EditorPORTHCAWL: End of the road for donkey rides on Coney Beach as council’s summer animal ban rules them out for good
Donkey rides on Coney Beach are over – Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed it will not be granting a licence for donkey or pony riding at the Porthcawl seafront going forward.
The decision follows a change in how animals are treated under the beach’s seasonal restrictions.
The council’s existing seasonal ban on dogs – which runs from 1 May to 30 September each year – has now been extended to cover all animals on the beach during that period, with the exception of guide and assistance dogs.
A council spokesman said: “With this in mind, we are unable to grant a licence for seasonal donkey or pony riding at Coney Beach going forward.”
The news brings to an end a tradition that has been part of British seaside life for generations – though the council insisted it was not abandoning the spirit of traditional seaside attractions.
The timing is significant. Bridgend County Borough Council recently took over the management of Coney Beach as part of the Porthcawl Waterfront Regeneration Scheme – and with that change came a review of all seasonal activities previously operated by the former management.
The council confirmed it is currently reviewing expressions of interest for seasonal activities at the beach, promising residents and visitors “some exciting announcements about a wide range of activities and stalls in the near future.”
Porthcawl’s seafront has been through enormous change in recent years.
Coney Beach amusement park – a beloved institution for more than 100 years – closed its doors for good in October, leaving a significant gap at the heart of the resort.
A new seasonal funfair was announced as the town prepared for life after Coney Beach, and Fun Land Porthcawl – featuring family rides, a big wheel and food stalls – opened in late March for the summer season.
The council’s longer-term ambitions for the area are substantial. Final regeneration proposals for the Porthcawl seafront include a new lido swimming pool, new homes, green spaces, shops, a site for motorhomes and caravans, a splash pad, pump track, multi-use games area and community garden.
Those plans were scaled back following resident pressure, though the council has maintained its ambition for a major transformation of the seafront area.
The regeneration project has not been without controversy. The Welsh Government wrote off £1.6 million after a failed Porthcawl maritime centre project – a reminder of the challenges of delivering large-scale coastal regeneration.
The council said the seasonal funfair at Salt Lake and a recent visit by NoFit State Circus demonstrated its commitment to keeping the seafront lively and attractive to visitors.
For now though, the donkeys won’t be returning to Coney Beach – and for many visitors, that will be the end of a very particular kind of seaside memory.
Our Porthcawl coverage
Coney Beach amusement park to close after more than 100 years in Porthcawl
The end of a beloved institution that defined the Porthcawl seafront for generations.
New seafront funfair announced as town prepares for life after Coney Beach
How Porthcawl is planning its next chapter after the closure.
Council reveals final regeneration proposals for Porthcawl seafront
Lido, new homes, green spaces and leisure attractions — the full masterplan.
Porthcawl seafront plans scaled back after resident pressure
How community opposition shaped the revised regeneration vision.
Welsh Government writes off £1.6m after failed Porthcawl maritime centre project
The cautionary tale behind the seafront’s long regeneration journey.
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