St. Donats Arts Centre

I first went to St Donats Art Centre a few years ago to see a concert in the old barn that’s been converted for performance. I went to a pre Christmas concert and I was so impressed with the venue that I vowed I’d go back to see the Centre again one day. Seeing the old place all lit up in the inky blackness of a mid winter night and hearing beautiful music was a great experience.
I went back to see the Arts Centre a few months ago and it’s a lovely building all polished wood and glass, next to St Donats Castle. There was a view of the sea almost all around the building and the light was fantastic. Reminded me a little of theTate Gallery, St Ives in the way they’ve incorporated the building into the natural features and the amount of light generated.
I saw a collection of local artists work in the gallery and had coffee and cake in the café.

Within the grounds of St Donat’s Castle lies the enchanting St Donat’s Arts Centre, housed in a 14^th century Tithe barn which has been converted into a fully-​equipped theatre. Another modern addition to the barn is the completely new and contrasting ‘Glass Room’ on one side.
The publicly-​funded centre puts on a high quality arts programme throughout the year in this unique setting, which has wonderful views right across the sea towards Exmoor. The barn itself is widely considered be be one of the most inspired public buildings in Wales.
The centre provides a really diverse programme of children’s theatre, craft classes, dance sessions, cinema, exhibitions, world music events, jazz in the Glassroom. festivals, choir rehearsals, workshops and live shows. It also hosts the internationally renowned Beyond the Border storytelling festival, and it’s the perfect, enchanting venue for this lovely event (with outreach storytelling in venues elsewhere in the area, too).
The Box Office and Gallery are open 10am — 4pm on weekdays, plus evenings and weekends when there are performances taking place. Check the website for upcoming events, and keep your fingers crossed that the weather is fine when you visit so you can also enjoy far-​reaching views out to sea.

I really and truly cannot express my love of this place enough!
St. Donats Arts Centre is situated near on the South Wales coastline in the grounds of a medieval castle (complete with jousting field), which is now an International College. Imagine a Hogwarts by the sea, and you’re mostly there.
They offer a large bar area with outstanding views, a gallery and cinema, and theatrical and musical performances go on in the traditional Tythe Barn. This is also the venue for the critically acclaimed Beyond the Border storytelling festival, which takes place every year. Although this venue is small, the staff are friendly and eager to please, and the regular clientele are an amazing mix of locals.
The only downside to the centre is its distance from most major areas. But it is certainly well worth the trip, just make sure you check out their website before going down, as there are not events happening each day, and you certainly don’t want to turn up and be disappointed!