10 Things To Do Near Cardiff For An Unforgettable UK Trip

Activities To Do Around Cardiff

1. Wander through Tintern Abbey

2. Stroll around Margam Park
3. Visit the Big Pit National Coal Museum

4. Hike up Brecon Beacons National Park

5. Visit the stunning Saint Mary’s Priory

6. Stroll through Dyffryn Gardens

7. Head towards Caerphilly Mountain

8. Explore Dan yr Ogof caves

9. Stop by MonkNash Beach

10. Have A Royal Mint Experience

The capital of Wales is home to a myriad of attractions, both historical and modern, and the list of things to do around Cardiff is certainly inexhaustible because of its vast range. It is in this city where you can find some of the top tourist and sightseeing attractions in the whole country. With the city being one of the best start-off points to explore the other popular destinations in Wales, some of the top things that you can do near Cardiff include taking a walk through the famous Tintern Abbey, considered to be one of the greatest monastic ruins in the world.

Other, more offbeat things that you can do near the Welsh capital are enjoying a hike up to the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park, home to numerous cascading waterfalls and scenic beauty, or even exploring the ancient Dan yr Ogof Caves, which houses one of the largest collection of life-sized dinosaur models in the world.

Here are some of the best things to do near Cardiff:

01

Wander Through Tintern Abbey

Wander along the Tintern Abbey, known as the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales, which is one of the best things to do near Cardiff

Considered to be amongst the greatest monastic ruins in the world, the abbey is located on the banks of the River Wye, and is also the second Cistercian foundation which was ever built in Britain

This British gothic architectural masterpiece dates back to 1131, with the ruined remnants of the abbey that we see today were constructed over a century later, sometime in the 1200s

Accessible by a scenic hike, the unused abbey gained a lot of fame owing to its mention in the poem by William Wordsworth.

Location: Tintern, Gwent NP16 6SE, Wales, United Kingdom

Timings: 09:30 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

Entry fee: £4.60 (children), £6.60 (adults)

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02

Stroll Around Margam Park

One of the most famous things to do around Cardiff is to take a relaxing walk along Margam Park, known as the home of the famed Margam Deer Herd

During your stroll of these 500 acres of park, you can come across three species of deer, including the Red Deer, Fallow Deer as well as the endangered Pere David Deer, in addition to other animals like rabbits, grey squirrels, shrews, foxes and badgers, to name a few

Surrounded by lush landscapes, this park is one of the best places near Cardiff to spend a day in the midst of history, natural beauty, and wildlife

You can also enjoy a visit to the 19th-century, Margam Castle, here, or explore the 18th-century Orangery, the 12th-century Chapter House, and other attractions.

Location: Port Talbot SA13 2TJ, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

Entry fee: Free

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03

Visit The Big Pit National Coal Museum

Located around 30 miles from the Welsh capital is the Big Pit National Coal Museum, a visit to which is one of the most popular things to do near Cardiff

Considered to be a major heritage attraction of the area, the museum is located inside a former working coal mine, which was operational till the year 1980

It is also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can enjoy tours of coal mines that are located around 300 feet below the ground, and get a chance to see the life of miners who used to work here several decades ago

Above the ground, you can also indulge in a virtual tour of a modern-day coal mine at the multimedia exhibition here, which is named King Coal: The Mining Experience

Location: Blaenafon, Torfaen, Pontypool NP4 9XP, United Kingdom

Timings: 09:30 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.

Entry fee: Free

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04

Hike Up Brecon Beacons National Park

Your search for adventurous things to do around Cardiff should end at the Brecon Beacons National Park, which is one of the most beautiful areas in all of Wales

Considered to be a hiker’s paradise, the park is tucked amidst the Black Mountains on the east and west

During your hike up to the park, you can enjoy exploring the nature trails here where you can discover several caves and waterfalls, like the famous Henrhyd Falls

You can also enjoy exploring the different Neolithic caves, Bronze Age stone statues, forts from the Iron Age, and ruins of several Norman castles during your hike

Location: Libanus, Brecon LD3 8ER, United Kingdom

Timings: Open 24 hours

Entry fee: Free

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05

Visit The Stunning Saint Mary’s Priory

Often referred to as Wales’ very own Westminster Abbey, visiting the magnificent Saint Mary’s Priory is definitely amongst the best things to do near Cardiff

The priory is also home to some of the most significant medieval treasures in all of Britain, including a 15th-century wooden sculpture called the Tree of Jesse, as well as over 10 alabaster chest tombs, among other things

Dating back to 1087, the present structure belongs to the 14th century, with numerous additions and renovations being made here between the 15th and 19th centuries

Other notable features of this church include a stone figure of Lady Abergavenny, shown holding a shield, which is also the oldest memorial of this church

Location: 5 Monk St, Abergavenny NP7 5ND, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.

Entry fee: Free

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06

Stroll Through Dyffryn Gardens

Amongst the top things to do around Cardiff is strolling through the picturesque Dyffryn Gardens, located on the northern front of the age-old Dyffryn House

This Grade I listed garden was created by the Welsh coal baron John Cory in the late 19th century, and spreads across an area of more than 55 acres

In addition to having formal lawns, the garden also boasts an arboretum as well as several themed garden rooms, like the Rose Garden, Pompeiian Garden, Paved Court, and the Mediterranean Garden

You can also visit the large glasshouse here, which is home to trees from all over the world

Location: Dyffryn Cl, St Nicholas, Cardiff CF5 6SU, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

Entry fee: £5.50 (children), £11.00 (adults)

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07

Head Towards Caerphilly Mountain

If you are in search of adventurous things to do near Cardiff, take a hike up towards Caerphilly Mountain, which is one of the most tranquil mountains in the region

Located a mere 15 minutes from the Cardiff city centre, the mountain is not quite big and is easily accessible by a short hike all the way up to the top

One of the best things that you can do here is to take the scenic route to the summit, which will allow you to soak in some of the most amazing views of the Welsh countryside, as well as the Cardiff cityscape and the nearby bay

With a height of 271 meters above sea level, the mountain is also a great place to enjoy camping and stargazing

Location: Mountain Road, Caerphilly CF83 1HJ, Wales, United Kingdom

Timings: Open 24 hours

Entry fee: Free

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08

Explore Dan Yr Ogof Caves

Considered to be Wales’ best-kept secret for over 300 million years, exploring the Dan yr Ogof caves is one of the best things to do around Cardiff

This cave system is 15 kilometers long and is one of the most extensive cave systems in all of Western Europe, featuring several underground lakes, rivers as well as two waterfalls with a height of 40 feet

You can also find numerous rock formations in these caves, in addition to a myriad of stalactites and stalagmites, some of which date back to many millions of years

The caves are also home to a dinosaur park, which boasts of over 200 life-sized models of dinosaurs, the largest of its kind in the whole world

Location: Abercraf, Swansea SA9 1GJ, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m.

Entry fee: £15.00 (children), £18.00 (adults)

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09

Stop By MonkNash Beach

When looking for offbeat things to do near Cardiff, stop at the secluded and quaint MonkNash Beach on the Heritage Coast in the Vale of Glamorgan, around 25 miles away from the city

Accessible by a picturesque walk along tree-lined trails following the Nash Brook, MonkNash Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in the area, surrounded by majestic cliffs

With the river flowing into the rocky cliffs below, you can also see stunning waterfalls here, take a dip in the rock pools, or even walk along the golden sands during low tides

In addition to enjoying camping and witnessing glorious sunsets here, you can also enjoy catching sights of numerous bird species on this beach, including the Peregrine Falcons

Location: Unnamed Road, Vale of Glamorgan, Cowbridge CF71 7QQ, United Kingdom

Timings: Open 24 hours

Entry fee: Free

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10

Have A Royal Mint Experience

One of the best things to do near Cardiff is to indulge in The Royal Mint Experience, a of a king experience wherein you can watch the coins of the United Kingdom being made, making it the only such place in the whole world

Head to the interactive visitor center here, which has displays and exhibits that offer you a glimpse into the rich history and manufacturing process of the coins used in the UK

Indulge in the Guided Factory Experience here, and get to see the journey of a coin from a blank sheet of copper-plated steel to a valuable coin here

Head to the Interactive Exhibition hall here, and get a chance to see the coins that have been used in the country for more than 1000 years, in addition to medals used for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, among other things

Location: The Royal Mint Experience, Heol-Y-Sarn, Ynysmaerdy, Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF72 8YT, Wales, United Kingdom

Timings: 09:15 a.m. to 04:15 p.m.

Entry fee: £10.35 to £17.11 per person

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