Again, off the beaten track Bryn Bach Park really is a park worth visiting. To walk around the lake…read morewhich is around a mile and quarter, with new paths and a heap of wildlife, is really quite a treat in this normal industrial area. I take my dogs here who have to be kept on a lead and you obviously have to pick their little packages up, but you don't mind because your keeping this idyllic place perfect. You can hire bikes and carts here for mere money and there's always loads of people skating. Its like Tredegar's answer to Venice Beach! There's paths that go off from the main lake walkway and I'm told you can wander as far as Blackwood if you're brave enough. Also, along the walkways there are loads of exercising points that are suitable for the elderly, the young, the fit and the out of shape. Handy little pit stops were Blaenau Gwent Council's idea of helping the borough get fitter! There's always loads going on here. As well as caravan and camp site, there's options to go water skiing, canoeing or just rowing. The log cabin that's pretty much in the middle of the park offers meals and snacks which are incredibly low priced and pretty delicious. There's three large car parks but be warned if it's hot the whole place is busy so you may just have to use the road outside BE CAREFUL though, that road is pretty busy. There's a nice large play area for children so after letting them ride round the lake on what ever contraption you feel best, let them really tire themselves out in the park while you have an ice cream and veg on the benches. Be warned after a certain time (5 in the winter 9 in the summer) gates will be closed so if you turn up late make sure to park outside the park. I'd recomend this park for a picnic and a wander!

Perfect place for a stroll on a Sunday morning, its about a mile round the lake with flat terrain,…read morethere's also a visitors centre with a cafe, toilets and plenty of parking. The park is very exposed and can be quite breezy even on a moderate day also paths get a bit icy in the winter months.

My experience of Marconi Holiday Villages is mostly limited to the on-site pub. My primary reason…read morefor visiting this pub was not because I am a beer guzzling wench, but to play a gig - the Sprocket fest to be precise. The Sprocket fest is an annual bikers festival held on the site over the weekend. The pub itself is a good size, with a small children's playground outside and inside views over a pool! Unfortunately I didn't bring my bathers. Apparently the site has several pools, although I only saw the one, which looked incredibly clean and inviting. After finishing our set, I had a wonder around. You wouldn't know that you were only a stones through away from the Capital. Even though this was a bikers festival it was serene and the views were gorgeous. I havn't stayed here, so I can't tell you what the bungalows are like, but they looked really sweet from the outside, some have sea views and small gardens and according to their website 'chalets' vary from 2-3 bedrooms. Camping I was told on my visit is now limited to two or three days a year after a particularly rowdy bunch from Cardiff turned up one evening. This is sad because the night I visited Marconi Holiday Villages was one of those rare nights where camping was allowed and the set up looked fantastic. As a keen camper and even living so near by, I would certainly consider camping here if it ever became an option again.

Of the Travelodge's in Cardiff you'll defiantly get a more peaceful stay here and I think location…read morewise its got a lot to offer. Its a just a few minutes walk from the Millennium Centre and all the activities and eateries of the bay, while still being just a 15 minute walk into the city centre but with a bus stop outside too. Its only a few years old so all everything is very modern and clean and comfortable. Obviously your not going to get luxury from Travelodge but the bed was comfy and I was quite happy with the spacious room. I think its also cheaper than the town version and has onsite parking.

Ok Travelodges are not renowned for their personable environments or boutique style attention to…read moredetail but they are recognised for their affordability. The only downsides I associate with travelodges are their often tired, worn out and uninspired decor and their unromantic motorway side locations. No so with the Travelodge at Atlantic Wharf Cardiff bay. They have obviously tried to create a bit of a flagship model hotel for the group here. It's light, airy, bright and clean plus its only 2 minutes walk to the bars and restaurants of Cardiff Bay and 10 minutes to the City Centre. So if you're not planning a romantic weekend you could do a lot worse than book this during one of its many offer periods.

If you lean over New Bridge, Merthyr Mawr and gaze down or up stream, look out for herons,…read morekingfishers, ducks and all manner of other birds and creatures, not to mention fish jumping through to our world, catching water bugs or whatever they're doing down there. Also, watch out for vehicles wanting to squeeze past you, a game of chicken, do you breath in and flatten yourself to a pancake to give them confidence, or just see their eyes widen in fear of scraping your buttocks, or worse, their precious painted fender on the parapet wall. The bridge, is a single-carriageway road bridge of coursed, hammer-dressed stone, the road rising to the centre of the bridge in a small hump back. A tablet set into the parapet reads: This Bridge was built and finished at the expence of the Right Honourable Sir John Nicholl under the inspection of William Country Surveyor by Morgan Thomas of Laleston AD 1827. Apparently John Nicholl bought the Merthyr Mawr Estate in 1804. He built a new mansion there and took over the original road to Merthyr Mawr village as his own, no messing about. So, a new road had to be made available for the villagers along with a new bridge across the River Ogmore. A previous bridge with a wooden deck on stone piers, erected early 19th century was duly replaced. Beautiful spot, well worth walking or cycling to rather than just driving over.

A high-walled garden set up on the cliff above Dunraven Bay and nice for a walk to see the lovely…read moreplants and flowers in season. There is a small tower too at one corner which is good for views - or to take shelter from the rain and wind! If the weather is better there are many benches around the perimeter of the gardens. Worth a look if you have visited the beach or are in the area. There are great views from the cliff path as well once you have climbed away from the beach.

Reputed to be the area where Sir Bedwyr is buried, I used to play in these gardens when I was a…read morechild and I still like to return here to relive my happy memories

What a fun place to stay. My room was up on the top floor, which was fine because I don't mind the…read morestairs. Breakfast was amazing and bountiful and served in this great Victorian room with all the Victorian stuff people used to stuff in their rooms to show wealth. There is free internet but it didn't reach my room at the top, but that was ok, the little sitting room (conservatory?) was comfortable and fine to relax in. The owners were nice and attentive. The location was not close enough to the train station for an easy walk, but was close to the castle and other Cardiff sights.

This is just such a beautiful walk, especially in the winter after some rain when the falls flow…read morewith such gusto. The waterfalls are amazing and the damp drippy green valley a wonder to walk along. There are pools which are fun to play in in summer. Sgwd Gwladys (Gwladys' waterfall) is about a kilometer from the car park I believe. There is a pub, and there are clean public toilets near the car park. Take sturdy boots if walking in winter as the path can be muddy. Not suitable for wheelchairs.

It's quite amazing to see just how many waterfalls are along this route as you follow the path…read morebeside the river into the wilds. The best place to start the walk is next to the Angel Inn at Pontneddfechan where there is a rocky path which leads you through the woods alongside the River Nedd Fechan. You will need to allow a good hour in both directions and the path is uneven and even dangerous when wet and slippery, so not suitable for everyone (there are several warning signs) and sturdy shoes are a must. You pass an old mill and the entrance to a disused silica mine. Further along, the Nedd Fechan and Pyrddin meet and the path now borders the Pyrddin. The first waterfall to see is the Sgwd Gwladys, a lovely sight. It's possible to climb behind the falls as well though I haven't done this myself! Further along you'll come to more waterfalls including the Horseshoe Falls and the Lower and Upper Ddwli Falls. There are lovely views everywhere of the falls and trees overhanging the river. Well worth a visit.

Excellent pub and even better food, good value :) entertainment thursday friday saturday and sunday…read moreone of the few places that can actually put entertainment on and fill the place great night out! only five minutes from junction 37

great food great atmosphere here.popular with locals.do a great sunday lunch.always busyread more