best day trips wales

13 BEST Day Trips from Cardiff, Wales

Looking for the best day trips from cardiff from hiking the brecon beacons national park to visiting pembroke castle, plan your day out now..

If you’re thinking about visiting the beautiful capital of Wales, you can enjoy world-class events, great shopping, and plenty of historic sights and castles along the way too.

That being said, if you’re looking for something a bit different, there are plenty of amazing day trips from Cardiff to uncover too. Within two hours of the capital, you can be lying on a beach, exploring Roman architecture, kayaking in a valley, and much, much more.

I think the Cardiff area is such a varied place to visit, especially if you’re traveling with family. You can easily find something to suit everyone, particularly with the Cardiff day trips I’ve mentioned below!

From the beaches of Pembrokeshire to the fun time of Barry Island to hopping over the border to witness the majesty of Stonehenge. It’s all achievable within a couple of hours’ drive or train ride from Cardiff. 

So, what amazing day trips from Cardiff await you on your next Welsh holiday? Hopefully this blog post will help you plan your next adventure.

Best day trips from Cardiff, Wales

Explore the brecon beacons (bannau brycheiniog).

Want to head out of the city and spend some time in one of the country’s most beloved national parks? The Brecon Beacons , known in Welsh as Bannau Brychcheiniog, is full of exciting trails and natural beauty to explore. 

Whether you love hiking, mountain biking, fell running, or just wandering around looking at native flora and fauna, a visit to Bannau Bryncheiniog is a must when you’re next in the Cardiff area. If you’re looking for a longer stay, this national park is also a Dark Sky Reserve, so you can wait for the sun to go down and enjoy the starry show!

This is one of the best guided tours of the Brecon Beacons from Cardiff. On this tour you’ll get to visit six different waterfalls while exploring the beauty of the national park.

Have fun in the sun on Barry Island

Probably made famous by the hit comedy Gavin and Stacey, Barry Island is a family-favourite day trip from Cardiff. Filled with arcades, amusements, and a lovely beach to relax on, Barry Island is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city centre. 

You can easily spend a full-day trip out on the peninsula, as there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars to keep you going throughout your trip. You can even go on a Gavin and Stacey tour if you loved the show!

Oh, and don’t forget to bring plenty of change for the legendary arcades too.

Get your fill of history at Caerphilly Castle

Who doesn’t love visiting a castle or two while you’re on your holiday? Well, Wales has more castles per square foot than any country in the world – I think that’s pretty impressive! One of the best castles in the country has to be the majestic Caerphilly Castle .

With origins that go all the way back to the 13th century, Caerphilly Castle is actually the biggest castle in the whole of Wales. So, if you visit just one castle on your Cardiff day trip, this is the one that’s going to give you the most to do. Spanning 30 acres and with not one but two lakes, it’s an impressive estate to visit.

Learn about Roman history in Bath

If you’re looking to hop over the border from Wales into England, I’d personally recommend visiting the Roman city of Bath in neighbouring Somerset. It’s a city that has historic sights around every single corner. 

From the iconic Roman thermal baths to the architecturally-stunning Crescent area to the culturally-significant Jane Austen Centre , you’re sure to find a little something for everyone during a day trip to Bath. Honestly, you might need more than just a day trip to see everything I’ve mentioned here!

Kayak through the Wye Valley

Want to be surrounded by beautiful trees, valleys, and the sounds of nature? Head over to the Wye Valley on the border with England for a relaxing day out. In my opinion, one of the best ways to appreciate the area is by kayak.

You can find plenty of places that hire out kayaks and paddleboards throughout the valley, or if you have your own, there are a ton of accessible launching points. Take a slow paddle along the River Wye, taking in the expansive valley around you. It’s particularly beautiful in autumn when the leaves are changing colour. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking for one of the best day tours from Cardiff, then check out this one of the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons. This is one of the best tours around which I highly recommend.

Head over the border to Bristol

Looking for a city with more of a quirky, independent vibe? Jump the border to the city of Bristol . Known for its creativity, Bristol offers a whole host of independent stores and eateries, making it the ideal place for a day trip.

Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to explore the port and harbour area which has huge historical significance for the area. Also, a photo of the impressive Clifton Suspension Bridge is an essential part of visiting the city and gives you panoramic views of Bristol and the surrounding area. 

For me, this is one of the best coach trips from Cardiff and there are plenty of transport options to and from each city.

Enjoy the Pembrokeshire Coast

If you enjoy hiking, but want to take advantage of Wales’s stunning coastal views, look no further than the Pembrokeshire Coast. This particular stretch of the Wales Coastal Path takes you through gorgeous beach towns, including the popular holiday spot of Tenby.

In addition to cute and quirky beach towns, you can also benefit from panoramic views out across the Irish Sea. You can either enjoy a shorter day hike or indulge in a popular multi-day trek along this legendary Welsh trail. 

Learn to surf on the Gower Peninsula

With such a long coastline, you know that there are some amazing surf beaches in Wales. One of the best places to learn to surf in Wales is the Gower Peninsula , just a short journey from Cardiff. Whether you’re already shredding or need to learn the basics, there are plenty of surf schools and kit-hiring shops all around the area.

If you’re more advanced and looking for bigger and better waves, you’ll need to hit the beach during the winter months. Make sure you bring your thickest wetsuit and boots though – the waters get absolutely freezing around this time of year. 

Unleash your bookish side in Hay-on-Wye

If you’re looking for a more relaxing and slow-pace Cardiff day trip, I’d head straight to the charming and whimsical town of Hay-on-Wye. This beautiful town lies on the border with England and is probably best known for its love of books and literature.

Once you arrive, you’ll find rows of amazing bookstores and independent stores, and eateries. I can easily spend the whole day just wandering from one bookstore to the next! If you’re visiting around late May or early June, you’ll be able to experience the iconic Hay Festival , bringing together authors from all around the world.

Visit the birthplace of a King at Pembroke Castle

Consider yourself an expert on Tudor history? Well then, you absolutely have to make sure that Pembroke Castle is on your next Wales itinerary. As the birthplace of Henry VII – the first Tudor King – it’s a hugely important castle for both Welsh and English history fans.

It’s a stunning medieval castle with a glorious moat and grounds. You can wander around at your leisure or learn even more on a guided tour. At the end of your visit, enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake in the charming cafe area. 

Alternatively, you can see some of the other castles in South Wales here if you fancy a different one.

Have a typical British seaside day trip to Weston-Super-Mare

Want to have a stereotypical British day at the seaside, complete with fish and chips, and trying not to drop a 99 Flake ice cream? Head over the border to the seaside town of Weston-Super-Mare. This town has been a popular beachy getaway for decades now.

Weston-Super-Mare is an ideal day trip for families as the town is full of arcades and amusements to keep everyone entertained. Then there’s the beach. It’s one of the longest sandy beaches in the whole of the UK. That means plenty of space to build sandcastles and bury loved ones!

Discover Wales’s favourite poet in Swansea

If you love poetry and literature, a day trip to the city of Swansea is going to be perfect for you. As the home of one of Wales’s favourite sons, Dylan Thomas, you can retrace his footsteps and see the inspiration behind some of his most famous poems.

Whether you visit the Dylan Thomas Centre for a look around exhibits that bring history and culture to life or head out to the famous cottage where the poet spent a lot of his writing time, there’s a lot to love about a literary day trip to Swansea. 

Uncover the magic of Stonehenge

There is a ton of mythology and theory that surround the huge stone circle that is Stonehenge. As this ancient site is only a two-hour drive from central Cardiff, it’s well worth journeying out and seeing this majestic landmark up close. 

Thought to be built and erected around 2500 BC, the mystery surrounding how the stones got here and what they mean has prevailed for centuries. Was it for a Pagan ritual? Is it a coincidence? Were our ancestors super strong Gods? These are all popular theories around the mighty Stonehenge. 

To avoid the queues, make sure you get your Stonehenge ticket beforehand!

All in all, taking a day trip from Cardiff is a great way to enrich your Wales city break and escape the hustle and bustle. What is your favourite Cardiff day trip? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll make sure to check it out the next time I visit. 

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33 Best day trips from Cardiff you can take

• David Angel
• Wales , United Kingdom

Looking for the best day trips from Cardiff? Brilliant! That’s exactly what you’ll find here.

Cardiff offers an ideal base for exploring the best of South Wales, and Mid and West Wales are also within reach on longer day trips. Some of the most beautiful cities in England, including Bath, are also close by.

Some of the best Welsh castles are right on Cardiff’s doorstep. The glorious sandy Gower beaches are little more than an hour to the west. And the rugged sandstone peaks of the Brecon Beacons are even closer to the north.

In this detailed guide I give you an overview of each Cardiff day trip destination. This includes what to see and do on each day trip. I also give you tips on how to get there, including whether you can do the trip by public transport or you need to drive.

And I’ll also suggest some day tours from Cardiff where they are available. I hope this article gives you plenty of ideas.

Table of Contents

Day Trips in Cardiff & Around

1. caerphilly castle.

Caerphilly Castle is the best-known of the castles near Cardiff , and one of the top places to visit in Wales. I used to see this magnificent 13th-century monster looming over the town every morning on my way to school, and later, work. It’s one of the largest castles in Europe, built to a concentric design with surrounding lakes and moats.

I’ll always have a special affection for my home-town castle, but without any bias, it is one of the best castles in Wales and, indeed, the UK. It’s famous for its leaning tower which out-leans that of Pisa.

The visitor experience has greatly improved in the last few years, with more parts of Caerphilly Castle open than previously, and now have a lair occupied by smoke-breathing dragons.

Getting there: regular trains 20 minutes from Cardiff central, then a 10-minute downhill walk to the Castle entrance.

See Also: 14 Wonderful Things to Do In Caerphilly

2. Castell Coch

Your Cardiff sightseeing isn’t complete until you’ve visited Castell Coch , a fairytale 19 th century castle on a wooded hillside just outside the city.

Its name means the Red Castle, and it was a Welsh castle, as opposed to an occupying English one. It fell into ruin, but the site was revived by the Third Marquess of Bute, who was also responsible for the rebuilding and remodelling of Cardiff Castle. One of the most famous landmarks in Cardiff , it has also been voted the most popular landmark in Wales.

It’s a small turreted castle, looking like something out of Bohemia or Germany. Do not miss the interior, an opulently decorated masterpiece by the great Victorian architect, William Burges.

Getting there : easiest by car, otherwise buses 26 and 132 pass 1 km away. The driveway up to the castle is quite steep.

3. St Fagans National Museum of History

I’ll make a bold statement and say that Wales’ National Museum of History in St Fagans is one of the best museums in the world.

It’s a collection of historic Welsh buildings painstakingly rebuilt on a site just outside Cardiff, near the village of St Fagans. It also includes St Fagans Castle, a 16th-century manor house, and a beautiful series of formal gardens.

Highlights include a row of miners’ cottages with each house fitted and decorated in the style of a different period, a reconstructed 15th-century farmhouse and a medieval church complete with wall paintings.

A traditional old Cardiff pub (where I had a few pints myself) is currently being rebuilt there. A brilliant place to visit for all ages, one of the best things to do in Wales.

Getting there: Bus 320 departs from stop KN (Westgate Street) and stop KR (Castle Street).

4. Llandaff Cathedral

Llandaff Cathedral is a nice, easy trip from Cardiff, a 20-minute bus ride from the centre of Cardiff to Llandaff village on the #25. It’s one of the more intriguing places to go in Cardiff, with a fascinating cathedral in a dell near the river Taff. Parts of it date back to the 12 th century, but much of it was damaged by a Luftwaffe bomb in 1941.

It was rebuilt after World War II, and the interior is dominated by Jacob Epstein’s Christ in Majesty statue on an arch above the nave. The Lady Chapel at the east end is beautiful, with a lovely painted Gothic vault.

Llandaff village is also worth an hour or two of your time, with the garden of the ruined Bishop’s Palace a quiet place to sit and relax, and several cafes and pubs where you can replenish.

Getting there : Buses 24, 25, 62 and 63 stop a 5-minute walk

5. Dyffryn Gardens

Dyffryn House and Gardens

One of the best day trips from Cardiff is to nearby Dyffryn Gardens , less than ten miles from the city centre. It’s down a country lane near the village of St Nicholas. The Gardens were built in the early 20 th century Edwardian era to complement Dyffryn House, which had been completed in the 1890s.

We’ve visited in spring, summer and autumn and all are great times to visit. There are several different gardens, from the main house front with the fountain and lily pond to several smaller side gardens.

Getting there: By car is easier, otherwise buses stop in St Nicholas, from where it’s a 15-minute walk down the lane to Dyffryn.

6. Vale of Glamorgan

The Vale of Glamorgan starts where Cardiff finishes – as soon as you’re out of the western suburbs you’re out in glorious green countryside.  The Vale is a place to meander and take your time, driving the back roads, chancing upon small bucolic villages with the occasional thatched cottage and medieval church.

You’ll also come across some of the best pubs in South Wales on your travels, including The Bush in St Hilary and the Plough & Harrow in Monknash.

Don’t miss the old core of Llantwit Major, a beautiful old town with St Illtud’s Church, one of the best churches in Wales to visit.

Getting there : If you want any flexibility, you’ll need to drive.

7. Glamorgan Heritage Coast

Apart from Barry Island, the first decent beaches you’ll find as you head west are along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. It’s a small section of coast popular with local beach lovers, geologists and photographers alike.

Dunraven Bay in Southerndown is one of the best beaches in South Wales, with superb stratified cliffs, rock formations and a huge swathe of golden sand at low tide.

Photographers love the rocky beach a few miles south at Nash Point, famous for its wave-cut platforms.

Getting there: by car to Nash Point, or bus 303 stops in Southerndown, a 10-minute walk up the hill from the beach.

The Victorian seaside town of Penarth is one of the easiest day trips from Cardiff, 15 minutes away by train from Cardiff Central.

It grew in the 19 th century with holidaymakers from Wales, the English Midlands and South West visiting regularly. The town has several grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings, but the best part of Penarth is the Esplanade along the seafront.

The beach is pebbly, with great views out to the Bristol Channel, Flat Holm (see below), Steep Holm island and the Somerset coast.

The recently restored Penarth Pier is a delight, an Art Deco beauty stretching out beyond the beach into the sea. One of the best restaurants in Wales, Restaurant James Sommerin, is a short walk along the Esplanade.

Getting there: Regular trains and buses from Cardiff.

9. Flat Holm

One of the most unusual day tours from Cardiff is the boat trip to Flat Holm from Cardiff Bay. Flat Holm is one of the most intriguing Welsh islands , situated five miles south of Cardiff and part of the county of Cardiff. Its history goes back millennia.

The Welsh saint Cadoc lived there in the 6 th century AD. In the 19 th century it served as a cholera hospital, and in 1897 famously was the first place to receive a radio message across open water. It was sent by Guglielmo Marconi at Lavernock Point, a few miles away near Penarth.

10. Llancaiach Fawr

Llancaiach Fawr is a late medieval manor house in the Rhymney Valley countryside to the north of Caerphilly. It’s one of the most unusual days out in South Wales, as you step back in time to 1645 and the time of the English Civil War (it was the Welsh Civil War too, for that matter).

It’s a living history museum where the guides are actors, playing characters from the 1640s. It’s all done with a dash of light humour, and a great way to glimpse the past, with or without kids.

They also run ghost tours in the colder months. Llancaiach Fawr Manor is purportedly one of the ten most haunted houses in the UK, and if anywhere is going to convince you that ghosts exist, this is the place.

Getting there: Driving is the most convenient option from Cardiff – it’s just off the B4254 road near the village of Nelson. If you’re travelling by bus, the C16 Caerphilly to Nelson service and the X38 Pontypridd to Bargoed services stop outside.

11. Barry Island

Barry Island was always one of the most popular Cardiff day trips with locals, and during my childhood we’d go there at least twice every summer holiday. It’s one of the easiest seaside day trips from Cardiff, less than half an hour away by train (followed by a five-minute walk).

The main beach, Whitmore Bay, is the best beach near Cardiff, and the fish and chips are still as good as they were when I was a kid. There’s also a funfair next to the beach where we took our little fellow for his first-ever fairground rides.

Barry Island is far more widely known than when I was a child because it’s the setting for the popular BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey which, I must confess, I haven’t seen.

Getting there: Train from Cardiff Central to Barry Island.

12. Tredegar House, Newport

Tredegar House is one of the finest stately homes in Wales. It’s on the outskirts of Newport, Wales’ third largest city. Its handsome red brick exterior dominates the lovely gardens, and the interior is one of the grandest in Wales.

It dates back to the 17 th century, and was home to the wealthy Morgan family, one of the most powerful in South Wales, until 1951 when the last Baron Tredegar died childless, and the house and its contents were sold off. Tredegar House has been run by the National Trust since 2012.

Getting there: It’s close to M4 junction 28 if you’re travelling by car. Alternatively the number 30 Cardiff to Newport bus stops at Cleppa Park, a 10-15 minute walk from the entrance.

Day Trips from Cardiff to the West

1. porthcawl.

Porthcawl is one of the larger seaside towns in Wales, but doesn’t seem to get a lot of attention beyond wales. It’s the traditional destination of the old Miners’ Fortnight, when the pit workers from the nearby South Wales Valleys would get their annual dose of sea and sun.

The mines are long gone, but it’s still very popular with people from the area. Porthcawl has some great beaches – Rest Bay is our favourite, and it’s also a popular South Wales surfing beach.

Porthcawl is also a popular destination during stormy weather, when photographers gather to capture waves crashing over the town’s small lighthouse and breakwater wall. In late September or early October it plays host to the Elvis Festival, which is always great fun.

Getting there: Driving is the easier option, otherwise a bus and train from Cardiff via Bridgend will take you an hour and a half each way.

I’ve never quite warmed to Swansea, the second largest city in Wales, but it does have a lot going for it. Its setting is superb, with one of the best city beaches in the UK sweeping all the way down to Mumbles Head. It sustained catastrophic damage in air raids in World War II, and the city centre has never quite recovered.

The city is worth visiting for one of the best museums in Wales, the National Waterfront Museum, which delves into Wales’ maritime history. It’s also the birthplace of writer Dylan Thomas, and you can visit 5 Cwmdonkin Drive his birthplace.

Getting there: The Cardiff to Swansea train takes under an hour. It’s also the first leg of journeys to the other places we describe in this section.

3. Mumbles & Pier

Mumbles is Swansea’s seaside suburb, and completely different in feel to the city. It’s one of the most pleasant day trips in Wales, with a lovely walk along the promenade, plenty of cafes and ice cream to keep you going, and a traditional old pier.

At the end of the peninsula, Mumbles Head is a series of islets, one with a scenic lighthouse. You can also walk to beautiful Bracelet Bay, a great kid-friendly beach at low tide with fine lighthouse views.

Back in Mumbles village, medieval Oystermouth Castle beckons you for further exploration.

Getting there: Train to Swansea, then bus 2 or 3 to Oystermouth.

4. Rhossili & Gower

The Gower Peninsula beaches to the west of Swansea are among the best places to visit in Wales.  The westernmost beach, Rhossili Bay , is regularly voted among the best beaches in Europe or indeed the world.

And it is just that, a gorgeous sweep of golden sand 5 km (3 miles long), It also has outstanding coastal walks with other small, secluded beaches close by.

Three Cliffs Bay is another classic Gower beach and, like Rhossili, involves some walking to reach.

Getting there : Time-wise the easiest thing to do is drive to Gower. Otherwise travel to Swansea by train then walk to the bus station and catch the 118 to Rhossili, or the 14 to Pennard Cliffs for Three Cliffs Bay. You can get to see both Rhossili and Three Cliffs in a day if you’re driving, but not if you’re travelling by bus.

5. Carreg Cennen Castle

Carreg Cennen is one of several fine castles in Carmarthenshire, the west Wales county between Swansea and Pembrokeshire. It’s the most dramatically sited of all the castles in South Wales , on the summit of a sheer 100-metre cliff and with the Black Mountain escarpment of the Brecon Beacons looming high above.

It’s one of the most enjoyable castles in Wales to visit – the ticket office is on a farm, and you walk up the hill from there to the castle.

Getting there – this one requires a car. The nearest public transport gets you is four miles (6 km) away, in the nearest town, Llandeilo.

6. Laugharne

One of the most popular things to do in southwest Wales is to follow in the footsteps of Dylan Thomas, who is probably the best-known Welsh writer internationally.

The Dylan Thomas Boat House features on many tours of Wales. He lived in this beautiful riverside house the last four years of his life, and would often spend time in his writing shed, a short walk away. 

A short walk down the estuary, Laugharne Castle is one of the best things to see in Carmarthenshire, a stout 12 th -13 th century fortress overlooking the wide estuary.

You can also visit Dylan Thomas’ favourite watering hole, Browns Hotel, and his grave in the nearby St Martin’s Churchyard.

Getting there: Less than 2 hours by car via Carmarthen, the A40 and then the A4066 from St Clears. Otherwise, it’s a train or bus to Carmarthen, then a bus to Laugharne.

Cardiff to Pembrokeshire makes for a long day out, but it can be done – we have, many times over. If you have one spare sunny day forecast, move mountains to go to Tenby. Tenby is incomparable, easily one of the most beautiful towns in the UK and best beach resorts in Europe.

It has no less than three of the best beaches in the UK, one of the most picturesque harbours you could ever hope to see and a set of medieval town walls.

See Also: Tenby Beaches – 4 of the Most Beautiful Beaches in Wales

Getting there: It’s two hours by car from Cardiff, or around three hours by train. You normally have to change at Carmarthen station – make sure you catch the onward service to Pembroke Dock, and not the train to Milford Haven.

8. St David’s Pembrokeshire

St Davids is the smallest city in the UK, and like Tenby, warrants a stay of a night or two to get the most out of it. However, if this is your one chance to visit St Davids, grab it. It’s a 2-hour drive from Cardiff, and a world away from the Welsh capital.

It’s home to St David’s Cathedral, the most impressive church in Wales and probably the nearest the country has to a spiritual home.

Some Wales day tours also make the trip out to St Davids.

You can also enjoy a boat trip to Ramsey Island and its seabirds and colonies of Atlantic grey seals. Otherwise, discover some of the best beaches in Wales, including Whitesands Bay, and some of the best walks in South Wales around the St Davids coastline.

Getting there: A 2-hour drive or a 4-to-5 hour trek by train to Haverfordwest, followed by a bus to St Davids.

Day Trips To The North & East of Cardiff

1.brecon beacons national park – bannau brycheiniog.

The Brecon Beacons is one of three National Parks in Wales, along with the Pembrokeshire Coast and Snowdonia. It stretches from the English border at Hay-on-Wye to Carmarthenshire, from the Black Mountains in the east, past the central Brecon Beacons range and out to the wild moorlands of the Black Mountain in the west.

Cardiff to Brecon takes less than an hour by car,  and for many the many mountain walks there are the best things to do in South Wales.

The terrain is varied, from long sandstone mountain ridges to deep limestone valleys. The Brecon Beacons waterfalls – between Ystradfellte and Pontneddfechan – are very popular, and well worth a stopover at some point.

If you’re pushed for time, several South Wales tours departing from Cardiff give you a great introduction to the area.

Getting there: The Beacons are best explored by car, by which they are less than an hour north of Cardiff. The T4 bus passes Pen y Fan (see below) but for anywhere other than this a car is the only option.

2. Walk up Pen Y Fan Mountain

If you approach Pen y Fan from Cardiff and the south, it doesn’t look that much of a mountain.

The most popular path up, from Pont ar Daf on the A470, gives the same impression. It’s only when you see it from Brecon, to the north, that you see it for what it is, an imposing peak, at 886 metres (2907 feet) the highest mountain in southern Britain. It’s something of a rite of passage, and one of the top things to do in the Brecon Beacons.

The walk up the busy ‘M4’ (named after the nearby motorway) takes between 40 minutes and an hour, while the much harder, more rewarding slog up from Upper Neuadd reservoir takes well over two hours.

Getting there : A drive up the A470 or the T4 bus to Storey Arms.

3. Visit Hay-On-W ye

It’s known as the second-hand book capital of the world, but there are other things to do in Hay-on-Wye besides. Around 20 bookshops have survived the internet, and it’s a wonderfully quirky, charming place to spend a day or so.

Some of the bookshops have diversified, with one of the originals, Booth Books, now offering a cinema and café as well as thousands of books to pore over.

The town also has several great pubs and restaurants, and is close to some of the best scenery in the Brecon Beacons, particularly up around Hay Bluff.

Getting there: By car or by bus from Brecon or Hereford.

4. Blaenavon World Heritage Site

South Wales was one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution in the 18 th and early 19 th centuries.

Until the mid-20 th century the coalfield was the most productive in the world. The village of Blaenavon, at the head of one of the Gwent valleys to the north-east of Cardiff, has an exceptionally well-preserved industrial landscape, and this was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, the second site in Wales to receive this designation after Edward I’s Castles in North Wales.  

Blaenavon has two of the best industrial south Wales tourist attractions, Big Pit National Coal Museum and Blaenavon Ironworks .

If you visit Blaenavon, also drive north out of the village on the B4247 road, over the Blorenge mountain where you see where industrial South Wales ends and rural South Wales begins.

Getting there: By car or bus from Newport

5. Tintern A bbey

Tintern Abbey should be high on any Wales sightseeing itinerary. It’s one of the places that gave birth to tourism in the UK, a dramatic 13th-century ruined Gothic church open to the elements.

If you’re travelling there by public transport, you have to change at Chepstow for the bus, so try to combine it with an hour at Chepstow Castle, one of the earliest medieval castles in Wales and best castles near Cardiff .

Getting there: Driving is the easiest option, otherwise it’s a Cardiff to Chepstow train (30-40 minutes), a short walk then a 20-minute bus ride to Tintern.

6 . Wye Valley

The scenic Wye Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty straddling the Wales-England border. The lower section of the wye, from Monmouth to Chepstow, is the most dramatic, with beautiful sections above the village of Llandogo, around Tintern Abbey and immediately to the north of Chepstow.

The Eagles Nest viewpoint is high up a mountain above the village of St Arvans. – persist to the top for one of the best views in Wales, including a meander of the river Wye and the Severn estuary beyond.  

This area is one of the best places to visit in Wales in autumn . We suggest a day’s drive to see some of the best Wye Valley scenery – if you concentrate in the Chepstow to Monmouth area, also make sure you get to Symonds Yat, across the border in Herefordshire.

Getting there : You’ll need a car for this one.

7. Three C astles

There are so many castles in South Wales to see that some, inevitably, get overlooked, especially if you’re short on time. If you stay in Wales for a while, one area you can delve deeper is rural Monmouthshire. The Three Castles – White Castle, Grosmont Castle and Skenfrith Castle – make for a wonderful day out exploring the gentle bucolic scenery.

They are clustered to the north and west of Monmouth, and are all close to the English border. White Castle is isolated on a ridge near Abergavenny, while Grosmont and Skenfrith are small, picturesque villages built around their respective castles.

Skenfrith is a particularly idyllic spot, and The Bell is a great place to stop by for a lengthy lunch.

Getting there: The only way to do this is to drive.

8. E lan Valley

The Elan Valley is a series of dammed reservoirs in the heart of remote Mid Wales. It’s the one part of the so-called ‘Green Desert’ of the Cambrian Mountains , which run through the centre of Wales, to be even remotely tamed.

It’s a little under two hours’ drive to the town of Rhayader, from where it’s another 10-15 minutes to the lakes.

Many just come for the scenic drive, which takes you past Caban Coch, Garreg Ddu, Pen-y-Garreg and Graig Goch lakes and their respective dams, before retuning to Rhayader.

You also pass through some of the dramatic upper reaches of the River Wye en route.

Getting there : only by car.  

Day Trips In England From C ardiff

Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in England. It’s over 2,000 years old, with much of the city dating from its 18th-century Georgian heyday. It’s all built in the local golden Bath sandstone, giving it the feel of a harmonious whole.

The Ancient Roman Baths, 15 th century Bath Abbey church and the 18 th century Pump Room are three of the most popular Bath attractions, and are located within metres of each other.

The rest of the city has some of the finest 18 th century architecture anywhere in the world, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cardiff is just an hour from Bath by train, so spending one day in Bath is easily done. Bath is also one of the most popular day trips from London.

Getting there: It’s an hour by train from Cardiff Central to Bath Spa.

See Also: 12 Famous Landmarks In Bath To Visit

Bristol is one of the best cities to visit in England, with incredible cultural riches to discover. That said, I pondered omitting it from this article because you won’t cover a great deal of ground on a day trip from Cardiff. Bristol is quite widely spread out, so getting to see it takes time.

The train from Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads station takes around 50 minutes. From there, walk the 10 minutes to the magnificent St Mary Redcliffe church, before hopping on the #9 bus up the hill to the suburb of Clifton.

This is full of beautiful Georgian terraces like nearby Bath. Eventually you’ll reach the Avon Gorge and Bristol’s greatest icon, the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Other options include visiting the splendid steam ship SS Great Britain in Bristol Harbour, or heading to Stokes Croft to see some of the best street art in the UK.

Getting there: It’s less than an hour by train to Bristol Temple Meads station. Otherwise coaches to Bristol take about the same time. If you’re driving, the M4 and M32 route takes you into the city centre.

Tiny Wells is one of the smallest cities in the UK, with a population of less than 10,000. It’s one of the most underrated cities in Europe , possibly because many visitors don’t even realise it’s a city. It has more of the feel of a small country town, albeit one with an unrivalled ecclesiastical treasure trove.

Wells Cathedral is an English Gothic masterpiece with a staggering west front with hundreds of statues. It also has some of the best-preserved cathedral precincts in Europe, including the Vicars Close, one of the most complete medieval streets in Europe.

Getting there: a 90-minute drive via the M5 junction 21 and 22, or train to Bristol Temple Meads followed by the 376 bus close by.

4. Hereford

We made several day trips to Hereford from Cardiff, which is easy as it’s only an hour away by train. There were always enough things to do in Hereford to keep us coming back for more. Hereford is one of the best hidden gems in England and its location not particularly close to anywhere large is probably what’s kept it that way.

Hereford Cathedral is a medieval treasure, with an amazing 13th-century map of the world, the Mappa Mundi. It’s in the heart of cider country, and the county has hundreds of orchards, particularly beautiful in May when the apple trees are in bloom. It’s also on the River Wye, close to some of the best scenery in the Wye Valley.

Getting there: This one’s easier by train – just an hour from Cardiff. Driving takes up to half an hour longer.

5. Gloucester

The old port city of Gloucester is an hour’s drive or train ride from Cardiff.The tower of Gloucester Cathedral dominates the view as you approach the city, and it’s the best thing to see there. It was built between the Norman (Romanesque) and Perpendicular periods.

It’s stunning inside and out, with an amazing 14th-century stained glass east window. The superb vaulted cloister has featured numerous times in Harry Potter movies, and are not to be missed.

Also check out the tiny Tailor of Gloucester museum dedicated to Beatrix Potter’s famous tale.

Getting there: it’s only an hour from Cardiff by train.

Cardiff Day Trips map

Best places to visit near Cardiff Q & A

Is it possible to do a day trip from cardiff to snowdonia .

Not really. It’s way too far. It’s a minimum three-hour drive each way, and it’s not an easy drive – the main A470 road from Cardiff to North Wales is often slow and winding, with a great many turns.

If you’re visiting Cardiff and also wish to see Snowdonia, we suggest staying in the latter for a while. There are a great many things to do in Betws-y-Coed , the main gateway to Snowdonia, which is a good jumping-off point for Mount Snowdon itself. A Snowdonia road trip would be a good introduction to the area, and our article has several short and one longer itinerary.

Otherwise if you prefer the coast, Barmouth is a unique seaside resort with an outstanding beach and the gorgeous Mawddach estuary.

Can you do some of these day trips from Cardiff by bus?

Yes. In a few cases, some of the trips we’ve listed, especially in the immediate Cardiff area, are easier by bus than train.

Other day trips we recommend can involve a change of public transport. If you want to visit Tintern Abbey, one of the best things to see in Wales, you have a 30-minute train journey to Chepstow, then a 20-minute bus ride up the Wye Valley to the Abbey. 

Day Trips From Cardiff – Final Words

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best day trips from Cardiff. As a local, I’ve been fortunate to road-test them all many times. Hopefully, my guide will help you get more out of your time Cardiff and South Wales.

If your time is limited to a few days, I suggest trying to cover some of the famous landmarks in Cardiff around the city’s outskirts. Castell Coch and the St Fagans Museum are the best of these. And you can combine either of these with a couple of hours at formidable Caerphilly Castle , the largest in Wales.

If you have time to venture further afield, my pick – and that of a great many friends – would be the Gower beaches west of Swansea. Rhossili Bay and Three Cliffs Bay are two of the best beaches in the UK. Indeed, Rhossili was once voted the third best beach in the world.

About the Author: David Angel , a Welsh photographer, writer, and historian, has over 30 years of experience exploring and photographing Wales. As former Art Director and Commissioning Editor for Visit Wales, he has explored every corner of this extraordinary country, climbed its mountains, and walked hundreds of miles along the breathtaking Welsh coastline and landscapes. He now uses a lifetime of experience to write comprehensive guides to help people like you discover and explore the best of Wales.  He is a native English speaker and fluent in Welsh.

Right, so where shall we go today? Hands up for the beach, hands up for the zoo. Choose cheap, fun family days out in Wales: perhaps a long walk up a mountain, or an amble round one of our free National Museums? Or are we in the mood for an adventure sport, or something less strenuous, preferably involving cake?

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10 of the best day trips from Cardiff

From southern Britain’s highest peak and a 14-mile coastal route to the spa city of Bath, the Welsh capital makes a great base for day trips.

An ancient fort and waterfront mark some of the main attractions in Wales’s capital city, but beyond the centre, Cardiff makes a great base for day trips. Rolling valleys and coastline stretch out from the city’s edges into more wild terrain, all reachable in less than 90 minutes. In the north, there are mountain ranges to climb and idyllic waterfalls to discover in the Brecon Beacons National Park; east will take you over the iconic Severn Bridges to cities like Bath and Bristol; or, head west for beautiful stretches of beaches and coastline. You could even venture south to discover remote islands in the Bristol Channel.

1. Dyffryn Gardens

The Grade II-listed Dyffryn House and its surrounding gardens is just a 25-minute drive away from the city. The Victorian mansion is owned and looked after by the National Trust and has 55 acres of manicured lawns, vegetable patches, landscaped gardens and an arboretum in its grounds. There’s also a collection of outdoor garden rooms here, as well as a rockery, a small canal, a tearoom and an outdoor adventure play area for children. While here, stroll around the nearby market town of Cowbridge, known for its quaint charm, independent boutiques and mansions.

2. Brecon Beacons National Park

Less than an hour’s drive north of Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons is the most-visited national park in Wales. There are mountains, forests, lakes and moorlands to explore. The town of Merthyr Tydfil is the starting point of many walking trails; it’s part of the National Cycle Route, too (there are bike rentals available in the town). Elsewhere, in the southwest corner of the park, is the Four Waterfalls Valley Walk. Four rivers run mountainside through the surrounding forest here and the walk is a gentle option. Start at the Sgwd yr Eira waterfall and follow the marked trail (doable in a few hours).

3. Flat Holm Island

This tiny Welsh island, lying in the Bristol Channel just five miles from Cardiff, feels wholly remote and wild, with just one regular inhabitant. Despite this, it holds a lot of history and attractions. Vikings, Anglo Saxons, smugglers, silver miners and monks have all at one point resided on the island and left their mark. There’s a well-preserved lighthouse and Victorian-era fortifications, but beyond the manmade sites it’s a great place to come for the day for its wildlife (it’s a popular choice for birdwatching) and views out across to England and Wales. Reach the island by water taxis running from the city centre .

4. Caerphilly

Less than an hour north of Cardiff, the main attraction in the town of Caerphilly is its 13th-century castle . It’s the largest in Wales, the second largest in the UK and a hub for medieval Celtic and British history. After a visit here, head to the Indoor Market, which has a selection of stalls selling Welsh produce and gifts — caerphilly cheese also originated in this town. En route back to Cardiff, if you have the energy, Caerphilly Mountain has a 6.6-mile circular trail that provides beautiful views over Cardiff and Cardiff Bay.

5. Wye Valley

Straddling the Welsh-English border, the Wye Valley is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With the River Wye running through it amid lush forest, limestone gorges and hills, it’s a great place for water-based activities, including kayaking, canoeing and standup paddleboarding. Walk the River Wye’s valley to Tintern Abbey (around five-and-a-half hours) and enjoy nearby cafes to refuel in. It’s best to drive to the valley (40 minutes from Cardiff) as there’s a scattering of small villages worth visiting while in the area that give insight into the local culture (Hay-on-Wye is the main town).

Bath is just over an hour away from Cardiff, either by train or car. The historic spa city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, first established during the Roman Empire, and has its own hot spring where you can soak in the thermal waters on a rooftop with views over the city, or dip in between steam rooms. The Roman Baths Museum holds the original bathing structure and is one of the city’s main attractions. Bath is a very walkable city and amid the bars and shops, there’s interesting Georgian architecture, plus the Bohemian district on Walcot Street to explore.

7. Pen y Fan

Deeper into the Brecon Beacons (just over an hour by car) is southern Britain’s highest peak, Pen y Fan. The popular hiking mountain rises to 2,864ft above sea level and has a good circular walking route that starts in the car park. This typically takes around three hours and has some difficult patches, but it includes great views along the way. There are three other route options that range from more gentle to tougher. There are burger vans and a cafe at the peak, plus a handful of pubs at the base of the mountain to refuel at.

8. Glamorgan Heritage Coast

This 14-mile coastal route between Aberthaw and Porthcawl is popular with walkers, cyclists and surfers. There are secluded coves, rock pools and sheer cliffs along the way, plus a mix of stone and sand beaches. There are villages and towns dotted along the coast, with beautiful inland views of rolling hills and narrow country lanes. The rocky beach of Nash Point is a great place to join the Welsh Coastal Path (the waters around this part are great for surfing and other watersports) while Ogmore-by-Sea is a sandy stretch that’s ideal for beach days filled with barbecues and lounging. Aberthaw is reachable in 30 minutes by car or under an hour by public transport.

Swansea is one of the oldest and largest cities in Wales. It’s located on the Gower Peninsula, an hour by car or train from Cardiff, and has built up a reputation as a cultural highlight of the country through its theatrical and artistic community (the Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts every October is a popular event). Beyond the buildings of the city, like the National Waterfront Museum, there are parks and gardens such as the botanical Clyne Gardens, which includes more than 2,000 species of plant and a nearby three-mile stretch of beach. Alternatively, head to Rhossili Bay — a great spot for surfing.

10. Bristol

Just across the River Severn, Bristol has plenty of scenic attractions, including the forested Avon Gorge. There are plenty of adventure options nearby, like hiking through the Clifton Downs, taking a hot air balloon ride over the city or standup paddleboarding in the harbour, but the city itself has plenty of draws. It’s become known for its sustainability efforts and street art, including works by Banksy. You can see some of his pieces in the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, where you can see more of Bristol’s eclectic art scene, too. The city is also packed with restaurants and bars to try out. It can be reached from Cardiff over the Severn Bridges (which have become an iconic symbol in itself) by train or car within an hour.

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Top Wales Day Trips

Day trips from wales.

• Wales to Cardiff
• Wales to Llanrwst
• Wales to Porthmadog
• Wales to Caerphilly
• Wales to Monmouth
• Wales to Victoria
• Wales to Wrexham
• Wales to Chepstow
• Wales to Potsdam
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. From Malta: Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers

2. Private Day Tour of South Wales, including Cardiff & Caerphilly Castle.

3. Private Welcome To Wrexham, and Beautiful North Wales Day Tour.

4. Cardiff by yourself with private driver - 4 or 8 hrs disposal by car or van

5. Cardiff’s Private Full-Day Bardic Journey

6. Private Doctor Who Tour of Cardiff and South Wales

7. Private Full-Day Wye Valley Tour

8. Vale of Glamorgan Tour

9. Private Doctor Who Day Tour of South Wales - Castles, Cardiff, and Doctor Who!

10. Private North West Wales Portmerion and Castles

11. Cardiff City and Dr. Who Movie Private Day Tour from London

12. Private Day Tour from Bath to Wonderful Wales with Pickup

13. Taste of North Wales - 8 Hour Private Tour from Conwy or Llandudno Area

14. Taste of North Wales - 8 Hour Private Tour from Bangor

15. Taste of North Wales - 8 Hour Private Tour from Chester

16. Taste of North Wales - 8 Hour Private Tour from Betws-y-Coed

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Cider Orchard and Vineyard Tour

What travellers are saying.

THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Wales

Day trips from wales.

• Wales to Cardiff
• Wales to Llanrwst
• Wales to Porthmadog
• Wales to Caerphilly
• Wales to Monmouth
• Wales to Victoria
• Wales to Wrexham
• Wales to Chepstow
• Wales to Potsdam
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. From Malta: Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers

2. Private Day Tour of South Wales, including Cardiff & Caerphilly Castle.

3. Private Welcome To Wrexham, and Beautiful North Wales Day Tour.

4. Cardiff by yourself with private driver - 4 or 8 hrs disposal by car or van

5. Cardiff’s Private Full-Day Bardic Journey

6. Private Doctor Who Tour of Cardiff and South Wales

7. Private Full-Day Wye Valley Tour

8. Vale of Glamorgan Tour

9. Private Doctor Who Day Tour of South Wales - Castles, Cardiff, and Doctor Who!

10. Private North West Wales Portmerion and Castles

11. Cardiff City and Dr. Who Movie Private Day Tour from London

12. Private Day Tour from Bath to Wonderful Wales with Pickup

13. Taste of North Wales - 8 Hour Private Tour from Conwy or Llandudno Area

14. Taste of North Wales - 8 Hour Private Tour from Bangor

15. Taste of North Wales - 8 Hour Private Tour from Chester

16. Taste of North Wales - 8 Hour Private Tour from Betws-y-Coed

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Cider Orchard and Vineyard Tour

What travellers are saying.

16 GREAT Day Trips From Cardiff In Wales & England!

Categories England , U.K , Wales

Options for the best day trips from Cardiff extend well into South West Wales and into South England thanks to great motorways and trains from Cardiff.

Day Trips from Cardiff include hiking in the Brecon Beacons and Malvern Hills . Getting some fresh sea air on the Gower and West Coast of Wales , having some seaside fun in Tenby and Weston-Super-Mare and learning about history in Bath and the Wye Valley .

Whether you live in or near Cardiff, or you are visiting Cardiff as a tourist, here are the top Cardiff day trips and Cardiff days out you can go on all year round!

Having a car is the best way to do a day trip from Cardiff, however I have noted many day trips from Cardiff by train below, and tours from Cardiff you can book onto with a guide and coach!

Day Trips From Cardiff

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here!

Cardiff Day Tours

There are also many Cardiff day tours on offer, especially for South Wales which are perfect if you do not have a car and when public transport is limited so I have noted the best day tours from Cardiff within the options below.

Cardiff Day Trips

1. gower peninsula.

For some fresh Welsh air the Gower Peninsula very close to Swansea is one of the best day trips from Cardiff you can go on!

Rhossili Bay in the South is now a really famous spot in wales thanks to the view of the beach becoming so iconic. You can head down to the beach for a long walk or walk up to Worms Head Causeway .

The Mumbles is another place to visit on the Gower Peninsula on this Cardiff day trip which is a pretty seaside town complete with a seaside pier full of entertainment.

Three Cliffs Bay is a popular beach to go to because of the Three Cliffs rock formation and there is a great coastal walk to nearby beaches!

As you drive around the Gower Peninsula from Cardiff you’ll see wild ponies and incredible views the whole way. It’s like being on an island but in an easy location close to Swansea and Cardiff making it one of the best day trips from Cardiff.

How to do a Gower day trip from Cardiff?

You’ll need a car to do this day trip from Cardiff to the Gower Peninsula easily due to its location, although there are buses from Swansea City onto the Gower too.

However, if you don’t have a car and perhaps you are visiting Cardiff as a tourist, there are Cardiff day tours from Cardiff to the Gower Peninsula.

This 8 hour Gower Peninsula Day Tour will show you the best of the Gower with a stop in Swansea on the way and is full of hiking and incredible views!

2. Barry Island

Even though Barry Island is not actually an Island (anymore) it is the closest you’ll get to Cardiff to an island on a day trip from Cardiff. Head to Barry Island for some seaside fun on the fairground , playing crazy golf and eating rock and candy floss as you do on a British holiday.

If you’re a tourist in Wales you may be drawn to Barry Island because of Gavin and Stacey and yes, you can do a Gavin and Stacey tour to see the filming locations! This 3 hour Gavin and Stacey Tour in Barry Island is the best one to book and it must be booked online!

How to do a Barry Island day trip from Cardiff?

Cardiff to Barry Island takes just over 30 minutes by car and also 30 minutes by train from Cardiff Central Station making it one of the easy day trips from Cardiff by train.

You can also get a ticket for as little as £3.80 each way and from Barry Island Station you can walk to see everything you’d want to see!

• For more of my Wales Posts see:
• 10 Direct City Breaks From Cardiff For An Easy Holiday from Cardiff!
• How To Spend One Day in Cardiff! A Lush Cardiff Itinerary!
• Beautiful Staycations in Wales!
• 2 Day North Wales Itinerary!
• Places to visit on a Wales Road Trip!
• Amazing Glamping Pods in Wales with a Hot Tub!

3. Wye Valley

On the edge of Wales and England is the Wye Valley. This is one of the best day trips from Cardiff if you want to visit a few different places in one day but in one small area. The Wye Valley is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and here you can visit small villages and woodland.

Head to Tintern Abbey to explore the famous ghostly ruins of the Abbey and enjoy one of the nice cafes close by. For some history head to the nearby towns of Monmouth and Chepstow and some a little walk head to Symonds Yat viewpoint .

How to do a Wye Valley day trip from Cardiff?

The Wye Valley is just a 40 minute drive from Cardiff along the M4, with a car you will be able to drive to all of the places noted above for a great day out from Cardiff.

If you want to really get to know the history behind these villages, towns and ruins, and they do hold a lot of history, there are day tours from Cardiff to the Wye Valley. I recommend this Wye Valley tour which are reasonable in price and offer you a full 8-hour tour from Cardiff !

4. Brecon Beacons

For some fresh air, nature and to do some hiking, head to the Brecon Beacons to climb the highest mountain in South Wales.

I have a full blog post here on how to do Pen Y Fan Walk in the Brecon Beacons in just a few hours. There is a really good circular walk you can do from the car park, it’s hard but worth it!

If you want an easier walk but still an adventurous walk in nature, I recommend the Brecon Four Waterfalls Walk which you can do in a few hours!

Hay on Wye is a lovely village in the Brecon Beacons close to Cardiff if you love literature and don’t want to be out hiking.

How to do a Brecon Beacons day trip from Cardiff ?

There are a few ways you can do day trips from Cardiff to the Brecon Beacons. By car, it is around 1 hour 15 minutes from Cardiff via Merthyr Tydfil.

It is one of the harder day trips from Cardiff public transport because you can get a train from Cardiff Central to Merthyr Tydfil which takes 1 hour but from there you will need to get a taxi for about 20 minutes into the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is still do-able though.

Alternatively there are Wales tours from Cardiff which include the Brecon Beacons and stops in other places like Caerphilly Castle so you will get to see more of South Wales on a tour like this .

5. Caerphilly Castle & Caerphilly Mountain

Talking of Caerphilly Castle, for a really close and easy day trip from Cardiff or for somewhere to add into your day trip from Cardiff itinerary you can head to this 13th Century Fortress . Caerphilly Castle is a great place to visit with children from Cardiff.

Caerphilly Castle pairs well with visiting the Gower Peninsula, the Brecon Beacons and the Wye Valley.

You can also walk up and around Caerphilly Castle which is an easy walk to do but offers amazing views! See my post: Caerphilly Mountain Walk for more info.

How to get to Caerphilly Castle from Cardiff:

Caerphilly Castle from Cardiff is just a 30 minute drive. It’s also a day trip from Cardiff by train you can do because there is a train from Cardiff Central to Caerphilly with a short journey time of 15 minutes.

6. Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is the prettiest county in Wales in my opinion and in many others opinion.

There are so many beaches in Pembrokeshire and seaside towns. When visiting Pembrokeshire for 1 day from Cardiff on a day trip from Cardiff it will be best to visit the most Eastern side of Pembrokeshire to keep the journey time down and make sure you leave early in the morning to avoid the traffic.

The pretty and colourful town of Tenby is a good place to visit on a day trip from Cardiff to Pembrokeshire and from here you can also visit the nearby beach of Saundersfoot , you can also do a brilliant walk along part of the Pembrokeshire coast walking from Tenby to Saundersfoot .

How to do a Pembrokeshire day trip from Cardiff?

Cardiff to Tenby is a 1 hour 50-minute drive. Driving is the best option but there is a train from Cardiff to Tenby , usually with a change in Carmarthen so with a full day out from Cardiff, it is possible to do!

Also see: Things to do in Saundersfoot! , How To Visit the Bosherston Lilly Ponds! , How to Get to Barafundle Bay!

7. Oakwood Theme Park

For a family fun day out from Cardiff head to Oakwood Theme Park , Wales biggest theme park !

Oakwood is located in Pembrokeshire very close to Tenby mentioned above but you can easily spend a whole day in Oakwood on its rides so I wouldn’t plan to visit many other places on this day trip from Cardiff.

How to do a Oakwood Theme Park day trip from Cardiff?

Cardiff to Oakwood is a 1 hour 45-minute drive and driving is the best way due to there not being a train station near Oakwood. However, this could be a day trip from Cardiff by coach if you look into arranged Cardiff tours to Oakwood which include coach travel.

8. Aberporth

Aberporth is a lovely big beach and seaside town close to Cardigan. It’s the perfect beach to visit on a sunny day but also nice for a winter beach walk and to visit one of the cafes in town afterwards.

How to get to Aberporth from Cardiff:

This day trip from Cardiff is best to do if you have a car as it is just over 2 hours from Cardiff via Carmarthen.

Day Trips from Cardiff to England

For a really easy day trip from Cardiff into England, head to Bristol. Bristol city has become really cool in the last few years.

It’s become really famous for its street art , including pieces by Banksy which are great pieces to find on your day trip from Cardiff to Bristol.

The Brunel’s SS Great Britain is a living museum and one of the top attractions in Bristol to visit.

How to do a Bristol day trip from Cardiff?

Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads Station is just 45 minutes by train and you’ll be in the centre of Bristol and tickets can be purchased for just £6.00 each way .

For an even cheaper option for £3.00 each way this is one of the day trips to Cardiff by coach as the coach from Cardiff to Bristol takes 1 hour 15 minutes.

Yes you can do a day trip to Cardiff from London thanks to the quick 2 hour train journey from Cardiff Central to London Paddington Station. I recommend people to do a day trip from London to Cardiff , so you can definitely spend one day in London from Cardiff too!

Once in London, you can visit all of the top sights including walking along the River Thames to see Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Big Ben . If you want markets and street food on your day trip from Cardiff to London, head to Camden Market or Shoreditch .

How to do a London day trip from Cardiff?

Train is the best way to get from Cardiff to London so you can avoid parking and driving in London.

Although there are many trains from Cardiff to London , getting the train that is just 2 hours is going to be best to give you more time to spend in London.

Related: How To Do A Cardiff Day Trip from London With Things To Do in Cardiff!

11. Malvern Hills

For more hiking options on your day trips from Cardiff, head into England into the Malvern Hills.

Located across 3 counties- Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire there are many Malvern Hills walks that you can do including walking along the Malvern Ridge and British Camp .

How to get to the Malvern Hills from Cardiff ?

Car is the best way to do this day trip from Cardiff and you can drive from Cardiff to the Malvern Hills in 1 hour 30 minutes via Ross on Wye.

To make this a day trip from Cardiff by public transport you can get to Malvern Link Station in 2 hours from Cardiff on the train and from there do one of the many Malvern Hill walks.

12. Weston-Super-Mare

Directly opposite Cardiff on the Bristol Channel is Weston-Super-Mare, a popular English seaside town.

Not everyone loves Weston-Super-Mare and if you’re looking for a pretty beachside town for your day trip from Cardiff, this isn’t it. But if you are willing to take it for what it is and experience a real English seaside experience with a tacky side, this is a good place to visit.

Go to the Pier, play some games , eat Fish and Chips at the beach and you’ll be in for a good day out from Cardiff.

How to get to Western Super Mare from Cardiff ?

Although close to Cardiff across the water, you do need to go all the way around Bristol Bay to drive there so it takes around 1 hour from Cardiff by car. There is also a direct train from Cardiff Central to Weston-Super-Mare which takes 1 hour 20 minutes making this one of the good day trips from Cardiff by train.

The historic and iconic city of Bath is a great day trip from Cardiff because of how close it is just past Bristol from Cardiff and once you are in Bath the city is very walkable.

There are many things to do on a day trip to Bath including visiting the Roman Baths Museum, Bath Abbey , going on a River Boat Cruise and going to find the popular Royal Circle.

How to do a Bath day trip from Cardiff?

Cardiff Central to Bath Spa Station by train is just over 1 hour and Cardiff to Bath by car is 1 hour 10 minutes using the M4 making it an easy day trip from Cardiff to do.

14. Cotswolds

The Cotswolds has to be one of the prettiest areas in England and is a very popular place to be, luckily it’s not far from Cardiff at all.

Castle Combe Village is a good place to visit in the Cotswolds from Cardiff because it is further South and therefore closer to Cardiff.

Castle Combe has had no new houses built in it since the 1600s and its well-preserved cottages are there for you to see along with St Andrews Church which is another popular place to visit in Castle Combe.

How to do a Cotswolds day trip from Cardiff?

How to get to the Cotswolds from Cardiff: Castle Combe in Cardiff is just a 1 hour drive from Cardiff along the M4.

The Cotswolds is not the ideal place to visit using public transport so visiting the Cotswolds by car from Cardiff is best.

15. Stonehenge

If you’re from Cardiff you may be bad for not seeing all of the tourist sights in your Country and this often means that many people from the UK have not been to Stonehenge and if this is the case, it’s time to change that as Stonehenge is a possible day trip from Cardiff.

Head to Stonehenge Visitor Centre and from here you can walk up a path to the Stone Circle or catch a regular bus organised by the visitor centre. You don’t need that much time at Stonehenge but it is a must-see UK attraction.

Stonehenge is very close to Bath and the Cotswolds so you can pair these days out from Cardiff together for the perfect family fun Cardiff day trips!

How to get to Stonehenge from Cardiff ?

Cardiff to Stonehenge is just less than 2 hours by car and if you stop off in Bath or the Cotswolds on the way back you can help break up the trip. Stonehenge isn’t possible to visit by train due to the lack of station nearby.

16. Birmingham

Birmingham is the second biggest city in the UK and is often overlooked for tourism but it is a great place to visit and you can see a lot of Birmingham in one day !

Birmingham is home to the Bull Ring which is a huge shopping centre, but aside from this it’s full of history in the Jewelery Quarter, nice walks along the Canal which in the centre of the city and good Asian food.

There are many day trips from Birmingham that also suit a day trip to Birmingham, for example, attractions close to Birmingham are Cadbury World and The Black Living County Museum .

How to do a Birmingham day trip from Cardiff?

Birmingham is surprisingly just a 2-hour drive from Cardiff up the M5. There is also a 2-hour train from Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street .

And there you have it, plenty of options for day trips from Cardiff to go on in Wales and England!

• Hiking Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons.
• How to Climb Snowdon from Pen Y Pass!
• 16 Beautiful Staycations in Wales!
• Best Time to Visit Wales!
• Amazing Glamping Pods in North Wales!

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The Best Day Trips From Cardiff, Wales

If the Welsh shores and lush countryside call to you, then the capital city of Cardiff is the perfect starting point to discover the country’s southern coast. Hugged by the mountains in the north and seaside in the south, Cardiff is a nature-lover’s dream. Now that you’ve soaked up the castle views, shopped the famous arcades and strolled down Europe’s largest waterfront, you may be itching for more. Our local insiders have shared with us their favourite day trips from the capital city that will give you an even further taste of Wales’s idyllic landscape.

Looking for an ocean escape? Look no further than Rhossili Bay Beach, which was voted the third-best beach in Europe and the first area in the UK to be declared an Area of Outstanding Beauty. Nestled on the Gower Peninsula, Rhossili offers unspoiled terrain and sweeping seaside views. The best time to visit Rhossili is during the summer when over 250,000 sunflowers are in bloom. Soak in the beauty of the golden sunflower fields and stunning cliffside views overlooking the peninsula. Recommended by local insider Holly Brace

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

Waterfall Country

Lace up your hiking boots and take in the beauty and folklore of the Welsh woodlands at Brecon Beacons National Park. Here you’ll find Waterfall Country; aptly named for having the most waterfalls, caves and gorges in Britain. Follow the tree-lined footpaths around babbling brooks and cascading waters until you reach Sgwd yr Eira falls. If you don’t mind getting a bit wet, wander behind the falls for a real treat. Waterfall Country is the ideal spot for travellers looking to spend an enchanting day hiking or walking through serene, mystical forests. Recommended by local insider Holly Brace

Garth Mountain, Cardiff

If you’re longing for a peaceful hike without straying too far from the capital city, Garth Mountain is located just outside Cardiff between Llantwit Fardre and Pentyrch. Don’t let the name fool you, Garth Mountain offers easy walking trails for all fitness levels and rewards with a 360-degree vista of Cardiff and the Bristol Channel. The summit’s scenic view is an Instagrammable dream at any time of the day, but is particularly magical during sunrise and sunset. Recommended by local insider Annis Ince

Amelia Trust Farm, Barry

The Amelia Trust Farm is the ultimate family-friendly experience. Located in the town of Barry, this educational sanctuary offers 160 acres (65 hectares) of outdoor play for the little ones including a life-sized chess board that even adults will love. Feed the animals, take a mystical fairyland walk or try your hand at jewellery making and other crafts. If you work up an appetite, The Farm Kitchen café serves up some delicious cheese and chutney sandwiches. Recommended by local insider Annis Ince

With seven beaches and plenty of coastal walking paths, it’s no surprise that Porthcawl is a popular seaside haunt for couples and families. Along with local culture, quaint shopping and renowned golf courses, Porthcawl is also host to the world’s biggest Elvis festival every September. Make the beach your own backyard by staying a weekend at the popular Trecco Bay Holiday Park, which has tons of both sporty and relaxing activities and entertainment for the whole family. Recommended by local insider Holly Brace

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Best day trips from Cardiff: 3 epic Welsh escapes

Cardiff is a stunning city to visit and discover, and the Welsh capital is also the gateway to South Wales . From the magnificent Brecon Beacons National Park to the arresting Rhossili Bay and the majestic Raglan Castle, South Wales is filled with wonders. This awe-inspiring region offers spectacular scenery from coastline to mountain peak, and provides epic Welsh escapes.

If you are based in Cardiff and you wish to explore and tour South Wales, I would recommend the following three day trips.

Contents: 1. The magnificent Brecon Beacons National Park 2. The charming Monmouthshire County 3. The striking Gower Peninsula

Day trip 1: The magnificent Brecon Beacons National Park

If you do just one day trip from Cardiff, I would urge you to go and explore the Brecon Beacons. Simply drive through the national park and you will discover the wild landscape, rocky peaks and breathtaking scenery that make the Brecon Beacons a sight for sore eyes and a soothing balm for the soul.

Located an hour and a half north of Cardiff and stretching for 520 square miles, the Brecon Beacons National Park encompasses four mountain ranges: the Black Mountains to the east, the Black Mountain and Fforest Fawr Massif to the west, and the Brecon Beacons in the centre.

Walking in the Brecon Beacons National Park

To explore the Brecon Beacons to the fullest, I would recommend you walk. There are multiple hiking trails of various types and difficulties available. They all offer splendid views stretching across the mountain ranges, South Wales and sometimes even to South West England.

The Horseshoe Ridge hike is a challenging but rewarding walk in the heart of the Brecon Beacons national park. This awe-inspiring trail takes you across wild Welsh moorland and up the four majestic peaks of Corn Du, Pen y Fan (the highest peak in Southern Britain), Cribyn and Fan y Big, and offers magnificent scenery. Explore the Brecon Beacons with the Horseshoe Ridge walk guide .

Featuring majestic mountains, peaceful lakes and breathtaking views, the Llyn y Fan Fach walk enjoys spectacular views of the Brecon Beacons, Pen y Fan, the Gower, South Wales and the Bristol Channel. This mountain walk first explores the peaceful lakes of Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr, before ascending the majestic mountains and leading you along the ridge. Find the Llyn y Fan Fach walk guide .

For more walking inspiration, check out the Brecon Beacons walk guides .

The mining museum of Blaenavon

In the 19 th century, Wales was a mining country and produced most of the world’s iron and coal. Located on the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons, the town and mine of Blaenavon is the best preserved example of this industrial past. Crowned a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this village showcases life as it was in the mines and mining communities.

Not only can you visit the furnaces, quarries and mines, but you can also explore the typical streets and life-size exhibitions and let yourself be transported back to the 19 th century. For more information, please visit visitblaenavon.co.uk .

Day trip 2: The charming Monmouthshire County

Monmouthshire is the eastern-most county in South Wales and borders England. An hour away from Cardiff, this region offers lush green valleys, magnificent castles and charming market towns. During your tour of Monmouthshire, I would recommend you visit the majestic Raglan castle, the enchanting Wye Valley and awe-inspiring Tintern Abbey, as well as the delightful trio of fortresses of Grosmont, Skenfirth and Whitecastle.

The majestic Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle is, in my opinion, one of the best examples of medieval castles in South Wales. Even though the fortress is in ruins today, Raglan Castle is nonetheless imposing and majestic. Built to impress in the 15 th century, the fortress boasts striking octagonal towers, a remarkable gatehouse and splendid views of the surrounding countryside. Walking through the courtyard and towers, you can easily escape to medieval times and imagine life as it was then. For more information, please visit cadw.gov.wales .

The enchanting Wye Valley and Tintern Abbey

The enchanting Wye Valley runs along the English border from the cities of Monmouth to Chepstow.  Crowned an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the wooded valley offers a peaceful escape to lush green landscapes and charming market towns. To explore the Wye Valley to the fullest, I would recommend driving through the vale, walking along the river and up the hills, and getting lost in the arresting beauty. Explore the enchanting valley with the Welsh Wye Valley guide .

Nested in the heart of the Wye Valley is the awe-inspiring Tintern Abbey. The ruins of the 13 th century Cistercian abbey offer striking Gothic architecture, magnificent archways and breathtaking windows. With the sun streaming through the remarkable casements, you are wonderstruck by the arresting structure, rendered even more impressive by the missing panes and roof. For more information, please visit cadw.gov.wales .

The three delightful castles of Grosmont, Skenfirth and Whitecastle

The trio of fortresses of Grosmont, Skenfirth and Whitecastle are usually associated as all three were rebuilt by Hubert de Burgh in the 13 th century and are within half a dozen of miles of each other. Dotting the Monmouthshire countryside, these delightful Norman castles are striking remnants of medieval times. Walking through their crumbling walls, you can feel the fortresses’ vibrant auras pulsing through their stones. For more information, please visit cadw.gov.wales .

Day trip 3: The striking Gower Peninsula

The striking Gower Peninsula are an hour away to the west of Cardiff.  Jutting out into the Bristol Channel, Swansea and Gower comprise rugged landscape, arresting scenery and spectacular escapes. From the breathtaking Rhossili Bay to the delightful Mumbles seaside resort, the region offers one of the best day trips from Cardiff.

Mumbles & the amusing Mumbles Pier

The town of Mumbles is a lovely seaside resort just outside Swansea, and its main attraction is the Mumbles Pier. Built in 1898, this Victorian pier offers a fun escape to turn-of-the-century entertainment. From delightful amusements to stunning views, Mumbles Pier juts out into the sea in all its iron beauty and continuously enchants its visitors. For more information, please visit mumbles-pier.co.uk .

The Gower Peninsula offers spectacular coastal scenery and miles of coastal paths waiting to be explored. From Mumbles, you can follow the coastal path to Limeslade Bay, Langland Bay and Caswell Bay and enjoy breathtaking views of the rugged coast. On the way, you can even stop off the beach for a well-deserved break.

The arresting Rhossili Bay

Rhossili Bay is the best attraction of the Gower Peninsula, and offers breathtaking cliffs, a stunning beach and arresting scenery. Voted one of the best beaches in the United Kingdom, Rhossili Bay is a sight for sore eyes. Walking along the coast or enjoying the white sand beach, the magnificent views of the striking cliffs will captivate and enthral you.

Please note that Rhossili Bay is very busy during the summer. To beat the crowds you need to arrive early.

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Find the right tour for you through Wales. We've got 17 adventures going to Wales, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 12 days. The most popular month to go is September, which has the largest number of tour departures.

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Our tour of Wales was excellent. Julia our guide was the best I have ever encountered. She was incredibly knowledgeable and absolutely delightful! She made all the difference. If she were my employee, I would give her a pay raise and a promotion>

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