The Old Swan Inn, Llantwit Major.

This lovely old grade ll listed pub was originally a substantial thatched dwelling house built in the late 15th century. In the middle of the 17th century, the building was owned by a chap called Edward Maddox and, because there was a shortage of coinage at that time, he was allowed by the government to mint his own brass coins which could then be exchanged for goods and local services, subsequently the building became known locally as "The Mint".  In the late 18th century, the building became a public house.  The American newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst was a frequent visitor. He had recently bought St. Donat's Castle a short distance away and used to bring all his film star guests to his favourite watering hole. Locals in the town were shocked and outraged because of the fact that the American women wore trousers.  On the eve of World War II, Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister had his lunch there during a visit to some of the many military airfields in and around the area.