half term in cardiff

[Sebag]

My husband is working in Cardiff during October half term and we are thinking of all going along for 2-3 days. Any ideas of where we should stay (2 adults and 2 children - 3 and 5 yrs)

Any more info on budget and whether you want city centre or suburb location, character place or clean motel type. Is your husbands work paying or are you paying yourself?

Can give you info when I know a bit more, also ideas for activities.

you could ask tourist info to send you a copy of the primary times, it comes out just before the hols and has lots of great ideas for things to do, events taking place, places to visit.

I would recommend Jump (llanishen), Techniquest (cardiff bay), cardiff bay in general is lovely to look round, cardiff castle (if you have the weather). Loads more but cant think of any right now

oh roath park (have been with ds today) lovely place to have a boat trip, feed the ducks, walk round the gardens, play in the park, have an ice-cream, its perfect and free!!

Will the new Dr Who exhinition be on then? If so we're going

(dunno ages of your kids though, may be massively inappropriate)

Great to have some replies and some good ideas. I suppose we want to stay either in a family friendly hotel in the city or find a holiday cottage not too far from things to do. We will be paying, but my husband is paid some subsistance so some expense will be covered. There is just a possibility that we will be relocating to Cardiff next year, so it would be good if we get an taste of family life. Bit much to ask of you, but any ideas are much appreciated!

well you are probably going to end up at cafe junior, as it cannot be escaped. its a cafe with a big, yummy mummy play area. its for under 5s.

apart from that, what mosschops said! That is pretty much the sum total of what cardiff has to offer

oh theres st fagans museum of welsh life, and the farmers market too. you can get a boat trip from the farmers market to techniquest.

Also, the castle.

Castell Coch is lovely if you have a car - just outside Cardiff towards Caerphilly. Probably can get there by bus too.

If you don't have a car the buses are really good, and the trains.

I remember lots of half terms spent in Cardiff as a child (then 3 years at uni!)

LLanishen leisure centre used to be good - wave machine, slide, fake crocodile. Very tropical feel to it, although haven't been there for years.

Techniquest was fun, as was St Fagans (this is free so always good!). Several theatres which might have children plays on. Cosmeston medieval village is also good - think DD was about 6 when she went there & loved it.

You simply have to go to Roath Park. Buses stop right next to it (think the 28 is one of them). Cardiff bus website has all that info on (google cardiff bus & you should find it easily).

Another hit with LO is Hard Rock cafe on St Mary's Street. (I like the cocktails & the fajitas).

There's the Big Sleep in the centre as well although have no idea what that's like as never stayed in a hotel there. Think it'd be ok though.

Forgot about the museum.

dont stay at the Big Sleep with a family! Its gaytown and the little ones might ask too many questions, it can be quite noisy there too as there is a gay bar right next door.

Unfortunately they are knocking down a lot of town nearby The Big Sleep/Jurys etc so its a bit of a building zone, but will be fab in 2 years with John Lewis etc.

Town would be a great place to stay because there is so much to do, its safe in the evenings etc and you will have the best access to public transport (or are you bringing a car?)

Have a look at Tipadvisor for reviews of hotels:

hotel reviews

They're always useful. I'll see what I can find out for you about cottages etc.

The only thing to bear in mind is that the Cardiff half term is a week after the English one so there wont be that many special activities on, but it also means that things are cheaper and quieter!

All the ideas that people have suggested are a great idea. You can group them together in days:

1. Cardiff Bay Day, Techniquest, techniquest

lunch somewhere in Mermaid Quay (Nandos, family friendly bars, American, spanish, Indian, Chinese etc oh and a Cadwaladers Ice Cream yum)
mermaid quay

or lunch at Atlantic Wharf (chinese buffet, Old Orleans, Mamma Amalfai etc). There is also a cinema and a bowling alley at Atlantic Wharf (10 mins walk from Techniquest which is at Mermaid Quay) oh and the free Dr. Who exhibition at Atlantic Wharf. If the road train is running (weather permitting) have a little tour of the bay and end up at the Cardiff Bay Barage which has the sunken pirate ship play area that Californifrau was talking about.

2. Town Day. Cardiff Castle, cardiff castle

National Museum of Wales (fab dinosaur, volcano, earthquake type exhibits and an art gallery upstairs with lots of Monet and Rodin with art carts to keep kids busy)
museums

Also 2 cinemas in town and lots of goods shops!

Other things to include if you have a car:

Castell Coch,a fab fairy tale type castle not far from Jn32 of M4

Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans, free outdoor museum and activities like pottery, and play areas.

Here is a link for some cottages etc.

cottages and serviced appartments

Try google for more.
Or a simple Holiday Inn express or similar, the trip advisor link I posted earlier had reviews of these.

I'll shut up now!

"Its gaytown and the little ones might ask too many questions, it can be quite noisy there too as there is a gay bar right next door. "

Actually, the freedom bar has long since closed, sadly.

But I am ROFL at you suggesting she should not want to stay in "gaytown"

and then giving contact details for "cottages"

What are you suggesting?

the cottages are for when her husband goes out while she babysits the children just outside of gaytown fillyjonk!

Cafe Junior is great in Cathays.Lovely playarea big sofas and lovely coffee etc for adults

I agree that Roath is a lovely park, we live near it and in the summer virtually live in it. I know that Victoria park has recently won an award.
In Heath park there is a little railway, which only runs on bank holiday weekends. Also there is Barry Island and lots of nice coast, but in October it won't be as nice.
If you get up the brecon beacons, there is a little railway up there, nearer to christmas it does a Santa railway.
Notice the train theme, thats what having three boys will do for you!

thanks to everyone who has replied - a great help We also have a train-mad boy, so spot on there! Really looking forward to discovering Cardiff and around about. Any other wet weather ideas (just in case)?

Don't know if it's within your budget, but Cardiff Hilton is good - it's where dh always puts work visitors up. Very central and overlooks Cardiff Castle.

Otherwise, there are some good B&Bs on Cathedral Road which is a 10-20 min walk from the centre (depending which end of the road you are on!).

Has anyone mentioned the farmers market?

And Penarth? A train ride away...

Amelia Trust Farm is nice

I'm sure someone has said the museum, they have stuff on all the time...

Bump this nearer the time and someone can look in the Primary Times for train like activities for your kids.

Just remember what the weather is like here Frau...

May lessen the pangs a bit .

Actually Sebag, if you CAT me your address, I'll send you a Primary Times when it comes out.

oooh, there's lovely now, bonyM.