The best places to see Bluebells near Cardiff, Wales

Bluebells in Fforest Fawr Spring, one of my favourite times of the year when the woodlands, meadows and forests come back to life and everything starts to bloom again. Late April also ushers in those special 2-3 weeks when most forests are carpeted in beautiful purple bluebells. While you can take a bet on any local woodlands and hope to see fields of bluebells, there are a few spots in and around Cardiff that are consistent year after year and well worth a visit. While this isn't an exhaustive list, I recommend having visited all the locations listed.  1. Fforest Fawr Our favourite spot as we know this forest pretty well, you may need to follow one of the small paths off the main trail to find the best display of bluebells but its relatively easy to navigate. The sculpture trail at Fforest Fawr is great for kids and during the spring this mixed woodland is home not only to bluebells but also wood anemones and wild garlic. There is free parking and picnic benches, What3words to th......

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Free and low cost Christmas events in South Wales, 2024

We all know that this time of the year can be very expensive, between sorting out gifts for loved ones, meals out, socialising with friends and making magical memories with our kids, it all adds up and while there is nothing wrong with paying a bit more than usual for a special festive treat or grotto, it can feel like a financially exhausting time, but never fear there is plenty on and around South Wales that is free or low cost to help get the festival excitement going.  * Light of Winter Free Light Trail , Cardiff, 14th Nov - 5th Jan Brighten up your winter – experience 11 illuminated state-of-the-art light and sound installations across Cardiff city centre. Free to enjoy, the Light of Winter trail launches mid-November and runs through to the new year. * Jolly Book Bank at Red Dragon Centre 8th Nov-5th Jan Where families can give joy and get joy. It's simple: the Jolly Book Bank accepts donations of children's books in good condition and invites young visitors to either ex......

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5 lesser know waterfalls in South Wales

If you love the outdoors and are travelling to Wales you may have already heard of Waterfall Country on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park where you will find the famous Four Falls trail. While the Four falls trail is famous for a reason and very beautiful it's also extremely popular and busy, especially in summer. There are however 5 other equally beautiful lesser known waterfalls, some fairly close by, that offer stunning views without the crowds and I thought I would share them with you. 1. Pen Pych Waterfall Located near the small village of Blaencwm in the Rhonnda Valley, Pen Pych is one of my favourite walks and while there are some steep areas that you will need to take care navigating, it's a walk my kids have done since they were young. There is a free and well-marked forestry car park with the path leading up from there. You will find picnic benches at the halfway point and some fantastic viewpoints across the Valley along the way. Do take proper hiking......

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8 Things to do in Pontypridd, South Wales

Pontypridd Park Pontypridd, a historical market town around 10 miles from Cardiff, with a direct train from the city, is seeing a resurgence in independent stores, food spots, music and arts, with the recent opening of the YMA and investment in the park, lido and local community ventures is making this town a great spot for a day out.  So what is there to see and do in Pontypridd? 1. Ynysangharad War Memorial Park Otherwise known as Ponty Park, this is definitely the central point of the town and has gorgeous green space with a fantastic adventure park, walks, wild gardens, dog park, bandstand, cafe and the perfect spot for a picnic. It is also home to the National Lido of Wales. Ponty Lido 2. Lido Ponty This historic lido is well worth a visit and is currently Wale's premier outdoor pool housed in a grade 11 listed building, having been restored to it's former glory. There are 3 heated pools, offering space for children, families, social swimmers and dedicated swimmers. Booki......

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Exploring Neath Port Talbot the Dramatic Heart of Wales

* This post is written in collaboration with Dramatic Heart of Wales who kindly invited us to spend time exploring the area / AD Neath Port Talbot otherwise known as the Dramatic Heart of Wales , is an area I recently spent a weekend exploring and delving into deeper and finding what makes this part of South Wales so special, from its fascinating history and heritage to its beautiful coastline, woodland walks and thrill-seeking adventures.  Located in the centre of South Wales with easy access to the coast, mountains, countryside and the Welsh capital, makes it the perfect base for exploring the region. With a strong industrial and coal mining history there are lots of ruins and reminders of times gone by including a network of canals, ironworks and an impressive Abbey. Neath Port Talbot also lies within what is known as "Waterfall Country" which has the highest concentration of waterfalls, caves and gorges and spans Neath Port Talbot, Powys and Rhondda Cynon Taff.  We ma......

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Pumpkin Patches in South Wales 2023

Autumn, the season of cosy knit sweaters, hot chocolate and of course pumpkins. The popularity in pumpkin patches has grown year on year in South Wales and while there only use to be a few places you could pick your pumpkin off the vine, there are now plenty. Many also offer more than just pumpkin picking, such as corn mazes, spooky crafts and everything Halloween-themed.  While of course there is nothing wrong with picking up a pumpkin from your local supermarket and having fun carving it at home, if you are keen to spend a few hours outdoors in nature and enjoy a bit of Halloween treat then here are the best pumpkin patches in South Wales. Some of the patches below are offering more of an "experience" with additional things included in the ticket such as corn mazes and entertainment, while others are more traditional patches you can roam around and just pay for what you pick so there is something for every budget.  Pumpkin Patches with free entry in Southern Wales  ......

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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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