Caerphilly Castle | 15 min | 7 miles
Caerphilly Castle is a medieval fortification in Caerphilly in South Wales. The castle was constructed by Gilbert de Clare in the 13th century as part of his campaign to conquer Glamorgan, and saw extensive fighting between Gilbert, his descendants, and the native Welsh rulers. Surrounded by extensive artificial lakes it occupies around 30 acres and is the second largest castle in Britain. It is famous for having introduced concentric castle defences to Britain and for its large gatehouses. Find directions here
Bedwellty House & Park | 19 min | 9.7 miles
Tredegar’s Bedwellty House is a Grade II listed building and gardens in the Sirhowy Valley. It was built in the early 19th century on the site of an earlier building and subsequently enlarged into its present form by mid-century. The owners donated the house and its grounds to the public at the beginning of the 20th century. They were restored at the beginning of the 21st century and are open to the public. Find directions here
Park Bryan Bach | 22 min | 12 miles
TripAdvisor quote – “Nice small park, family friendly, lots of geese and ducks, newfoundland dogs have a spot at the weekend, can hire bikes, have a go paddle boarding, bike park, model airplanes society sometimes flying there. Cafe and toilets clean and well-priced. Can park camper vans there too and people fishing”. Find directions here
Festival Park Ebbw Vale | 22 min | 14 miles
TripAdvisor quote – “I visited Festival Park yesterday and I enjoyed It there. It was a lovely day too. It Is so easy to find. You don’t just get Its perfect location; you get to go shopping as well. It may not be big but It Is worth a visit. If It rains you are under cover and the Parking Is free too. If you like walking, then there are some nice walks to do. It Is not just for Adults Its for everyone. Ebbw Vale Is a beautiful place and the Town Centre Is not too far away either. You could make the most of your visit by visiting both places. Unwind at a Coffee Shop and take in some Mountain Air and look down to Cwm. Or Shop at many of Its Brand Name Stores within. I love It there”. Find directions here
Castell Coch | 23 min | 11 miles
Castell Coch, Welsh for Red Castle is a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle built above the village of Tongwynlais in South Wales. The first castle on the site was built by the Normans after 1081, to protect the newly conquered town of Cardiff and control the route along the Taff Gorge. Abandoned shortly afterwards, the castle’s earth motte was reused by Gilbert de Clare as the basis for a new stone fortification, which he built between 1267 and 1277 to control his freshly annexed Welsh lands. This castle was likely destroyed in the native Welsh rebellion of 1314. In 1760, the castle ruins were acquired by John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, as part of a marriage settlement that brought the family vast estates in South Wales. Find directions here
Cyfarthfa Castle | 27 min | 16 miles
TripAdvisor quote – “Visited yesterday with family and friends. We started in the tea room where we had delicious potato and leek soup and hot drinks, and then wandered around the museum. My favourite bits where the art galleries and the exhibition room where the gentleman’s collections from his travels are displayed, really fascinating. The gardens look amazing and there is so much more to do here that we didn’t have the opportunity to do, so we will definitely be back. It’s a real gem”. Find directions here
Brecon Mountain Railway | 28 min | 14 miles
TripAdvisor quote – “Quaint little railway and stunning views on a clear day; a wonderful introduction to the national park. Easy to find, book ahead if a bank holiday as this place can be surprisingly busy. Station at Pant is wonderfully appointed, there is a small model train, gift shop and a train workshop. The seating outside is perfect for a picnic. The trains depart at three or four different times a day, depending on the day and the train, in our case, it was a small American steam locomotive, though they differ depending on availability. Excellent views on a clear day and stunning scenery, good place to start a hike with some forward planning or have a picnic. On the return journey, the train pauses above a reservoir with a cafe and small steam museum for about 35mins. The whole, experience if taken with no breaks is about two hours start to finish. This was a last-minute decision to visit but we were very glad we did”. Find directions here
Llandaff Cathedral | 31 min | 15 miles
The Cathedral lies in the ancient “City of Llandaff” much of which is now a conservation area. Despite being surrounded by the bustling modern city of Cardiff, the Llandaff conservation area remains comparatively unspoilt and surprisingly tranquil. The present cathedral dates from 1107 when Bishop Urban, the first Bishop appointed by the Normans, instigated the building of a much larger church. For 200 years following the reign of King Henry VIII the building fell into a state of near-ruin. However, in the early nineteenth century, new life and growing prosperity in the Diocese made possible a fresh restoration. A great deal of the 19th century work inside the Cathedral perished when the building was heavily damaged and the roof destroyed in the 1939-45 War. Its restoration was entrusted to George Pace who aimed at blending new work with what remained of the old. Pace also built the Welch Regiment Memorial Chapel. Find directions here
The Royal Mint Experience | 31 min | 17 miles
The Royal Mint Experience is the only place in the world where you can watch the United Kingdom’s coins being made. Go behind the scenes to follow the journey of a coin from a blank to a bank in our 45-minute Guide Factory Experience followed by our self-guided interactive exhibition. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of thousands of glistening new coins, hot off the press. You’ll even have the opportunity to strike your own coin! Find directions here
St Fagans National Museum of History | 32 min| 17 miles
St Fagans is one of world’s leading open–air museums and Wales’ most-visited heritage attraction. It stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th-century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth. During the last fifty years, over fifty original buildings from different locations in Wales and from different historical periods have been re-built in the 100-acre parkland. Each building is frozen in time and opens a door into Welsh history offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. Find directions here
Big Pit National Coal Museum | 32 min| 17 miles
Big Pit is an industrial heritage museum in Blaenavon, Torfaen, South Wales. A working coal mine from 1880 to 1980, it was opened to the public in 1983 under the auspices of the National Museum of Wales. The site is dedicated to operational preservation of the Welsh heritage of coal mining, which took place during the Industrial revolution. Located adjacent to the preserved Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, Big Pit is part of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, a World Heritage Site, and an Anchor Point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. Find directions here
Penderyn Distillery | 33 min | 23 miles
Penderyn Distillery produces award-winning single malt whiskies and spirits in the foothills of the magnificent Brecon Beacons in South Wales. Why not explore the Visitor Centre which saw more than 42,500 visitors in 2017. During the hour-long tour, you will learn about the founding of Penderyn, how the award-winning whisky is made and what makes it so unique. See their mill, mash tun, innovative single copper-pot Penderyn stills and their latest addition – a pair of pot stills. At the end of your tour sample some of their products in their Tasting Bar. Find directions here
Brecon Beacons Walk | 34 min | 24 miles
The Brecon Beacons is a mountain range in South Wales. In a narrow sense, the name refers to the range of Old Red Sandstone peaks which lie to the south of Brecon. Sometimes referred to as “the central Beacons” they include South Wales’ highest mountain, Pen y Fan. This much wider area is also commonly referred to as “the Brecon Beacons”, and it includes the Black Mountains to the east as well as the similarly named but quite distinct Black Mountain to the west. The highest peaks include Fan Brycheiniog to the west and Pen y Fan in the central part. Find directions here
Cardiff Bay | 39 min | 26 miles
Once the epicentre of Wales’ booming coal and export industries, by the 1980s Cardiff Bay had become an abandoned wasteland of derelict docks and mudflats. A victim of a dramatic fall in trade following World War Two and competition from other ports saw its decline, so a plan was put in place to bring it back to life and reconnect it to the city centre. It was completed in 1999 and was one of the biggest engineering projects in Europe, creating a permanent 200-hectare freshwater lake.
Along with it came the shops, bars and restaurants of Mermaid Quay that overlook it and later the construction of Lloyd George Avenue linking the waterfront with the city centre. Cardiff Bay is home to the Senedd – Seat of the Welsh Government, The Millennium Centre (Opera and Arts), Roald Dahl Plass and many more fascinating and exciting attractions. A day at the Bay is never a wasted one! Find directions here
Pontneddfechan Waterfalls | 40 min | 27 miles
Quote from Mike Brockhurst – “The Walking Englishman”…
“In my view this is the best waterfalls walk in Great Britain, it being the best one I have walked. Having walked to many of the fabulous waterfalls in Northern England including High Force in Teesdale, the Ingleton waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales and the best of the Lake District and also some iconic Scottish ones such as Eas a Chual Aluinn, Falls of Glomach and Grey Mare’s Tail I can speak with some experience. The reason I rate this waterfalls trail so highly is that there are many on the walk, all in scenic woodland gorges. Add the fact that two can be walked behind then you have a breath-taking walk to enjoy. I certainly did”. Find directions here
LLancaiach Fawr | 10 min | 5 miles
Llancaiach Fawr Manor is a Tudor manor house near the village of Nelson, in the heart of the Rhymney Valley. The semi-fortified house was built on the site of an earlier medieval structure, either on top of the previous dwelling or possibly incorporated within the eastern end of that building. It is a Grade 1 listed building and is now best known as the home of Colonel Edward Prichard (died 1655), who hosted a visit by King Charles I of England in 1645. Llancaiach Fawr Manor was at one time thought to have predated the Acts of Union between Wales and England of 1536 and was talked about in John Leland’s Itinerary of 1537. The Manor is considered one of the most important gentry houses to have survived from the 16th and 17th century period. It is now open to visitors as a living history museum. Find directions here
Penarth Pier Pavilion | 43 min | 26 miles
A fully restored Art Deco Pier Pavilion housing a gallery, cinema, cafe and restaurant. The pavilion offers an exciting film and exhibition programme and a full events schedule including live music and locally sourced food and drink that can be enjoyed with a sea view. The Pavilion is a not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to engaging with the community through the arts and the environment. Find directions here
“A great way to spend a sunny day out. Taking a walk along the Penarth Pier was a peaceful and enjoyable way to get outside and take advantage of the nice weather. Look out towards the water with friends or family on Penarth Pier and grab an ice cream while you’re at it”.
Your hosts, Catherine & Howard
01/05/2018
