It's just 10 pounds to cowork on the top floor of Hamilton House, which you're never quite sure is…read moregoing to make it another day, based on what the developers want. The coworkers are friendly and on Wednesdays they have a tea and cake at 3pm, which will give you an opportunity to meet some of the lovely people who work here.

Coexist have transformed a derelict building in Stokes Croft into an energetic cultural centre,…read morehousing workspaces, community classes (such as art, dance, fitness, wellbeing, environment, community cohesion), and venue space for hire. Downstairs the Canteen / bar offers decent food and drink, and it also hosts music/club nights. I'd reccommend popping into the foyer in person to check out the events blackboard to get a proper feel for the place and to see the bredth of stuff going on there!

Free museum (donations welcome), very nice collection. In particular, I enjoyed the animal display…read moreof those found in and around the Bristol area and my spouse was excited to see the Banksy. We loved seeing the anti-racism display as well. There were several good options for children as well and we saw a school class enjoying the exhibits. We hadn't planned on this stop but popped in when we happened across it. The building is also beautiful! Worth stopping in!

For a smaller museum, this one is of the must stop learning experiences anywhere. It has an real…read morediversity of art, science, and history that works for any family or lifelong student. It is free of charge but they do ask for 5 pound donations (optional).

Ok, i have been to a few bird sanctuaries because I love owls and birds of prey . I have to say…read morethis is #1 for me. It was small enough not to tire you out, but big enough to have all sorts of really interesting birds! We stopped at the cafe and that was perfect too, they are really organized there, the souvenir shop was OK. Overall a good day out, worth the 1 hour drive we had to get there.

I run a b&b locally and, of the many guests I have who go to the Centre, I have never ever had one…read morethat has come back disappointed. This includes those who have gone on the one day flying courses. The Centre is run by Jemima Parry-Jones who is certainly the country's expert on raptors and has been given an MBE for her services. All other birds of prey people defer to Jemima and her knowledge, and her skill at flying the birds enthralls her audiences. The number of volunteers who are constantly helping her keep the Centre up to scratch is a testament to their respect for her. It is a 'must-visit' place if you are in the area of the Forest of Dean or Ross-on-Wye.

Said to be one of Wales' best kept secrets, the castle at Caldicot sits on an ancient, attractive…read moreand strategically important site. Restored to much of its original outstanding condition, it is an attractive and interesting place to visit. The castle contains all the elements of the typical medieval fortress, and has been lovingly cared for by its present owners, who have opened it to the public. Founded by the Normans, developed in royal hands as a stronghold in the Middle Ages and restored as a Victorian family home, this castle has a romantic and colourful history. It was originally built on a site that had long been recognized for its strategic value. In fact the Romans already actively made use of the area in the early centuries AD, when Caldicot stood on the Via Julia roadway to Caerwent, the Roman town of Venta Silurum (ruins visible) just to the north. Caldicot's placement near the Bristol Channel allowed observation of the comings and goings of ship traffic and eased transport of supplies to the site. Its useful location was recognized by the Normans as early as 1086, and they built a motte with two baileys and a deep surrounding ditch to control this portion of south Wales. It is a surprisingly pleasant find in the Welsh countryside, so close to the modernized, industrial sector of Wales, yet so isolated from it. The castle is now owned and operated by the local authority, and is open to the public. The great gatehouse is now home to popular medieval banquets, a lavish and appropriate setting for such whimsical entertainment. Indeed some of the official website makes it almost sound like Disneyland in my opinion, but there are indeed some aspects that also make it fun for those with children so don't let that put you off visiting when in the neighbourhood of Newport/Chepstow. For the full history, go here: http://www.castlewales.com/caldicot.html If you want to stay over (within walking distance), try here:http://www.qype.co.uk/place/754362-The-Lychgate-Caldicot

Only a short car ride from Chepstow or Newport this is an ideal day out for any family with…read morechildren of all ages. Plenty of space (over 50 acres), yet you get a feeling that everything is close at hand. The castle is open and you can enjoy an audio tour at your own pace, so if something catches your eye you can spend that extra time there. Any-one for chess? Play on a giant out-door board with 2ft tall figures. Like knights and heraldry? See the armor worn by your forefathers; could you see yourself in combat wearing this kind of battledress? Pity the poor horses that carried armies in those times! There are gentle paths for strolling, with several picnic tables spread about the grounds, and unusually, there are barbecue hearths for a really splendid family meal. All the lawns and paths by the castle are level which makes it ideal for those with any mobility problems. Tours are availble for those with impaired hearing. A visit to the shop will end the peferct day; something for everyone & of all ages. Altogether a lovely day out, just a little off the beaten track, but more than worth the time you spend there.

This is a type of community centre and public library all in one. It is attached to Herons Moor…read moreInfant and Junior School but its facilities are used by the public and the school alike. It has conference and meeting rooms which are very well kept. The whole building is light and airy and you can hire the school hall for functions and childrens parties from here. They also provide a complete party package which is great and very well organised. Great toilet facilities, couple of vending machines and they serve a small range of hot drinks over the counter. During school hols they have some great childrens activities which don't cost too much. Also have internet access and if you join the library I think you get a limited amount of access for free. The library is very well maintained and they have a story time for younger children which is great and usually involves a bit of art and craft as well. Staff are always helpful and friendly.

This is another one of those places that anyone who grew up in South Wales will have gone along on…read moreschool trips to. When you're a kid, all you care about is the coal and the explosions and dead canaries and severed limbs, and the like. It's all exciting and interesting; going down into the mine is probably the most exciting thing you ever did while in primary school. As an adult, this museum takes on a very different persona. The exhibitions and historical buildings tell a very real story of a Welsh past that effected many lives. The stories told are both sombre and uplifting, but above all the camaraderie between locals is immensely touching. The museum has undergone massive redevelopments in the last 6 years or so, and now has hit the 21st century with multimedia exhibitions. The highlight is still the famous underground tour, however. You go down into the mines, 300 feet beneath the surface, and really find out what it might have been like for the thousands of men who spent lives chipping away at the coalface. This is a fun and informative day out, and I would recommend it for all ages. This museum has worked hard to entertain everyone, and they've succeeded.

This was a FABULOUS experience. You suit up, get prepped and go down a 300 foot deep shaft in a…read morecoal mine once fully operational but now run and maintained by the National Museum of Wales. Our guide was fabulous and he, like many of the guides, once worked in the mines before they shut down production. He led us through dark and tiny tunnels. He told us about the history of the mine and the people who worked in the mines. (Some of the history and conditions the people and animals were put through were quite sad.) We got to experience how dark the tunnels were and see how you mine as well as where the horses were kept. I was a little scared. Two of my friends couldn't handle the tight space and close quarters. However, if you're not claustrophobic and up for a different kind of adventure; I whole heartedly recommend it. Guide was fun and did everything to make sure we were safe. For instance, you must leave all electrical devises on the surface for fear of any current sparking a fire because even though this is run by a museum now, it's still an active mine and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Just to say that my girls used to go to another holiday club in Bristol but they are so much…read morehappier coming to School's Out Henleaze. Thank you.

This is a beautiful old house just outside Newport, very easy to get to from the motorway, and well…read moreworth a visit. For anyone who's a fan of BBC costume dramas, then this is the type of house that would make any Jane Austen heroine fall in love with even the most ruthless and cutthroat of villainous rich men. It packs quite a punch. Sitting in 90 acres of surrounding parkland, this is a lovely oasis of tranquillity. The house and gardens are open to the public during the summer months, and there are also countless festivals and seasonal events happening throughout the rest of the year. There is also a short avenue of arts and crafts shops which are open throughout the year. Here you'll find Busy Bees Patchwork and many other pottery, art and smithies. Pop along for a cultural afternoon.

Tanya is right on the money when she says this park is straight out of a BBC costume drama (don't…read moreeven get me started on their version of Pride and Prejudice - I know the whole damn thing by heart and that series is most likely the reason I moved to the UK in the first place). I used to work at the government building that's right around the corner, so a few lunch hours were spent walking around this park's stunning grounds. The park and woodland walk is open from 9 am to dusk. The House is open from Easter to the end of September, with house tours from Wednesday - Sunday. Tours last a little over an hour starting at 11am, then run hourly until 4pm. Events are held year round, and more information can be found on their website. Tredegar House is licensed for weddings and caters for conferences, although I'm happy just meandering around the park with the grand house serving as part of the background. If you're not a driver, you can get here via the number 30 and 36 Cardiff Bus, which I'd recommend instead of taking the train, as Newport Railway Station is a fair bit away.

The Abbey gateway in Kingswood is the symbol of the village. The gateway is all that remains of a…read moremonastery that was Kingswood Abbey, a Cistercian abbey. Kingswood Abbey was founded in the year 1169 by a William of Berkeley. All that survives today is the 16th century abbey gatehouse, which is under the care of English Heritage. The abbey was destroyed by order of Henry XIII and someof the stone was used to build nearby Newark Park House. There is a short description of the abbey placed by English Heritage. If you are passing through the area it is worth stopping in to see.