Does the gradual lifting of the blockade make your mood float, and do you still have no idea how to spend the coming three-day holiday meaningfully?
Here are five places you can visit in a day
1.Snowdonia National Park
Despite a 2.5 hour drive north of Cardiff, Snowdonia National Park is well worth a visit. Snowdonia contains 14 peaks over 914 meters high and can be easily reached from the park’s highest mountain, the beautiful town of Llanberis at the foot of the 1085 meter high Mount Snowdon. From here, various trails wind up to Snowdon, but it’s a long climb; Unless you’re prepared to spend a whole day trekking, you might want to consider taking the Snowdon Railway.
Letting this super narrow gauge railway do all the work is a great idea because all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the view. Be sure to check Network Rail for weather-related cancellations and try to book your tickets in advance.
2.Pembroke Castle & Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Another beautiful drive from Cardiff is the two hours west along the coast to Pembroke (the train journey is also pleasant, but it is longer). The Pembrokeshire coast is considered to be one of the most beautiful coasts in the UK – so beautiful, in fact, that much of it is under the protection of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Covering an area of about 362 square kilometers, the park has many remote beaches and steep cliffs, making it easy to explore on foot.
No area of natural beauty would be complete without a visit to Pembroke to see the relatively intact Norman Castle. Built in 1090 and the birthplace of England’s King Henry VII in 1457, Pembroke Castle, which starred in the hit romantic film Before You, overlooks the Old Town and coast from its main castle. Highlights of the tour include Norman and North Hall, a huge natural cave known as Wogan, and a showcase of life during the Middle Ages.
3.Carew
Despite driving more than 90 minutes west of Cardiff, the small town of Carew is worth a visit if you want to see pre-industrial Wales. Carew is located in the same direction as Pembroke and it is easy to consider Carew and its attractions as part of a day trip ‘West from Cardiff’.
Highlights of the tour include exploring the beautiful ruins of the 13th century Karoo Castle. The castle is not only haunted by ghosts (including the ghosts of princesses and monkeys!) And a gathering place for nesting birds and bats. For photos, head to the benches on the other side of the 23-acre pond. You can also visit the nearby Tidal Mill, which is the only one still in use.
Address: Castle Lane, Carew, Tenby, Pembrokeshire
4.Tenby
Nine kilometres east of Carew is the delightful town of Tenby, one of the most scenic coastal towns in Britain. Here, you will not only have the opportunity to explore the city’s historic old walls, but also a number of charming pastel-colored houses overlooking Carmarthen Bay. For those who enjoy water sports, Tenby’s beautiful sandy beaches are the perfect place to spend an afternoon swimming or relaxing yourself.
As it is a major tourist destination in Wales, there is no shortage of top hotels, small inns and fine hotels and breakfasts for those who want to continue their stay in this coastal paradise. If you’re staying here, be sure to drive to the nearby seaside village of Sunderland, which has beautiful beaches
5.Flat Holm
For a completely different day trip experience – a boat trip rather than a car trip – you can consider venturing out to Flat Holm, an island with just one permanent resident. It is located in the middle of the Bristol Channel, just five miles from Cardiff.
Despite covering less than a quarter of a square mile, the island has been home to humans for centuries, from Vikings and early Anglo-Saxons to smugglers and silver miners.
Recently, a group of monks ran a sanctuary here. It was there that Marconi received the world’s first radio message. Curious visitors can tour the island on a fun boat offered by some of Cardiff Bay’s operators, with up to six hours to explore.
Surprisingly for such a small island, there is much to see here, including Victorian and World War II fortifications, a well-preserved lighthouse (with foghorns), and spectacular views of England and Wales.
Perhaps its biggest attraction, however, is the abundance of wildlife, which has made it popular with naturalists and bird-watchers, who are attracted by the variety of gulls that nest here.
If you want to stay longer to enjoy the scenery, arrange to stay at the island’s restored farmhouses, which are becoming increasingly popular among kayakers who visit the island.