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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Create a Conscious Closet: How to Get Sustainable Shapewear

T he world is changing and the reality is that our actions can and do have an impact. We all know we need to do our bit and thankfully there are more eco-friendly choices when it comes to retail and fashion than before, including outdoor and activewear. We all know that fast fashion has contributed towards some of the pollution we are seeing but the thing is fast fashion is often cheaper and with so many feeling the pinch in the cost of living, it can often be the only choice for many families, but luckily that is changing. It is really good to see that not only are many fashion brands are focusing on being more sustainable in regards to things like the packaging they use and the materials and manufacturing processes they use but consumers are also changing the way they shop, including buying a lot more second hand than before. Things like organic white tees have been on the market for years but now you can get pretty much anything with lower carbon footprint, from winter jackets made ......

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How to stay safe while hiking in the UK

*This post may contain affiliate links.   There are still many remote places in the UK despite it being quite a populated island. especially in places like Snowdonia, the Scottish highlands, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. I personally have hiked many times with the kids that has been out of reach of mobile service or reception and at those times you need to be aware of how to stay safe on the trail especially if you are hiking with younger members of the family.  So I thought I would share some key tips and things I do to prepare for a hike especially if I know it's going to be fairly remote.  1. Plan ahead It goes without saying that you need to have a rough idea of what the trail will look like before setting out, are there any steep inclines, and what equipment is best suited, also take into account the weather, its better to hold off for a dry day than heading out in torrential rain or heavy wind.  2. Always tell someone where you are going Regar......

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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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