Non motorway stops in Wales

[travellingjacks]

Hi, were travelling with our 2 year old from Reading to Cardigan Bay in Wales, so basically m4, but looking for somewhere to stop once were over the bridge that isnt a service station, so we can eat and little man can run around.
Any suggestions?

Barry

Get off at one of the Newport junctions & go to Tredegar Park. Or Caldicot & check out the Castle Park.

although you would have to come right off the motorway and take a real break. Otherwise you're on it til Pont Abraham, with just service stations.

The Museum of Welsh Life (its outdoors) also called St Fagans is less than 5 minutes from the M4 J33.

Only any good if you are travelling in the day. There is a cafe/restaurant on site as well as a bakery selling Welshcakes etc. Its lovely and free apart from the parking which is a couple of pound (from memory). There is a pub in the village (do not know its name sorry) that also sells food. Failing that 5 minutes further on you have Pizza hut, MacDonalds and Tesco Extra at Culverhouse Cross

Definitely St Fagan's!

St Fagans is luvverly, and makes a real break in the journey

If you come off junction 43 at Neath, there is a harvester on the roundabout, although I haven't been there myself. Next door to that there is a virgin health and sports club, and I think you can use the bar and restaurant, even if you're not a member.

www.harvester.co.uk/harvesterllandarcyneath/

www.virginactive.co.uk/en/clubs/glamorgan-health-and-racquets-club/whats-new

How about Margam Park? It's just off the motorway at Port Talbot. Free entry, you pay for parking. You might need a picnic, but lots of space to run around! If you drive a few minutes down the road, you could stop here for food.

St fagan's is brill. There is a macarthur glen at bridgend, which has a play area and the usual sort of cafes. Wildfowl and wetlands trust at llanelli is great on a fine day. National botanic gardens are a good place for a run around (and it takes a surprisingly long time from there to cardigan as the roads are slow!)

Thanks, these are all great suggestions, will check them out.
Xx