Where to go in Wales?

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DD and are in desperate need of a few days away. We would love to visit Wales. I was thinking Newport as that's where the train gets in. Would you recommend it for a few days away? My friend just said they are willing to drive us to Wales so I am not restricted to just Newport. Is there anywhere you would recommend for some lazy on the beach, small shops and some history please? Thank you so much :)

St Fagans outside Cardiff
Big Pit in Blaneavon
Caswell bay, Swansea

3 great reasons to holiday in Wales

@Muchtoomuchtodo I'm beginning to question myself lol, Google kept telling me the only was to get from Birmingham New Street to Wales was to go to Newport. But thanks to this thread I've discovered that it I can easy train from Birmingham to Cardiff, no idea what Google was playing at! But my friend is taking us, he is spending th3 day with us and leaving whilst me and DD are staying for three nights.
I've found accommodation in the centre of Cardiff. DD is almost 14, she loves walking, organised tours, old buildings esp castles and cathedrals, likes to try new food and independent quirky arty/jewellery shops. We would like to do an afternoon on a Welsh beach but know that is weather dependent :) thank you so much.

Oh, so glad you found somewhere, you'll have a lovely time. As others have said, Cardiff is a great base - lots to do in the city to suit all tastes (including if it rains. Not that it EVER rains in Wales, of course. ;)

Aww leave Newport alone. It’s really trying hard to shake off it’s bad rep.
Look at our lovely new market
newport-market.co.uk/

I still wouldn’t recommend a weekend break though just yet.

Brilliant!
Where have you booked to stay?
There are some fantastic shopping arcades in the middle of Cardiff full of independent shops - have a Google!
Cardiff Castle is right in the middle of town. Llandaff cathedral is not far to walk up the Taff Trail (path beside the river ). Castell Coch just north of the city is beautiful. Caerphilly isn’t far for another good castle.
Have a look at www.fogosfreetours.com and see if any coincide with your National museum is in the civ centre and you could see what’s on at the students union - they have good gigs at reasonable prices.
There’s the New theatre, the Sherman theatre, St David’s hall and Wales Millenium centre if you fancy seeing a show or performance.
If the weather plays ball, you can get a train directly from Cardiff Central to Barry Island where there is a huge sandy beach as well as the usual fish and chip shops, cafes and amusement arcades. They depart 3 times an hour (the 4th one goes through Barry then onto Bridgend so not as handy for Barry Island) and take 1/2 hour.

There are plenty of cinemas in the city centre as well as indoor crazy golf which is good fun.
Bute park (behind the castle) is lovely for walks and there are the ovo bikes (Boris bikes) if you fancy a cycle ride - Cardiff Bay is an easy flat ride.
Hope you have a great time.

If you let us know your food budget, I can provide some recommendations there too!

Top budget choice would be Saray (Turkish restaurant) on City Road, and Yamas (Greek) on Albany Road.

Tenby

St Fagans - there a train we get then walk along river to site though I think there may be buses www.traveline.cymru/
Cardiff castle
National Museum Cardiff - few hours but if in town worth a look.

beach wise:
penarth - rocky beach but part of cardiff - can get train or walk round from cardiff bay - cardiff bay has few things in it and pleanty of places to eat.
But for a proper beach Barry Island - can get to by train from Cardiff or longer journey Swansea has lovely beaches - nice shopping bit as well.

Bath's not far from Newport/Cardiff by train and the Roman Baths there are worth a look.

In Newport it's mainly caerleon which has Roman baths - though think you have to pay now - National Roman Legion Museum and a really good amphitheatre that's worth seeing - there's not much to the Transporter bridge and while there is a new market it's not enough to visit center of Newport.