Track 2000 converts tat into treasure…read more This not-for-profit organisation offers second hand furniture to those on a low income, it also trains the unemployed and aids the recycling effort to boot. You can pick up second hand beds, settees, wardrobes and white goods from their warehouse. The ethos is great and it's a fantastic asset for the Cardiff community, but I did find some of the furniture a little overpriced and some of the sofas in need a clean. The building itself is Victorian red brick, with a number of large biodiesel powered lorries loitering outside. Look out for the washing machine drums on the side of the building, which offering fantastic natural drainage and have been converted into ingenious plant holders. Bonus: Just ask and Track 2000 will deliver your furniture purchases

This is a museum in South Wales which tells all about the colliery history in the area. In the same…read moremanner as The Big Pit, Rhondda Heritage Park strives to tell the story of local toil, plight and humanity through a delightful series of galleries and interactive exhibitions. Unlike The Big Pit, however, you cannot go down into the mines here, as they have long since been closed off. They do have a very convincing reenactment space though, and for those easily beguiled or young at heart, you might just believe you really are far underground. At the end of the tour there is a Simulation ride, where you are flung along cave tunnels in the back of a coal cart. This is, from what I remember of childhood visits, probably the highlight. The guide many years ago said that everyone begged to run the ride again, but they would never do it. Not even for the Queen, he said. (At 9, this shocked me.) Rhondda Heritage Park is a good place for a family afternoon out; particularly amusing if you're visiting with someone afraid of the dark.

This is a wonderful park to have a day out in with children! There is just so much to see and do…read morehere, I have fond memories of when I was a child, going here to this park. I even have some dreams about the place as walk back along the small, grey rocks that lay on the flat and hard ground that seems to be near something like a train station or something. Then I just fade out of it, quickly... I remember feeling terrified at the thought of going underground and following the footsteps of what a minor would have used to have taken. We had a story and health instructions given to us before we entered the mine and the dark, cold and a narrow lift with one small light bulb lighting it up. We had to wear hard helmets with small, light bulbs blaring out from the top of you helmets. You can at first go and see The Visitor Centre, which has; an Art Gallery, a café on level one, a gift shop and a period village that has been re-constructed called Village Street. Entry to this heritage park is mostly free; if it is a special event day there then you have to pay to enter the place. I recommend this place to all, especially to children and their parents.

The Riverside Warehouse is a local community centre for young people aged between 10 and 25 who…read morelive in the Riverside area of Cardiff, or nearby. It hosts a whole range of different activities designed to give young people something fun to do, and a place to make or meet friends. There's a large indoor hall used for sports such as 5-a-side and table tennis as well as dance and keep fit sessions, parties and events. The warehouse hosts events such as fashion shows, quizzes and multi-cultural festivals from time to time, and also houses a recording studio for creative music-makers, and offers a range of IT facilities including computers with internet access. At the moment their various themed nights include Girls' night on Mondays (5pm-8pm), an over 13s night on Wednesdays (6pm-9pm), a Juniors' night for those aged 10-13 on Thursdays (5.45pm-8.45pm), and an over-13s football coaching night on Fridays (6pm-9pm). While I can't claim to be a 'fan' myself (as I don't quite fit their target market), this is an obvious asset to the Riverside community. With a constant stream of young people wandering in and out of the centre, it seems to have been successful in creating a popular hang-out for young locals who fancy getting out of the house to play Playstation or meet their friends.

In 2007 with a little help from a lottery grant, a disused building in Riverside was transformed…read moreinto a community asset. The Riverside Wherehouse was a godsend to the Riverside community and especially to its youth. When I visited the warehouse a t-shirt printing workshop was on the go, a drum workshop was banging and a fine curry was being cooked. The Riverside Warehouse also runs some fab festivals. Recently the Riverside festival took place down the road from the Warehouse in Dispenser gardens. The festival had a positive, multicultural vibe, food, story telling and music were on the menu and there was a focus on green issues. The warehouse itself has a PA system and computers and they offer music and dance workshops. Inside there is a court for football and basketball, opposite the building is a small council playground. Check it Riversiders.

I really and truly cannot express my love of this place enough!…read more St. Donats Arts Centre is situated near on the South Wales coastline in the grounds of a medieval castle (complete with jousting field), which is now an International College. Imagine a Hogwarts by the sea, and you're mostly there. They offer a large bar area with outstanding views, a gallery and cinema, and theatrical and musical performances go on in the traditional Tythe Barn. This is also the venue for the critically acclaimed Beyond the Border storytelling festival, which takes place every year. Although this venue is small, the staff are friendly and eager to please, and the regular clientele are an amazing mix of locals. The only downside to the centre is its distance from most major areas. But it is certainly well worth the trip, just make sure you check out their website before going down, as there are not events happening each day, and you certainly don't want to turn up and be disappointed!

Within the grounds of St Donat's Castle lies the enchanting St Donat's Arts Centre, housed in a…read more14th century Tithe barn which has been converted into a fully-equipped theatre. Another modern addition to the barn is the completely new and contrasting 'Glass Room' on one side. The publicly-funded centre puts on a high quality arts programme throughout the year in this unique setting, which has wonderful views right across the sea towards Exmoor. The barn itself is widely considered be be one of the most inspired public buildings in Wales. The centre provides a really diverse programme of children's theatre, craft classes, dance sessions, cinema, exhibitions, world music events, jazz in the Glassroom. festivals, choir rehearsals, workshops and live shows. It also hosts the internationally renowned Beyond the Border storytelling festival, and it's the perfect, enchanting venue for this lovely event (with outreach storytelling in venues elsewhere in the area, too). The Box Office and Gallery are open 10am - 4pm on weekdays, plus evenings and weekends when there are performances taking place. Check the website for upcoming events, and keep your fingers crossed that the weather is fine when you visit so you can also enjoy far-reaching views out to sea.

This museum is absolutely amazing! It is a huge outdoor museum, although it does have a few…read moreexhibits in the main building. Once you step outside, you can feel yourself being transported back in time (if you overlook the paved walkways). There are buildings that have been moved here from all over Wales, with deep history and great staff available to answer any questions.

Genuinely an amazing staple of the outer Cardiff community. The staff in the restaurant and…read moreadventure climbing are incredibly enthusiastic and helpful. There are so many child friendly activities. Admission is free, and they often put on holiday related markets and other things. They put up the Gwalia and other shops, shops my Grandmother visited daily in the 50's. This is not only preserving Welsh local history, but also the story of my Grandmother. This is amazing, Great!

Oystermouth Castle is a sweet little thing set on a hill overlooking Swansea Bay and looked after…read morethese days by volunteers. It originated in the 12th century and remained one of the most important castles in South Wales for another 300 years or so. Back in the day it must've been quite the dwelling, with visits from Edward I and a chapel built in. By the 16th Century the castle was in a bit of a state, and by state I mean ruins. These days though, quite a lot of it remains and you can explore it quite intricately, climb up stairs and wander around the bits left over imagining you are the king and your friends are the dirty rascals. It only costs about £1 to get in and it's a lovely place to have a summer picnic.

This a historic castle with good views over the town and Mumbles. You can go inside the castle and…read moreup onto the walls and turret for a great view out. Cheap entrance fee £1 so definitely worth it.

I learned something new today…read more During my visit to the Butetown History and Arts Centre, I discovered photographer Bert Hardy, thanks to the lovely lady perched behind the desk. I've only known the Bay since my move here in 2006, so I can only imagine the amount of history and culture I'm missing out on. To be honest, I think I'd prefer Tiger Bay to its glossy Disney successor, after wistfully gazing at Bert Hardy's photo depiction of Cardiff life which hang on the centre's walls. After commenting about how I love portraits, but "hate photos of trees and stuff" (I really shouldn't be let out of the house), she helpfully motioned me to the corner bookshelf where she pulled out a few books, one showcasing Bert Hardy's portraits, and the other featuring photos of the area's Somali population taken by the Centre's Director, Glenn Jordan. Unfortunately, I dropped in as the centre was undergoing a refurbishment, so I was only allowed to browse through the ground floor room, which was a shame, but like any promising prospect, I came away wanting more. Best of all, it's FREE!

If you're looking to spend a day in Cardiff Bay be sure to stop by the Butetown Historical centre -…read morereminisce about how Tiger Bay used to look and the trade boom that came with industrialisation. Lots of beautiful art work and information points available. Sadly often overlooked due to it's dodgy locale, but worth straying off the beaten track to check out.

The Cardiff Institute for the Blind (CIB) is an independent local voluntary organisation (and…read moreregistered charity) devoted to the welfare of Visually Impaired people within the counties of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. This is their mission statement: 'The CIB exists to enable visually impaired people within the Counties of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to live a full and normal life. It seeks to influence policies and practices of other organisations, individuals and service providers in the light of its experience and research, and, in accordance with the resources it has available, complement the range of services provided by these organisations by directly contributing its own set of services.' They make a huge difference to the lives of visually impaired people. You could do. Volunteer your time or donate some pounds. Feel warm and fuzzy. Ah, isn't that nice?

Well meaning staff who care. Unfortunately it's more about keeping their own jobs rather than the…read morepeople they are there to support since its denied takeover by RNIB. This organisation has lost it's way, which is such a shame. It had to be expected since RNIB now pull all the strings. Staff have been laid off, so it's no surprise it's services have suffered. It's resource centre now closed, it seems that CIB is to suffer a slow and agonising demise.