Some people visit Under the Oak Glamping to experience total relaxation. To soak in the hot tub, watch the baby ducklings on the pond and truly get away from it all. But if you do fancy a day out, there is so much to see an do, right on our doorstep. We’ve put together a list of our favourite places to visit, all under an hour away. And whether you’re a couple celebrating an anniversary, or a family in search of adventures, there’s something for everyone!
- St Fagans is an open-air museum celebrating the architecture and traditions of Wales and a wonderful day out for the whole family. There are over 40 original buildings here to explore including a post-war prefab, a Workmen’s Institute and a reconstructed Iron Age Farmstead. The Museum is brought alive through events hosted throughout the year.
- Mountain View Ranch is a short drive away and is great for kids wanting to explore and run wild. The adventure playground and Gruffalo Trail will delight smaller visitors and there are high ropes and segways for those needing their adrenaline fix. There are always plenty of activities happening so check out their website for up to date info.
- Pen y Fan roughly translates as Top Spot. At the summit, walkers perch on the cairn to grab a selfie. The bragging rights are not to be sniffed at – this is, after all, the highest point in southern Britain, with Mid Wales swirling around it like a carpet of green. So if you’re up to a challenge, bring your hiking boots and pick one of the four routes up to the top – it’s definitely worth the effort!
- Barry Island is famous for being home to Gavin and Stacey but we were all visiting long before that. The beach itself is a fabulous big sandy bay and the promenade behind is lined with old fashioned amusement arcades, fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours. It’s the ultimate, traditional seaside day out.
- Head to Escape Rooms for a day out with a difference. It’s a real life escape game for 2 to 6 players. You’ll need to work together to find hidden clues and solve the puzzles in the themed rooms before the timer runs out! You will need to think quick, think smart and work as a team if you want to make it out !
- Big Pit is one of the most evocative heritage venues in the world, paying tribute to the sweat and grind of miners through a blacksmith’s forge, a miners’ canteen and an explosive magazine. You’ll be able to imagine hard-hatters using the lockers and shower rooms, kept intact at a place which has won multiple awards and, amazingly, is free of charge.
- The National Showcaves of Wales are definitely worth a visit. The caves themselves -discovered in 1912- are breathtaking, especially the awe-inspiring Cathedral cave. But there are so many other things to see and do, including over 200 life size dinosaurs, an iron age farm and fabulous adventure playgrounds!
- Llancaiach Fawr manor house brings Tudor history to life. You are greeted by the prospector for the house, who was in charge of the Manor while the owner, Lord Pritchard was involved in the Civil War. All the servants stay in character throughout your visit, and you really get a feel for how families would have lived in 1645. A memorable day out for visitors of all ages!
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Dunraven bay is one of many beaches we are blessed with but I picked this one out because it has a bit of everything. Parking is easy, there are toilets and ice-creams. The beach itself has awesome rock pools at low tide, rocks to search for fossils, and sand for building castles. The cliff top walks are beautiful and Dunraven castle, set just back from the beach is perfect for an afternoon stroll, with its pretty walled gardens.
There are so many more places to explore – we’d love to hear your recommendations! Why not post your own pictures of fabulous days out in the area on our facebook page?