Roaming with Red

Occupying much of the SouthWest Coast of the United Kingdom, Wales is filled with rugged landscapes and beautiful vistas. Having never visited Wales before, a weekend in Cardiff was my first taste of what Wales has to offer. And boy, does she have a lot to offer! From rolling hills to jagged coastlines and historical ruins, Wales packs quite a punch. If you, too, are looking to explore Wales for the first time, below is a two day itinerary based in Cardiff, visiting some of the the best spots in this city and its surrounds. One word on the below, this itinerary assumes you have a car at your disposal. While not entirely necessary, I would highly recommend you rent a car to see the best this country has to offer and some places are not easily accessed by public transport.

DAY 1 – Cardiff and Penarth

Morning

Just over 2 hours train ride from Paddington in Central London, arrive early at Cardiff Central to make the most of your first day here. Drop your bags off at your accommodation (we stayed at a relatives house so unfortunately no recommendations here) before immediately making your way to Cardiff Bay.

Grab a coffee at one of the many coffee shops surrounding the Bay before taking a leisurely stroll through this area. The Bay has that kind of rough beauty often associated with shipping harbours, with boats moored throughout and the hills of Penarth looming in the distance.

On your walk, try to enter the old Welsh Parliament building. With some understated but pretty tile work, this building provides an interesting look into the history of Cardiff and hosts a constant rotation of changing exhibitions.

Lunch

For lunch, make your way to Thomas by Tom Simmons. Nestled in one of the more wealthy suburbs of Cardiff, Thomas provides a modern take on British pub grub. With a warm and inviting interior, a meal here is well worth it! From incredible fried chicken (we got double servings it was that good) to truffle mac and cheese and melt in your mouth potatoes, everything here was delicious. Pair it with a lovely red wine suggested by the staff and you’ll find yourself settling in for a very enjoyable, very long, lunch.

Afternoon

Once you’ve awoken from your food coma, walk off lunch by wandering your way into Cardiff central. Walk across the bridge and end up in Bute Park. This lovely, open green space sits behind Cardiff Castle, one of the main attractions in the area. This imposing building paints a strong shadow over the park and tells of a proud history. Unfortunately, the Castle was closed when we visited but if you can, find some time to venture inside and find out more about Cardiff’s past.

Take a walk down Cardiff’s lively centre city and enjoy the little alleyways and arcades before picking up the car and driving to Penarth. One place that is a definite visit is the Cardiff Market. This lively, indoor market, provides everything from knick knacks to food and is a fun, bustling area to enjoy as you discover Cardiff City.

20 minutes from Cardiff by car, Penarth is a winding, hilly area which towers over Cardiff itself. Think steep cliffs and large manor houses – could genuinely imagine a haunted house perched at the edge of a Penarth cliff. Eventually take a stop at the beach and enjoy a stroll down the pier. Much like Brighton, there is an atmosphere of being lost in the past as you wander past old shop facades and creaky floorboards on the pier. The Winter air gave this area an eery, abandoned feel but I could imagine the crowds that would flock to the beach with the warmer weather.

Evening

For a pre-dinner drink, drive yourself to Barry and find the containers at Goodsheds. A multi-story building, you can find everything from food to bars here. Climb to the top and enjoy a drink at 297 by the Academy, a trendy rooftop oasis.

For dinner, make your way back into the main Cardiff area. We did try to eat at Matsudai for Ramen, and it comes highly recommended, however it was fully booked so we ended up at Duchess of Delhi at Cardiff Bay. A cheap and cheerful establishment, this restaurant sells a good curry when you need something hearty and warming to fill you up.

DAY 2 – Cardiff Bay, Ogmore Castle and Dunraven Bay

Morning

Rise early and make your way to Ty Melin Bakery. Drive or walk, this tiny bakery set on the water’s edge sells all kinds of delicious baked goods. From full sourdough loaves to croissants and cheesy-mite scrolls, a pastry here is the perfect way to start your day. Beware, there is no real seating so either take your pastries to go or eat them out the front of the shop.

For the rest of the morning, hop in the car and explore. Drive along the cost towards Porthcawl and make your first stop at the ruins of Ogmore Castle. Built over 900 years ago to protect the sitting Lord from the local people, these ruins are a fascinating look into centuries past. Surrounded by farmland and rolling hills, the ruins stand strong and imposing against the local countryside.

From here, continue driving before stopping for coffee at West Farm. Situated almost at a cliff’s edge, take a moment to enjoy the fresh air and breathtaking views out to sea. They truly are spectacular! Pop inside for a quick coffee to warm yourself up and take refuge from the strong winter winds.

A final stop before lunch, circle back and take a walk along Dunraven Bay. This long stretch of beach was extremely beautiful – think wild and windy but in a way that makes you think of a dramtic Jane Austin novel! You can walk for miles up and down this beach so pick the adventure that suits you best.

Lunch

For lunch, stop in at Forage Farm on the way back to Cardiff. This restaurant also doubles as a farm door and provides a hearty Sunday lunch menu. Enjoy your lunch and pick-up some of their delicious farm goods on the way out. Be warned, the Sunday lunch menu comes with a myriad of sides included so learn from our mistake and don’t order too many starters!

Afternoon

Another big lunch calls for another big walk! This time, it’s a walk around the entire Bay area. Start at the bakery where you had breakfast, and slowly make your way around the entirety of the Bay.  A popular walking track, it is a really lovely way to experience local life in Cardiff!

Finish the walk back in Cardiff city and take a break at Corner Coffee as you watch the world go by. Depending on your train time, spend the rest of your afternoon in Cardiff City, with coffee shops, bars and restaurants galore, before hopping on your train and venturing onto your next adventure.

Cardiff, and Wales especially, is well worth including on any England itinerary. While the city is enjoyable, it is the countryside that provides a beautiful reprieve from the hustle and bustle of every day life. With towering cliffs and rolling hills, there is so much to enjoy and discover in Wales!