World City Guide

Excursions

For a Half Day

Castell Coch: Situated in woodland at Tongwynlais, just outside the city on the A470, this landmark is a memorial to the imagination of the third Marquis of Bute, his skilled architect William Burges and the Victorian idealisation of all things medieval. Built on the site of a 13th-century fort, Castell Coch (tel: (029) 2081 0101; website: www.castlewales.com/coch.html) has all the trappings of a fairytale castle. There is a car park for those with their own car; alternatively, the train (or bus 26) goes to Taff’s Well station.

Big Pit (Pwll Mawr) – National Mining Museum of Wales: Central to Cardiff’s past glory was the coal industry of the Valleys and at Blaenafon, about 40km (25 miles) northeast of the city. Visitors can now take a guided trip, led by an ex-miner, 90m (300ft) underground to see a coal mine. Blaenafon is a newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. As with other national Welsh museums, admission to Big Pit is now free of charge. A visit lasts a minimum of two-and-a-half hours and warm clothing is recommended. Children under five, or less than one metre tall (three feet), are not allowed underground. Big Pit (tel: (01495) 790 311; website: www.nmgw.ac.uk/bigpit) is open daily from March to November, 0930-1700 (tours run from 1000-1530). From Cardiff, public transport is by train to Newport. Direct buses to the museum (approximately a 20-minute walk from the centre of Blaenafon) leave from Newport bus station three times each morning. By car, is the easiest option from Cardiff is for visitors to take the M4, which runs east to Junction 25A, then the A4042 to Pontypool and the A472/4043 into Blaenafon.

For a Whole Day

Brecon Beacons National Park: This area of stunning mountains, moorland and forest is one the treasures of South Wales. Brecon Beacons National Park (tel: (01874) 624 437; website: www.breconbeacons.org) is situated to the north of Cardiff and transport (by train from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil plus scenic bus connection to Brecon) is almost as pleasurable as the visit itself. Drivers should take the picturesque route via the Usk Valley.