Cardiff area advice needed

[sunmonkey]

Can anyone help with advice on a place to stay near Cardiff that's nice for families? I can't drive, so somewhere close by a beach or small town is better.
It will be mainly my 8 year old son as my Husband has to work in Cardiff Mon-Fri that week. We booked a holiday in Snowdonia and I just found out today that my Husband has to now work during that week so we need to find somewhere else and cancel the other holiday. He is able to work from the Cardiff office so we thought we would keep the holiday time as we are going to the Green Man festival afterwards, then planning on staying in the Brecon Beacons for the rest of the week before travelling back to Holland where we live. All advice and tips welcome, thank you!

[strongandlong]

Why not stay in Cardiff? Lots to do, and Good transport links, so easy to get to the beach etc...

[Idontknowwhoiam]

If you want a beachy type outlook I'd go for Porthcawl. Not too far from Cardiff.
Are you looking for an area or a specific hotel/b and b to be recommended?

[Idontknowwhoiam]

Barry island had a train station and you can get there from Cardiff City Centre.
Also if you stay in cardiff itself you can get the train or bus to most places.
Cardiff Bay has techniquest and the dr who exhibit as well as boats and nice restaurants that would entertain an 8 year old too.

[CMOTDibbler]

I'd stay in Cardiff - loads for you and ds to do, you can get the bus to Penarth or Barry Island for the beach, or go to the museum, parks, castle, Techniquest, Dr Who and so on in town

[sunmonkey]

Thanks for the quick responses! We could stay in Cardiff but was trying to avoid a City although it looks like there is loads to do. I looked at Porthcawl. and Barry Island sounds nice, but I heard it was really busy. I guess everywhere will be then. Any B&B or places to stay that could be recommended also welcome!

[CMOTDibbler]

I really would stay in the city, then you can choose what you do. Its pretty small as cities go, and with Bute park in the centre you can be very tranquil quickly.

Will your dh be working in the city centre?

[Idontknowwhoiam]

I can't recommend any specific accommodation but the train links around South Wales, especially to cardiff are good so looking in areas just outside would still be pretty accessible.
Our school holidays are around 20th July to 1st September... it'll be busier during that time but it's not so bad you can't manage it (especially without a car!)

[Howaboutthisone]

Id agree with the city. Maybe stay in Cardiff Bay so that it's less city feeling. Then you can get into city or head to Barry island. The Bay is lovely and the city is great!

[Showgirl109]

I would stay in Cardiff, very good transport to Barry and penarth with beaches and lots of other things to do. Cardiff has lots of huge parks, roath park has a lake where you can hire row boats. Barry can be busy, but there are smaller beaches you can walk to. I think unless you want to be on the beach every day then Cardiff is better because there are lots of other things to do. Castle, museum.

[sunmonkey]

Thanks CMOT OK, it sounds like Cardiff it is then! I've never visited before and I just imagined it to be a really busy large city. Yes my Husband is working in the centre near the Waterfront Park. Do you know of anywhere there that's nice to stay?

[Howaboutthisone]

Depending on budget... St Davids in the Bay is lovely. Or Future inn less pricy but no pool and a bit further out. In the city again budget dependant and also if you want a pool- Marriot and Hilton in city, a couple of minutes stroll into centre. Jolyons in both the Bay and on Cathedral Road are boutique and nice but probably not as family friendly. There's lots of choice both in the city and in the bay.

[CMOTDibbler]

Waterfront Park is down in the Bay, so try the Future Inn (I've stayed there before) or the Holiday Inn Express as convenient hotels at a sensible price. Lots of buses into town from the bay, or you can do the water bus as well up the river.

[sunmonkey]

Thanks guys! Handy to have the info. I will check some of those places out. A pool would be great, but will check out the prices...

[Howaboutthisone]

There's also a mercure just out of city

[MyLlamasGoneBananas]

St Fagans (Museum of Welsh Life) would be a great day out. Its outside and tskes most the day to wsnder around all tbe cottages egc. You see farm animsls and dome buildings have people in doing demonstrations of historic crafts. Its free to get in (usually just pay to park). You'd have to check what the public transport from Cardiff is like. Perhaps someone local can advise.

[sunmonkey]

Thanks Myllamas that does sound really good! Will definitely take a look. I think there is a Roald Dahl festival as well this year but I think its in September. Have decided to book an apartment in the Bay so we are not all in one room every night.

[Showgirl109]

Oh there is often craft activities on at the Norwegian church - not really a church more of an art and community centre in the bay. We used to go to Ronald Dahl readings there as children.

[CMOTDibbler]

The 32A bus goes from central bus station to St Fagans. I love it there, and there is just so much to see