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 .

This is a wonderful place for a walk! Not only is Richard Burton's childhood home here (a terraced…read morehouse on the main road) and one of the entrances to the massive Afan Argoed Forest Park, but there is an impressive, mile long circular walk you can do here which will take you over both a tall 19th century viaduct and a disused aqueduct! Start opposite the shop in Pontrhydyfen (there is only one!) and take the left hand fork facing you (Station Road) instead of going down the steep hill. Walk along here past the cemetery and a little further on turn right onto the aqueduct. After appreciating the marvellous views of the Afan Valley, cross to the other side, turn right into the village of Oakwood and walk to the end. Follow a grassy track which winds down some steps and then turn right onto the viaduct. This is another great place for views back over the village of Pontrhydyfen and the aqueduct, although the sides are high - you might need to stand on tiptoe! Keep going until a woodland 'crossroads' then turn right and follow the river back to the road, where you will turn left and left again up the steep hill to take you back to where you started. Not far from where we live and a walk we often enjoy at all times of year.

If you want to know about my absolute fixation with imaginative Victorian architecture, please see…read moremy review of Cardiff Castle. If you want to develop this appreciation for yourself, head towards the absolutely stunning Castell Coch. This castle was reconstructed from its original foundations by ambitious nineteenth-century gentleman, the 5th Marquis of Bute and his equally crazy architect William Burgess. To cut a long period of architectural revival short, these guys liked fairytales. Consequently, don't for one moment go looking at this castle as if it's a gem left over from the day of King Arthur. Rather, see it as the result of two guys having the same longings for real dragons and authentic knights in shining armour as your average low budget movie director. Nevertheless, this place is stunning. Nestled on a wooded hill, the castle overlooks the outskirts of Cardiff and it's always a treat to see it while driving on nearby roads. URBAN CHALLENGE: Tell two builders in a white van what this place is called without laughing

My undying memory of Castell Coch is being in the dungeon as an eight year old on school trip and…read morebeing pretty scared by a man dressed as knight! Since then it hasn't lost any of its magic. It's like the typical disney princess castle set high up on the hill over looking the city, complete with draw bridge, turrets and perfectly preserved rooms. This is of course a Faux castle. It's not even 100 years old, so don't expect too much history but ask about the original fortress of your interested. Its perfect for a day out as its only a 15 minute drive from the city centre and impossible to miss. Kids would love a day out here, and once your bored of the castle you take one of the many routes behind the castle that lead into the woodland where you can stop and have a picnic. Alternatively you can give the cafe a go and get some lovely cake. It only costs £3.60 for an adult to get in, and if you just fancy a walk its free. Personally I'm waiting for my knight in shining amour to come back and marry me in this fairy-tale castle (not that I could ever afford it!). NB. Opens later in the peak of summer, and closes earlier in the winter. It also closes completely in January for renovations.

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.

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.

Coity Castle is a magical place full of distant battle cries and that incredible sense that…read moreimportant things have happened there. Built in 1100 and then rebuilt after a siege by Owain Glyndwr, this is a castle often overlooked by visitors to Wales, despite its extremely important part in Welsh history. Although other castles, such as Cardiff Castle, Caerphilly Castle and Castell Coch, are more visited, I would argue that it's the lesser known relics which are more interesting. This Medieval castle is built up on a hill, with clear evidence of moats, and looks almost like a half-rotten tooth sticking up into the sky. It has just as much grandeur and fairy-tale quality as a person could ask for in a castle. This historic site is well worth a visit; sunset will reward you will specular photographs and views.

This is another of South Wales's impressive Norman Castles, standing in ruins near the town of…read moreBridgend in South Wales, not far from Cardiff. It was built by Sir Payn "the Demon" de Turberville, one of the legendary Twelve Knights of Glamorgan who are supposed to have conquered the area under the leadership of Robert FitzHamon, Lord of Gloucester. Although it was originally built soon after 1100, a lot of the castle actually dates from the fourteenth century and later. Parts of it were rebuilt following the siege by Owain Glyn Dr in 1404-05. Despite being in ruins, there are still plenty of interesting features to see - including the remains of the central octagonal pillar for the vaults of the castle. If you have OS map 170 the reference is SS 923815. Nearby you can also visit Newcastle and Ogmore Castles in a day trip.

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.

This striking lifesize sculpture depicts Truith the Boar (or in Welsh, 'Twrch Trwyth'), from the…read moreold Welsh tale 'Culhwch and Olwen' found in the collection of folklore known as 'The Mabinogion'. In fact the second half of the story is mainly concerned with the hunting of the enchanted boar which strangely enough has poisonous bristles, a pair of scissors, a comb and a razor, between his ears! After many adventures, he is finally driven into the sea and drowned. The sculptor, Chris Crane, was born in Cumbria in 1976. He studied Fine Art in Lancaster and obtained his B.A.(hons) from University of Wales Institute, Cardiff in 2000. These days, he lives and works in Carmarthenshire. He works mainly with old bits of scrap metal, old farming equipment, and other remnants of the industrial past. One of many interesting sculptures in the area which I enjoyed during my time there until last year when I relocated to Scotland.

Efail Isaf village hall…read more The village hall is a hive of activity It was was built in the 1950's mainly by monthly donations from the villagers Only this fact has prevented the district council from taking over the running and maintenance of the hall It is still run very successfully by a committee of the village. The Tabernacle chapel across the road from the hall uses the hall for additional meetings it is one of the few remaining chapels in the area conducting services in the Welsh language. For example the well known choir Cor Godre'r Garth rehearse in the hall on Sunday nights there is also a Sunday school for children and bible study for 12-18 year olds The minister Eiron Rees can be contacted on 01443 202873 There is some activity in the hall every night of the week from mens and ladies keep fit and Pilates senior citizens and Brownies ( but not on the same night ! although it might make an interesting evening ) There is also a yearly art exhibition by local artists where you can purchase a original work of art for roughly the same price as a reproduction. My input is attending the monthly table top sale(third Saturday) where I have picked up some remarkable bargains A Phillishave razor for a pound- looks new. A complete set of Winston Churchhill's 'The second word war' in five hard back volumes also for a pound that I am slowly ploughing though There were other bargains that I will not bore you with. The sellers seem to be using the table top sale as a skip for unwanted goods. If you are in the area on the 28 November from 12 to 4.30 there is a Christmas Fayre where there is an opportunity to stock up some Christmas gifts Jewellery, homemade crafts ,cards, pickles and much more There is also a Father Christmas and a Christmas Grotto I think I have written enough to demonstrate that the Efail Isaf village Hall is a remarkable and social amenity for the village . Further details can be obtained from the web site. http://www.efailisafvillagehall.co.uk

What a fantastic day out. This place offers a lot for family's…read more Great value for £8 per adult and £5 for children over two, under twos are free ! The grounds are fantastic lots of open space for the children to wonder and explore and also paths that follow through the trees and gardens. There's a big adventure playground full of lots to explore, zip wire, slide climbing frame etc. There were also blow up slides and a paddling pool. There was a separate area with Wendy houses, trampolines and a climbing frame for the smaller children which was in a really nice relaxing area. You can get up close with pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens in Pet's Corner. There is 66 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland walks, the views across the River Severn and Wales and spectacular ! There's also a cafe and shop. The cafe is really nice I had a caramel latte with a cheese and chutney sandwich came to £5.50 wich Is good value. Plenty of parking available. Overall a fantastic day out which was really enjoyed by all.

Old Down Country Park is not your typical stately home. It is a farm/zoo/park/house. Great for the…read morewhole family too. They have large lawn areas for picnics, a café for those who didn't pre-prepare food, and lots and ltos of animals. Expect to find your typical farm animals. Goats? Check. Pigs? Check. Sheep? Check. Ponies? Check. Wallabies????check!!! Entry is only a fiver and you can spend the whole day there (weather permitting) walking along the Victorian walls and cooing at all the cute animals.