Gill’s guidebook
Sightseeing
A Victorian folly, looks like a fairy tale castle, actually a copy of a medieval hunting lodge - great for families. 3 miles away.
168 locals recommend
Castell Coch
A Victorian folly, looks like a fairy tale castle, actually a copy of a medieval hunting lodge - great for families. 3 miles away.
If you don't go anywhere else - you must go here.
Fantastic full day out for families - mostly outside.
Free entry/pay for carpark. 5 miles away.
328 locals recommend
St Fagans National Museum of History
If you don't go anywhere else - you must go here.
Fantastic full day out for families - mostly outside.
Free entry/pay for carpark. 5 miles away.
Superb National Trust gardens. House open to visitors but undergoing renovations. Big nature playground for kids. 8 miles away.
33 locals recommend
Dyffryn Gardens
Dyffryn CloseSuperb National Trust gardens. House open to visitors but undergoing renovations. Big nature playground for kids. 8 miles away.
Great place for walking with fantastic scenery - or - just an afternoons drive past the beautiful reservoirs. 20 miles away
279 locals recommend
Brecon Beacons
Beacons ParkGreat place for walking with fantastic scenery - or - just an afternoons drive past the beautiful reservoirs. 20 miles away
About 30 minutes drive away. Many, many miles of stunning pebble, rocky and sandy beaches. Loads coastal paths.
Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre
About 30 minutes drive away. Many, many miles of stunning pebble, rocky and sandy beaches. Loads coastal paths.
About 40 miles away. Absolutely stunning sandy beaches and coastal walks. Surfing. "Area of outstanding natural beauty"
115 locals recommend
Gower
About 40 miles away. Absolutely stunning sandy beaches and coastal walks. Surfing. "Area of outstanding natural beauty"
Incredible unusual plants. Great day out for all. About 1 hours drive away.
197 locals recommend
National Botanic Garden of Wales
Incredible unusual plants. Great day out for all. About 1 hours drive away.
Fish & Chips, coffee, ice cream. Lovely long promenade for a leisurely stroll. Big sandy beaches. Surfing. Shops. 1/2 hour away.
43 locals recommend
Porthcawl
Fish & Chips, coffee, ice cream. Lovely long promenade for a leisurely stroll. Big sandy beaches. Surfing. Shops. 1/2 hour away.
Good for a short easy walk, an ice cream and a walk on the prom. 1/2 an hours drive away.
75 locals recommend
Penarth Pier Pavilion
The EsplanadeGood for a short easy walk, an ice cream and a walk on the prom. 1/2 an hours drive away.
Thoroughly recommend a visit. Castle interior open for visitors. Beautiful gardens - great for a picnic. City centre.
43 locals recommend
Cardiff Castle
Castle StThoroughly recommend a visit. Castle interior open for visitors. Beautiful gardens - great for a picnic. City centre.
Packed with local historical interest. A short walk away. Only open a few days each week.
Llantrisant Guild Hall
Packed with local historical interest. A short walk away. Only open a few days each week.
Short but highly enjoyable trip on a traditional steam train. Brecon Beacons. About an hour away. Fantastic scenery.
84 locals recommend
Brecon Mountain Railway
Pontsticill RoadShort but highly enjoyable trip on a traditional steam train. Brecon Beacons. About an hour away. Fantastic scenery.
Garth hill/mountain??? Access from Pentyrch about 3 miles away. Steep but beautiful walk up to the top. Superb panoramic views.
11 locals recommend
Garth Hill
Garth hill/mountain??? Access from Pentyrch about 3 miles away. Steep but beautiful walk up to the top. Superb panoramic views.
Offers an insight into the the lives of the coal mining community pre 1980s. Guided tours through a mine shaft. A few miles away.
29 locals recommend
Rhondda Heritage Park
Coedcae RoadOffers an insight into the the lives of the coal mining community pre 1980s. Guided tours through a mine shaft. A few miles away.
Famous as a 'book' town, selling new and old books, antiques and old prints. Has a big annual literary festival. About an hour away.
286 locals recommend
Hay-on-Wye
Famous as a 'book' town, selling new and old books, antiques and old prints. Has a big annual literary festival. About an hour away.
A science and discovery centre in Cardiff Bay with loads of hands on exhibits for kids. Great for kids especially.
91 locals recommend
Techniquest
Stuart StreetA science and discovery centre in Cardiff Bay with loads of hands on exhibits for kids. Great for kids especially.
Sand dunes, beaches and coastal walks. Lovely fresh air. Plenty of car parking but need to pay. Ice cream van. Toilets.
71 locals recommend
Ogmore-by-Sea
Sand dunes, beaches and coastal walks. Lovely fresh air. Plenty of car parking but need to pay. Ice cream van. Toilets.
Lovely place for family walks in an approx 850 acre estate. Great afternoon out. About 20 minutes away. Paid parking.
73 locals recommend
Parc Gwledig Margam Country Park
Lovely place for family walks in an approx 850 acre estate. Great afternoon out. About 20 minutes away. Paid parking.
Tudor Manor House near Nelson. Great place for families to visit, but beware, it's one of UK's top 10 paranormal sites!!! Ghost tours.
27 locals recommend
Llancaiach Fawr Manor
Tudor Manor House near Nelson. Great place for families to visit, but beware, it's one of UK's top 10 paranormal sites!!! Ghost tours.
Free entry, (donations welcome). Excellent museum with world class art & natural history. Amazing dinosaurs and mammoths.
24 locals recommend
Museum of Cardiff
The HayesFree entry, (donations welcome). Excellent museum with world class art & natural history. Amazing dinosaurs and mammoths.
Gavin & Stacey fans? Fabulous sandy beach, promenade, easy coastal path, funfair, good parking. 40 mins away. Fish & chips, & ice cream.
87 locals recommend
Barry Island
Gavin & Stacey fans? Fabulous sandy beach, promenade, easy coastal path, funfair, good parking. 40 mins away. Fish & chips, & ice cream.
An industrial heritage museum in Blaenavon, Torfaen. About 1 hour away. Free entry. A real coal mine with underground tours.
174 locals recommend
Big Pit National Coal Museum
An industrial heritage museum in Blaenavon, Torfaen. About 1 hour away. Free entry. A real coal mine with underground tours.
Craft and design centre in Llantrisant town. Artists, workshops, contemporary crafts and gift shop.
The Model House
20 Swan StCraft and design centre in Llantrisant town. Artists, workshops, contemporary crafts and gift shop.
Sandy & rocky beach beneath steep cliffs. Rock pools & fossils. Great walk to and around Dunraven Castle. Carpark. Toilets.
40 locals recommend
Southerndown
Sandy & rocky beach beneath steep cliffs. Rock pools & fossils. Great walk to and around Dunraven Castle. Carpark. Toilets.
Massive medieval fortification surrounded by moats & islands. Used to televise Doctor Who and Merlin. 1/2 hour away. Fab.
117 locals recommend
Caerphilly Castle
Castle StreetMassive medieval fortification surrounded by moats & islands. Used to televise Doctor Who and Merlin. 1/2 hour away. Fab.
The Royal Mint
Only 1/2 a mile away. Fantastic tour on how money is made.
Food scene
About 10 miles away - The Capital of Wales. Great city centre for Culture, Shopaholics and Foodies. Museum. University.
218 locals recommend
Cardiff
About 10 miles away - The Capital of Wales. Great city centre for Culture, Shopaholics and Foodies. Museum. University.
Contemporary waterside location. Loads of fab foodie places. "Crafts in the Bay". Millennium Centre. 10 miles away. *****
215 locals recommend
Cardiff Bay
Bute StreetContemporary waterside location. Loads of fab foodie places. "Crafts in the Bay". Millennium Centre. 10 miles away. *****
Excellent friendly family Italian restaurant. Great early bird specials. Deli next door. Talbot Green about 1 mile away.
Trattoria restaurant & Gin Bar
9-11 Talbot RdExcellent friendly family Italian restaurant. Great early bird specials. Deli next door. Talbot Green about 1 mile away.
OUR coffee shop and gift shop! Always a friendly face. Yummy gourmet sandwiches and home made cakes. Gorgeous gifts.
The Butchers Arms Gallery
Heol-Y-SarnOUR coffee shop and gift shop! Always a friendly face. Yummy gourmet sandwiches and home made cakes. Gorgeous gifts.
A real pub with log fires. Good simple pub food. Always a warm welcome. Tyla Garw about 3 miles away.
Boars Head
A real pub with log fires. Good simple pub food. Always a warm welcome. Tyla Garw about 3 miles away.
Fantastic brasserie, serving local meat, fresh seafood, organic vegetables & superb puds. Creigiau, 3 miles away. need to book.
Caesars Arms
Heol CreigiauFantastic brasserie, serving local meat, fresh seafood, organic vegetables & superb puds. Creigiau, 3 miles away. need to book.
Neighbourhoods
An ancient hilltop town. Cobbled lanes, quirky corners and several historical buildings. surrounded by beautiful countryside.
9 locals recommend
Llantrisant
An ancient hilltop town. Cobbled lanes, quirky corners and several historical buildings. surrounded by beautiful countryside.
"Ponty" locals town. Has a vibrant open air market in the heart of the town with cafes, food & drink outlets. 4-5 miles away.
13 locals recommend
Pontypridd
"Ponty" locals town. Has a vibrant open air market in the heart of the town with cafes, food & drink outlets. 4-5 miles away.
Llantrisant Town Centre showing the statue of Dr Price.
Good local grocery store for essentials.
9 locals recommend
Llantrisant
Llantrisant Town Centre showing the statue of Dr Price.
Good local grocery store for essentials.
City advice
Getting around
Pontyclun railway station
A couple of miles away. Plenty of parking. Great to park & ride into Cardiff.
Customs and culture
Welsh language
We are in Wales and have our own welsh language. However, just about everyone speaks English, so communication is easy.
Don't miss
Shopping
Several Retail Parks within 1/2 a mile, down the hill - 24 hour Tesco, Aldi, M&S, Boots, Mc Donalds, TkMax etc etc.
Getting around
Royal Glamorgan hospital
Only 1 mile away. Downhill across Llantrisant Common.