David & Valerie’s guide to Cardiff, Bridgend and The Vale
Sightseeing
Cardiff Castle
Castle StSt Fagans National Museum of History
Penarth Pier station
Gorgeous Art Deco pier on picturesque Victorian esplanade
National Assembly for Wales
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Castell Coch
National Museum Cardiff
The Royal Mint
See how money is made!
If you’re not lucky enough to be watching an international then why not take the stadium tour?
324 locals recommend
Principality Stadium
Westgate StreetIf you’re not lucky enough to be watching an international then why not take the stadium tour?
Food scene
A few of our favourite bars & restaurants
The Old Custom House
Giardini Di Sorrento
12 City RdMint and Mustard
134 Whitchurch RdBar 44 Cardiff
15-23 Westgate StreetCorvo Lounge
3-7 Adare StHarbour Bar & Kitchen
Eastern PromenadeNice pub in a great location.
The Captains Wife
Beach RoadThe Humble Onion
Station RoadZia Nina
28 Dunraven PlaceAshoka Tandoori
68 Nolton StEl Prado Bar and Restaurant
15 High StPasture Restaurant Cardiff
8-10 High StreetPeppermint Bar Cardiff
63 St Mary StReally popular bar to start your evening
Lab 22
22 Caroline StAward winning cocktail bar
The Alchemist Cardiff
117 St Mary StGreat cocktail bar
Head of Steam Cardiff
18-19 Church StGreat range of beers and regular live music
Walking
Ogmore-by-Sea
Beautiful sandy beach, great for walking dogs or sunbathing
Bute Park
North RoadIt’s a proper city park where you will see all types of activities -
Dyffryn Gardens
Dyffryn CloseCosmeston Lakes Country Park & Medieval Village
Lavernock RoadNice local park that spills into the sea. Lovely stone viaduct above. Great for BBQs
Porthkerry Leisure Park
Nice local park that spills into the sea. Lovely stone viaduct above. Great for BBQs
Nice walk from Bridgend along the river Ogmore. Are you brave enough to cross the stepping stones?
45 locals recommend
Ogmore Castle
Nice walk from Bridgend along the river Ogmore. Are you brave enough to cross the stepping stones?
Pen-y-Fan
Walk up South Wales highest mountain
Llandaff Fields' Playground
103 Fields Park RdCardiff Bay Barrage station
Cargo RoadFun
Cardiff Bay
Bute StreetImmortalised by Gavin & Stacey. The fun fare is great for families and there are 2 lovely beaches either side of a pretty headland.
87 locals recommend
Barry Island
Immortalised by Gavin & Stacey. The fun fare is great for families and there are 2 lovely beaches either side of a pretty headland.
Cardiff International Pool
Olympian DriveThe Mumbles
Cardiff International White Water
Watkiss WayRoath Park Lake
Caerphilly Castle
Castle StreetTechniquest
Stuart StreetViola Arena
Olympian DriveWatch the local ice hockey team, the Red Devil’s, or go ice skating
Why not hire a bike to explore Cardiff. Stations all around the city
nextbike - Cardiff University - Roy Jenkins Hall
81 Crwys RdWhy not hire a bike to explore Cardiff. Stations all around the city
Escape Rooms Cardiff
119 St Mary StCan you escape within the hour?
National Showcaves Centre for Wales
Go underground and see amazing Welsh caves
Porthcawl
Cardiff Bay
Bute StreetShopping
Almost everyone loves a bit of retail therapy
73 locals recommend
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend
DerwenAlmost everyone loves a bit of retail therapy
Saint Davids Centre
Beaches & Bays
Oxwich Bay
2 1/2 mile sandy beach with sand dunes and woodland
Three Cliffs Bay
Sandy beach with salt marsh and river on the Gower
Rocky beach on heritage coast. Search for fossils or look for crabs in the rock pools
40 locals recommend
Southerndown
Rocky beach on heritage coast. Search for fossils or look for crabs in the rock pools
Stroll down to the rocky beach below the cliffs on the heritage coast
15 locals recommend
Nash Point Lighthouse
Stroll down to the rocky beach below the cliffs on the heritage coast