What a lovely place to relax, and enjoy Swansea Bay, its not been here long, but has certainly made…read morea huge difference to the Promenade, with walkers, cyclists, runners, dog walkers all stopping here to eat / drink, and to be honest, we just parked the Car and sat here for a while chatting to others that had done the same as us. When the Tide is in full this is an excellent seafront venue all round, with people enjoying all the watersports they offer. They also offer beach activities when the Tide is out too. All in all, an excellent addition to Swansea..

450 acres of pools and lakes where you can see a huge variety of birds of all kinds, some tame,…read moresome wild plus 'visitors' to our shores and the estuary where this centre is found. There's a small cafe which isn't bad. My only quibble is that I think this could be extended and with a more interesting menu. Otherwise, a great place to visit for all the family all year round, and the staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. You can hire canoes and bikes as well!

We visited here attending our grandsons birthday party and must say it was a lovely experience. We…read morehad a bit of trouble finding it as its a bit far off the main roads but has plenty of parking when we found it. The staff were really friendly and welcoming, feeding the ducks was a big adventure for my grandson especially as some are cheeky enough to come and eat out of your hands. Lots of ponds mean lots of mud though so wear something practical. It was a stunning area though and I can see why many people would return time and time again.

Cardiff Bay has truly grown into one of the premier nightlife/entertainment spots in the country…read more There's something for everyone here from cinemas, casinos, concert halls, boat trips, comedy clubs, bowling alleys and a huge array of restaurants. The Atlantic Wharf leisure park is a great place for kids and adults alike and is home to the cinema, bowling alley, casino and restaurants such as Bella Italia and Old Orleans. They also have a Doctor Who exhibition here, with actual props used in the show. The Bay itself is one of the most picturesque parts of Cardiff and is home to such aesthetically pleasing, striking structures such as the Millenium centre and the 70ft high water tower. They're located in the Roald Dahl Plass, named after the Cardiff born author who was baptised in the local Norwegian Church, visible from the waterfront. During the summer months, they have boat trips operating in the Bay, which are very affordable and, from personal experience, great fun. There's a host of bars and restaurants in the surrounding areas too. It's advisable to book a table as it gets busy every Friday and Saturday night. One of the best places to visit in the bay would be the Glee Club, which for £13 will provide you with a night of top quality comedy acts and a truly memorable evening. If you've never been to the Bay, it;s a definite must-see for the area. You will need more than one night to sample its many delights but it's guaranteed that you certainly won't regret it.

Pont Y Werin Bridge - The Missing Link. Many years ago an…read moreurban legend lost in the mists of time spoke of a promise made to the people of Cardiff by the Bay Development Corporation that one day they would be able to cross over to Penarth using the Barrage. In addition they would also be able to walk and cycle a complete circuit around the Bay. After a very long time and a lot of false starts it now looks as if the prophecy has come true with the recently opened Pont y Werin Bridge, near the new White Water Centre. Talk about low-key. I stumbled across the bridge by accident a few weeks ago. It's a very pretty little bridge actually which comes out by the entrance to the Oystercatcher Pub. The only sign on it from the Cardiff side is a direction to Cogan Station. I think the circuit around the Bay gives some of the best waterfront views I've seen. I've been to both Wellington and Sydney and whilst it can't compete with those, for it's small size it bears some comparison.

I think this one of my favourite places in the area. Went for a very alternative hen party where we…read moregot to stay in a Tipi and learn lots of bush crafts like foraging in the woods and building a campfire and getting it going. Probably doesn't sound like everyone ideal Hen party but it was so much fun, mainly because the staff were so into what they do and making it a fun experience for us girls. I've recommended it to a lot of people now, I think it would be a great family day out and they have so much to offer, like Falconry or hunting. Its only 30 minutes away from Cardiff so its easy to get to and yet you feel like your out in the wilderness when your there.

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.

The river Taff flows from Brecon to Cardiff. In the City it winds through Bute Park, past the…read moreMillennium Stadium and into Cardiff Bay and out into the Bristol Channel. In Winter salmon and sea trout swim upstream and make spectacular leaps up the Black Weir, whilst in the Summer months students float down stream on lilos and other inflatables, clutching beer cans tight. Canoeists cut through the water all year long and water bus tours travel from Bute park to Cardiff Bay and then onto Penarth Marina. A few paddle in the Taff, but most don't swim. Men wade out into the shallow waters to go fly fishing. Cormorants can regularly be seen perched on rocks, oily wings outstretched to dry, if you're lucky you may catch glimpse of an otter, a minx or even a kingfisher. What other City but Cardiff can you find such a beautiful, well used river rich in wildlife?

I came to the Taff River on a delightful sunny day. The accommodation where I was staying, the Taff…read moreRiver was right in front of it. I got to see the river runs from Millennium stadium, onto Bute park and up to Cardiff Bay up to Parnath. The river is soooo peaceful and serene. I know I saw a few ducks on the river too. The water bus boat runs though it as well. I got to admire the river on the bridge as well, as well as walk by it in the park. You do see others cycle, walk, run and picnic by the river too. As a visitor, the Taff river was one of my highlights in Cardiff, I look forward to seeing again.

Another place for boats... surprise, surprise…read more.. This marina though was just like many others that the boat had been moored in; such as Cardiff Bay marina, Swansea marina, Pembrokeshire Neyland marina and there were possibly a few more, but the ones I've mentioned are the marina's that I remember the most vividly. It is very much like Cardiff Bay's marina (like in my review about that marina); such as how you get in and out of the boat area, and the use and access of the toilet facilities and there are some local spa shops nearby, for the groceries that you might need. The areas are not really wheel chair accessible; you could wheel the person back and forth down there, but the pontoon to walk down onto the other pontoons that are flat on the water, is very difficult to push a wheel chair up and down it, because it is very steep. It possibly will also be hard to lift the person to get them onto your or a boat down there, so this is not advisable. I recommend for all boat owners; children are allowed and dogs on the boat need to keep an eye out at all times though...

What would you call this place? The 'Magic Valley', 'Bluebell Valley'? There are no prizes apart…read morefrom the pleasure of discovering this hidden gem, tucked away a couple miles out of Bridgend. Especially now, with Bluebells everywhere - catch them in the morning sun framed against the dark greens of the mysterious ancient woodlands covering the valley sides. Explore the special Bluebell Reserve (and not to pick - a criminal offence me thinks!). Look out for the Clapper or pack-horse bridge, which are apparently quite uncommon in the UK, with perhaps only about 40 recorded to date. These bridges served as a way across streams or rivers and were often on pack-horse routes. You can dangle your toes in the stream that runs underneath this one. Further round is the ford - deep enough in the wetter months to unnerve any but the bravest 4x4. After prolonged dry though, the little river that wends its way through the valley might dry up for large stretches. There are numerous footpaths reaching up out of the valley if its a hiking day but its very easily accessible by car or bicycle. Well worth a picnic trip out.