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 park is a worthwhile visit, as is the rest of the village. Another smaller shop area full of…read moremany shops; some hairdressers, a bank or two, cash machines, food and drink, snacks, toiletries, gift shops, craft shops, post office, cafes, bookshops, a Christian Bookshop, a card shop and jewellery shops, hand bags, accessorises and chocolate shops. Llanishen village used to be only wooded farm land in A. D. 535. There was a Battle known as the Battle of the Heath where the Welsh Celts ended up fighting the Normans in 1089 in the north settlement. As you can rightly see all of these small areas that I have talked about in some of my reviews do have quite a lot of Welsh history to them and there is much, much more which has yet to be heard. These areas include; Rhiwbina, and Cyncoed. They are the ideal tourist spots, where you will be able to learn many things about Wales that you may never learn elsewhere and perhaps would not expect to hear at all. So I recommend this area as a must, place to visit for all people not just for tourists. There is so much to see and do there.

Winding its way from Cardiff Bay's sparkling waterfront in the south through the South Wales…read moreValleys and up to the market town of Brecon further north, the 55-mile long Taff Trail passes through a wide variety of urban and rural Welsh landscapes. Used by both cyclists and walkers, much of it is traffic free - following the line of former tramway, canal and railway routes. Lots of people use a particular stretch of the Taff Trail to cycle to work or for leisure outings, while more serious cyclists and walkers complete the whole thing. Some of the route is suitable for all abilities of walkers or cyclists (such as the trail through Cardiff's Bute Park), whereas other parts are more remote and strenuous and require a certain level of fitness and planning. For those who want to do the trail in just one direction, the handy Beacons Bike Bus runs between Cardiff and Brecon on Sundays during the summer months to transport you back to where you started!

The Taff Trail stretches from Brecon, a market town in mid wales, down 55 miles to Cardiff Bay on…read morethe south coast. This is a truly remarkable cycling (or walking if you're crazed) tour that can be done over a period of a couple of days, or just in sections when and as you like. Along the way there are facilities and camping grounds nestled in some of the most superb countryside that South Wales has to offer. The trail makes its way through the Brecon Beacons, a spectacular national park, and then on through the Valleys. If you want to spend some time in the rolling Welsh hills, there's no better way to do it. The cycle route is challenging without being too difficult for the average cyclist. This is mainly due to some long hills between Brecon and Pontsarn, but then it's all downhill. Literally. Whichever way you're travelling. The trail is suitable for people of all ages, and does not tend to be too busy. You can really get out into the thick of it.

Ystradfellte is the Brecon Beacon's Waterfall country and its also were I grew up so its a place I…read moreknow well and love very much. Its a place that a lot of people in Wales know of just because of the fall and the caving complexes. The most famous of the waters is Sgwd Y Eira. If you have seen the advertising posters for Brecon Water this is the waterfall in the picture. Its a fairly easy walk apart from the steps as you get near and its one of very few waterfalls that you can actually walk underneath, though do expect to get sprayed a bit. I personally prefer some of the walks around the other falls which are much quieter in the summer and offer refreshing pools to swim in or picnic by. In all my years of living here I have never got bored of walking the area, its different all the time. Just a note to vistors the two main car parks charge a daily fee and a national parks ranger goes between them. If you want to avoid the fee park in the village itself and walk a bit further, tempting as it may be to pull up on the verges near the car parks I have seen so many break in's that you really are risking it a bit.

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.

A lovely wide sandy beach and nice place to visit for a walk, paddle, or even a swim or surfing if…read moreyou don't mind braving the cold! Lots of rock pools for children to explore. There are good views across the Bristol Channel towards Somerset too. There's a car park nearby which charges in season (pay and display). To find it, take the B4265 from Bridgend then the B4524 and follow the signs to Ogmore.

A broken down ruin this has nonetheless got some very interesting history attached to it…read more Reputed to have been the place where King Arthur gathered his forces prior to marching up to Mount Badon (Mynydd Baedon) a couple of miles away, it even has a memorial stone granting land to a nearby church by Arthur himself Worth an excursion if you like hidden Welsh history

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.

As others have said, this is a lovely, almost hidden park, with a small area of formal gardens with…read morea pond and fountain, complete with a statue of Peter Pan, wild woodland areas and a large playing-field area. It has wonderful views from the top across the lower Ely valley towards Llandough, as well as some amazing mature trees. It is one of the city's oldest parks, given to the city by Charles Thompson in 1911. Perfect for a short walk or a lazy summer afternoon picnic.

Although there are a whole lot of parks in and around the Cardiff area, Thompson's Park in Canton…read morein somewhat unique. Most others offer wide stretches of grass, the odd flowered border and playgrounds. Thompson's Park is smaller than most, and has a particularly quaint feeling. This park is landscaped well, and combined areas of woodland in the heart of the city, with fountains (including the famous Peter Pan statue), duck ponds, winding stairs and a wide grassy area on its higher level. On this field I took part in many school sports days in my time. Never won anything though. Thompson's Park is small and compact, but large enough to take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's like a lost garden in a city wilderness.