Southern Wales : spoil yourselves

40 Pages·2007·3.999 MB·English

by  Southern Wales Consortium

Spoil
yourselves
2
...in Southern Wales
5
contents
Spoil yourselves...
5 ... in Southern Wales great view!
...with a
7 ... with a great view!
9 ... on two wheels
11 ... at a horse’s pace
13 ... on the greens
15 ... on the water
17 ... in the past
21 ... by doing nothing
7
23 ... by wining and dining
25 ... with a little retail therapy
27 ... with a great day out
29 ... with a short break
30 Suggested day trips
32 Map
34 Around the region
35 The Welsh language
36 Pick up a brochure
37 Great Accommodation
38 Travel information
Back Cover Tourist Information Centres 9
Published by Southern Wales Consortium © 2007 Southern Wales Consortium. Written by Graham
Muschialli, Huw Davies. Designed and produced by Accent ADC Ltd (Swansea). Images from Accent ADC,
PMC Design & Photography ([email protected]), Visit Britain, Cadw, Wales Millennium Centre,
Cardiff Council, Cardiff Castle, Visit Wales © Crown Copyright 2006, Huw Davies, Greens of Southern Wales
Front Cover image: Glamorgan Heritage Coast
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in this publication, the publishers can accept no liability
whatsoever for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, or for any matter in any way connected with or arising
out of the publication of the information. Please check all prices and facilities before making your booking.
two wheels
Southern Wales Travel Trade and Overseas Tourism Initiative is ...on
supported by the 10 Local Authorities of South East Wales and
Capital Region Tourism.
www.southernwales.com
3
greens
...on the
the water
13 ...on ...in the past
15 17
11
21
...by doing
nothing
horse’s pace
...at a
...with a little ...with a
great day out
retail therapy
25 27
23
...by wining and
dining
www.southernwales.com
4
1
Photographs
1. Glamorgan Heritage Coast || 2. Abergavenny ||
3. Caerphilly Castle
www.southernwales.com
5
spoil yourselves in
Southern Wales
Culture and heritage, peace and relaxation, adventure and activities, shops and sightseeing and a
year round fixture of exciting and varied events mean that a holiday to Southern Wales is a must.
Just two hours from London yet a world away. Most visitors travelling by road will normally travel
over the Severn Bridge – an unmistakable landmark that marks the border between England and
Wales. Once past the sign that reads Croeso i Gymru – Welcome to Wales, it is time for your
holiday to begin.
Such is the diversity of Southern Wales it is hard
to know where to start.
How about the Wye Valleyand Vale of Usk– an area of outstanding
natural beauty that straddles the Wales/England border where the River
Wye meanders peacefully through the lush meadows and ancient
woodlands that inspired Wordsworth and Turner and past castles and
abbeys which tell the story of this once fought over borderland. It feels
as though time stands still in this corner of Southern Wales.
2
Or how about Cardiff – the Capital City of Wales. A thriving yet
compact city where modern blends seamlessly with history, where an
extravagant castle sits next to a modern sports stadium, high street Or for an insight into the rich culture and heritage of Southern Wales
stores are complemented by small independent retailers and where take a trip to the area known the world over simply as ‘The Valleys’.
industrial docklands have been completely transformed into one of Heritage centres and country parks now stand on the sites where
Europe’s trendiest and liveliest waterfronts. workers once toiled in the pits, extracting the coal that powered the
world while the numerous castles prove testament that this peaceful
Then there’s the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and Countrysidewhere part of Wales was once a fierce battleground.
walkers stroll along rugged cliffs, sun worshipers bathe on golden sandy
beaches, thrill seekers surf the waves and families enjoy the traditional Throughout the region, throughout the year you can catch a whole host
seaside holidays. Head inland from the coast to get a taste of traditional of varied and exciting events - from major international sporting and
Wales, with pretty villages and interesting market towns packed full of musical occasions at the Millennium Stadiumto the more local cultural
shops selling local produce. festivals. Then there’s the golf. A wonderful variety of valley courses and
challenging seaside fairways and of course the Celtic Manor Resortat
Newport – home of the Wales Open and in 2010 the Ryder Cup.
3
Getting to Southern Wales couldn’t be easier – the M4 motorway
brings you straight into the region from London and the South of
England while the M50 and A40 provide easy access from the
Midlands. Rail travellers are well catered for too with mainline services
connecting with the extensive local services at Newport, Cardiff and
Bridgend.
For those coming from further afield, Cardiff International Airport
has an extensive range of flights from Europe and Canada while Bristol
Airport is only just outside the region and the major airports of London
and Brimingham are only around two hours away. From the seaports of
West Wales and Southern England you’ll find a first class road network
that will whisk you straight to your destination in next to no time.
Go on, spoil yourselves – visit Southern Wales.
www.southernwales.com
6
1
Photographs
1. Brecon Beacons || 2. Glamorgan Heritage Coast ||
3. Pen y Fan || 4. Llyn Fawr, Rhondda Cynon Taf
www.southernwales.com
7
spoil yourselves with
a great view!!
As Southern Wales is well known for its
glorious countryside and breathtaking views
its little wonder that it is a popular choice
with walkers of all abilities.
There are of course plenty of challenging walks in the region for
the experts, but novices need not feel left out. Most of our towns
and cities have many short walks that need no special equipment,
are relatively short, and let you experience the true character and
history of the towns.
If you are a bit more serious about your walking then lace up your
boots, put on your rucksack and head for the hills. There are ample
trails of varying degrees of difficulty to explore in the Brecon
Beacons National Park. Head for the top of Pen y Fan– the
highest peak in Southern Wales. You’ll be amazed with the
breathtaking views from the summit
The adventurous walker can head for Chepstow and the start of
the 178miles/285km Offa’s Dyke Path. The path runs the length 2
of Wales, all the way to Prestatyn in the north following the line of
the dyke, built in the eighth century by King Offa to mark the
As beautiful as our countryside is not all our walks are in rural
border between Wales and England.
areas. The Glamorgan Heritage Coast pathtakes walkers along
stunning cliffs, over sandy beaches and through one of the largest
Alternatively you might like to try the Taff Trailthat runs from
sand dune systems in the world. At 14 miles/22km long its not too
Cardiff Bay through the heart of the Capital City on onwards
taxing for an experienced walker.
through the Southern Wales Valleys and Brecon Beacons before
arriving in the town of Brecon.
For more information on walking in Southern Wales go to our
website www.southernwales.comand download a walking
3 brochure.
4
www.southernwales.com
8
1
Photographs
1. Twrch Trail, Caerphilly || 2. Cwmcarn Forest ||
3. Cycling at Castell Coch || 4. Newport Velodrome
www.southernwales.com
9
spoil yourselves on
two wheels
Cycling is a real pleasure in Southern Wales. For the experts there are countless long distance trails
criss-crossing the region whilst those who prefer to take things a little bit easier will find
something for them.
2
Cardiffis one of the flattest cities in the world and as such lends itself
perfectly to a spot of easy cycling. Discover one of Cardiff’s vast parks
and open areas from the saddle.
Alternatively head into the Heritage Hills north of Bridgend. The cycle
tracks here follow disused railway lines meaning that they are traffic
free and with gentle gradients. One route takes you from Bryngarw
Country Park, past the remains of Tondu Ironworks and into the Garw
Valley so that you can combine history with wonderful scenery. Cycling
doesn’t get much easier than this.
Of course, if you want something a little bit more challenging then
Southern Wales won’t disappoint.
If you prefer your cycling to be a bit more adventurous why not head
for the Twrch Trailat Cwmcarn Forest near Caerphilly. The Mountian
The Celtic Trailis part of the
3 National Cycle Route and Biking here is amongst the best in the world and is rated on a par with
tracks in Colorado and California. Climb to the top for some terrific
takes you across the region
views before hurtling down the 15km route at hair-raising speeds.
from east to west. Beginning
on the Wales/England border
The St. Gwynno Forestmountain-bike route is a terrific trail that goes
at Chepstow the route then
right through some beautiful countryside near Pontypridd. The trail is
splits at Pontypridd giving you
surrounded by the unspoilt St. Gwynno Forest where the lush green
two options. Firstly you can
environment is home to many rare birds and animals. The 12km trail
take the challenging high level
starts at Llanwynno and passes the stunning Pistyll Goleu Waterfall and
off road route through the
the Clydach Reservoir.
forests and hills of the
Southern Wales Valleys. If that
Whatever your cycling discipline you’ll be well catered for at Tredegar’s
sounds a bit too energetic for
Parc Bryn Bach. With many routes leading from the park’s Visitor
you then you can take the less
Centre on the shores of the lake and crisscrossing the park’s 340 acres,
gruelling low-level route that takes you through the picturesque Garw
BMX, Mountain Biking, Road Racing and Cyclo Cross are all popular
Valley and on towards the coast before re-joining the high level route
activities here.
at Neath where it continues westwards to Pembrokeshire.
For the competitive cyclist the Dragon Run, held in June each year, is
As with the walkers the Taff Trailis a
well worth the challenge. Setting off from Bridgend
hugely popular path for cyclists. The
4 into the Southern Wales Valleys and Brecon
path takes you from the heart of the
Beacons the course covers some of the steepest
Capital City through the Southern
and most demanding climbs in the region. The
Wales Valleys and Brecon Beacons
Dragon Run is certainly not for the faint hearted. If
and on to the traditional market
you prefer track cycling to road racing then head
town of Brecon. Look out for some
to Newport’s International Sports Village and
eye-catching landmarks along the
Wales’ National Velodrome where many
way such as the Millennium
competitions are held throughout the year.
Stadium, Castell Coch and the 115
feet high Cefn Coed Viaduct as well For more information on cycling in Southern Wales
as the beauty of the reservoirs at go to our website www.southernwales.com
Pontsticill and Talybont. and download a cycling brochure.
www.southernwales.com
10
1
Photographs
1. Riding in the Wye Valley || 2. Rhondda Cynon Taf ||
3. Ogmore Castle || 4. Llanthony Priory
www.southernwales.com