10 Free things to do in Cardiff all year round

Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is a fantastic city to explore and is packed with history, culture and great food. It is also the perfect destination for families, and there is plenty to see and do all year round that is free of charge. All of the places mentioned in this post are within easy reach of public transport.  1. National Museum Cardiff This is one of the more well-known free attractions in the city and for good reason, with an array of galleries to explore, from contemporary art to dinosaurs, Monet to Mammoths, there is something for everyone. This has always been a firm favourite with my kids, and it's both interactive and informative.  2. Cardiff Story Museum, The Hayes Another favourite of ours and not to be mistaken for the National Museum, Cardiff Story is smaller but very engaging and is a wonderful museum that tells the story of the city and the people who live and work within it. My son loves the interactive city planner board and the downstairs hub, which ha......

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How to Pack for a City Break Without Overpacking

When it comes to travel planning one of my strong points is definitely being able to avoid overpacking. Something I have learnt through a lot of trial and error over the years.  Surprisingly, I think people actually tend to overpack more on shorter breaks and there's something about a weekend away that brings out the overpacker in almost everyone. A couple of nights in Manchester, Bristol, Dublin or Barcelona suddenly calls for a suitcase big enough for a fortnight, crammed with outfits for every possible scenario, most of which never leave the bag. For busy mums in particular, a rare weekend off is precious, and nobody wants to waste it hauling a heavy case across cobbles or digging through a jumble of clothes in a tiny hotel room. So here are some tips on how to avoid overpacking.  1. Start with a clear idea of what your itinerary is going to look like While I am not one for being to prescriptive when it comes to a travel itinerary and leaving room for a change of plans or f......

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5 Wedding Invitation Details That Make Guests Feel Considered

A wedding invitation does more than announce a date. It gives guests their first real sense of the celebration and helps them plan the practical details, from travel and accommodation to what to wear and when to arrive. The most thoughtful invitations make that planning feel easy. They do not need to hold every last detail, but they should answer the questions guests are most likely to have or point them towards the right place to find more information. 1. Set the Tone Before Guests Arrive The invitation is often the first part of the wedding that guests experience, so its wording and design should feel connected to the day itself. Start with the way you naturally want the event to feel. Formal wording can suit a traditional ceremony, while a more relaxed celebration may sound warmer and more conversational. The design can reinforce that mood through the colours, typography and overall style without making the invitation difficult to read. The wording should feel like a natural introdu......

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How to Plan an Engagement-Ring Appointment on a Family City Break

There’s a museum the children want to see, a café you’ve saved and, somewhere in the middle, an engagement-ring appointment. It sounds like a decent day out until you realise you’ve planned for everyone to walk into the showroom together. That may not be possible. Before building the trip around a fitting, find out who can attend. A private consultation doesn’t necessarily mean space for the whole family, and you’ll want enough time to try rings without rushing straight back out. Check who can actually come Ask whether children count towards the guest limit, including babies, and whether there is room for a pushchair. Confirm the expected appointment length too. These are useful questions to settle before buying train tickets or inviting someone else along. For a London fitting, Lily Arkwright’s Marylebone Square showroom offers private consultations on bespoke ring design . Check the guest arrangements with that showroom before organising the rest of the family’s day. If you’re visiti......

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