The Barrage is a great place for a relaxing walk or a bit of boat-watching, and on a clear day you…read morecan see right across the Bristol Channel to where our English bretherin live. It's a bit of a walk from the bay, probably about half an hour, but it's a very pleasant one and there's some interesting scenery on the way, ranging from old warehouses to small historic displays. Once you reach the Barrage you'll be treated to stunning views of the whole of the Bay, and if you're here at sunset then there are some brilliant photo opportunities to be had. There's also plentiful fishing to be had and it can be a good spot for bird-watching if it's the right time of year. There are regular benches along the way if you need a quick break and some toilet stops if you forgot to go back in the Bay. At the middle of the Barrage there's a small decking area with some sail-like structures above it that make for a nice quiet spot if you want to pause and take in the view, or if you just want to go somewhere for some me-time. And of course there's the barrage gates where you can watch the comings and goings of the boats and the lock mechanisms in action.

This is my favourite place to walk, run, skip or cycle in the whole of Cardiff…read more It takes about half an hour (if you walk, if you skip its a little less) to get to the barrage, at a nice pace, and along the way you will pass many a scene worth taking in from the skater park, to an outside exhibition about the importance coal had in the south Wales economy etc etc etc. When you get to the barrage you can watch boats of all shape and sizes (depending on the depth of the owners pockets) leaving and coming into the bay through its impressive mechanical locks. I'm nowhere near describing how nice it can be to experience this walk so all I'll say is if you are in the bay and have an hour or so to spare then take a walk down to the barrage and you will not be disappointed.

This is an ideal place to bring your boats, it is roughly half an hour away from Cardiff and it is…read moreanother great place to take a picnic, children, the rest of the family or friends and a dog. You cannot swim in the water; as it is not the type of water to swim in, it is not exactly clean enough for human bodies to swim about in, plus there are that many boats going in and out it could become too dangerous for you to splash about it and you would then get in the boats way. A life jacket is very advisable to wear, especially for young children to wear. They have a kiosk shop where there items and products are very cheap, especially the sweets. I remember countless trips back and forth there, with my brother or a friend and we always looked forward to the cheap, tasty and addictive sweets. The ice cream was yummy as well. I recommend to all boat owners...

Lamby Lake is a coarse fishery and fishing club in Cardiff, located within Parc Tredelerch, which…read moreis a wildlife area that's home to coots, swans, mallards and other birds as well as some beautiful dragonflies in the summer. The lake itself covers 10 acres and feels quite remote from the traffic and noise of the city centre, despite being easily accessible. It also feels quite windswept and a bit sparsely planted - although trees and plants are growing up and this aspect will improve. At the moment you can feel quite exposed to the elements there, though, so it's worth taking a few extra layers if you're stopping there for long! The fishery is run by a team of well-known local anglers with plenty of experience, and the fishing stock are growing fast and spawning well. Day tickets cost £6 and are available on the bank from the lake's 'bailiffs'. Enthusiasts can also get membership for £60 (or night membership for £150) - with 50% off for OAPs and children under 16. There are quite a few related shops nearby, including Gary Evans Tackle Shop, which is handy if you need to pick up a few things on your way to the lake.

The river Taff flows from Brecon to Cardiff. In the City it winds through Bute Park, past the…read moreMillennium Stadium and into Cardiff Bay and out into the Bristol Channel. In Winter salmon and sea trout swim upstream and make spectacular leaps up the Black Weir, whilst in the Summer months students float down stream on lilos and other inflatables, clutching beer cans tight. Canoeists cut through the water all year long and water bus tours travel from Bute park to Cardiff Bay and then onto Penarth Marina. A few paddle in the Taff, but most don't swim. Men wade out into the shallow waters to go fly fishing. Cormorants can regularly be seen perched on rocks, oily wings outstretched to dry, if you're lucky you may catch glimpse of an otter, a minx or even a kingfisher. What other City but Cardiff can you find such a beautiful, well used river rich in wildlife?

I came to the Taff River on a delightful sunny day. The accommodation where I was staying, the Taff…read moreRiver was right in front of it. I got to see the river runs from Millennium stadium, onto Bute park and up to Cardiff Bay up to Parnath. The river is soooo peaceful and serene. I know I saw a few ducks on the river too. The water bus boat runs though it as well. I got to admire the river on the bridge as well, as well as walk by it in the park. You do see others cycle, walk, run and picnic by the river too. As a visitor, the Taff river was one of my highlights in Cardiff, I look forward to seeing again.

I wish I could say I came here to rock climb, but mainly I just visit Ogmore-by-Sea with my beloved…read moreand his two-year-old daughter (which explains the my photo of a stuffed cow on the grassy knoll). Even on cold, dreary days, you'll find surfers of all ages here. When the sun emerges, be prepared, as this beach gets crowded with picnickers and lovers walking hand in hand. This was my first excursion to a Welsh beach (I ignorantly thought all seafronts in the world were lined with soft sand), so it was a pleasant surprise to find jagged cliffs and smooth rocks in place of fine white grain. I think Ogmore is the ideal spot for a picnic, with spectacular views, ample car parking and pretty clean bathrooms for a beach spot (there was even soap and loo roll!). Be careful during certain times of the day, as the tide comes in much faster than you'd expect - we set up our blanket and within 15 minutes had to move it to back!

I grew up in Ogmore by Sea, and lived pretty much right on the beachfront until I was about 15…read more Stupidly, I've probably been to the beach here more in the 6 years since moving away than in the entire 15 years I lived there! This is one of the nicest and most popular beaches in the area, and one of the largest. When the tide's out there's plenty of space here and there's also some really interesting caves all along the front stretching down to Southerndown. These were used by the famous smugglers of the area. Their modus operandi would be to attach lanterns to the local sheep. Passing ships would then come in towards land and get wrecked on the many submerged rocks in the area. The smugglers would then loot the wreckages and store their various goods inside the caves. There are even rumours that when the smugglers' local tavern was demolished (on the banks of the River Ogmore) a concealed tunnel was found, stretching about a mile to Southerndown. They would use this to make a quick escape. There's plenty of history here and there are many more interesting stories emanating from the local area, adding further mystique to the beach itself. Quick word of warning though - keep your eye on the tides as you can get stranded if it catches you unawares When the tide's in, the only area accesible is pretty rocky. I'm no expert (as the next few words will demonstrate) but there are many cool looking rocks to be found here (!). I've found plenty of fossils - some of them pretty large. Apart from the beach itself, in the summer there are burger vans and ice cream vans to keep you refreshed. It's a great part of the South Wales coast and it's teeming with history. You can walk pretty much all the way around the coast as well, around to Southerndown and Nash Point. If the sun's out, I would highly recommend it as there's some truly breathtaking views to be had along the way.

There is so much to do and see in Roath Park that each activity almost warrants its own category…read more One of the things to do is take you kids to the playground. A few words of warning though - if you go at the obvious times your kid may have to wait for a go of a swing or a slide as it gets pretty popular. My advice is to go there on a sunny weekday afternoon rather than a weekend and you're child is guaranteed the run fo the place. There is a variety of swings, a big slide built into the banking, a small slide, climbing frames, roundabouts all you need to keep you occupied for an hour or so, sorry I meant all you need to keep you children occupied - I didn't have a go on any of them honestly!

Such a cute park! I had tons of fun with my aunt and 2 younger cousins on the pedal boats (word to…read morethe wise : AVOID the algae, we ended up getting trapped and had to get a friendly couple to push us out XD). The boat is also quite a workout, we ended up getting lazy and making the 8 year old and the 12 year old pedal, classic haha! Lovely place to walk around, had a playground for the kiddies. Very enjoyable hour or so spent here.

Let me introduce you to one of my favourite places to exercise, stroll and stuff my face with…read moreprocessed meats (Summertime BBQ's) - Cosmeston Lakes. First opened in 1978, Cosmeston Lakes Country Park and Medieval Village is situated not far from Cardiff, Barry and Penarth. It is open all year round for visitors to explore it's 247 acres of land, lakes, woodlands and meadows. There's even a reconstructed 14th Century Village set within the park. Things to remember for your next visit: Parking: FREE! Lakeside Café: The Lakeside Café serves breakfast, lunch and obligatory ice creams! Open daily from 8.30am - 6.30pm. Take a seat on the patio area and enjoy the lakeside views. BBQ and Picnics: There are several BBQ units throughout the park that are available to hire from £17. There are also lots of conveniently placed picnic benches. Bird Hide: For the keen bird watchers, a bird hide can be found overlooking the western lake (visit website for map). Access to the bird hide is via steps leading from the main path. Open 24 hours. Free of charge. Horse Riding: Horse Riding is permitted, however if you want to ride along the main paths you will have to purchase a permit which costs £20 per year. Medieval Village: Open 7 days a week. Free of charge! Adventure Playground: A large children's playground can be found on the opposite side of the lake from the car park. It features a range of climbing equipment, swings, slides and a boat.

Cosmeston Lakes are the filled in remains of limestone quarries in the 19th century. When I go…read morethere, I imagine old metal towers and drills slowly mouldering away under the calm surface, with all its ducks and reeds. Cosmeston offers an easily accessible set of lakes, paths, wide grass areas and boardwalks. It is a lovely area to take in, and is suitable for cycling. There's also a large play area for small and large children alike. Also on site there's a visitor centre, cafe and the ever-popular Medieval Village. This is a great area to settle down for the day. As you do so, imagine what the mines once looked like and be in awe of the restoration project that went on there.

This may be called a wetlands reserve but its more like a little walkway along the reed area of the…read moresea front. Its not very big and don't expect to see a huge array of animals. There are information boards around so if your a keen wildlife spotter or want to get the kids involved they are a nice touch. What it is, is a very peaceful spot where even on a very busy summers day you can find a spot to sit and enjoy the sun, or feed the ducks (although I don't think your meant too!)

This is a fairly exposed nature reserve with a boardwalk for visitors to stroll along, bordered by…read moremarshy reeds and offering views out over the Bay. These wetlands were created in 2002 when the barrage was completed to compensate partly for the disappearance of the old saline mudflats, which of course were being turned into a freshwater lake. The wetlands provide an important habitat for over-wintering and breeding birds, so the reserve is justifiably popular with birdwatchers. On a cold and windy day, this isn't the most pleasant open space you could choose to explore because it often gets really windy with a nasty chill factor - far better off finding some secluded woods to shelter in. In the summer, however, it's a different story - with some good views from the boardwalk back over the reserve and to the Bay's skyline and out to Cardiff Bay Barrage.