the best pubs, restaurants, hotels and places to visit
One of the most popular pages on this site is my Things to do and where to go in South Wales
page.
South Wales has loads of great places to visit and this page lists just a few places that you may find interesting and entertaining. It’s constantly being updated and checked so it’s worth coming back to again in the future if you’re looking for fresh ideas.
If you want to suggest somewhere else for the page please contact me. My contact details can be found on the About page.
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.
We visited the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre today just south of Brecon. The centre gives you some background information on the National Park and best of all, as you can see, gives you a great view of Pen y Fan. Pen y Fan is the highest peak in South Wales (886 metres / 2,907 ft above sea-level).
The visitor centre also has some nice tea-rooms with seating outside which is great when it’s sunny – just watch out for the hungry sparrows and chaffinches which pester you for crumbs!
Plenty of car parking if you’re travelling by car though there is a small charge. You can find a location map below.
A walk across the Cardiff Bay Barrage is a great way to spend a few hours in Cardiff. If you’re in a car then access the barrage from the Penarth end where there’s a large carpark. If you’re on foot then either walk from the Cardiff Bay visitor centre near the Norwegian Church, or catch a boat across the Bay from Mermaid Quay near the National Assembly Senedd building.
There’s lots to see, there are 3 boat locks between the Bay and the sea that operate every 30 minutes. From the sea-ward side of the barrage there’s a great view in clear conditions across to Penarth pier, Flat Holm and Steep Holm and the English coast across the Severn.