Cardiff.

Atlantic Rim Bowls Championships 2019 Visitor Attractions

#FindYourEpic Croeso! On a whistle-stop visit to ’ city?

Cardiff or Caerdydd as we say in Welsh. 01 The capital city of Wales, a truly modern and cosmopolitan city of around 350,000 lovely people.

In the area, you’ll find some stunning showpiece buildings; the Millennium Centre, a fantastic arts and cultural venue, the slate and glass (Welsh Parliament Building) and in the city centre, the Principality Stadium with its ‘Thunderbirds are go’ sliding roof. But despite all that forward thinking and huge recent developments in the city centre, it’s a city that has not forgotten its past. The magnificent Civic Centre and National Museum are some of the finest in Europe and Cardiff , a spectacularly unexpected city centre surprise. 02 Here are a few ideas to get you going.

Cardiff is a very compact city so nearly everything we mention can be visited on foot.

Cardiff Castle Cardiff Civic Centre/ We recommend that you start your Park tour of Cardiff at . Cardiff’s Civic Centre is the finest Its the best place to get your in the British Isles, even if we do bearings. You can’t miss it. Cardiff say so ourselves! There are some revolves around it. It’s like a big seriously impressive buildings calm cube right in the city centre. here. The centrepiece is the Originally a Roman fort, it’s now a magnificently domed, snarling mixture of buildings from all eras. dragon topped City Hall; the Ultimately, it was the 3rd Marquis dragon looks as if it’s guarding of Bute, one of the richest men an egg, presumably Wales. on the globe, who transformed Cardiff Castle into the mock Gothic Nearby buildings which make up extravaganza we have now. the Civic Centre include; , the Temple of Peace We highly recommend that you and the Welsh National War take the guided tour. (and if you Memorial which is a beautiful and have a little more time, book surprisingly quiet place to sit and yourself onto a specialist tour relax right in the city centre. such as the ghost tour or the film locations tour) The interior of the castle is absolutely stunning. Then climb up to the top of the 12th century Norman (the little castle in the middle of the grounds) for great views over the city and out to Cardiff Bay and the sea beyond. www.cardiffcastle.com 03 Cardiff Castle 04

National Museum of Wales

National Museum of Wales The Principality Stadium 05

National Museum of Wales The Principality Stadium You’re likely to spend a lot of your The Principality Stadium is quite time in the next building; the simply magnificent. The stadium National Gallery and Museum of dominates the city and has Wales. It’s the big domed one next become an iconic symbol of to City Hall. The museum is one not only Cardiff, but of Wales as of the finest in the UK. If you had a whole. the time you could quite happily The capacity is 74,500, (78,000 spend a few days wandering the for boxing) and all seating has galleries, but because you don’t, an excellent, unimpeded view of highlights include: the Evolution the action on the pitch. Its four of Wales gallery; packed with high masts hold up a massive sliding tech paraphernalia; scary moving roof, the second largest of its type dinosaurs, earthquakes, volcanoes in the world. It opens and shuts that sort of thing. in no time. Each of the stadium’s The main draw for most people is fifteen bars are equipped with the the Davies Collection. The largest so-called “joy machines” which collection of Impressionist and Post can pour 12 pints in less than Impressionist paintings outside 20 seconds. Paris. Cezanne sits next to Renoir Take the tour of the stadium which and Rodin, opposite Monet, near includes running down the players’ Pissarro, over by Manet. Look out tunnel. Imagine yourself being for Van Gogh’s stunning Rain at greeted by 74,500 people eagerly Anvers – angry slashes of rain run awaiting the pain and the glory of right across what is otherwise a rugby at its best; they even play beautiful landscape, it was painted the crowd cheering and the Welsh just weeks before his suicide. National Anthem. Quite stirring is On a lighter note you will be an understatement! pleased to know that that the www.principalitystadium.wales/ museum is completely free! Like tours most museums its closed on Mondays, so don’t get caught out by that one! www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/ cardiff 06

Bute Park Few capital cities have such a spacious green area in the of their city. contains several sites of historic interest dating back to Roman and medieval times. Cardiff Castle, the famous and Gorsedd Stones are a few things to see. The park itself was landscaped in the late eighteenth century by Capability Brown and had alterations in the late nineteenth century by the 3rd . In 1947, the Marquess of Bute gave the park to the people of Cardiff. Go and take a look at the Animal Wall, it‘s a Grade One Listed Building in its own right! 07

Bute Park 08 Retail therapy.

Queen Street and are Cardiff’s shopping hubs with high street chains and cafés dotted along the pedestrianised areas.

Cardiff has all the major stores you’d expect to find in a capital It’s well worth making your way city. But two things make shopping through the crowds of shoppers here a special pleasure – the to find out what Cardiff Central compact city centre and the Market has to offer. The market authentic Victorian and Edwardian has been trading in one form or arcades with their individual and another since the 1700s. It has specialist shops. There are six occupied the same site for over arcades in total, stuffed full of 100 years and although you’ll the quirky and the unusual. Snug longer find livestock tethered and coffee shops sit next to esoteric penned outside its doors, some of club clothing boutiques and chic the old features remain to this day. high end fashion stores. There’s a shop that sells nothing but Within this food-lovers paradise Harry Potter next to one that sells you’ll be sure to find something nothing but violins. And they’re delicious to take your fancy, next to a stylish gin bar and a whether you have a passion for Welsh cheese shop. Welsh Cakes made in front of you or a penchant for Lava Bread Its worth seeking out Spillers (a Welsh delicacy made from Records in the Morgan Arcade. seaweed), there’s also pets, nuts Its the oldest record shop in the and bolts and rock and roll. world! Its served lovers of Vinyl for nearly 120 years! www.spillersrecords.co.uk 09 Cardiff Shopping

Cardiff Market St Johns Parish Church 11

Victorian Arcades

The Cardiff Story St Johns Parish Church Learn about Cardiff’s history at The This is the oldest church in the city in the ‘Old centre and apart from sections of Library’, The Hayes. the castle is said to be the oldest building in Cardiff still in constant It’s free entry and has art galleries, use. a learning suite, interactive exhibitions and other objects and The church is next to city centre’s stories that bring to life the history Victorian market. St John’s of the Welsh capital. welcomes about a thousand city visitors a week and hosts After you’ve walked around many different celebrations for the interactive exhibits, head to city institutions, charities, and Bodlon, it’s gift shop stuffed full of individuals. It’s also rather a nice Welsh goodies. Some of the best place to stop for a cup of tea and buys include bars of Nom Nom a homemade cake. chocolate made in West Wales and Melin Tregwynt Welsh wool blankets. www.cardiffstory.com 12 13 Coffee Stops.

Or tea if that floats your boat.

A firm favourite isCoffee Nearby is Petigrew’s Tea Eat at Gareth Bale’s Barker in the Castle Rooms, located in the Elevens Arcade. The shop has a former of As if being a world famous cool warehouse aesthetic Bute Park. footballer for Real Madrid – exposed brickwork, high David Le Masurier ‘s and Wales wasn’t enough, ceilings and steel girders inspirational story is an international star Gareth characterising the coffee example of someone who Bale has his own premium shop’s contemporary has pursued their dream. sports bar and restaurant interior – Coffee Barker In 2010 he packed in a in his home town. offers something distinctly successful career in the different from the other He partnered with Cardiff’s hotel industry with the coffee shops in the city. biggest brewery, Brains, to intent of establishing a bring local food and beer to A warm and friendly feel traditional British tea room. the venue, which is directly is achieved with a great Two years later Pettigrew opposite the Castle’s Clock mix of cool and comfy tea rooms opened in the Tower. Stop at Elevens for leather seats. Doorstep gate house of Bute Park. a pint of Brains and you sandwiches, appealing Pettigrew tea rooms is may even catch a match paninis and excellent a slice of old fashioned featuring Gareth on one of toasties come in a variety British charm. Wooden the sports screens! of options. Smoked display cabinets are filled salmon, brie and gammon, www.sabrain.com/pubs- with freshly baked cakes mascarpone chicken and and-hotels/south-wales/ and loose leaf tea, and cheese are among the cardiff/elevens-bar-grill mismatched teaware and many tantalising choices. bunting all add to the The cakes prove equally vintage feel. tempting. www.pettigrew-tearooms. If you don’t like coffee, com rather handily, they also own Barkers Tea Rooms in the High Street Arcade opposite. 14 Cardiff Bay.

From the city centre, head to Cardiff Bay. You can get here by bus, train or by water taxi near Petigrews Tea Rooms. Its only about 2 miles, so if it’s a nice day, you could walk directly down Lloydd George Avenue.

This is the former docks area of the city and used to be the largest port This stunning building is all glass in the world. It was once better and slate and looking very much known as , immortalised like a Welsh armadillo. Its home by locally born diva and all-round to seven of Wales’ major cultural Welsh legend, . institutions, including the Welsh These days the Bay is one of the National Opera. The structure world’s largest regeneration is dominated by a huge dome projects. Central to the whole coated in copper oxide to give it idea is the , a bronze colour. Inscribed above which transformed the bay from the front door are two poetic lines. mud flats to a massive freshwater The Welsh: “Creu Gwir fel gwydr lake. Around the lake, Cardiffian’s o ffwrnais awen” which means have realised that they love water! “creating truth like glass from Marinas, apartments, water the furnace of creation” and the taxis, opera houses and even a English “In these stones, horizons parliament building all vie for a sing” the letters form the windows waterfront location. of the upper floors and bars and are lit up at night. The materials The area around the Millennium come from all over Wales and are Centre is known as . designed to reflect the different It’s a jumble of shops, bars and parts of the country. restaurants, and on a warm day, packed; a great place to people Take in a free performance on the watch. Glanfa Stage. These vary from day to day but can be anything from To the east of Mermaid Quay is hip hop to poetry. the gleaming white Norwegian Church, an old seaman’s mission www.wmc.org.uk in which the Cardiff born author, was christened. If by now you fancy a coffee and a cake, it’s now been converted into a great little café and art gallery. 15 Wales Millennium Centre 16

Cardiff Bay The Norwegian Church Arts Centre

The Senedd Science Centre 17

Mermaid Quay The Norwegian Church The area around the Millennium Arts Centre Centre is known as Mermaid Quay. Formerly a Church for Norwegian It’s a jumble of shops, bars and Sailors, this is a landmark building restaurants, and on a warm day, could be straight out of Bergen. packed; a great place to people The church was where the Cardiff watch. born children’s author Roald Dahl Try the ‘Dock’. Occupying one of was christened. Its placed right on the best spots in Cardiff Bay, this is the Cardiff Bay waterfront and is a smart sophisticated bar, popular now a renowned cultural venue. with both the locals and tourists. The unique venue hosts a variety With its elegant glass fronts and of events, from live music to stylish balconies this is the perfect workshops, functions and classes. place to spend a summers evening The Dahl Gallery also displays a looking out over the bay. The Dock range of art and photography is both a bar and restaurant – and exhibitions. The stylish café bar it excels at being both. The food offers food all day, with the outside ranges from simple bar snacks terrace overlooking the tranquil to full meals and the choice is waters of the Bay. excellent. www.norwegianchurchcardiff. www.thedockcardiff.co.uk com

The Senedd Techniquest Science Centre Next door to the Millennium – Cardiff Bay Centre is the Welsh Senedd If you’ve got kids, this is where to (Parliament) Building. take them for a few hours, if you haven’t; just pretend, it’s great for Designed by acclaimed architect adults too! Techniquest is one of Richard Rogers and opened by the UK’s largest science centres, the Queen in 2006, the building its packed full of fun exhibits, is certainly impressive. Its wave- experiments and hands on quirky like roof juts out into the sky stuff like firing rockets to bubble uncompromisingly; its glass walls racing. afford you a clear view inside the building from 50 metres away but www.techniquest.org still reflect the waters of Cardiff Bay which practically lap onto its steps. It manages to be both gutsy and ethereal – and has a certain magic that you can only feel by visiting it. So that’s what you should do! Take the free tour. Poke around a bit, have a slice of Bara Brith in the splendidly located café. www.assemblywales.org/ sen-home.htm 18 Cardiff Bay Barrage Cardiff Bay Barrage You can take a boat over to Coast Path the Barrage, they depart from The route provides a safe Mermaid Quay or you can walk or pedestrian and cycle route with cycle. The Barrage itself is 1.1km direct access to and from the Inner long and extends from Cardiff Harbour, linking with the existing docks in the east to in footway, cycle way and transport the west. This was a huge civil network through to the city and engineering construction project beyond. The path forms part of and created a freshwater lake with the 870mile (1400km) Wales Coast over 13km of waterfront around Path which runs right around which everyone wants to live. the coastline of the country. The The barrage is quite a busy place route is accessible via a bridge with the yachts coming in and out crossing Basin lock next to of the locks. Go and see the giant the Norwegian Church, and takes fish passes, you may see some you past the Environment building, jumping salmon or trout. The the barrage, which includes locks landscaped embankment is a great and bridges, sluice gates, and a fish place for a picnic with excellent pass and Cardiff Harbour Building. views out over the sea and the city. The artwork ‘Barrage Circles’ is by the Swiss artist Felice Varini White Water Rafting and uses the Barrage structures and paint to create a collage that in the city! results in circles. These circles are Go and take a look at the Cardiff not immediately evident and can International White Water (CIWW), only be viewed from one location. situated at International Sports The art highlights the many parts Village in Cardiff Bay. it opened that are needed to make up the in 2010 and is unique in the UK. operational structure of the Positioned on the Bay Edge Barrage. walkway, you will be able to access www.visitcardiff.com/seedo/ the site and view action on the cardiff-bay-barrage-coast-path water before taking the plunge into the rapids. For a thrilling water sports adventure they offer a Penarth unique environment of on-demand The pretty seaside town of Penarth white water, plus access to a became a suburb of Cardiff diverse river system for flat water many years ago, but it retains an paddlers only a stones throw away atmosphere of its own with its from the city with all it has to offer. steep streets, pretty shops and ornate Victorian pier. A 20 minute www.ciww.com stroll round the bay across the barrage brings you to the marina which is relatively new. A further 15 minutes up the hill or a short taxi ride and you reach the main beach front promenade and the famous old Victorian pier with its recently restored Pavilion. Barrage Circles by Felice Varini

Cardiff Bay Towards Penarth Cardiff International White Water 20 Dinner Suggestions.

As befits a European capital city with a vibrant history of ethnic and cultural diversity, you won’t go short whether you’re looking for Thai, Italian, French, Indian, Lebanese, or the finest locally-sourced Welsh produce.

We highly recommend Chapel We also recommend the Potted 1877 in the city centre. Pig on High Street. What was a lovely old Victorian Pared back British cooking, an chapel has been extravagantly atmospheric bank vault setting converted into a stylish venue and a dangerously broad selection on two floors, with an informal of gins make this one of Cardiff’s downstairs bar. There’s plenty hottest tickets at the moment. of ornate brickwork in a host of Unctuous duck hash, succulent marvelous colours, coupled with steaks paired with the finest chips a spectacular chandelier and, with we’ve ever eaten, top drawer slow the open kitchen thrown in for roast pork belly with baked carrots boot, makes for a truly stunning and greens are just some of the venue with fantastic food. dishes we love here. www.chapel1877.com www.thepottedpig.com 21 22 Post Sightseeing.

If you still have the energy. Cardiff nights are legendarily raucous with 35,000 students in the city, a great night is guaranteed!

Cardiff is packed full of pubs 10 Feet Tall and clubs of all styles, with 11-12 Church Street chic cosmopolitan bars jostling This is a place where Cardiff’s alongside more traditional sophisticated yet fun-loving types Victorian pubs and massive gather to enjoy the tastes of some beer barns. of the city’s most on-the-mark DJs. For those who enjoy less The furniture is mix’n’match with boisterous surroundings, there are high-backed wooden chairs, low- several wine and gin bars where slung armchairs and funky, chunky you can sit back and enjoy waiter brown couches and this mish mash service. Any visit should sample fits perfectly with the ambient a pint of the city’s very own beer, background music. Its cocktail Brains SA, brewed in the heart of hour-ish on a Sunday is legendary, the city. Legend has it that the SA as is the tapas and the more stands for ‘skull attack’ but you’ll substantial meals. During the day, have to make up your own mind it’s a great place to chill out after about that one! hitting the shops with an equally chilled alcoholic ginger beer. We love these bars: The Dead Canary This is possibly the fanciest cocktail bar in the city, and it’s well worth a visit. It’s a speakeasy style bar, so look for the bell and feather in a birdcage on the wall along Barrack Lane to find the way in. Dress smart and prepare for your taste buds to be amazed. www.thedeadcanary.co.uk Gwdihw 6 Guildford Crescent We really love this place! Gwdihw (pronounced ‘goody-huw’, which is the sound an owl makes in Welsh) Its all a bit eccentric and quirky. Lots of ‘retro’ type mismatched furniture, a stage and a proper looking DJ booth. Outside is a really cute little seating area, covered, all a bit inside outside with heaters and a leather sofa. The tiny little bar really gives the impression of a homely, friendly place where the staff are part of the party.

Tiny Rebel Bar The Old Arcade Church Street The Famous Old Arcade, known throughout the world as the place to go to when in Cardiff for a rugby match, as its packed to the rafters with a good humoured rugby atmosphere and singing. It has quite a bit of history – having opened its doors to punters way back in 1844 as the ‘Birdcage Inn’. It’s also very handy for Cardiff’s Victorian Market so you can nip in for a faggot between pints of Brains.

Caroline Street For a real Cardiff tradition it has to be Caroline Street or Chippy Lane as it is more commonly known. Best stumbled upon after a long night on the tiles, sophisticated it’s not, but if you’re in need of a late night snack, it’s the place to be, and don’t worry anyone who is anyone ends up here sooner or later! 24 Must See Attractions.

Just outside the City.

St Fagans National History There are also galleries with Museum exhibitions of costume, daily life and farming implements. Special is one of Europe’s exhibitions are also held regularly. foremost open–air museums and Throughout the year, St Fagans Wales’s most-visited heritage comes to life — literally — as attraction. It stands in the grounds traditional festivals, music and of the magnificent St Fagans dance events are celebrated. St Castle, a late 16th-century manor Fagans explores all aspects of how house donated to the people of people in Wales have lived, worked Wales by the Earl of Plymouth. and spent their leisure time. During the last fifty years, over forty original buildings from The grounds of St Fagans extend different historical periods have to over 100 acres in total, with been re-erected in the 100-acre many buildings in the open-air parkland. section. Although the amount of time spent on site varies from one The re-erected buildings include visitor to another, we recommend houses, a farm, a school, a chapel that you allow at least 3 hours for and a splendid Workmen’s Institute. your visit. The Museum is one of There are also workshops where the UK’s top ten free attractions as craftsmen still demonstrate their voted by users of TripAdvisor, the traditional skills. Their produce is world’s largest travel review site. usually on sale. There are regular buses from Native breeds of livestock can be the city centre which take seen in the fields and farmyards, approximately 25 minutes. and demonstrations of farming tasks take place daily. Visitors gain https://museum.wales/stfagans an insight into the rich heritage and , and the can be heard in daily use amongst craftsmen and interpreters. 25 St Fagans National History Museum 26

Castell Coch Castle While resting on ancient Caerphilly, covering 30 acres foundations, (Red (12.2ha), is one of the greatest Castle) is relatively modern, the surviving in the medieval by-product of a vivid Victorian Western world and the second imagination, assisted by untold largest in Britain. It was a highpoint wealth. The fascinated in medieval defensive architecture the Victorians as much as the with its massive and Victorians fascinate us today. High water features. It was built by Earl Gothic was the order of the day. Gilbert de Clare, beginning in 1268, to frighten Llywelyn, the last native The ‘eccentric genius’ William Prince of Wales, from fighting the Burges was given free rein by his in the southern part of paymaster, John Patrick Crichton- Wales. It was then used as a model Stuart, the 3rd marquess of for Edward ’s castles in North Bute, to create a rural retreat to Wales. Crafty Llywelyn seized it complement the opulence of his when it was half finished, but it was main residence, Cardiff Castle. He soon back in Norman hands. didn’t hold back. Dazzling ceilings, over-the-top furnishings and After Llywelyn’s defeat and death, furniture were liberally applied. the Welsh threat substantially ended, and the castle became the Detailed architectural drawings administrative centre for de Clare’s still survive today and following estates. Edward II spent time here. Burges’s death in 1881, colleagues Caerphilly, being uncomfortable faithfully continued work on the for a family residence, eventually interiors for another ten years. decayed, and stone was taken to The castle was not suitable for, nor build a nearby country house. The was it intended to be, a permanent Bute families money rescued residence and the family’s visits and restored the castle in the were infrequent. It’s a fascinating late leaving us with place to visit with regular events this huge masterpiece of military taking place within the walls. planning, it even has a tower that You can cycle along the out leans the one at Pisa! to Castle Coch, it’s a very easy There are regular trains from 6.6miles (10.6km) or regular several of Cardiff’s train stations to buses will take you to the village Caerphilly; the journey takes about of and you can walk 20 minutes. from there. http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/ http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/ caerphilly-castle/?lang=en castell-coch/?lang=en The Taff Trail

Castell Coch

Caerphilly Castle The Taff Trail Cycle and Walking Route Cardiff has more green space than any other city in Europe, per head of population. The Taff Trail makes the most of former rail routes, towpaths and tramways, allowing you to walk or cycle from Cardiff Bay through 2000 acres of parkland, all the way to the moorland of the Beacons, if you really need some extra miles to work off that Sunday lunch. You can rent bikes or go on an organised cycle tour here: http://www.cardiffcycletours. com/bike-hire 28 Organised Tours.

Cardiff Historical Tour Cardiff Food Safari Cardiff’s definitive walking tour Cardiff has a thriving food scene gives an unrivalled insight into – Welsh signature foods, ethnic the history of Wales’ capital city. and continental foods, some Travel 2000 years in two hours on locally produced, markets and the rollercoaster ride of Cardiff’s festivals. Walk around the city compelling story. centre and Cardiff Bay, passing beautiful parks and key landmarks Conquest and rebellion, including Cardiff Castle, the destruction and rebirth, corruption Principality Stadium ‘the home and catastrophe, boom and bust – of Welsh rugby’, and the National Cardiff has survived it all to emerge Assembly of Wales – Senedd and as the vibrant capital of its country. the Millennium Centre. Visit Cardiff Castle and its roman keep, The National Museum and On the tour you will learn about Galleries of Wales and the quaint different kinds of cuisine from Victorian Arcades – you will hear sophisticated dining to traditional about the Celts, Romans, Vikings, pubs and street food. The tour also Normans, princes, kings, pirates, allows you to get to know Cardiff patriots, rogues, rebels, statesmen, better. On the menu you will 1/2 Day Tours. 1/2 Day reformers, industrialists, aristocrats taste Welsh Beer/Cider, a range and paupers who have all played of tastings including laverbread, their part around the famous seasonal specials, Welsh cheeses landmarks and hidden corners and more. We also discover of this remarkable city. the wide variety of cafes, pubs, restaurants, shops and boutiques http://planetwales.co.uk/ so that you can plan your visit to walking_tour.html include the best food and drink, sightseeing and shopping. http://lovingwelshfood.uk/ 29 Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Ghost Tour The Creepy Cardiff Ghost Tour is a walking tour not to be missed! The tour begins outside the National Museum of Wales, and lasts approximately one hour. Winding its way through the beautiful white stone buildings, you’ll hear stories of hauntings, dragons, reincarnation, and even the burial place of Queen Boadicea. The heady mix of history, mystery, myth and legend is enough to spellbind even the most cynical soul. There is a lot of fact and a lot of fiction, it’s up to you to decide which is which. www.creepycardiff.com 30 Organised Tours.

Out of Cardiff Day Trip state-of-the-art building. And is the biggest of course, you get to sample castle in Wales. The iconic fortress the spirits. is mightily impressive, surrounded Lunch at local restaurant by a series of moats and watery islands. The castle is the brainchild Brecon Mountain Railway of Gilbert ‘the Red’ de Clare, a The return journey takes just over redheaded nobleman of Norman an hour in all-weather observation descent, who’s early attempts at coaches behind a vintage steam building the castle were thwarted locomotive. It runs through by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. Gilbert beautiful scenery into the Brecon eventually succeeded to build a Beacons National Park along mammoth stronghold using the the full length of the Taf Fechan concentric ‘walls within walls’ Reservoir to Dol-y-Gaer. system of defence. Visitors can climb to the rooftop of the massive At Pontsticill you can alight from east gatehouse, and from here the the train and visit the Cafe, with rings of stone and water defences views across the water to the that made Caerphilly such a peaks of the Brecon Beacons, stronghold can be seen. Dark and go for a ramble alongside Full Day Tours. Day Full passages known as the Braose the reservoir. At Pant station Gallery can be explored, and the the railway also has a workshop south-east tower — which out where old steam locomotives are leans Pisa’s famous tower is hard to repaired. miss, and the mighty siege engines Big Pit Coal Mine and special firing events are worth seeing. Experience a real coal mine by travelling 300 feet underground. Whisky Tasting Tours are led by a former Nestled in the foothills of the coalminer who provides a Brecon Beacons National Park, fascinating and personal tour with close to ‘Waterfall Country’, the sights, sounds and smells of Penderyn Distillery has taken the the mine, creating an impression whisky world by storm since it first of what working life was like at the started creating its smooth single coalface. The mining museum also malt in 2004. Since then, it has also provides historic buildings, audio concocted award-winning vodka, and visual exhibitions and plenty of gin and a cream liqueur. Visitors displays. can experience the distilling, www.seewales.com/day-tours. bottling process and the history asp of whisky making in Wales in the 31

Brecon Mountain Railway 32 Organised Tours.

Golf in Wales country. Get ready for towering If you’re looking for legendary dunes, lightning fast greens and golf, you’ve come to the right unpredictable sea breezes – place, golf courses in Wales are rugged golf that’s as challenging undoubtedly among the best in as it is satisfying. Why not come the world. Our show stopping golf and sample it for yourself? experiences come in all shapes To book, try one of our local golf and sizes, from walking in the operators: www.visitwales.com/ footsteps of Ryder Cup heroes things-to-do/activities/golf/ and Open-winning superstars operators/welsh-operators or at internationally renowned contact the courses direct. championship courses, to the thrill of discovering one of the many If you need more inspiration for hidden gems dotted around our your trip, or have the time to coast and countryside. Whichever travel further afield (the stunning Welsh Golf Course you choose Pembrokeshire Coast National to play, you’ll find the same warm Park is less than two hours away Welsh welcome and unstuffy for instance) then the Visit Wales attitude that’s the essence of what web site can certainly help with we call ‘golf as it should be’. your planning! Full Day Tours. Day Full 2018 is our Year of the Sea, www.visitwales.com highlighting our spectacular shores and crystal-clear waters. For golfers, that means getting to grips with the classic coastal links courses occupying prime seafront spots up and down the 33 Pennard Golf Club, 34

If you’re experiencing Cardiff for the first time and fully plan on finding your epic, tell us about it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #FindYourEpic. You can also visit the city’s website for further inspiration and up-to-date event listings: www.visitcardiff.com

Cardiff – Atlantic Rim Bowls Championships 2019 Visitor Attractions published by Visit Wales, the Tourism and Marketing division of the 2019.

Visit Wales, Welsh Government, QED Centre Main Avenue, Industrial Estate Treforest, Pontypridd CF37 5YR.

Photography: Crown copyright (2019) Visit Wales. WG37486 / Crown copyright 2019