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Our Location

One of the Top 10 Places to Live in the UK

Westbourne is nestled in Penarth, a charming seaside town just outside Cardiff, the vibrant capital of Wales. Often called “The Garden by the Sea,” Penarth was voted one of the best places to live by The Times in 2021 and regularly tops national rankings as one of the most desirable places to call home.

With its close proximity to the Wales Coastal Path and the stunning South Wales coastline, our students enjoy easy access to nature and outdoor adventures. From exploring the historic Victorian Pier with its sweeping views across the Bristol Channel to discovering lush country parks, green spaces, and nearby beaches, there’s always something to see, do, and experience right at our doorstep.

Take a Virtual Tour

Tennis courts are just 2 minutes from the school and boarding house

Sailing Boats and Motor Boats moored at Penarth Marina near Cardiff Bay with sunlit residential houses in the background.

A Safe, Happy Place to Study

At Westbourne, we understand how important it is for international students to feel secure, supported, and engaged. That’s why our location in Penarth offers a safe study environment for international students, blending a welcoming community with vibrant local life. The town centre is a lively hub with independent boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, bookshops, and a central library. Students have access to excellent sporting facilities like tennis courts, a swimming pool, gym, yoga studios, and multi-use sports courts, ensuring a well-rounded and active lifestyle.

Easy Access to Cardiff & Beyond

Penarth provides direct access to Cardiff city centre in just 12 minutes via Penarth Railway Station. This proximity means students can easily explore everything the capital has to offer, from retail and leisure activities to cultural landmarks like Cardiff Castle, the National Museum of Wales, and the Principality Stadium, home of Welsh rugby. For more excitement, Cardiff Bay is a short walk away via Penarth Marina and the Cardiff Bay Barrage, offering scenic walks, cycle paths, and even boat transport.

Explore Cardiff Bay’s Cultural Attractions

A favourite spot for students, Cardiff Bay blends cutting-edge architecture with a vibrant social scene. Home to the Wales Millennium Centre, the country’s hub for performing arts, and the Senedd, headquarters of the Welsh Parliament, the Bay provides ample opportunities for cultural exploration. It’s a place where international students can feel part of a dynamic, global community while enjoying a safe study environment.

Learn More About Boarding

Where is the Campus?

Westbourne is located across four sites in the heart of Penarth. We have an independent Prep School and Nursery, for students age 2 – 10 years.

Our Senior School is located just 5 minutes away and is home to our 11 – 16 year old students.

Sixth Form is right across the road, with a dedicated IB Hub for students age 16 – 18years. Our boarding house is just 2 doors down.

Everything is in very close proximity with the – end of the line – train running into Cardiff several times each hour.

Where are your facilities?

Our gym and basketball court are directly on site at the Senior School, however we leverage the fantastic international facilities right on our doorstep, with students either walking – tennis courts, seaside, 24/7 fitness suite – or using one of our mini-bus fleet to access ice skating, white water rafting, swimming, football, athletics etc, all within 5-10 minutes of the school.

How many people live in Penarth?

At the time of writing around 28,000 people live in the small town of Penarth. Cardiff, our Capital City neighbour has just under half a million people. Both great places to live, with a very high quality of living and plenty to do right on the doorstep.

How far away is the sea?

The sea is between 5 – 10 minutes walk from the boarding house – depending on which route you take. A pretty after school stroll through the park will find you on the beach eating ice-cream in no time!

For film and TV fans, Penarth Pier is often used by local production and film companies and we have recently spotted an episode of Dr Who being filmed!

How many international students are at Westbourne?

We are proudly a British school with a broad international outlook.

72% of our students are British, mainly from the local Cardiff and Penarth area, but also including UK boarders.

28% represent a wide range of nationalities – over 30 at the current count – ensuring a vibrant community, a broad global perspective and the opportunity for our students and families to make friends from around the world.

Do you offer a local school bus service?

Yes! We’re pleased to offer a daily school bus service for our day students across South Wales. Please enquire with our Admissions Team to ensure your route is covered; we are consistently extending our bus routes and will be happy to discuss your family’s individual requirements.

A Look Inside Our Boarding Community

Curious about what it’s like to live and study at Westbourne? Our boarding film offers a glimpse into the daily life of our vibrant, international community. From the warm, welcoming environment to the modern facilities and stunning local surroundings, see firsthand how our students thrive both academically and personally.

Discover why Westbourne feels like a home away from home for students from over 30 nationalities.

Ready to Visit in Person?

"The experience in the boarding house made me more open-minded because meeting people from different parts of the world with different cultures is very interesting. My life in the Boarding House is fun and it feels like a big family." Stefani, international student from Italy

‘It is an amazing experience meeting and living with people from all around the world, who eventually develop into your best friends. We are a family of sisters and brothers with our boarding house parents.’

"The boarding is fabulous. To be a boarder has lots of advantages, you can make dozens of friends within just a couple of hours and rely on each other when you are struggling with homesickness and loneliness. The most important thing is that everybody is here to help me in some way and I cannot feel sad or alone." Kinga, international student from Hungary

The boarding house environment has made me grow. Since starting at Westbourne, thanks to my homestay parents I’ve learnt a lot about culture in the UK. They’ve guided me through everything - from the food, to history, even entertainment. Anthony, an international student from Vietnam

"Every day I wake up, I look forward to going to school. The smiles that my classmates have on their faces always makes my day. Moreover, we gain knowledge in class as well as having fun. I really like school here." Macy, from Hong Kong

"The community at Westbourne is incredible. Living in the Boarding House is absolutely amazing. It really is living with your mates at all times... and they become your best friends even after you've left for university. When you've had a tough day, you go back to the Boarding House and our amazing houseparent will ask you about your day and make every problem go away." Dharani, international student from Malaysia

"I guess proud is the right word to sum up my time at Westbourne. I'm proud that I decided to go to Westbourne for boarding school. I'm proud that the person who I was when I started and the person that I am now are two completely different people. I've grown and changed so much, in a very positive way, and I'm now set up to achieve my goals for the future.” Jayendra, IB student from Mauritius