Laleston

About Our Village

Laleston is a village and a community situated two miles west of Bridgend on the A473 near the junction with the A48.

Easily accessible from the M4 and traveling directly west of Bridgend town centre. The village is of early origin and derives its name from the Lageles family. Evidence of its antiquity is seen in its layout in which narrow ways intersect the village, creating islands of land accommodating single or small groups of buildings. This type of organic layout, intended originally to facilitate defense, can also be seen at Llantwit Major.

'This parish derives its name from Lalys, a native of Palestine, and an eminent architect, whom Richard de Granville brought over with him on his return from the Holy Land, and employed him to build the abbey of Neath in this county. As a reward for the ability which he displayed in his erection of that magnificent structure, Richard bestowed on him this manor, to which Lalys gave his name, and on which he resided, until, after erecting several churches and castles in the principality, he was appointed architect to Henry I., and removed to London. In 1226 the "town of Lagelstune" was burned by the Welsh. The village bears every appearance of antiquity; the windows of the houses are square, and the doorways arched with stone: near the church is a handsome residence.'

As a community, Laleston includes the areas of Bryntirion, Cefn Glas, Tythegston and Broadlands.
The boundaries of the community are almost entirely set by transportation routes, with the western and north western border defined by the M4 Motorway, where it then turns south-easterly at Stormy Down following the A48 back towards Bridgend town centre. It then takes in the Greenfields area, briefly following the banks of the River Ogmore, before heading north to Cefn Glas, but skirting Bridgend town centre and Newcastle.

The village contains a number of listed fifteenth and sixteenth century buildings, some possessing even earlier features. Among these, The sixteenth century Great House, flanking the main street, which has been converted into a high-class restaurant. This building is of particular historic and architectural value and importance to the village scene.

Buildings of note in the village include St David's church which still possesses features dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, the Great House which was built in the early 16th century and Horeb Welsh Presbyterian Church 1831, the Laleston Inn, formally a country club which now houses The Black Rabbit restaurant.
The buildings within Laleston Conservation Area are predominantly of stone rubble having slated roofs, some of the buildings are now rendered and colour washed.

Listed Buildings

Church of St. David Grade I

Churchyard Cross in St. David’s Churchyard Grade II

Cliff Cottage Grade II

Ty Mawr aka The Great House Grade II*

Former Horeb Welsh Presbyterian Church Grade II

Milepost Grade II

The Oystercatcher Public House Grade II

Village Farm House Grade II

The Laleston Inn Grade II

Buildings of Local Importance

Bethel Chapel, High Street

Holly Cottage, High Street

Rock House, High Street

Laleston Cottage, Wind Street

Tudor Cottages, High Street

There are many buildings of age in the village and surrounding areas,  all of which we will explore in detail, the site will be updated regularly with new information and pictures added as it becomes available.

There is a PICTORIAL INDEX  of the historical buildings which you can browse at your leisure, these will give you access to the information on your chosen subject with more images from our extensive historical picture library.