Cardiff
Bay Barrage -
see the Fish
Pass, watch the
boats !ATTRACTIONS IN SOUTHERN WALES
Cardiff
Bay Barrage -
see the Fish
Pass, watch the
boats !
What to do? Where to go ? Visit www.outandaboutclub.com and www.southernwalesevents.co.uk
[Telephone queries to 02920 880011 mentioning Southern Wales Attractions]
Cardiff Bay Barrage, access from Penarth Marina. (3 miles). Incredible £185 million inland lake + lock gates with fish pass. FREE
Cardiff Castle & Regimental Museum, City Centre. 2087 8100. Adults £5.25. Full Tour, £2.60 for grounds only.
Castell Coch, Tongwynlais (5 miles). 2081 0101 The "Red Castle". Fairytale Bavarian structure. Adults £2.50
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park & Medieval Village, Penarth. (5 miles) 2070 1678. 100Ha of lakes, woodland & birdlife. Meet the Squire and baker. Park entry FREE. Medieval Village, Adult £3.00. Parking FREE.
Dyffryn Gardens, St. Nicholas.(7 miles). 2059 3328 Superbly landscaped grounds of a Gentleman's Residence, with individual garden "rooms", "Roman Temple", fountains and Tea Rooms. Adults £3.00 (FREE in Winter).
Flat Holm Island, Bristol Channel. (A 40 minute boat ride). A must for Birdlovers, geologists and floral afficianados. With its own sub-climate in mid channel, a lighthouse, former Victorian barracks, farmhouse hostel, and Working Holidays, this is just the spot to get away from the world and its problems. Contact 01446 747661.
Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans (5 miles) 2057 3500. A "must" for any visitor to Wales. See time pass in the miners' cottages, visit a traditional welsh grocer's shop, go back to school with Sir". FREE admission.
National Assembly for Wales, Pierhead, Cardiff Bay. 2089 8200 Wales' Government Visitor & Education Centre. Interactive technology. Who's Who and What's On in the NAW. FREE admission.
National Museum & Galleries, City Centre. 2039 7951. Wales premier museum. Exhibitions, priceless collections of fine artworks. Science and natural history side by side. Must see Monet's "Blue Lady". Now FREE.
Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 2045 4899. Vikings,paintings,watercolours,jazz,music,blues,opera,food! FREE
Penarth Marina, Penarth. (3 miles). 450 berth yacht marina village constructed on former coal exporting dock. FREE
Penarth Pier, Penarth. 2070 8212. (5 miles) Century old seaside pier, totally reconstructed. Paddle steamer calls regularly - check for Tide Times. FREE
Roath Park, Cardiff. (3 miles). Delightful Boating Lake, Rose Gardens and Capt. Scott Memorial Lighthouse. FREE
R.N.L.I. Lifeboat Station, Penarth. (5 miles) See 2 operational lifeboats at instant readiness for Service. FREE
St. Augustine's Church, Penarth Head. (4 miles). Iconic church, architecture inspired by William Butterfield, restored with £650,000 of donated and grant aid funds. Wonderful organ. Welsh composer, Dr. Joseph Parry buried here. FREE. www.staugustineschurch.co.uk
Techniquest, Cardiff Bay. 2047 5475 Hands-on Science discovery exhibits, ideal for children and adults alike. Science theatre, Planetarium and much more. Adults £6.00.
Turner House Art Gallery, Penarth. (5 miles) 2070 8870. Regularly changing exhibitions of works from many artists around the World. Open Tuesday-Sunday. FREE admission.
This is just a selection of attractions in and around Cardiff - you will find plenty to do in this lively city !!
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The
Brecon
Beacons - "High Splendour,
Haunting
Beauty"
The Brecon Beacons are just 1 hour away from Cardiff, with some of the wildest and most beautiful countryside in Wales. High mountains like Pen-y-Fan, the highest Old Red Sandstone peak in Britain, and Corn Du, with its Burial Cairn believed to be dated around 200 B.C.
High mountains, deep valleys, huge reservoirs, incredible bird life, glorious walks, fine accomodation, good food, river walks, canal trips, farm holidays,Activity Centres, Craft outlets, entertainment, shopping, heritage, history.
The Brecon Beacons and adjoining Black Mountains to the east, encompass an area of some 520 square miles, within which you will find remote mountains, rolling moorlands, hidden waterfalls, cosy hamlets, sheltered valleys and ancient market towns.
A network of special bus services operates in high summer, criss-crossing the Brecon Beacons National Park area, and, in addition, there is a special "Bike Bus", departing from Cardiff on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, direct to, and terminating in Brecon, returning in the late afternoon, giving a full day's cycling from several stops along the route. Bike Bus B1 from Cardiff Bus station, departs 0900 Stand A1, arriving Brecon 1045, returning at 1735.
Non-Bike Services are interchangeable, with a single price ticket, allowing stop-offs and transfers at any point, and an interesting itinerary can be created, allowing time to visit any of several attractions, towns or villages. Service commences end May annually, for Summer ONLY.
Why not visit the Brecon Beacons Bus Timetables at:- http://www.cardiffbus.com/services/timetables/TIMES/SU/BB1SU.HTML call (01873) 853 254 or visit website http://www.breconbeacons.org/visit_the_park/
SPORT
Here are two photos of Glamorgan Cricket Club v. Northampton in a 4 day match at Sophia Gardens, a superb ground just a few steps from the Castle and City Centre, and well worth a visit for one of Britain's best loved games. www.glamorgancricket.com
