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Wales Online
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
23 things to do this summer holidays in and around Cardiff if you are on a budget
23 things to do this summer holidays in and around Cardiff if you are on a budget You don't need to splash out to have fun in the summer holidays there are plenty of things to do in and around Cardiff that are free or a couple of quid There is lots of fun to have in and around Cardiff this summer (Image: South Wales Echo) Unbelievably, the school summer holidays still have a number of weeks to go before the school term resumes and forking out for constant day trips, packed lunches, treats and more can take its toll. But, there's plenty going for the remaining four weeks in and around the Welsh capital. Whether they're fans of parks and outdoor spaces, craft sessions, or keen to try a new sport, there's something for every age group to slot into the calendar or keep on standby for when you need an activity. Here's a roundup of some of the best free and low cost activities in Cardiff for summer 2025. 1. Family fun day at Ffos Caerphilly Every Thursday of the school holiday at Ffos Caerphilly, a brilliant outdoor food venue, is family fun days. They are free to attend and packed with activities, laughter, and great food with exciting sessions and workshops, tasty treats from the food vendors and is perfect for families. 2. Cool off at Victoria Park splashpad Victoria Park's splashpad is a firm favourite among city families, and it's entirely free. The splashpad opens from 10am daily. Pack a picnic and make the most of the rest of the park, including playgrounds suitable for various age groups. 3. Try out different cheeses at the Caerphilly Cheese Festival Caerphilly Cheese Festival will take place in Caerphilly town centre where there will be food, drink and craft stalls, a funfair, street entertainers, and lots on offer from town centre businesses. There will also be music, across three live music areas. The Caerphilly Cheese Festival is taking place on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31. 4. Cycle the barrage The barrage is a great place to cycle (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne) Starting this ride in Cardiff Bay allows you to visit not just one, but two parks, and take a break on the giant Roald Dahl Enormous Crocodile bench halfway through. If you bring along a picnic, you can pause to appreciate the view of boats entering the bay and observe the birds and wildlife passing by. Don't forget to pack your bucket and spade for a visit to Sandy Park, where young adventurers can enjoy the large wooden pirate ship. 5. Head to the urban beach in Newport Running until Saturday, August 31 is the urban beach in John Frost Square, in Newport. There is a beach area featuring giant deck chairs, peep-through board and sounds of the sea. It is free to enjoy. 6. Get creative at the Museum of Cardiff Every Wednesday during the school holidays, the museum hosts craft sessions with a new theme each week, suitable for all ages. Conveniently located in the city centre, it's an ideal spot for a free activity (and a bit of respite for you!). The sessions are scheduled for July 23 and 30, as well as August 6, 13, 20, and 27, from 11am until 3pm. 7. Discover Bute Park This green oasis in the heart of the city offers plenty for children. Bring along your football or rounders kit for a game, or follow the musical wooden percussion instrument trail in the area known as the old man's woods. Look out for the magnifying glass posts! Behind the Summerhouse Café, you'll find wooden animal sculptures and balance trails. Near the visitor centre, there's an accessible route and nature trail, suitable for kids aged four to eight. There is also the River Taff Shuffle on Wednesday, August 20 which is £3.50 per child. Join the team at Bute Park and see what creatures you can catch in the River Taff using nets and getting up close with magnifying glasses. All equipment supplied. More information is available on their website. 8. Rub shoulders with your favourite characters This year's summer 2025 kids meet and greet at St David's shopping centre is set to host some of the biggest names in children's entertainment. While tickets for Bluey and Bingo are already sold out, fans can still look forward to meeting Gabby from Gabby's Dollhouse, Hey Duggee, Paddington, Chase and Skye from PAW Patrol, and Peppa Pig. Although the events are free of charge, you'll need to register in advance to secure your tickets. 9. Cycle the Taff trail and get a pie from Donald's The Taff trail is beautiful to cycle (Image: Steph Colderick) Wales is home to many gorgeous cycling trails including the Taff trail in Cardiff. You can now cycle up the Taff trail and enjoy a delicious pie from the pop-up pie van Donald's in Radyr Cricket Club. Donald's will be at Radyr Cricket Club every weekend from 10am. 10. Take a dip at Lido Ponty With three pools; a main pool, an activity pool and a splash pool, all heated to 28 degrees, Lido Ponty offers fantastic swimming opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Tickets are £3.50 (plus 25p booking charge) for adults and free (booking charge still applies) for those aged 16 and under. 11. Get crafty at the Senedd building The Senedd building in Cardiff Bay welcomes everyone. Young visitors will find a play area, toys, and a giant map of Wales to explore. Conveniently located next to the coffee shop and sofas, it's an ideal spot for parents to unwind. Free activity booklets, designed for children aged five to 12, are also available. From July 19 through August, craft sessions offering a variety of activities will be held. On August 25, Al Naaem will conduct a creative workshop for children aged 11 and above, focusing on creative writing and poetry. More information can be found on the Senedd website. Just bear in mind that security checks are in place, so try to minimise what you bring in your pram or changing bag! 12. Take on the trails in Newport There are two great free trails running in Newport. The giant chair trail will start on the riverfront and lead people into Friars Walk, while the monster trail, which will be linked to the Newport Now app, will give children the chance to collect monsters at venues across the city centre and then get a free story book from the Central Library when they have them all. Both trails are running until Wednesday, September 10. 13. Experience the thrills of the circus Nofitstate is hosting complimentary family-friendly circus workshops in local parks. On Sunday, August 17 and Sunday, August 24, between 12.30pm and 2pm, the activities will take place at Anderson Fields in Adamsdown. Additionally, there are relaxed sessions for those who prefer a quieter environment with less noise, which will be held at Splott Play Centre. 14. Delve into history at National Museum Wales sites There is lots to see at the National Museum of Wales (Image: Wales on Sunday) Every Cardiff parent knows that the city centre museum is a go-to for dreary day entertainment, and St Fagans never fails to amuse for hours. The national museum boasts an extensive array of summer events across all its venues, including National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans, though some do come with a fee. Certain events offer a "pay what you can" option, such as the "Meet our Mammoth" experience at the national museum. 15. Discover Insole Court Insole Court provides a picturesque setting for children to explore, offering a great way to expend energy, with the Potting Shed cafe available for refreshments when needed. Throughout the school break, there are bookable craft sessions scheduled three times over the holidays on Friday, August 15 at 10am, 11am, and 12pm, aimed at youngsters aged four to ten. Each session presents a new blend of painting, gluing, and crafty escapades designed to ignite creativity and celebrate the season. An adult must accompany each child. 16. Sculpture spotting If you're seeking an excuse to leave the house and embark on an adventure, the sculpture walk here is a must-do. Fforest Fawr boasts three circular walks, complete with maps, and children will be particularly fond of the wooden carving sculpture trail. The trail's end rewards you with a stunning panoramic view across the valley. 17. Stroll around Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs The Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs have become a popular visitor attraction since its reopening in July 2023. A great place to visit during the summer as they have many water activities on offer including, cold water swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking. There are also beautiful walking paths to keep you dry, a story trail and a popular café on site. 18. Gaming, basketball, and nature Throughout the summer, Cardiff Council runs its "summer with a 'difference' scheme", with varying schedules depending on your location in the city. Offerings include nature clubs where you can plant in community gardens, Cricket Wales camps for kids aged eight to 12, multi-sport sessions with instructors on hand, gaming sessions, and basketball. 19. Reading challenge You can get your children reading this summer (Image: PA) A free activity that will span the entire summer, providing the kids with a great sense of accomplishment, and some new bedtime stories for you! From 5 July to 20 September, children aged 4 to 11 can visit their local library to participate in the Story Garden-themed reading challenge. To join, you need to sign up to your library (for free) and borrow and read six books over the summer holidays. You'll receive fun rewards along the way, and upon completing the challenge, you'll earn a medal and certificate. 20. Heath Park Miniature railway Throughout the summer, miniature trains and trams are available for rides at Heath Park. The Heath Park Miniature Railways and Tramway are nestled in the picturesque Heath Park, close to the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) building. It's an excellent day out for the entire family as it caters to all age groups. There's no need to book in advance to visit the railway. It is £2.80 per person and under threes, go free. 21. Visit the family fun park in Cardiff Bay Entry is free to the fair in Cardiff Bay - though it's advisable to discuss spending limits beforehand - and it's a summer activity that appeals to children of all ages. There are plenty of rides suitable for school-aged children. 22. Catch some Pokemon at PokeCon On Monday, 25 August, between 11am and 5pm, the Red Dragon Centre will host a Pokemon pop-up brimming with merchandise, trading cards, and collectibles. It's an ideal event for fans, collectors, and trainers of all ages. 23. Watch a film at Cineworld and Vue The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are £3.99 per person at Cineworld. Article continues below The 10am weekend and school holiday Mighty Mornings showings are just £2.49 per person when booked online or £3.49 on the door, at Vue.
Wales Online
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
I went back to a park I used to play in all the time as a kid and I couldn't believe how much it had changed
I went back to a park I used to play in all the time as a kid and I couldn't believe how much it had changed From toilets converted to a café to new outdoor activities, the park I have many fond memories of has changed completely The splashpad is a popular feature in place of the old paddling pool (Image: South Wales Echo) I'm sure that many people in Wales will have a park that they have many fond memories of from their childhood, often driving or walking past now and remembering a much simpler time. A time where all you needed was bus fare, and a couple quid for chips and an ice cream. When I was younger every summer we would hop on the bus and visit Victoria Park in Cardiff to spend hours playing in the paddling pool or on the swings. Clearly things look different, here's h ow different Cardiff looked 20 years ago despite it feeling just a few moments ago. Now an adult, I recently returned to the park for the first time while on a run and I couldn't get over how much the park has changed in the years since I was little. Younger me playing on the swings The park, on the city's Cowbridge Road, opened in 1897 with an ornamental lake and fountains which were later turned into a paddling pool in the 1960s. The pool was, by far, the most popular feature within the park. When, in 2016 the council put forward that it would be turned into a splash pad, costing £485,000, there was uproar. People like me who remembered it from before thought their childhood was being taken away. From what I, and I'm sure many others, should really remember though was that the pool wasn't at its best in its later days. Even with some questionable cleanliness, we always played in it anyway, enjoying every minute. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here The park looks totally different now (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne) (Image: South Wales Echo) (Image: Richard Williams) The coffee shop, appropriately named Bloc, sell a variety of drinks and sweet treats that you can either sit and enjoy or take with you as you stroll around the park. Inside the park, Mamma's Place serves up ice creams and cannoli's, a nod to the family's Italian heritage, and all at sensible prices and if you're still hungry, the row of shops opposite is home to Pettigrew's Bakery, Let Them See Cake, Burger Boys and Top Deck chip shop - all which you can take over to the park. Article continues below As a child I remember my excitement as mum packed our picnic, lathered on the sun cream and got the change ready for the bus so we could spend a day at the park. Cardiff has a host of great parks, but surely Vicky Park wins the title of being the best?
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Wales Online
The ‘otherworldly beach' with romantic ruins that's just 40 minutes from Cardiff
The 'otherworldly beach' with romantic ruins that's just 40 minutes from Cardiff This fossil-rich beach is packed with rock pools and geological wonders, and it was designated as a part of the Heritage Coast in 1972. If this ethereal-looking beach looks familiar, it's because you may have spotted it on the beloved BBC series Doctor Who (Image: South Wales Echo ) Wales' craggy coastline is amongst the most beautiful in the world and has a vast range of sandy shores, secluded bays and pebble-strewn beaches with clear waters for swimming. From Pembrokeshire's golden sand beaches and tiny coves to the windswept Llŷn Peninsula and the Vale of Glamorgan's Jurassic coastline, you are truly spoiled for choice here. It's no surprise then that eight Welsh beaches have been crowned among the best in the UK in The Times' annual Best UK Beaches guide for 2025. The 17th edition of the highly anticipated list was compiled by chief travel writer Chris Haslam, who visited and inspected 756 beaches across the UK. The criteria encompassed water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene standards at toilets and showers, and dog-friendliness. One of the Welsh beaches on the list is described as "otherworldly" and is just a 40-minute drive from Cardiff. Dunraven, a secluded fossil-rich beach in Southerndown, is packed with rock pools and geological wonders, and it was designated as a part of the Heritage Coast in 1972. Article continues below Located on the highly underrated Glamorgan Heritage Coast, which stretches from Aberthaw to Porthcawl, this 14-mile expanse offers an unspoilt coastline marked by Jurassic features and waymarked trails that meander through charming villages, rural farmland, and secluded bays. Haslam writes that this stretch of coastline "bears comparison with geological wonders such as the Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim and Lulworth Cove in Dorset — but without the crowds." (Image: Wales on Sunday ) Haslam writes that this stretch of coastline "bears comparison with geological wonders such as the Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim and Lulworth Cove in Dorset — but without the crowds." He adds, "at Dunraven Bay (also known as Southerndown beach) you'll find a millefeuille of carboniferous limestone and blue lias — layers of limestone and shale — overhanging a beach paved flatter than your patio." Dunraven Bay has a large car park and visitor facilities and is also designated a 'Seaside Award' beach. The Seaside Award is the national standard for the best beaches across the UK. If this ethereal-looking beach looks familiar, it's because you may have spotted it on the beloved BBC series Doctor Who. Whovians (Doctor Who fans) will likely know this spot as 'Bad Wolf Bay', as the beach played a starring role in several episodes. The most memorable scene was the tearful farewell between the Doctor (David Tennant) and companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) in Doomsday. It was also featured in the Time of Angels episode, featuring Matt Smith as the Doctor, Alex Kingston as River Song, and Karen Gillan as Amy Pond in a scene filmed at Southerndown. Doctor Who filming on the rocky beach of Southerndown,The Vale of Glamorgan (Image: Wales Online ) It's not just a scenic location, however. According to the Vale of Glamorgan website (VOG), the unique beach has a long history. People lived in and occupied Dunraven as far back as the Iron Age when the cliff-top location was thought to have been used as a trading post. Much later, the Romans built a fort here, which was later replaced by a manor house in the 1700s. Lastly, a residence known as Dunraven Castle was later transformed into a convalescent hospital during the two World Wars. Sadly, the 'castle' was demolished in 1963, and what remained of the site was the castle's walled garden, gatehouse and several other structures. Now part of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, the romantic remains are designated Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales, which curious tourists and locals can enjoy. To find out more about what Dunraven may have looked like as an Iron Age trading post or to take a tour of Dunraven Castle, download the VOG app and then visit Dunraven and watch sites come to life on your smartphone or tablet. For the latest Bridgend news, sign up to our newsletter here. Nearby, the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre has plenty of information about the local area. The interactive information stations allow you to learn more about the coastline, its geology, the history of Dunraven Park, and the flora and fauna unique to the Heritage Coast. The centre is open to groups by appointment only, and you can contact them to arrange. Hikers will also love this acclaimed beach and the surrounding coast paths along the Heritage Coast. (Image: John Myers / WalesOnline ) Hikers will also love this acclaimed beach and the surrounding coast paths along the Heritage Coast. Walkers can attempt to walk the entire Heritage Coastline or take on one of the shorter walks or loop trails. A series of marked and numbered Vale Trails takes you through coastal and countryside routes with the most scenic views and historical features. Many of the short walks in the Vale include various heritage and maritime points of interest, including the last manned lighthouse in Wales, a Neolithic Tinkinswood Burial Chamber, churches, and castles. The Vale Trail One takes walkers eight miles along the coast with highlights including Merthyr Mawr sand dunes, Ogmore Castle, Ogmore Down, and the Dunraven Castle and Walled Garden. As you trace the shoreline above Dunraven Bay, you'll have one of the best views along the entire Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Article continues below
Wales Online
06-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
New map shows the areas of Wales most vulnerable to Government DWP benefit reforms
New map shows the areas of Wales most vulnerable to Government DWP benefit reforms Some parts of Wales have twice as many claimants of as average Many people in Blaenau Gwent cite psychiatric disorders as their reason for claiming. Picture shows Ebbw Vale (Image: South Wales Echo ) The areas of Wales with the highest number of people who receive Personal Independent Payments (PIP) are revealed in a new map which shows the areas most vulnerable to any government reform . One part of Wales has more than twice the rate seen across England and Wales. PIP is a a benefit designed to assist with additional costs resulting from long-term disability or ill-health which was established in 2013. Recipients can receive £73.90 a week to help with their living costs at the standard rate and an additional £29.20 if they qualify for mobility help. At the enhanced rate for more severe disabilities, they qualify for £110.40 daily living support and £77.05 in mobility help - totalling £187.45. The UK government had planned to cut the number of people who would qualify for the benefit by making it more difficult to qualify under the points-based system by which people's disability is assessed. However Keir Starmer was forced to back down amid the face of a rebellion by his own MPs. The government was ultimately able to pass its benefits bill by a margin of 75 votes, but only after making last-minute concessions to Labour rebels that left it unrecognisable. It has now promised not alter PIP rules until it had time to consider a review's findings. Deemed a "moral imperative" by the Prime Minister, the reforms were aimed at encouraging capable people to return to work, while reducing the welfare bill by £5bn and boosting employment rates. As of April 2025, data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed that more than 3.7 million people are beneficiaries of PIP across England and Wales, some 8.3% of the population. Article continues below But the distribution is uneven, with certain areas showing far higher concentrations of claimants than others. Wales has a higher proportion of claimants to England with 11.7% of people here receiving the benefit. Wales has some of the highest rates in the UK with four Welsh constituencies in the top ten in England and Wales. In Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, 17.4% of working age adults claim PIP. This is followed by Aberafan Maesteg on 17.4%, Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare at 15.9% and Rhondda and Ogmore at 15.7%. Only two areas of England have higher rates of PIP claimants than Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, Liverpool Walton on 18.6% and Easington in the north east of England on 17.8%. The ten constituencies with the highest rate of PIP claimants in England and Wales Liverpool Walton, north west England - 18.6% Easington, north east England - 17.8% Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, Wales - 17.4% Aberafan Maesteg, Wales - 16.9% Knowsley, north west England - 16.8% Blackpool South, north west England - 16.5% Birkenhead, north west England - 16.5% Bootle, north west England - 16.3% Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, Wales - 15.9% Rhondda and Ogmore, Wales - 15.7% The percentage of PIP claimants in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney is more than twice the average rate in England and Wales. In Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, 34.4% of claimants cite mental health or psychiatric disorders as their reason for claiming. Another 24.5% do so due to general musculoskeletal disease, with an additional 14.4% for regional musculoskeletal disease, 10% for neurological disease, and 4.4% for respiratory disease. According to the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics released in May 2024, the employment rate in Blaenau Gwent was 69.4% in the year ending in December 2023. This is a decrease compared with the year ending December 2022 when the local rate was 73.8%. Across Wales in the year ending December 2023, 74.1% of people aged 16 to 64 years were employed. This was higher compared with the previous year, when 73.3% of people were employed. During the year ending in December 2023, the unemployment rate was 4.1% - an increase compared with the year ending December 2022 when the unemployment rate was 2.9%. However the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits was 4.3% in the year leading to March 2023 was 4.3%. This figure remained the same in the following year leading to March 2024. Around 11,500 people or 26.4% of the population aged 16 to 64 years in Blaenau Gwent were "economically inactive" in the year ending December 2023. This compares with around 10,700 people (24.7%) in the year ending December 2022. People are classed as "economically inactive" if they are not in employment but don't meet the criteria for being "unemployed". This means they have not been seeking work within the previous four weeks or were unable to start work within the next two weeks. Article continues below Common reasons include being retired, looking after the home or family or being temporarily or long-term sick and disabled. Economic inactivity in Blaenau Gwent is higher than across Wales and Great Britain. Across Wales, 23.0% of people aged 16 to 64 years were economically inactive during the year ending December 2023, a decrease compared with the year ending December 2022 when 24.4% were economically inactive.
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Oasis at the Principality Stadium key rule that could see you turned away
Oasis at the Principality Stadium key rule that could see you turned away Fans desperate to get into the Principality Stadium to see Oasis need to avoid falling foul of a key rule Breaking this rule could mean you are not allowed access to the Principality Stadium (Image: South Wales Echo ) There are many rules surrounding concerts and gigs and when Oasis kick off their reunion tour at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, it is no different. Fans will need to make sure not to break this one rule. There are very strict rules around the age restrictions for the concert and breaking them could see you not be allowed into the stadium for the performance. These restrictions include not allowing children aged five and under in the stadium at all. Here are the full age limits for the gig: No children aged five and under will be allowed in the stadium for this event. Under-14s are not permitted access to the standing area/bowl floor. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult 18-plus at all times. Under-12s must be accompanied by an adult 18-plus at all times for seated tickets. It is not just age limits that Oasis fans need to look out for. Smokers going to Oasis Live '25 in Cardiff this weekend might want to pay attention to some of the Principality Stadium's rules around using vapes and cigarettes. The ground rules of the Principality Stadium strictly prohibit smoking in any form, other than in designated areas, and anyone caught breaching that rule will be told to leave. Here's what the stadium says on the matter: "Smoking, including any form of electronic cigarette, in the grounds is strictly forbidden except within designated areas, and any person found to be smoking outside of the designated areas may be ejected from the grounds." You can read more here. Another thing to pay attention to is what type of bag you can take in. Only small bags and handbags are allowed and they must be no larger than 35cm x 40cm x 19cm. Tickets for the Oasis reunion sold out across all venues due to huge demand when they went online earlier in the year. However, there are still several options available for fans trying to snag a last-minute spot. Limited last-minute tickets can be bought from the official Ticketmaster resale site, where fans who can no longer go can sell their seats, although these tend to go in and out of stock quickly. Article continues below Elsewhere, resale sites like Viagogo, Vivid Seats, StubHub, and Twickets are selling tickets for various dates with prices from £121, although fans should always bear in mind that many official sites, such as Ticketmaster and Live Nation, discourage the purchase of resale tickets.
