How to spend a day in and around Hay-On-Wye

There are many reasons why people flock to the Town of Books year after year. Not only is it charming and quaint streets packed with over 20 independent bookshops but with an array of independent eateries, a restored castle, quirky shops and gorgeous countryside walks, there is more than meets the eye. I feel very grateful to live around 1hrs drive from Hay which makes it a great day trip town for my kids and I and I wanted to share some of our favourite ways we spend a day in and around Hay-on-Wye. 1. Visit the restored Hay Castle Sitting in the heart of the town, the castle opened to the public in 2022 after years of restoration & is full of history and folklore waiting to be explored. The lawn, shop & cafe are free to enter, but I do recommend paying to explore the castle, where you can explore from the cellar up to the castle tower which offers amazing views across Hay. Entry to the full castle is £7.50 for adults & free for under 18’s. The ground floor & cafe is d......

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Did you know these 10 interesting facts about Wales

Whether you’re looking for an end-of-year break or planning your staycations for 2025, Wales is one place many have on their ‘need to visit’ lists and for good reason. I feel very grateful to live in beautiful Wales as it has so much to offer and it's a place I love to share with my readers.  A land of folklore, dragons and stunning countryside, there is so much to discover in Wales. With this in mind, I wanted to bring you ten interesting facts about the land of the red dragon that you may not know. Whether you share these facts with your family during your road trip to one of the many activity holidays UK Wales offers, or you want to stun your friends with your random facts during a pub quiz, here are ten facts about Wales… 1. Did you know… Wales is home to seven cities? The capital is Cardiff, followed by Wrexham, Newport, Swansea, Bangor, St Asaph and finally, St David’s. 2. Did you know… there are estimated to be over three million people living in Wales. According to the 202......

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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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Novotel Cardiff Centre Hotel - Family Review

We recently had some major renovations done on our home, which involved taking down walls, and levelling the floor and we were somewhat under-prepared to the reality of working on a building site and living in constant dust and rubble. So on a whim I decided the boys and I really needed a break for 24hrs so I found a very good rate using the Hopper App for a family room at the Novotel Cardiff Centre hotel and wanted to share our experience of this well-located hotel in the Welsh Capital. Firstly the hotel is within walking distance of the city and major train station, we decided to drive and they have plenty of parking connected to the hotel although there is a charge of £10 per night to park, however, this is still cheaper than parking anywhere else in the city for that long of a duration.  When we walked in we loved the reception interior, it's modern and cool with very high ceilings but also exposed brick for a warehouse feel. The staff were very friendly and made both the boys......

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7 Free things to do in Cardiff Bay, Wales

If you are heading to the Welsh capital, then you need to make time to visit Cardiff Bay. This fantastic waterfront development is only a short train or bus ride away and has plenty to see and do, you can easily spend a whole day here.  There is always a great atmosphere in the bay, all year round, with the old docks lined with buzzing foodie spots, bars and independent shops as well as intertwined with historical buildings and heritage and while there are a lot of activities that are well worth the admission fee, there is plenty to see and do for free and here are 7 of our favourites. 1. The Pierhead Building   This Iconic red brick Grade 1 building which looks out across the Bay is well worth a visit and is completely free to wander around and take in the stunning interior and architecture along with its informative exhibition and gallery space which tells the story of the building. 2. The Senedd   The main public building of the Welsh government and Centre for Democrac......

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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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10 Free Castles to explore in South Wales

Did you know that Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere in the world? While some have continuously been lived in for hundreds (in some cases thousands) of years, others are no more than a few overgrown ruins, hidden away off the beaten path, all with their own stories and history, waiting to be discovered.  So any trip to Wales should include a castle visit and with more than 600 castles there is no shortage of ones to pick from. However, some can be, very valid reasons, and expensive to visit, these are usually ones that offer more facilities, events and are usually the larger, more intact castles. However, if you are visiting South Wales there are quite a few that are completely free to explore and make for a great family day out.  So I thought I would share 10 of my favourite free Castles and ruins to explore in South Wales. 1. Coity Castle, Bridgend Coity Castle is an impressive ruin that has recently had a major renovation and is well worth a visit. You can......

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Exploring Milford Haven, West Wales

Milford Haven, a fishing town in Pembrokeshire West Wales is quickly becoming a must-visit destination in Wales, especially with the continually evolving multi-million pound Milford Waterfront Development which has been going from strength to strength in the past few years. creating a haven of boutique shops, independent businesses, watersports cafes and restaurants with beautiful views across the Marina and Eastury.  My boys and I were recently invited to come and spend a night in Milford Haven and experience everything it has to offer and we were not disappointed.  The drive from Cardiff to Milford Haven is just under 2hrs and we stayed at the lovely Tŷ Milford Waterfront which opened last year and is right on the marina. On our arrival, there was plenty of parking adjacent to the hotel which is complimentary and walking through the doors you are immediately welcomed by the friendly reception staff. We stayed on the 3rd floor in a family room which was not only spacious but......

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Christmas at Bute Park 2022 Review

*I was kindly provided tickets to Christmas at Bute Park in exchange for an honest review As with many major cities across the UK, Cardiff now hosts an impressive immersive light show in the city centre's main green space, Bute Park. 2021 was its first year & was a sell-out success so needless to say expectations were pretty high. While this was our first time to Christmas at Bute Park , we had previously gone to Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas, one of the first and longest-standing immersive festival light experiences so I was intrigued to see what the Welsh Capitals' take on this would entail.  Firstly we love Bute Park, it's a stunning green lung in the heart of Cardiff city centre and a place we spend a lot of time, walking along the River Taff, cycling and enjoying the large open spaces, however, we have rarely seen it after dark so the boys and I were very excited to see Bute Park in a different light, excuse the pun.  Before deciding on a time to visit I spoke to ......

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