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The Gower is a fantastic place for a free family day out. A footpath from the village of Pitton leads through a National Trust-owned grass valley to the secluded Mewslade Bay. Although it isn't the best for swimming, this beautiful, sandy beach has plenty of caves and rockpools for children to explore. The dramatic clifftop footpath which continues towards Rhossili Bay is dotted with old forts and there are more caves marked on the map, so children can be kept entertained with stories of smugglers and pirates.
Mewslade Bay near Rhossili, The Gower Peninsula, Wales
Google map: bit.ly/9B5SEi
The most spectacular canal walk in Britain is that along the Llangollen Canal, from either Chirk or Froncysyllte, to the Horseshoe Falls at the
head of the canal. Starting at Monk’s Bridge, adjacent to the B5070 just south of Chirk, the canal first turns north across the Ceiriog valley on a massive aqueduct, and plunges immediately into Chirk Tunnel. There is a
further tunnel at Whitehouses, before the canal turns sharply at Froncysyllte onto the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – undoubtedly the first wonder of the British waterways. This gives dramatic views up and
down the Dee valley. From here to the Horseshoe Falls the canal clings to the northern bank of the valley, through Llangollen itself and on to the falls.
Chirk-Llangollen, Clwyd
This is the highest navigable aqueduct ever built and is recognised as a masterpiece of civil engineering. Built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop between 1795 and 1808, it forms part of an 11-mile canal system that was recently placed on the World Heritage list of sites of Outstanding Universal Value. You can go across by barge or on foot, but be careful - the River Dee below seems an awfully long way down!
Trevor Basin, Llangollen, Denbighshire
This is a newly converted cottage in rural north Wales, set in the heart of the Ceiriog valley. It gives amazing views down the meandering hills. It has a log fire - very cosy and has been really nicely decorated with local art and Welsh blankets. I throughly enjoyed my stay as I was in a couple but I think it would also be ideal for families. There are also loads of steep and beautiful landscapes and good pubs.
Cefn Isa, Quarry Rd, Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham,
LL207DA
01691718221
www.cefnbach.co.uk
Google map: tinyurl.com/ycea5lq
I have stayed in the Park Inn Cardiff City Centre hotel a few times and I recommend it. It is good value for the price you pay. A modern hotel right in the center of Cardiff it, it provides its guests with high quality food and very helpful staff.
Chapter is an arts centre in an old school which has films, exhibitions and a great bar/cafe with real ales, foreign ales and good food during the day and evening. Well worth the trip out from the city centre.
Market Road, Canton Cardiff CF5 1QE
www.chapter.org
Chapter is situated in Canton, behind Cowbridge Road East, between Llandaff Road and Market Road. It is easily accessible from the city centre with a car park at the rear of the building and by buses numbers 17, 18 + 31 every 5 minutes from Cardiff Central. Ring 029 20 304400 for more details.
Setting is fabulous, looking out over St. Brides Bay. Rooms are very homely, ambience is very, very relaxed indeed - you can go into the kitchen and make yourself a cup of tea, the food and wine are fabulous and so is the walking. Hotel and self-catering, the best in Wales!
Hosts are just the best. It's like being in a ramshackle but very comfortable large old family house.
www.druidstone.co.uk/
Haverford West then the coast road to Broad Haven
The Pen Y Gwryd Hotel sits at the bottom of the Llanberis pass and the top of Nant Gwynant valley. It has been a family run business since 1947 and in mountaineering terms is practically the centre of the universe. To really appreciate this tiny place in it's awe-inspiring landscape visit in winter when menacing black clouds haunt the mountains and time seeps back into the hard local granite. Hide in the smoke room by the fire with a single malt and dream of Everest.
1. Facing west, it has the most beautiful sunsets framed by the steep Welsh red earth cliffs
2. The surf that rolls in is perfect. It's sheltered from the north winds so you can get good glassy waves that you can ride forever as the beach incline is so gradual
3. It's clean; the water is clear and full of fish and plenty of rock pools to explore
Very picturesque village at the confluence of two rivers. We stayed at an excellent good value four star B&B called Mairlys. We googled them from friends who stayed five weeks ago. Breakfast wassuperb. Spent Saturday climbing Snowdon via the Miners track. Leave your car at Penygwryd and walk to the YHA where the walk starts.
Five miles through fabulous terrain to the summit - icy, cold and clear. we could even see the Wicklow hills in Ireland, Dined that night at Bryn Tyrch Inn at Capel Curig where there was a male choir in residence. Great food and really good atmosphere. A mere two hours from Manchester but what a fabulous weekend.
16 Miles south of Conwy.
www.mairlys.co.uk
Three pubs in village.
It is genuine Morroccan cuisine. Newly opened and authentic. Meat , fish, or vegetarian options.
Very extensive menu and open all day, as there is a cafe as well.
Argana
Cowbridge Road,
Canton, Cardiff
I returned to Wales from Portugal to visit my family. We all went to the Hawarden Brasserie, four adults and two kids, and had very enjoyable evening.
A modern and unpretentious restaurant with a very relaxed atmosphere, fantastic food and great service. Real value for money, what more could you ask for?.
Try the chicken breast with asparagus and butternut squash, simply delicious. And for desert, the cheesecake, the best I have ever tasted.
Next time I visit Wales I will be definitely be dining here.
Chapter houses the city's only arthouse cinema, a great bar, a cafe (food is good though service can be slow when busy - allow plenty of time if you're eating before a show or film) and a theatre. It's an easy bus journey or a 15-20 minute walk from the centre of Cardiff.
Eco-Hostel in a charming old slate school on a hillside with wonderful woodland valley views. It has a cosy communal lounge with wonderful wood burner which is great for snuggling after a walk up nearby Cadair Idris. Extremely restive for a weekend stay. Good beer, food and company at the Slaters Arms down in the village.
www.corrishostel.co.uk/
5 miles north of Maccynlleth, just off the A487, not far from the C.A.T.
A vegetarian restaurant that also serves some meat dishes. Vegans also catered for. Great fresh food, menu changes every two weeks, puddings to die for. Really.
Atmosphere buzzy and fun. Great value with three courses for £13.50. Licensed with fine wines and welsh beers.
40 Clifton Street, Cardiff CF24 1LR
Tel: 029 2045 4999
www.canteenoncliftonstreet.com
Nearest station - Cardiff Central
Bus: No. 12 Cardiff Bus
Portuguese-owned and run by Celia Soares and Maria Santos. Fantastic real Portuguese fare, fish dishes, all served with courtesy and smiles. Wines superb! Genuine menu and choice, excellent food. Highly recommended.
Restaurant Lisboa
5, Romilly Crescent,
Pontcanna CARDIFF CF11 9NP
(029) 20221905
Between Tenby and Saundersfoot lies the village of New Hedges. The beach at Monkstone can be found just besides Trevayne campsite. The way down is steep but the beach itself is worth it. Beautiful sands, beautiful rocks and best of all, lots of mussels to pick for tea!
New Hedges, Pembrokeshire
If you like the Magpie in Whitby (and let's face it, everyone who's been there does) the Mermaid does the same top-class fish and chips with style.
Choose from the old favourites (cod, haddock, scampi) or from the blackboard of current fresh fish. Plus, you get a great view.
1 The Strand, Saundersfoot.
An excellent and innovative new concept at the Copthorne Hotel Cardiff.
They have a professional theatre company in house who offer four different West End-style shows. We saw the "West End to Broadway" show which was amazing - the cast are a very talented bunch of people.
The food served was excellent and the whole evening was fantastic value. The standard price is £27.50 but we booked a special offer with dinner theatre, room, & breakfast for only £89!
We have just booked for the Swing show next week! They also have a rock n roll show and a Western-themed one. They told me that there will be brand new shows for 2008!
www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/copthornecardiff/
Tel: 02920 599100
The Copthorne is at Culverhouse Cross opposite M&S. It is just a few minutes from Cardiff Bay and the city centre.
Fantastic restaurant overlooking Cardigan Bay. Top quality freshly-cooked food all sourced locally and presented with style and innovation.
Cardigan Bay fresh lobster simply steamed and served with clarified butter, homemade bread and a fantastic bottle of New Zealand Sauvingnon Blanc is an absolute delight.
The Cambria
Marine Terrace
Aberystwyth
SY23 2AZ
01970 626366
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