With school holidays in full swing we teamed up with Let’s Go with the Children (www.letsgowiththechildren.co.uk) to find some great free day outs for you and your children, within relatively easy reach of Cardiff
1. The Cardiff Story
Take the kids to The Cardiff Story and discover the city’s heritage. This free museum opened in spring 2011 and brings the capital’s history to life. Don’t miss City Lab, an interactive learning gallery with hands-on activities and displays to help adults, children and families learn about Cardiff’s past. There is a special area for younger children with objects to handle and dressing up.
The Cardiff Story, The Old Library, The Hayes, check the website for opening times, www.cardiffstory.com or call 029 2078 8334.
2. Ogmore Valley Community Route
A 13k (8 mile) route suitable for cycling, walking and pushchairs that would provide a fabulous and safe place to let off a bit of steam with the kids after all that Christmas pudding. The route runs from the outskirts of Bridgend to Nantymoel. En route why not visit Tondu Iron Park, which has a cycling centre within its grounds.
From Bridgend to Nantymoel www.visitbridgend.com, 01656 654906
3. World Heritage site Blaenavon
World Heritage site Blaenavon is well known for the unique and exciting experience of going underground at Big Pit: National Mining Museum but there are many other ways to explore this dramatic and culturally fascinating World Heritage Site.
A visit to Big Pit includes a descent into the old colliery, where a former coalminer will take you on a fascinating tour of the mine creating an impression of what working life was like at the coalface. Children have to be over one metre tall to go underground. Above ground you can walk around the town, explore the landscape on bicycle or train. Check the website for opening times over the Christmas period.
Blaenavon, Torfaen, www.world-heritage-blaenavon.org.uk, 01495 790311.
4. Ynysangharad War Memorial Park
Many times winner of the Green Flag award, a national award for the best green spaces, Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, situated in the centre of Pontypridd, is definitely worth a visit with the family when the weather is fine.
Wrap up and enjoy a walk, kids can take their bikes or be entertained in the great play area. Check out the wide range of specimen trees and shrubs, as well as colourful seasonal planting.
This historic park is the home to the Evan and James James memorial, composers of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers) and the memorial to two World Wars and the Falklands War, so you can have a mini history lesson thrown in.
Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Bridge Street, Pontypridd, www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk, 01443 404699.
5. Festival Park
The Red Dragon’s Adventure Castle and The Owl Sanctuary.
If sales shopping is on the cards after Christmas then head to Festival Park where there is South Wales’ largest free play castle for the kids, so everyone hopefully will go home happy. Plus don’t forget to take a visit to the Festival Park Owl Sanctuary, home to almost 60 different birds of prey from all over the world, including falcons, hawks and owls. The Owl Sanctuary cares for injured or rejected pets and is just down the hill from the Festival Park.
Festival Park Owl Sanctuary, Festival Park, Ebbw Vale, www.theowlsanctuary.co.uk, 07805 677 473.
6. Cardiff Barrage Skate Plaza
Are you searching for things to do with active older kids in Cardiff? Take them (and their wheels) to Cardiff Barrage Skate Plaza. This skate park is accessed from the Cardiff Bay Barrage Coast Path and covers more than 1,100 square metres. The plaza has been designed to recreate the urban street with a range of different materials within the park such as granite, marble and brick.
Features include steps, rails and a jump called the Beijing Gap, which gives skaters a chance to jump across a 1.8m gap. If you can drag them away, walk on towards the Barrage.
Cardiff Barrage Skate Park, Cardiff Bay, www.visitcardiff.com/, 029 2087 7927
7. The Amelia Trust
The Amelia Trust is a working farm set in 160 acres of countryside in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan. It offers a calming and therapeutic environment to support and educate vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. Because Amelia Trust is a working farm, it means that the livestock will often be found in different locations depending on the time of year. There are lovely woodland walks for some fresh air.
The Amelia Trust Five Mile Lane, Barry, www.ameliatrust.org.uk, 01446 782030.
8. Coity Castle
Kids love castles and Coity Castle is a Norman castle built by one of the legendary Twelve Knights of Glamorgan that will not disappoint. Now in ruins it is a fabulous place to explore with the children. Across the lane from the castle there is a fine 14th century battlemented medieval church too.
Coity Castle cadw.wales.gov.uk, Bridgend, 01443 336000.
9. National Museum Cardiff
Running through to the year-end, there are family activities at the Clore Discovery Centre at the National Museum Cardiff. There are kids’ activities to find out about fossils, dinosaurs, plants, animals and life in the past plus there is a chance to be creative and make something. See website for dates and times.
National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, www.museumwales.ac.uk, 029 2039 7951.
10. Dunraven Beach
You could enjoy an exhilarating winter outing to the beach and this is a particularly good one and part of the beautiful Heritage Coast of South Wales. To the east of the bay is Witches Point, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for geological importance. The beach is backed by red sandstone cliffs and there are fossils embedded within these cliffs, which have been exposed by the tides. Search for fossils among the pebbles and enjoy the sand and waves.
Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre is nearby. Located 20 miles west of Cardiff at Southerndown, Bridgend, 01656 880157.
