If you're into your monastic history, then this is the place to come! This is an impressive Norman…read morepriory founded by Benedictine monks in the 12th century. The priory itself is now a private house and is set within a fortified perimeter wall, which is huge and looming, and quite a feat of architecture in itself. But the church is still used today and open to the public most of the year. But the reason you come here, I would say, is the same reason one might visit a cathedral: there is a certain air of calm and tranquillity wrapped up in tradition and wonderful architecture. When light streams into the church, it can be breathtakingly beautiful in that quiet kind of way. This is quite a quiet spot where parking is easy and picnicking even more so. A good place to bring studious children, grandparents or people with a keen interest in the historical or religious.

If you're taking a trip out of Cardiff to explore the surrounding towns, villages and countryside…read moreacross the Vale of Glamorgan, it's well worth visiting this impressive Norman monastic church on your travels. Founded for Benedictine monks of Gloucester Abbey by the Norman lord of Glamorgan in the 12th century, today the site is looked after by Cadw, the Welsh Assembly's historic environment service ('Cadw' means 'to keep' in Welsh). It is unusual because it sits within a fortified perimeter wall, much of which is still standing, and it is regarded as the most complete Norman Church in South Wales. The priory was later converted into a private house, but the nave is still in use as a Parish church, and restoration work has been carried out by Cadw there fairly recently. At the eastern end of the church you can see tombs containing the de Londres family (the family of the Norman lord who founded the place). It can be found just off the road leading from Bridgend to Llantwit Major. When you enter the churchyard, look out for the magnificent big Yew tree standing outside - some experts say this type of tree was planted in graveyards to represent immortality and resurrection.

I've walked past this statue many times over the years but only recently tried to find out some…read moreinformation about it! It appears to be a mermaid of sorts, in some kind of yoga position (at least, that is how it has always looked to my uneducated eyes). It is indeed a mermaid, carved in Portland stone by Peter Nicholas FRBS, ARCA, and weighing three tons. The dimensions are: 152cm in height, 122cm width and 122cm in depth. The circular form represents the cycle of life, its evolution from the sea to dry land and is also symbolic of Porthcawl's long association with the sea. It is signed at the bottom, P.W. NICHOLAS. 1993. Peter studied at the Cardiff Art School and the Royal College of Art and has exhibited all over Britain. He works mainly in marble and stone creating both small and large works. This sculpture is found on the grass in Seabank Gardens in West Drive (across the road from the Seabank Hotel) and beside a public seating area.

I first saw the sand dunes from the other side of the river at Ogmore…read more Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes are situated about one mile outside the village of Merthyr Mawr. Once the largest sand dune system in Europe they are a huge network, spreading across towards the Ogmore/Porthcawl coast. The dunes also claim fame to the highest single sand dune in Europe, known as the 'big dipper'. The dunes are very popular with kids for rolling and sliding down, (me included)runners for training (once saw Lynn Davies, Olympic long-jump gold medallist, running up them) and local wildlife enthusiasts. Scenes from the famous film Lawrence of Arabia were filmed at the dunes. Good desert little heat :) There is a footpath to the village of Merthyr Mawr and then one to Ogmore and its castle. WONDERFUL (dangerous?) stepping stones across the river). Also nearby is Candlestone (Candleston) Castle. (Really a fortified manor house.) A truly great area to spend a day or two exploring and picnicing. Race you up the big dipper!

A beautiful place for a walk in the summer and winter. Ogmore river running nearby so if it gets…read moretoo hot can always go for a dip in the river or the sea. The dunes are also idea for sports training and are often used by athletes for sprint training.

This is one of Wales' best kept secrets. The best family day out in Wales. For sure. Margam Country…read morePark has so much going on all year around, that I feel a list may be in order: 10 REASONS TO GO TO MARGAM PARK: 1) 1000 acres of amazing scenery and parkland 2) Historic buildings and stunning architecture: picturesque Tudor-Gothic style Victorian Mansion House 3) Park train, taking you all around the place (save energy for point 4) 4) Children's adventure playground! Complete with a zip swing. 5) Fairytale Land; for children of any age, complete with a miniature castle/maze. 6) The hedge maze. 7) Outdoor giant chess/drafts, by the ice cream outlet. 8) Margam deer herd wandering peacefully around the play. 9) Mountain biking... 10) Walking, crazy golf, farm trails, canoes, fishing, camping, pony trekking... There are incredible events running throughout the year, including craft fairs, battle reenactment and Halloween haunted tours. This really is an amazing and magical place with secrets and surprises quite literally around every corner. Enjoy!

Addicted to eighteenth century related houses and their history? Then this park is the most…read moreglorious place to visit. You will be surprised at every corner that you take; there is an eighteenth Century Orangery, the twelfth Century Chapter House, the most cutest deer herd within the whole of Wales and there are so many of them that photographers won't know what to do with themselves. A Tudor-Gothic style, Victorian Mansion House and Ornamental gardens also take place at the stunning area, where Margam Park lie's. I love this place it is so beautiful it is hard not to want to live there; if it was available to do so and it you could afford such fantastic house and it's ground. It would be a brilliant day out for all, which would be great for parents and children too. You can find out all that you need to on the companies fantastic website. There is so much to see and do there that you will have to go back there more than once, a fabulous summer holiday, day out. Fun for all the family! It is a place that is situated near Port Talbot which is about half an hour away from Cardiff. So I recommend it to all...

Spooky and devilishly charming, this castle is the setting of a school, an arts centre, and the…read moreBeyond the Border Storytelling festival. With some of the most charming and fun gardens around, this is a lovely place should you ever get the chance to visit. It's also been featured in the most recent series of Doctor Who! Oh, the excitement!

Crashing waves, towering cliffs, sheer inpregnable walls, dark spooky woods, bats, ancient church…read moreand graveyard,lush steaming river valley - St Donat's Castle. Walk along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast catching glimpses of the foaming sea below, skid down the tortuous rock path to the beach below. Catch the light at the right time (typical British summer) and marvel at the range of grey shades - cliffs, rocks, sea and sky - bleak at it's beautiful best. Clamber back up the cliff path and then down again to the slipway in front of the Castle (Atlantic College). No admission unless on an open day, but peek up the ramp at the open air swimming pool for the resident students. With permissions on open day, explore the wooded hillside. Then towards the ramparts from below, along the grass front with the gallery stand that looks just like the set of Arthur and the Round Table - Knights viewing a jousting tournament. Best time, evening, dodging the bats and looking for luscious early season blackberries flourishing in the shelter of the warm stonework. Look inside the ancient, isolated, St Donat's church nestling in the valley below - history, tradition, legacies and memories seeping from its old stones. Castle itself, a marvel - a mini Gormenghast. Loads of cultural activities too, if you plan ahead. A couple of useful links: http://www.qype.co.uk/place/380372-glamorgan-heritage-coast-Llantwit-Major http://www.qype.co.uk/events/386973-Schools-Out-Rocks-St-Donats-Arts-Centre-Llantwit-Major http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Donat's_Castle http://www.stradling.org.uk/docs/Guide2.htm http://www.glamorganwalks.com/localfeatures6.htm Fantastic place. Hope this has been useful.

Initially a Norman castle, this great building appears to have been refortified by Henry II in the…read more1180s, which can be spotted in the very high quality of the masonry. Like many historic buildings in Wales, this castle is looked after by Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government's historic environment service. Free to visitors, the monument is set in a picturesque location overlooking the River Ogmore and the town of Bridgend. Established in the early 1100s by Robert FitzHamon, first Norman lord of Glamorgan, it's visited by quite a few tourists staying in Cardiff - often combining this site with visits to nearby Coity and Ogmore Castles, packing three monuments into one day. For those living in Cardiff these castles are also worth a day trip if you're interested in Welsh history and monuments, and on a fine day it makes a nice spot for a picnic or taking photos. If you have an OS map, the reference is 170: SS 902801

This is a lovely place to walk to take the sea air! The middle of it is situated very close to the…read moretown centre (and car parks). During the summer months a little tourist 'road train' runs along the Esplanade as far as Rest Bay to the west. On one side of the road you can look out across the rocky beach and the Bristol Channel. One the other, you will pass the well known Grand Pavillion (a venue for many famous performers through the years) and also many fine houses and modern apartments. If you are on foot, the pavement 'runs out' before you can reach Rest Bay but you can continue over grass. Somewhere I have visited many times (the most recent being today!)