, parking, or protected features). Treat any signage on arrival as definitive and check current local guidance if in doubt.

  • Check for on-site signs relating to access routes, seasonal notices, or conservation measures
  • Follow national rules on minimum sizes and protected species—confirm current requirements from official sources before fishing
  • If you intend to collect bait (e.g., crab), check local rules and good practice; avoid disturbing sensitive areas
  • Respect other beach users and keep clear of any marked/managed areas
  • If any part of the surrounding coast falls within designated conservation zones, restrictions may apply—verify with local authority/Natural Resources Wales information before planning regular sessions