Coity Castle is a magical place full of distant battle cries and that incredible sense that…read moreimportant things have happened there. Built in 1100 and then rebuilt after a siege by Owain Glyndwr, this is a castle often overlooked by visitors to Wales, despite its extremely important part in Welsh history. Although other castles, such as Cardiff Castle, Caerphilly Castle and Castell Coch, are more visited, I would argue that it's the lesser known relics which are more interesting. This Medieval castle is built up on a hill, with clear evidence of moats, and looks almost like a half-rotten tooth sticking up into the sky. It has just as much grandeur and fairy-tale quality as a person could ask for in a castle. This historic site is well worth a visit; sunset will reward you will specular photographs and views.

This is another of South Wales's impressive Norman Castles, standing in ruins near the town of…read moreBridgend in South Wales, not far from Cardiff. It was built by Sir Payn "the Demon" de Turberville, one of the legendary Twelve Knights of Glamorgan who are supposed to have conquered the area under the leadership of Robert FitzHamon, Lord of Gloucester. Although it was originally built soon after 1100, a lot of the castle actually dates from the fourteenth century and later. Parts of it were rebuilt following the siege by Owain Glyn Dr in 1404-05. Despite being in ruins, there are still plenty of interesting features to see - including the remains of the central octagonal pillar for the vaults of the castle. If you have OS map 170 the reference is SS 923815. Nearby you can also visit Newcastle and Ogmore Castles in a day trip.

I've walked past this statue many times over the years but only recently tried to find out some…read moreinformation about it! It appears to be a mermaid of sorts, in some kind of yoga position (at least, that is how it has always looked to my uneducated eyes). It is indeed a mermaid, carved in Portland stone by Peter Nicholas FRBS, ARCA, and weighing three tons. The dimensions are: 152cm in height, 122cm width and 122cm in depth. The circular form represents the cycle of life, its evolution from the sea to dry land and is also symbolic of Porthcawl's long association with the sea. It is signed at the bottom, P.W. NICHOLAS. 1993. Peter studied at the Cardiff Art School and the Royal College of Art and has exhibited all over Britain. He works mainly in marble and stone creating both small and large works. This sculpture is found on the grass in Seabank Gardens in West Drive (across the road from the Seabank Hotel) and beside a public seating area.

If you're into your monastic history, then this is the place to come! This is an impressive Norman…read morepriory founded by Benedictine monks in the 12th century. The priory itself is now a private house and is set within a fortified perimeter wall, which is huge and looming, and quite a feat of architecture in itself. But the church is still used today and open to the public most of the year. But the reason you come here, I would say, is the same reason one might visit a cathedral: there is a certain air of calm and tranquillity wrapped up in tradition and wonderful architecture. When light streams into the church, it can be breathtakingly beautiful in that quiet kind of way. This is quite a quiet spot where parking is easy and picnicking even more so. A good place to bring studious children, grandparents or people with a keen interest in the historical or religious.

If you're taking a trip out of Cardiff to explore the surrounding towns, villages and countryside…read moreacross the Vale of Glamorgan, it's well worth visiting this impressive Norman monastic church on your travels. Founded for Benedictine monks of Gloucester Abbey by the Norman lord of Glamorgan in the 12th century, today the site is looked after by Cadw, the Welsh Assembly's historic environment service ('Cadw' means 'to keep' in Welsh). It is unusual because it sits within a fortified perimeter wall, much of which is still standing, and it is regarded as the most complete Norman Church in South Wales. The priory was later converted into a private house, but the nave is still in use as a Parish church, and restoration work has been carried out by Cadw there fairly recently. At the eastern end of the church you can see tombs containing the de Londres family (the family of the Norman lord who founded the place). It can be found just off the road leading from Bridgend to Llantwit Major. When you enter the churchyard, look out for the magnificent big Yew tree standing outside - some experts say this type of tree was planted in graveyards to represent immortality and resurrection.

'Y Garreg Siglo' in Welsh, a great place to visit, not far from Pontypridd Hospital and with a…read moremarvellous view over the town. The central stone is over 5 feet high and placed there in Neolithic times. It does indeed 'rock' slightly back and forth if you sit or stand on it and push a bit! The stone circle surrounding it is much more recent, having been arranged there only one or two hundred years ago (there appears to be some dispute about the exact date). There are various other stones dotted about the Common. There are several places to park nearby along the road side.

This is a wonderful place for a walk! Not only is Richard Burton's childhood home here (a terraced…read morehouse on the main road) and one of the entrances to the massive Afan Argoed Forest Park, but there is an impressive, mile long circular walk you can do here which will take you over both a tall 19th century viaduct and a disused aqueduct! Start opposite the shop in Pontrhydyfen (there is only one!) and take the left hand fork facing you (Station Road) instead of going down the steep hill. Walk along here past the cemetery and a little further on turn right onto the aqueduct. After appreciating the marvellous views of the Afan Valley, cross to the other side, turn right into the village of Oakwood and walk to the end. Follow a grassy track which winds down some steps and then turn right onto the viaduct. This is another great place for views back over the village of Pontrhydyfen and the aqueduct, although the sides are high - you might need to stand on tiptoe! Keep going until a woodland 'crossroads' then turn right and follow the river back to the road, where you will turn left and left again up the steep hill to take you back to where you started. Not far from where we live and a walk we often enjoy at all times of year.

This is one of Wales' best kept secrets. The best family day out in Wales. For sure. Margam Country…read morePark has so much going on all year around, that I feel a list may be in order: 10 REASONS TO GO TO MARGAM PARK: 1) 1000 acres of amazing scenery and parkland 2) Historic buildings and stunning architecture: picturesque Tudor-Gothic style Victorian Mansion House 3) Park train, taking you all around the place (save energy for point 4) 4) Children's adventure playground! Complete with a zip swing. 5) Fairytale Land; for children of any age, complete with a miniature castle/maze. 6) The hedge maze. 7) Outdoor giant chess/drafts, by the ice cream outlet. 8) Margam deer herd wandering peacefully around the play. 9) Mountain biking... 10) Walking, crazy golf, farm trails, canoes, fishing, camping, pony trekking... There are incredible events running throughout the year, including craft fairs, battle reenactment and Halloween haunted tours. This really is an amazing and magical place with secrets and surprises quite literally around every corner. Enjoy!

Addicted to eighteenth century related houses and their history? Then this park is the most…read moreglorious place to visit. You will be surprised at every corner that you take; there is an eighteenth Century Orangery, the twelfth Century Chapter House, the most cutest deer herd within the whole of Wales and there are so many of them that photographers won't know what to do with themselves. A Tudor-Gothic style, Victorian Mansion House and Ornamental gardens also take place at the stunning area, where Margam Park lie's. I love this place it is so beautiful it is hard not to want to live there; if it was available to do so and it you could afford such fantastic house and it's ground. It would be a brilliant day out for all, which would be great for parents and children too. You can find out all that you need to on the companies fantastic website. There is so much to see and do there that you will have to go back there more than once, a fabulous summer holiday, day out. Fun for all the family! It is a place that is situated near Port Talbot which is about half an hour away from Cardiff. So I recommend it to all...

This is a lovely place to walk to take the sea air! The middle of it is situated very close to the…read moretown centre (and car parks). During the summer months a little tourist 'road train' runs along the Esplanade as far as Rest Bay to the west. On one side of the road you can look out across the rocky beach and the Bristol Channel. One the other, you will pass the well known Grand Pavillion (a venue for many famous performers through the years) and also many fine houses and modern apartments. If you are on foot, the pavement 'runs out' before you can reach Rest Bay but you can continue over grass. Somewhere I have visited many times (the most recent being today!)

The castle is lovely and grounds are absolutely stunning. Although the structure and landscaping…read moreare lovely, our tour guide felt the need to weave her strong political views into most topics. Examples would be regarding a pitcher/jug that is displayed in one of the glass cases. She said the pitcher "should not be here" and if she had her way "it would be returned" because it was "stolen from a masque." She also said when referring to Dr. Edward Jenner being the first to develop a successful vaccination for small pox that "it really is a question if he were the first." She said he barely beat Africa and Turkey in this world altering vaccine. To which doctors to whom was she referring to in Africa or Turkey? She made a comment of, " My grandfather always said, 'Whatever horrible acts done have been done have been done by the English first.' and I firmly believe this." She was also railing against the decisions of the monarchs before the addition of the parliament. Then she went on to say she wished she could get rid of the current government. A guide should concentrate on the facts and remove biases. It is quite distracting and unnecessary.

What can you say about one of the oldest inhabited castles in the world which is still owned by the…read moresame family from 900 years ago. You have to go. Its where Edward II was murdered with a red hot poker up his fundament .

Built around 4000BC, and within a long barrow which is now removed, this is an interesting small…read moreburial chamber. It's possible to walk easily from the road and stand within the up-rights under the capstone. There are usually cattle in the field and they are quite inquisitive - they may come to look at what you're up to! Best to wear wellies as it can be muddy throughout the year. Whilst in the area, try to also visit Tinkinswood Burial Chamber which is less than a mile away.

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.