As a result of the Gavin and Stacey fame, the lady who actually lives in the house that was used in…read morethe filming for the program has opened her house up to Gavin and Stacey fans. The delightful lady, Glenda Kenyon is very welcoming and gives and informative tour including pictures to look at and gives all an insight into what it's like to live 'on location'. You are welcomed to take lots of pictures and even use the bathroom if required. Many of the street scenes took place in Trinity Street and Glenda will point them all out to you. (Stacey & Gwen, Uncle Bryn and Doris all live here) Glenda does not accept money for the tour but if you feel like donating, her favourite charity is the RSPCA and donations are optional. Last year, she raised close to £1000 for the cause. You are also encouraged to write a message to the shows cast in a visitors book. Well worth a visit!!

Llancarfan is a delightful village in the Vale of Glamorgan, tucked away up a narrow valley (and…read moreaccessed - be warned - via some very narrow lanes). Best known for its pub, the Fox and Hounds, it is also home to one of Wales's oldest Christian sites. Here, St Cadoc founded a small monastery around 515AD. Viking raids and economic decline meant that, by the Norman conquest, the original foundation was probably a shadow of its former self, but evidence points to small Norman church having been founded on the site, rebuilt between the 12th and 15th centuries into the impressive church we see today. As well as the robust Gothic architecture, the church retains a fine mediaeval screen and Retford. But Pride of place is reserved for the substantial remains of mediaeval wall paintings, which rank among the best in Britain. For here are a superb rendition of St George and the dragon, being watched by a fine red-bearded king, his queen and the daughter (who St George is saving), with her sacrificial lamb, all watched over by the Virgin Mary. Then there is s complete rendition of the Seven Deadly Sins and a less complete depiction of the Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy. Finally there is a wonderful death and gallant, where a rotting corpse (complete with toad and worms) leads a young 15th Century dandy out of the church and into the graveyard. This is the only surviving depiction of this motif in a British church. The tower has a small Romanesque window set high up, possibly re-used from the earlier Norman church. The church still has regular services and is well worth a visit.

Built around 4000BC, and within a long barrow which is now removed, this is an interesting small…read moreburial chamber. It's possible to walk easily from the road and stand within the up-rights under the capstone. There are usually cattle in the field and they are quite inquisitive - they may come to look at what you're up to! Best to wear wellies as it can be muddy throughout the year. Whilst in the area, try to also visit Tinkinswood Burial Chamber which is less than a mile away.

Ystradfellte is the Brecon Beacon's Waterfall country and its also were I grew up so its a place I…read moreknow well and love very much. Its a place that a lot of people in Wales know of just because of the fall and the caving complexes. The most famous of the waters is Sgwd Y Eira. If you have seen the advertising posters for Brecon Water this is the waterfall in the picture. Its a fairly easy walk apart from the steps as you get near and its one of very few waterfalls that you can actually walk underneath, though do expect to get sprayed a bit. I personally prefer some of the walks around the other falls which are much quieter in the summer and offer refreshing pools to swim in or picnic by. In all my years of living here I have never got bored of walking the area, its different all the time. Just a note to vistors the two main car parks charge a daily fee and a national parks ranger goes between them. If you want to avoid the fee park in the village itself and walk a bit further, tempting as it may be to pull up on the verges near the car parks I have seen so many break in's that you really are risking it a bit.

Drunk too much tea at the Hayes Island snack bar? Relieve yourself in style in these beautifully…read morearchitectured Victorian water closets. The latrines are framed by an ornate black metal gold tipped fence. A brass handrail guides you down to polished granite floors beneath the busy shopping street. When I visited the facilities they were clean and well maintained. I loved the heavy hardwood doors and brass fittings, the cast iron cistern and the smooth wooden chain pulls. But was slightly disturbed by the 'needle bin' facility on the wall, however better safely binned than scattered on the floor! Although wheelchair inaccessible, a notice on the fence helpfully tells you that disabled facilities can be accessed at the back of the Hayes Island snack bar during opening hours. Highly recommended.

Penllergaer Woods is a fabulous place to walk and if you have an interest in history explore what…read morewere the grounds and garden of Sir John Dilwyn Llewellyn's mansion. The best place to set off from is the council offices just off the M4 junction, where parking is usually possible on weekends or otherwise by the 'Midway Cafe' at the layby on the A48. The remains of buildings and some elaborate landscape gardening are still evident and make for a fascinating exploration. With the river, lakes and great little waterfall it's another lovely sunny day walk, plenty of shade and places to sit and relax along the way.

This little grassy island is on the north coast of the Bristol Channel, not far from Penarth. It is…read morereached from the village of Swanbridge and the car park of the Captain's Wife pub at low tide. At these times it is possible to walk over the natural causeway onto the 'island' but great care must be taken not to be cut off when the tide comes in again! There have been many accidents as the result of carelessness (and stupidity) and there is now a sign at the north end which states, You are Risking your Life by Visiting this Island! It is probably best just to view it from the mainland..

Sully Island is a small island of 14.5 acres (c. 6 ha) 450m off the coast of Glamorgan, mid way…read morebetween Penarth and Barry, near the village of Sully. It is linked by a natural rocky causeway to the mainland, which comes ashore near the Captain's Wife pub in the hamlet of Swanbridge. The island has a long association with smuggling, but evidence of Bronze Age burial mounds, Viking remains and a defended Saxon homestead indicate it has been used, if not always inhabited, for thousands of years. Notorious pirate Nighthawk buccaneer Alfredo de Marisco is reputed to have established a base on Sully Island in the 13th century. Earlier in 2011 the island was put for a sale: the asking price was £95,000, and a group of local people were trying to buy it to retain public access. During much of the historical era, it has been used on and off by smugglers: the coves at Swanbridge and nearby St Mary's Well Bay, sheltered by the island, formed a minor port and fishing village until the 19th century, and the island was used to hide contraband goods rather than declare them: records indicate both goods and illegal immigrants were seized in the 16th and 17th centuries. The island was also the site of several wrecks, most notably the Antarctic Survey vessel the SY Scotia in 1916 (although the vessel had by that stage been sold into commercial cargo service). The island is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has an unusual flora and fauna, with rare plants including the bee orchid, the marine spleenwort and the adder's tongue fern, and (as Peter Caton points out) interesting rock formations. Finally, I would reiterate the warning about the dangers of crossing to the island. The causeway is uncovered for about only 3 hours at low tide, and the tides rise rapidly. The causeway has appropriate warning signs at the landward end. A school-friend of my mother's was drowned here before World Way II attempting to swim back to the mainland.

The castle is lovely and grounds are absolutely stunning. Although the structure and landscaping…read moreare lovely, our tour guide felt the need to weave her strong political views into most topics. Examples would be regarding a pitcher/jug that is displayed in one of the glass cases. She said the pitcher "should not be here" and if she had her way "it would be returned" because it was "stolen from a masque." She also said when referring to Dr. Edward Jenner being the first to develop a successful vaccination for small pox that "it really is a question if he were the first." She said he barely beat Africa and Turkey in this world altering vaccine. To which doctors to whom was she referring to in Africa or Turkey? She made a comment of, " My grandfather always said, 'Whatever horrible acts done have been done have been done by the English first.' and I firmly believe this." She was also railing against the decisions of the monarchs before the addition of the parliament. Then she went on to say she wished she could get rid of the current government. A guide should concentrate on the facts and remove biases. It is quite distracting and unnecessary.

What can you say about one of the oldest inhabited castles in the world which is still owned by the…read moresame family from 900 years ago. You have to go. Its where Edward II was murdered with a red hot poker up his fundament .

'Y Garreg Siglo' in Welsh, a great place to visit, not far from Pontypridd Hospital and with a…read moremarvellous view over the town. The central stone is over 5 feet high and placed there in Neolithic times. It does indeed 'rock' slightly back and forth if you sit or stand on it and push a bit! The stone circle surrounding it is much more recent, having been arranged there only one or two hundred years ago (there appears to be some dispute about the exact date). There are various other stones dotted about the Common. There are several places to park nearby along the road side.

This unusually well preserved ancient monument constructed approx 4000 BC is easily found off…read moreDuffryn lane - just look out for the sign. A short walk across a field allows direct access to the tomb. It's possible to walk around the exterior and to enter the inside as well. The capstone is one of the largest in the UK, estimated to weigh around 40 tons! There is an unusual atmosphere near this chamber with the wildlife seeming to avoid it! Well worth a visit. While in this area, it's a good idea to also visit the burial chamber at St Lythans.