Family days in South Wales 3 July 2008 at 8:40PM in Wales 16 replies 2.6K views

Pink_Piglet

Can anyone help?

My partner and I have recently moved to Cwmbran. If a few weeks time my OH sister and family are coming down and staying in Monmouth. They have 4 girls aged 7, 6, 4 and 2 yrs old. We are trying to think of things to do with them and wondered if anyone had any suggestions.

We've already thought of Bristol zoo and swimming. Just wondering if there are any good adventure play areas in Monmouthshire or Torfaen.

We don't have children so have no idea where to find exciting things to do!

Any suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance!

TJ27

I went to "Go Ape" last summer. Not sure exactly where it is but it's in the Forest of Dean somewhere. It was a great laugh. Then there's canoeing at Symonds Yat, although if you want to go downstream and do the rapids you'll have to phone them first to arrange it. If you just turn up and hire a canoe you can only go upstream on the flat water. The girls might be a bit young for that sort of thing but they do little cruises on the river too. Go ape is more for teenagers really I guess.

There's some good cycling and mountain biking to be had in that area. For family cycling try "pedal a bike away", again it's somewhere in the forest. Near Coleford I think. You'll be able to hire all the gear for kids of all ages, or take your own gear. They're very good. The cycling is as easy or as hard as you like and all off road.

There are good picnic spots virtually everywhere. The pubs are good too. The Saracens Head at Symonds Yat is superb for lunch and you can get the hand ferry across the river to visit the butterfly zoo. A walk up to Yat Rock is worth it but take the car up if you think the little ones will get tired.

In my opinion the lower Wye Valley is one of the best places in the world. Last year I had a holiday in Barbados and another holiday just south of Monmouth. By FAR the better holiday was the one forty five minutes up the road from me!

Oh, another place that my kids love is the mountain centre at Libanus, just south of Brecon. There's not really a playground there but there's a lovely cafe, an interesting information centre and a playing field. We often take a football or a frisbee. Or we have a little walk from there and take a kite. Down the road, towards Merthyr, is a forestry centre. There's a pretty good playground there.

If you come to Cardiff, the most popular place is probably the Welsh Folk Museum at St Fagans. That's a good day out. Then there's Cardiff Bay. Techniquest. Various castles, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Raglan, Castle Coch......

You'll be fine, there's loads to do.

My kids are now 5 and 8 by the way.

lisa76

Isn't there a farm somewhere near Cwmbran that is very good, with a sandpit etc?

St Fagans is a brilliant day out (and only £2.50 car parking) - take a picnic and both the adults and the children will have a fantastic day.
Techniquest and Cardiff Bay are OK, but very pricey for a big family.

If you've got the weather I guess a day at the beach is nice - Barry or Porthcawl for a proper seaside experience.

I don't know the Monmouth area, but if you need any suggestions for Cardiff then ask away!

TJ27

I went to Barry Island on the train a few weeks ago and thought it was brilliant. My dad is originally from Barry, so I've know the area for over forty years and always thought of it as being quite run down and tatty. The fairground is as rubbish as it's always been but the seafront and beach are massively improved. My kids loved it. I'd say that it's worth going a bit further afield if you can because Porthcawl is better still. Rest Bay is excellent. And if you really want nice beaches get down the Gower.

Cardiff Bay can be expensive but not necessarily. You can walk right the way across the barrage now. There is a playground and picnic area halfway across. We sometimes watch the boats coming and going through the locks too.

Pink_Piglet

Thanks for some brilliant suggestions. I thought Go Ape was a fab idea especially as the 6yr old loves climbing anything! Unfortunately it seems the minumum age for there is 10yrs, so something for the future!

You've all given me some ideas to research, many thanks!

milliejon

Don't forget the dinosaurs at the museum in Cardiff - and entry is free.

heart_free

cwmbran community farm is ace for youngsters. Used to take mine there a lot when they were little. And depending on the time of year, there's different things to do see.

Another good one is cadoxton medievel village near barry. They have jousting and stuff some days which kids love. Violence is always great.

Many years ago (at least 10) there was a place near neath that was basically a western town, complete with railroad that got 'held-up' by bandits and a sherriff. The kiddies all got to have deputy badges for the day. Unfortunately I think its shut down, but might be worth looking into to see if theres some chance its still going!

lisa76

heart_free wrote: »

Another good one is cadoxton medievel village near barry. They have jousting and stuff some days which kids love. Violence is always great.
quote]

Cosmeston Country Park is what you mean. It's a lovely place to visit, but they only have things going on at certain times of the year - usually Bank Holidays, plus they charge you to get in the Medeival village bit and it can work out pricey.

heart_free

lisa76 wrote: »

heart_free wrote: »

Another good one is cadoxton medievel village near barry. They have jousting and stuff some days which kids love. Violence is always great.
quote]

Cosmeston Country Park is what you mean. It's a lovely place to visit, but they only have things going on at certain times of the year - usually Bank Holidays, plus they charge you to get in the Medeival village bit and it can work out pricey.

Thats the one!!

Mind has gone completely to mush since I gave up smoking!!!

seabreeze_3

HI i live in new inn about 10 mins away from you. theres plenty to do which does'nt cost the earth as suggested in previous posts st fagans is a really good day out http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/ also i can highly recommend Big Pit which is also free http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit/ also next weekend it is The Big Cheese in caerphilly http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/bigcheese/english/index.htm
there are quite a few nice walking and biking trails in the forest of dean http://www.zen95975.zen.co.uk/index.html
hope this helps also a really nice afternoon is roath park in cardiff they have a nice kids play area a lake with boat hire rose gardens etc
have a good half term
seabreeze

heart_free

seabreeze wrote: »

HI i live in new inn about 10 mins away from you. theres plenty to do which does'nt cost the earth as suggested in previous posts st fagans is a really good day out http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/ also i can highly recommend Big Pit which is also free http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit/ also next weekend it is The Big Cheese in caerphilly http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/bigcheese/english/index.htm
there are quite a few nice walking and biking trails in the forest of dean http://www.zen95975.zen.co.uk/index.html
hope this helps also a really nice afternoon is roath park in cardiff they have a nice kids play area a lake with boat hire rose gardens etc
have a good half term
seabreeze

Also the Big Balloon is in Blackwood in August, and is free. A great firework display usually on the last day. This runs 24th and 25th August with the Bedwelty Show on the 23rd. Used to be 2 festivals at 2 different times, now run on one from another.

Cwmcarn Forest Drive also have loads on over the summer like the hedhehog meet and greet and bushcraft days. And always good place for a picnic.