Tips for driving in Wales’s beautiful but challenging terrain

Wales, is currently where I call home and a place I love to explore as it's renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, from rolling hills to rugged coastlines and my boys and I certainly make the most of it. However, these scenic vistas come with unique driving challenges that can catch even experienced motorists off guard and it's something I've personally experienced.  Whether you’re exploring Snowdonia or heading down the Pembrokeshire coast , these practical tips will help you stay safe and confident on the road. Preparing for varied weather conditions Wales is known for its unpredictable weather, which can change dramatically within a few hours. When setting off, always check the local forecast, but also be prepared for sudden shifts, particularly in the hills and valleys. Rain is common, and mist can settle quickly in lower areas, especially early in the morning or evening. Good car tyre condition is critical for maintaining traction on wet or slippery roads. Before y......

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Exploring Melincourt Falls in Neath Port Talbot

One of our favourite things to do is discover what is on our doorstep and while Resolven in Neath Port Talbot may not be just around the corner, the 45min drive over the Rhigos mountain was very scenic and the Neath Valley, in general, is one I want to explore more.  I often feel that the South Wales Valleys are overlooked in general, which is a shame as they are packed with fantastic hikes, mountains and hidden gems, although the plus side to that is it's usually very quiet, unlike parts of the Brecon Beacons, Cardiff of the welsh coastline.  While many will know of the famous waterfall walk in the Brecon Beacons there are some equally impressive waterfalls just outside of the national park, Melincourt being one of them and is more family-friendly than some which require a bit more endurance. Melincourt is only a few minutes away from the town of Resolven, which you drive through en route to the free public car park off the B4434 road. Do not take the Waterfall road on a ste......

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6 Unique Outdoor Experiences in Southern Wales

*This post contains affiliate links South Wales is the perfect base for getting outdoors and reconnecting with nature and it's packed with hidden gems, waterfalls and mountain trails suitable for all ages and skills. It's well known for the Brecon Beacons, the Wales Coastal path and lots of Castles but there is even more that awaits you in this part of Wales and I thought I would share 5 truly unique experiences to try in South Wales that will get your outdoors, in the fresh air in a really positive and fun way and all of these suggestions are perfect for the whole family, if you want to get the kids invovled as well.  1. Try Wild Foraging  Wales is a haven for foragers as we have an abundance of woodland, meadows and coastline to explore but of course you need to go with someone who is knowledgable about the local area and knows what is safe to pick and safe to eat. There are a variety of foraging workshops across South Wales that will teach you about wild food life, how to i......

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5 budget friendly glamping spots in Southern Wales

While camping may not be for everyone, Glamping does have a big appeal as while it still offers a back to basics feel it's more comfortable and suitable for all ages. Some glamping options can cost in the hundreds and for good reason when it's an exceptional  location or unique experience such as a treehouse or converted double decker bus but there are a lot of fun budget friendly options, even during the summer months, which can make for a perfect weekend getaway.  My boys and I have tried an array of glamping options over the years and it's something we really enjoy as each place is different, some have more facilities and amenities than others, ranging from high end to basic but that is all part of the adventure. So I thought I would share 5 of our favourite budget friendly options in South and West Wales which are perfect for families and 4 our of 5 of the sites are dog friendly as well.   1. Cwmcarn Forest Pods Cwmcarn Forest is a great location for family adven......

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6 Family friendly things to do in Brecon, Wales

While most people have heard of the famous Brecon Beacons, a large mountainous area of Southern Wales jam-packed with hikes, peak summits, trig points and outdoor pursuits and a playground for those who love the outdoors. But what about the actual town of Brecon and the immediate surrounding area? There is plenty to do within close proximity of the bustling market town of Brecon, which also has an abundance of accommodation (including dog-friendly accommodation) and makes for a great base to explore the wider area, but if you only have a day or want to keep it more local here are a few things to do in and around (no more than 10mins away) of Brecon Town centre.  1. Explore Brecon Basin and Towpath The town of Brecon is the start (or end) of the Mon and Brec Canal, just head towards the Brecon Basin, next to the iconic Theatr Bryncheiniog, and spot pretty canal boats while taking a slow meander along the canal towpath which goes for miles. My boys love a walk along the canal where y......

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7 Family Friendly Trip Point Walks in South Wales

Standing on the Summit of The Blorenge Wales is the perfect destination when it comes to hillwalking and mountain summits and while everyone looks to tick off Mount Snowdon and Pen Y Fan, there are plenty of family-friendly mountain summit trig point walks perfect for younger children. These are by no means just a walk in the park, some effort will be required, however, my youngest son has done all 7 of these walks and as long as your child is happy and willing then everyone will be rewarded with some fantastic views as well as picnic stops along the way. This list is just a small collection of some awesome walks in and around South Wales and should give you a good starting point for exploring the area. 1. The Blorenge, Brecon Beacons , 561m The Blorenge has fantastic views across Abergavenny as well Sugar Loaf Mountain and The Skirrid (both of which are on this list). There is a variety of ways you can climb The Blorenge, some are a lot longer than others but the two most family-frien......

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Hiking up the Blorenge in my Regatta Edgepoint boots (Review)

* I was kindly sent a pair of Regatta Ladies Edgepoint boots - this is an unpaid review and 100% my own words & thoughts Autumn is truly upon us and it's a great time to get outdoors, enjoy nature and walks before the colder winter weather sets in. Saying that it's really important to start wearing warmer clothing such as hats, scarfs and protecting yourself from adverse weather, especially wet weather, which is why I am very excited about my new Regatta waterproof and breathable boots , plus they are super light so you can bet I'm going to get a lot of use out of them this season.  I've been meaning to take the boys up The Blorenge in the Brecon Beacons for a while as we are slowly ticking off trig points in the area and we had done a few other summits so this was next on the list and it's a great walk for younger kids and dogs (although please be a responsible dog owner), it's always a great place to test out my new boots. There are few different ways to w......

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Micro Adventure pack list with Safe and Sound Health

This is a paid collaboration with Safe and Sound Now more than ever we want to stay safe and healthy on all our family adventures, both close to home and further afield and having the right kit in your day bag is essential to staying safe right now. My boys and I are really active, we don't like to stay still for long, with most days being spent out and about exploring the Brecon Beacons, camping or spending a few hours at the skate park. That means besides things like water and snacks, it's really important to have some first aid supplies on me because you never know what could happen and being able to safely clean a wound or put a plaster on a cut can really help prevent infection and encourage a wound to heal quicker. We recently climbed The Skirrid in the Brecon Beacons, a fantastic mountain hike perfect for families that takes you to an impressive trig point summit, which offers incredible views across the Beacons. To get to the summit you first have to do a ste......

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Alpaca Trekking in the Brecon Beacons

* We were kindly invited to give an honest review the Alpaca Trek Alpaca Trekking, it's something I hadn't heard much about until I stumbled across Alpaca My Boots on Instagram and I knew it was something we would all enjoy, especially as they are located in the Brecon Beacons National Park, one of our favourite places to visit for micro-adventures so we really couldn't wait to find out more.  The treks run throughout the week, we lucked out with a lovely sunny morning and from the moment we arrived, the owners were friendly, knowledgable and very welcoming of families and young children. There is more than enough space to socially distance safely and hand sanitiser is on hand, plus they also rotate and clean lead reigns meaning they don't re-use the same ones. One of the things that really came across right from the start is how happy and well looked after the Alpacas are and a lot of care goes into their wellbeing. After a short health and sa......

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