Llantwit Major is a small coastal town and community in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, lying on the Bristol Channel shoreline. It is one of four towns in the Vale of Glamorgan and the third greatest by population (13,366 (2001) after Barry and Penarth. The town's name in Welsh, Llanilltud Fawr, is derived from the name of Saint Illtud, who came to the region from Brittany, Gaul. He started the abbey of Illtud and the college connected to it, Cor Tewdws, which would emerge as one of the most renowned Christian schools of the times. At peak it brought in over 2000 students, featuring princes and various eminent clergymen, some now revered as saints. The modern-day town of Llantwit developed quickly in the 20th century to accommodate Royal Air Force personnel from the base constructed at nearby St Athan, however it preserves its medieval cobbled streets and buildings of the 15th and 16th centuries. Collugh Beach is a popular surfing venue and has the remnants of an Iron Age fort and a few of the finest examples of Jurassic-period fossils in Wales. The pebble beach and its impressive clifftops are part of a 14 miles (23 kilometre)-long coastline safeguarded under the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, which extends from Gileston in the east to Newton Point beyond Southerndown in the west. Llantwit Major is mainly dependent on local retail and revenues from additional afield. The majority of the occupants commute to work elsewhere, particularly Cardiff or Bridgend. Throughout the summer season tourism is essential to the town which has "The Precinct", Rainbow Plaza and a variety of pubs and eateries. Of note are the Old Swan Inn, Old White Hart Inn, The Tudor Tavern, and the 17th century West House Country Hotel Heritage Restaurant. For all of your home refurbishments, make sure to identify trustworthy professionals in Llantwit Major to make certain of quality.