Pretty without being chocolate-boxy, Penmark is a small village just outside Barry with a good…read morelocal pub and an interesting mediaeval church. Its peace is only disturbed by the aircraft taking off from nearby Cardiff-Wales airport, but it's a million miles away in character. History The village was the site of a 12th century Norman castle, overlooking a natural ravine carved by the Waycock River. Originally built in wood by Gilbert de Umfraville, it was rebuilt in stone in the 13th century. A good review of the castle (now in ruins) can be found at http://www.castlewales.com . The church was probably built around the same time, and its generous proportions may reflect the patronage of the local lord. The oldest part is the chancel arch, dating from around 1200. The tower arch dates from 1400 and most of the Perpendicular Gothic windows date from the 15th century. Charles Wesley preached here on 26th July 1777, after breakfasting in nearby Fonmon Castle. In 1811 the church is recorded as still being dedicated to St Mark, and repairs were undertaken and new seating was installed in 1893-5. In the churchyard is a preaching cross, restored in 1888, on the original mediaeval base. The church The church has a south porch, nave, chancel and tower. The most notable interior feature is the peculiar chancel arch, a simple and crude pointed arch with similarly crude zig-zag carving, dated to around 1200. More impressive is a tall and beautifully proportioned Perpendicular tower arch dating from around 1400. The nave has a well preserved staircase for a long-vanished Rood Screen. Most of the windows are perpendicular in style, dating from the later 15th century, some restored. The church has some interesting fittings and furnishings: pride of place goes to the Jacobean pulpit, from which Charles Wesley preached in 1777. The nave side altar opposite dates from 1709, and above are memorials to Jones family of Fonmon Castle. In the chancel are late 17th century alabaster memorials to the Lewis Family of Penmark Place, with coats of arms and skulls. The nave has a plain turned Norman tub font, presumably dating from the founding of the church. The church is an integral part of village life details of special services can be found in the newsletter at http://www.penmark.org . Regular services are part of the joint benefice of Benefice of Penmark with Llancarfan with Llantrithyd telephone for service times and location.

Once upon a time, when I was shorter (although maybe not a lot) and had longer hair (a lot), I was…read morea Brownie in the church hall here. I had some really great times, as I recall; playing fruit salad and the chocolate bar game. Making pancakes and flower displays for mother's day... good and simple times were had by all. The church building itself is raised up on a little hill on the corner of Conway road, so has a particularly grand appearance when you first approach, with its steps running up to the main door. Inside, it is a very beautiful example of church-dom. Over the years I've been to a handful of services here, mostly at Christmas time (it was a tradition for me and my visiting Grandma), I 'll have to admit. The service style is fairly traditional, exactly what you might expect from a Methodist church really: that blend of timelessness with a more modern blend of humanity creeping through. Although the congregation is not huge, there are a lot of children at this church who are very well catered for.

This is a very attractive Victorian Roman Catholic church, just up Stow Hill from Newport City…read morecentre. History A small chapel was built on the site of the then-expanding seaport and industrial centre in 1812, but the town's continued growth meant that a larger church was soon needed, and the original chapel was demolished in 1839. The new church was built in the neo-Gothic style, with a prominent tower at the west end, which also formed the main entrance. Inside, the nave arcade was built with slender columns made of cast iron - the first such use of metal pillars in Wales. The construction of St Mary's took place around the same time as the Chartist uprising; the Chartist rioters passed the church and ordered workmen to join them, although they declined. In 1901 the original east window was replaced by one of the Assumption of the Virgin by John Hardman, who worked with the Pugins. The church The church is essentially in the Early English Gothic style, with tall lancets with shafts and hoods, and the slender piers have frilly stiff-leaf capitals. The most notable feature of the church from the outside is its tower, the muscular design of which provides a distinct contrast with the light and airy interior. Indeed, the pale pink walls with white arcades and detailing gives almost a wedding-cake like appearance. Today, the church is part of the united parish of 'All Saints' in Newport, formed in 2007 and incorporating six former parishes. Although the interior is not open outside service times, the outer doors are kept open, allowing one a good view into the nave.

A very good visitors guide to this church,with some good photos.. However,not much is said of the…read morefamous pipe organ in the gallery. And there are no photos of it. Neither is there a specification of the organ. Does not the music count for much in this church?

A large and very active church just off the centre of Milton. It is home to enthusiastic and…read morewelcoming Christians of the Baptist and general denominations. It has a large emphasise on children and youth, which can be quite rare in the world of church. It was a large paticipent of the Hope 2008, and brought together other local supporting churches in one place for serveral nights throughout the year. They also do alot of reachout-come in commuinity events, and charitable work. Main services on a normal time on sunday, and other services throughout the week. The building itself is fairly new and very big.

I'm not one to preach, but this lovely non-denominational Christian church is a spectacular…read morebuilding in Clifton. If religion is your thing and you're a young person looking to get involved in friendly bibled-based activities, then Woodlands might be for you. They hold a wide range of events for students. They're modern in attitude and style and have a community of around 800 worshippers. Pop along for the popular weekly lunches held between lectures on a variety of interesting subjects - religious, educational, philosophical. There's enough food for an army at bargain basement prices, and you might leave feeling spiritually nourished too, if that's your sort of thing.

This is such a funny church. Every year they have a BBQ during freshers week you pay a pound and…read morethey feed you with burgers sausages, biscuits and cakes. Great?! Only however if you get there early they place is so full by 12 that it is unlikely that you will be able to get plate. This is all part of a movement to reach out to the students that walk past their door every day, and i think it works. It is an amazing building too, with the main church and a more modern crypt beneath it.

One day I walked around the corner and saw a vision of glimmering white and thought I was in India…read morelooking at the palace of a king. It seemed as though this impressive building had appeared overnight! What is so great about this ornate temple, topped with several large 'shikhars' or domes, is that it's smack bang in the middle of a residential area and shopping street. The community that worship here helped to build and finance it and it is full of beautiful detail including solid hand carved wooden doors. The temple is now very much a part of the Grangetown community. According to the Shree Swaminarayan temple website, local school children visit it as part of their religious education. Tip: before you visit the temple check out their website to learn more about the history of the building, it's beautifully written as well.

A small modern church that holds 'Suomi-koulu' once monthly, a Finnish Saturday school for the…read moreFinnish community of Cardiff and Wales. Interior features a hall and organ piano, a small but efficient kitchen, rooms for rental use, bathrooms, etc. http://suomikoulucardiff.org/ is the official website of the Cardiffin Suomi-koulu that is held here. Facebook group for Cardiffin Suomi-koulu: https://www.facebook.com/groups/180499648673066/ . The church has got parking for about 10 cars and there is plenty of parking on the roads nearby. There is a bus stop on Templeton Avenue, five minutes' walk from the church. Bus service numbers 27 and 28 from Cardiff city centre leave every 10 to 15 minutes.

Belmont Abbey is a community of Benedictine monks founded in 1859…read more They lead a life of work study and prayer. Attached to the monastery is a first class guest house 'Hedley Lodge' which has a excellent standard of service most rooms have TV, phone are en-suite and have a tea and coffee tray. The rooms are warm and comfortable and the food is excellent. I have attended several 'retreats' at the abbey and have found them of great value for 'getting away from it all 'for a few days The abbey although within walking distance from the town of Hereford is situated in quite countryside the only sound at night is the abbey clock chiming the hours This cannot be heard from many rooms. On one occasion when it was a popular retreat I was offered a room in the abbey itself. This was an interesting occurrence as there was no sound at all during the night A complete silence. A very unusual experience ! Even though I live in a fairly noiseless rural area a there is always some faint sounds. to be heard at night. The retreats which are usually for a weekend are given mostly by one of the monks of the community and obviously have a Christian basis. A complete list can be downloaded from their website As a sample there is in June a workshop on painting Icons where beginners and more experienced artists are welcome to try their hand at the art This year the subject will be the icon of Elijah.

While Hedley Lodge offers a good standard of hotel accomodation for those attending retreats or…read morecourses it is also possible to sample monastic life itself. These stays of typically 3 or 4 days can be arranged through the Guestmaster of the monastery; one of the monks. Accomodation is simple but sufficient - no en suite. You are invited to join the monks in their daily Benedictine routine. Morning prayers at 6am; Mass at 8am; help yourself breakfast; rest of the morning free to read or walk; prayers before lunch then formal served lunch. Afternoons free. Evening prayers at 6pm; help yourself dinner at 7pm. Night prayers at 8.30 or so, then the end of day bell rings. All meals are taken in silence. If you are 'stressed out' by the world and life's troubles and looking for peace of mind I can recommend the structure and discipline of the Benedictine routine. It is hard work but very effective therapy. The monks are nice guys and will look after you: they are allowed to communicate :-). You don't have to be catholic but it helps I suppose. I was going south after a major bereavement and this routine got me back on the front mental foot in 3 days. Great result. They should invoice the NHS really.