The Barrage is a great place for a relaxing walk or a bit of boat-watching, and on a clear day you…read morecan see right across the Bristol Channel to where our English bretherin live. It's a bit of a walk from the bay, probably about half an hour, but it's a very pleasant one and there's some interesting scenery on the way, ranging from old warehouses to small historic displays. Once you reach the Barrage you'll be treated to stunning views of the whole of the Bay, and if you're here at sunset then there are some brilliant photo opportunities to be had. There's also plentiful fishing to be had and it can be a good spot for bird-watching if it's the right time of year. There are regular benches along the way if you need a quick break and some toilet stops if you forgot to go back in the Bay. At the middle of the Barrage there's a small decking area with some sail-like structures above it that make for a nice quiet spot if you want to pause and take in the view, or if you just want to go somewhere for some me-time. And of course there's the barrage gates where you can watch the comings and goings of the boats and the lock mechanisms in action.

This is my favourite place to walk, run, skip or cycle in the whole of Cardiff…read more It takes about half an hour (if you walk, if you skip its a little less) to get to the barrage, at a nice pace, and along the way you will pass many a scene worth taking in from the skater park, to an outside exhibition about the importance coal had in the south Wales economy etc etc etc. When you get to the barrage you can watch boats of all shape and sizes (depending on the depth of the owners pockets) leaving and coming into the bay through its impressive mechanical locks. I'm nowhere near describing how nice it can be to experience this walk so all I'll say is if you are in the bay and have an hour or so to spare then take a walk down to the barrage and you will not be disappointed.

One of the better preserved castles I toured during my time in Wales, Chepstow Castle looms…read moreimposingly over the muddy, plodding, slithering River Wye that coils at its base. Continuing with the serpentine metaphors, Chepstow's outer rampart continues to snake up the hill behind the main fortification for several hundred feet, offering a spectacular view of the countryside (the Wye itself is a muddy brown, and not particularly exciting). There are several chambers and cellars still mostly intact, some of which (along the riverside) egress to narrow walkways along the cliff face. Unlike some manor houses and estates that identify as "castles" (instead of the glorified stone mansions that they are), Chepstow is the real deal - the vastness of its expanse and volume, the thickness of its walls, and its position atop a cliff, would have made it a bitch to siege.

The heart of the community. Beautiful place to walk around, people are friendly. It's a nice place…read moreto be

Gord and I spent the afternoon exploring Caerphilly Castle (Castell Caerffili), a 13th-century…read moremedieval fortress. Built by Gilbert de Clare around 1268, it was designed to control the region and resist Welsh attacks. It's the largest castle in Wales and the second-largest in Britain, famous for its advanced concentric design (multiple rings of defensive walls) and extensive water defenses (moats and artificial lakes). The castle was damaged early in its history, later fell into decline, and was restored in the 19th-20th centuries.

Currently during Covid, many castles are closed but Caerphilly is one of the only ones that are…read morestill open which I appreciate. It is also one of the only national exhibitions in Wales that needs an entrance fee so there's that. Also, it's apparently the largest castle in England which is quite interesting. Here are some of my observations: - The place, which although looks very big, can be walked through in 1.5-2 hours so don't need to budget a lot of time for this. - There's a lot of small passageways and staircases so would not advise bringing a big bag. I do appreciate how many pathways there are though so it seems like you are discovering a castle which is quite fun. - Interesting to learn about the history of this place. They do have a fake dragon area though which I thought was a little bit weird. - The location is great, next to a lot of restaurants in Caerphilly and the train station. Overall, solid castle, would go back again as it makes for a nice morning walk.

Abergavenny Castle is home to the Museum set in a fantastic Normal Castle (dates back to c. 1087AD)…read moreset on the banks of the River Gavenny it provides an ideal location to stroll around or eat you picnic. Abergavenny has phenomenal weather for this area of Wales as it lies in a Rain Shadow - fabulously sunny days can be had beneath the Sugar loaf Mountain when all around are donning their rain coats. The Museum was formerly a hunting lodge and now houses a mock 18th century kitchen, grocers and other fascinating artefacts. Situated in a beautiful town this is certainly worth a visit ad with FREE admission and a home made picnic, your children will have a fab day for the cost of a home-made sandwich - beats any Theme park I know! Also host many events including key parts of the famous Abergavenny food festival!

A beautiful place to walk up and around the remaining walls of the castle. Picturesque against the…read morefoggy mountains. The staff in the museum was welcoming, the quaint exhibits were catered towards children and adults. Worth a visit!

Growing up, one of my favorite games to play was the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time and this…read morecastle had me feeling like I was in the castle from my childhood. Though the site is now a ruin, thanks to the placards posted everywhere, you could easily picture what rooms and places around the castle keep looked like back in it's heyday. From the square where vendors would set up to sell goods, to the staircase where the royals would walk down in order of importance, it was a very fun set of ruins. Of the many castle ruins I've been to, this would easily be my favorite I've ever been to. The overall castle grounds were kept in excellent condition as well. Nothing was overgrown and my 80 year old grandma was able to easily traverse the entire ruin. The highlight was definitely climbing up to the highest point of the ruins, giving you a glimpse of the entire castle from atop a tower. If you're driving through or even by the castle, I would highly reccomend making your way over to spend an hour or two at these castle ruins. You'll feel like you're in a fairytale!

Raglan Castle on our UK itinerary is a prime reason for us booking time in nearby Cardiff. For us,…read morehaving a family lineage that traces back to William Herbert, a castle resident in the 1500s was a particular draw. GETTING THERE My pre-trip research identified at least 4 ways to get here, and I found the options confusing to say the least. Having made the trek from Cardiff, hopefully these directions will be helpful. Do take a train from Cardiff Central rail station. Select the Nottingham line, on which Newport is the first stop and where you will get off the train. I think we paid 5.40 pounds for round trip train fare. In Newport, you'll next need to navigate to the bus station to catch bus 60. From Newport train station, you'll walk to the city center to your left and walk down through a few streets towards the old city center. Within a few blocks is the bus station and there are some signs to point the way. Note that there are two stations. The local city bus station will NOT get you to Raglan. Walk down a block to find Newport Bus terminal as this is where you will catch bus 60. Here we paid 8.30 pounds for an all day bus fare and you need exact fare. The castle website said to get off at the Monmouth Road bus stop, which is technically correct, but our bus driver had no clue of that stop name nor the castle. Since this bus route has as its final stop a Monmouth proper stop, you do NOT want to go that far as that is another 18 minutes by bus past the small village of Raglan. Do get off in Raglan village (and yes, this is technically the Monmouth Road stop, though your bus driver might not refer to it as such). Catty corner from your stop, you should find a map on a placard across the street from the St. Cadoc's church. This should help you navigate to the castle. You'll walk up Castle Street, cross a highway, and then be on the driveway to the castle. The castle absolutely exceeded expectations. We spent nearly three hours strolling the grounds. Lots of placards that explained the various areas and history of the castle. There is a moat too. So many elements here even though the structure is in ruins: kitchens, cellars, dining quarters, chapel, tower, etc The ruins were beautiful and one can imagine how glamorous it was during its day. This is a self guided visit. Given you will be outdoors for the visit, I suspect visited on a non rainy day would be optimal. Our fortunes were such the day of our visit even though the forecast called for 40% chance of rain. There is a gift shop on premises which carries a number of books offering greater insight into this castle as well as general castle life.

What a marvel this abbey would be, were it still intact! One can almost hear the sound of monks in…read morethick robes shuffling quietly down vaulted corridors, the scratch of scribes' quill pens on parchment, and haunting choral melodies reverberating down the nave. Even in its current condition, Tintern Abbey, in its secluded valley along the banks of the Wye, provides a picturesque window into the daily life of the monks who once inhabited this place of quiet, humble seclusion and religious study. A highly recommended diversion (along with a tour of Chepstow Castle nearby to the south) for any road-tripper or history buff coming or going from Cardiff on the M4.

This was one of my favorite stops in my entire 3.5 week trip in Scotland & England. My mother and…read moreI made the trek up from Ironbridge Gorge to South Wales and it was rainy and foggy the whole time. When we arrived at Tintern Abbey, we stopped in The Ship for a drink and a snack before heading over to the Abbey. Aside from a dude dressed like a Morris dancer (he seemed very bitter at our arrival) - there was nobody else there. Just my mom, me and grumpy man - with many cows lowing at the nearby fence for dinner o'clock. The abbey is just gorgeous - and I feel really privileged that I got to enjoy it without a crowd or a crush of people that the parking lots and nearby restaurants seem to indicate often flow into the site. It was purely magic to walk through the abandoned abbey with a light misty fog draping the nearby hill tops, turning the trees into silhouettes, and darkening the stone of the building's ruined walls. Truly a magical place.

One of the better preserved castles I toured during my time in Wales, Chepstow Castle looms…read moreimposingly over the muddy, plodding, slithering River Wye that coils at its base. Continuing with the serpentine metaphors, Chepstow's outer rampart continues to snake up the hill behind the main fortification for several hundred feet, offering a spectacular view of the countryside (the Wye itself is a muddy brown, and not particularly exciting). There are several chambers and cellars still mostly intact, some of which (along the riverside) egress to narrow walkways along the cliff face. Unlike some manor houses and estates that identify as "castles" (instead of the glorified stone mansions that they are), Chepstow is the real deal - the vastness of its expanse and volume, the thickness of its walls, and its position atop a cliff, would have made it a bitch to siege.

Amazing castle! Perched above the River Wye with incredible views, Chepstow is packed with history…read moreand atmosphere. Lots to explore, well-kept grounds, and super friendly staff. Wear good shoes...there are a bunch of steep steps, but it's 100% worth it. One of the best castles in Wales! The castle itself is full of history. You can wander through towers, old chambers, and winding staircases, and every corner feels like stepping back in time. I had thoughts of "hmm, what happened here?" The information boards are really well done, giving just enough detail to bring the place to life without feeling overwhelming. It's a large castle, so give yourself a couple of hours to explore properly. Comfortable shoes are a must, as some areas are steep and uneven, but that's all part of the adventure. Definitely recommend

A wonderful experience of going back in time. I recommend this castle for families who would like…read morea nice day out during the summer to look back in history and to also enjoy the natural surroundings

Occupying a commanding position north of Cardiff is Castell Coch - Red Castle in Welsh. Originally…read morea small wooden castle, it was rebuilt in red sandstone around 1280, but was seriously damaged in a battle in the 14th century, and by the 1800's was a picturesque ruin. And it might have stayed a ruin, but for the fabulously wealthy Marquess of Bute. The son of an early industrial magnate and owner of Cardiff's coal-exporting docks, he was fascinated by the mediaeval period and commissioned William Burges to rebuild the castle as an occasional summer dwelling, in the mediaeval style, but with modern conveniences (like plumbing and central heating). Completed in 1891, the result is an amazing Victorian mediaeval fantasy. The castle has a proper working drawbridge and portcullis, and turrets with tall, conical roofs. Some of the original mediaeval stone-work is still visible in the lower levels. The interior is even more extraordinary. The level of detail Burges incorporated is stunning - exacting designs for furniture, fittings and an elaborate decorative scheme were developed and executed faithfully. Most of this scheme survives. My favourites are the bed, with its huge crystal-ball bed-knobs, and the wallpaper featuring tales from Aesop's fables. It has featured in many television series and, not surprisingly, is a great place to take kids!