the best pubs, restaurants, hotels and places to visit
The Gower is one of South Wales’ big tourist attractions. It’s a peninsular just west of Swansea and was the first area in the United Kingdom to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s a real mix of rugged coastline, glorious beaches, great views and castles.
I was lucky enough to fly around the Gower last summer so some of the photos in this post will give you a great view of some of the great beaches.
Autumn is fully upon us in Cardiff Bay.
These trees are alongside the Roath Basin next to the Atradius building, and show some great colours.
Across the basin the new BBC studios are currently being built. When finished they’ll be used for Casualty, Doctor Who and Torchwood.
Last week we stayed in the excellent Patricks With Rooms in Mumbles. Mumbles is one of our favourite seaside destinations in South Wales.
Patricks is an excellent hotel with a great restaurant. It’s located right on the main promenade only yards from the sea. The hotel has 16 individual bedrooms, the renowned restaurant and a relaxing bar area. There’s also a small gym and weights room for residents.
Penderyn Distillery is one of South Wales’ home-grown successes. The distillery is based in the village of Penderyn just north of Hirwaun and Aberdare.
Penderyn Single Malt Whisky was launched by Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, on 1st March 2004 at St. David’s Hall in Cardiff. Since then, Wales’ only whisky has become very popular in Wales, and worldwide.
This weekend Cardiff Bay is buzzing with visitors to the Cardiff Armed Forces Day with a large number of activities planned for the day on Saturday 26th June 2010.
The day is focused around the Roald Dahl basin and the area in front of the Senedd in the Bay.
There will be various displays, shows and static stands.
HMS Kent is also moored in the Roath Basin alongside the Atradius building and it will be possible to have tours around this Type 23 frigate.
Well worth a visit.
We visited St Augustine’s Church in Penarth last week. The church is set high up on the headland between Cardiff Bay and the Bristol Channel. Its prominent position means that it’s clearly visible for miles around.
I see the church almost every day but have never visited it before. It has stunning views back across the Bay towards the Pierhead building, Mermaid Quay and the city centre, and then on to the hills and mountains north of Cardiff.
The church is pretty impressive, though the graveyard needs a bit of love and attention.
Dr. Joseph Parry (1841-1903), the composer of “Myfanwy” is buried in the churchyard.