The College is located some 30km from Cardiff – the capital city of Wales – and is 3km from the nearest town, Llantwit Major. The nearest railway and coach stations are at Bridgend (12km) and the nearest airport is Cardiff Wales Airport (12km).

The college campus of some 60 hectares is situated around a wooded valley which leads to the sea and includes farmland, coastal cliffs, formal gardens and natural woodlands.

At the heart of the campus is the 12th century St. Donat’s Castle, which is fully used by the college. The castle was owned in the 1920s by the American newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst, who enlarged it with beautiful medieval buildings and artefacts from England and France. He also installed a swimming pool (now replaced with two modern pools), central heating and 34 marble bathrooms, some continuing in their intended use - others more mundanely acting as departmental offices.

Around the castle are modern teaching and laboratory blocks and residences for staff and students.