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ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Adventure Travel is the new name for NAT Group, representing a fresh new chapter in our quickly evolving business. Our bus division provides public bus services in South Wales, serving Cardiff, Swansea, Pontypridd, Newport and beyond.

Adventure Travel also run the shuttle bus service 905 between Cardiff Airport and the nearby Rhoose Cardiff Airport railway station.

• South Wales

© Hawlfraint y Goron / Crown Copyright

Dunraven Bay, Glamorgan Heritage Coast

Activities for an adventure-filled day out near Cardiff, South Wales

Cities invite a certain level of burnout if you stay in them long enough. But the call of wild is never far away. Step away from Cardiff city centre for a brand new adventure. A short journey, but a whole world away. 

Whether it’s replenishing adventure in wide open spaces, out of the box activities or life-affirming days out. Ideal for making memories and forging new connections, these adventure-filled days out will keep your Instagram feed busy and your memory bank overflowing.

Be a shepherd: look after an alpaca

Alpacas may not be front of mind when it comes to planning your Welsh adventures. But with rolling green pastures and open spaces, Wales is an ideal place for animal sanctuaries to thrive. Visitors  Amazing Alpacas near Earlswood, Monmouthshire can spend time meeting the herd, learning all about how to care for alpacas and of course, feeding the herd. Some of the more affectionate ones might even move in for a ‘cwtch’ (cuddle). Alternatively,  Alpaca my Boots offer alpaca trekking in the stunning heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).

Amazing Alpacas

Alpaca my Boots

Have wheely good fun.

Enjoy two or four wheels adventures. Tailor the level of adventure to your skills and choose a mountain biking centre, such as BikePark Wales in Merthyr Tydfil, Wye MTB in the Wye Valley or  Black Mountains Cycle Centre , Abergavenny. Each offers routes suitable for children and beginners through to seasoned downhill bikers. Alternatively have a go at indoor race karting at Supakart Newport , the largest and fastest track in Wales and the West.

BikePark Wales

Black Mountains Cycle Centre

Supakart Newport

Go on an aerial adventure.

Take to the air at Zip World Tower in Aberdare and enjoy a zip wire ride. There's Phoenix, the fastest seated zip line in the world and Tower Flyer zip line rides, suitable for children. There's also Tower Climber, an adventure activity course and the first two-seater roller coaster of its kind in Europe, Tower Coaster.

Zip World Tower, South Wales

Ride a wave: morning surf

If you’re looking for some family fun or feeling delicate after sampling Cardiff nightlife, then shaking off the cobwebs with a dip in the sea could be just the ticket. Just a short distance away from the city buzz, there are ample opportunities to experience the invigorating Welsh sea. The nearby beachside town of Porthcawl is ideally situated for surf conditions, facing a westerly direction and right in the path of the Welsh coast’s Atlantic swells. The bays and coves of Coney Beach, Trecco Bay, Newton and Rest Bay are also perfectly situated for plenty of post-surf drinks and treats along the esplanade, seafront and harbourside.

Rest Bay Beach, Porthcawl and Dunraven Bay, South Wales

Find your inner mermaid: open water swimming

Swimming in open water is very different to swimming in a pool. Unseen currents, cold water and waves make wild swimming much more challenging. Join a local club or learn from experts before taking the plunge - we always recommend using a guide or swimming with a club in open water. Read more top tips on how to swim safely .

The Scandinavians aren’t the only ones with an affinity for invigorating dips outdoors. There are plenty of locations to go open water and wild swimming  in Wales.  Llandegfedd Lake , in Pontypool, and Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoirs , in Cardiff are owned by Dŵr Cymru and accredited as Swim Wales S.A.F.E Cymru sites. 

If you are a confident swimmer you can try out the various courses which range from around 100m – 300m, all with lifeguard supervision. You’ll start with an induction session - these usually take place from May to October. Unauthorised swimming in reservoirs can pose a danger to life, so these supervised sessions are a perfect way to enjoy the water safely.

On the rocks: canyoning and gorge walking

A paradise for adrenaline junkies, the lush landscapes of Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) are a veritable feast of adventure and absolutely teeming with rivers, gorges, ledges, waterfalls and pools. There are plenty of operators giving you the chance to gorge walk and go canyoning , so expect to hop boulders, scramble cascades, traverse and jump off hair-raising waterfalls to your heart’s content.

Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Mid Wales

Get muddy: assault course

Just twenty minutes from Cardiff, this muddy assault course at  Adventures Outdoor Activity Centre is the place for you and your friends to blow off steam. Ideal for team building and group adventures, this is an active adventure helping to bring your Ninja Warrior to the surface with Tyre Runs, Monkey Bars, Muddy Crawls and Vertical Walls to keep you busy. Even if you’re not in training for a super race, this muddy adventure will put your friendship to the test as you problem solve, scramble, slip and slide. After all that, there’s always Porthcawl nearby to rinse off and freshen up in the sea.

Adventures Activity Centre

© Adventures Activity Centre - www.adventureswales.co.uk

Drive a train: Gwili Steam Railway

Anyone who ever watched or read about the adventures of Thomas, The Railway Children or even Harry Potter will still have a soft spot for steam trains and railways. So these sentimental memories of picnic lunches, train conductors and coal-fired train engine horns whizzing in the distance will sing in your heart as you become a steam train driver for day with Gwili Steam Railway . Taster and day packages are available which will see you take the controls of a heritage locomotive railway and smell the burning coal as you trundle up the line (there’s always time for tea and sandwiches of course).

Gwili Railway, Carmarthen

© Scott Artus - www.artuscreative.co.uk

Search for more activities in South Wales

Be AdventureSmart: respect the water

Swimming in open water is very different to swimming in a pool, so it’s a good idea to swim at an organised venue where there will be a safety crew to provide guidance.

Our top tips for being safe when open water swimming are to:

• Wear a bright hat (bright green or bright orange are the best) and use a tow float so that you can be seen by other water users.
• Enter the water slowly and allow time for your body to get used to the cold.
• Check the tide times before swimming in the sea or in estuarine waters.
• If you are in difficulty in the water don’t panic, stay calm; attract attention by raising your hand and shouting for help.

Go to AdventureSmart.UK for all the information you need to help make your Welsh adventure both safe and fun!

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Enjoy a short stay in Cardiff

Explore Cardiff, a lively city with a warm Welsh welcome. Discover its attractions and see why it's the perfect destination for a city break.

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Company Offsites & Group Adventure Travel

Tailored multi-night group getaways in Portugal, Wales and Croatia. Rediscover the way you connect. Where will your adventure lead?

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Your partners for adventure

In a world where we often feel disconnected, is it time to reconnect offline on a Big Blue Adventure?

Organising a group trip can be stressful and time-consuming. Our dedicated team is here to take all the difficult tasks off your hands, providing you with a smooth planning experience. We offer a convenient one-stop-shop, specialising in tailor-made, quality company offsites and private group trips. Providing great group accommodation options, beginner-friendly outdoor activities, unique travel experiences and award-winning customer service. Plus, we’ll bring the good vibes by hosting our trips in-person. The question is, which of our great destinations will you choose?

• Company Offsites

Refresh and reconnect offline with a corporate team getaway that offers something different. Increase your productivity, wellbeing, and all-round happiness with exciting adventures that bring the team together. A company offsite for everyone to enjoy.

Create memories, build trust, and develop strong relationships to last – with no extra hassle for you.

Group Adventure Travel

Relax, socialise, and explore the wonderful world of adventure travel. Exciting activities in beautiful destinations, providing a package tailored to your group. We deliver award-winning multi-night trips for stag & hen dos, youth groups, film crews, and more.

Experience a group getaway like no other, bringing everyone together for an unforgettable adventure.

Explore our great locations

Discover somewhere new, or reimagine somewhere familiar, with hand-picked destinations that take you to the places we know and love. Kick back and relax in quality selected accommodation, and dive into your Big Blue Adventure with local tried & tested experiences. Good vibes start here.

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Why adventure with us?

Group specialists.

Group adventure travel that goes the extra mile. Enjoy a multi-night package hosted by award-winning specialists, tailor-made for your group (minimum 10 people). Our expert insight, your Big Blue Adventure.

Handpicked destinations

We spend a lot of time at our locations and know what works well for groups. Our handpicked destinations offer great accommodation options, good travel links and world-class adventures.

Quality group activities

We work as one big team with our local activity providers, making sure that together we offer a brilliant experience for groups. Each adventure has been tried & tested, and personally chosen by us.

Service and trust

Your travel funds are safe with us. We’re fully compliant with UK Package Travel Regulations by using Protected Trust Services (PTS), giving you peace of mind.

Eco-conscious Travel For Groups

We aim to keep the seas blue and the lands green; that’s why we make efforts to plan our group trips with sustainability in mind. We’re members of Mossy Earth and the Surfers Against Sewage Ocean Network, supporting their rewilding and beach cleaning efforts. Why not add some local tree planting or a beach clean to your own trip? Ensuring nature survives so that adventure can thrive.

Additionally, we’ll work with local independent providers for authentic activities, events, and goodies on your adventures wherever possible – giving back to the great locations we visit on our trips.

Our insights

5 lasting benefits of a company offsite

Employees working for companies whose teams remain remote, miss socializing with their colleagues in person. From having a chat on your coffee break, to training days and team building events, 73% of those working from home feel the loss of not seeing their teammates on a more regular basis.

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Boosting a remote team’s wellbeing through adventure

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Start planning your next getaway

Once you’ve figured out where to go and what you want to do, the next step is simple. Just get in touch – we’ll send you a quote or set up a no-strings-attached chat, online or by phone, to explore your ideal group trip.

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THE 10 BEST Adventurous Things to Do in Cardiff

Best adventurous things to do in cardiff.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• City Centre
• Adventurous
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Principality Stadium

2. Taff Valley Quad Bike & Activity Centre

3. Rhondda Heritage Park - A Welsh Coal Mining Experience

4. Cardiff ski and snowboard centre

5. Escape Reality Cardiff

6. Active Reality

7. Escape Rooms Cardiff

8. Adventure Rooms Cardiff

9. Lumberjack Axe Throwing

10. Boulders Indoor Climbing Centre

12. TeamSport Indoor Go Karting Cardiff

13. The Dead Canary

14. Exitus Escape Rooms

15. Infinity Trampoline Park Cardiff

16. Arrow Tag Wales

17. Amdani Fitertainment Park - Ninja Obstacle Course

18. Alcotraz Cardiff: Cell Block Nine-One

19. Pole Twisters

20. Cardiff International White Water

21. 4x4 Driving School

22. Blue Ocean Activities

23. Bay Island Voyages

24. BBC Tours

25. City Mazes

26. Dark Wales Tours

27. Outdoor Explore Wales

28. Wild Trails Wales

29. Aqua Park Cardiff

30. The Cardiff Ghost Walk

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First Cymru

304 - llantwit major interchange - cardiff, customhouse street (jl) via cardiff airport, barry & cardiff bay.

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Llantwit Major Interchange - Cardiff, Customhouse Street (JL)

Cardiff, customhouse street (jl) - llantwit major interchange.

Timetable data from First Bus/Bus Open Data Service (BODS) , 18 April 2024, First Bus/Bus Open Data Service (BODS) , 18 April 2024. We’re not endorsed by, affiliated with or supported by them, and they don’t warrant the accuracy or quality of the information.

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