Free Days Out in South Wales
Margam Country Park, Neath Abbey, National Museums and More
You can have a very cheap holiday in Wales. Many attractions, including all the National Museums, allow free admission to all. Here are just six ideas for starters.
Margam Country Park
01639 881635
A magnificent country park, just outside Port Talbot, where admission is free except for a £3 car parking charge and a ride on the train. There is so much to do at Margam Country Park that it warrants a separate article
Getting There
The park is half a mile from Junction 38 on the M4 and is clearly signposted. The First Cymru X1 service from Swansea to Bridgend via Port Talbot stops at the park gates.
Museum of Welsh Life
029 2057 3500
More than 30 buildings from all parts of Wales have been moved and rebuilt at The Museum of Welsh Life. The 100 acre site at St Fagans , 4 west of Cardiff, at St Fagans, recreates the living and working environment of Welsh people through the ages. The fully furnished buildings range from a 16th century manor house to a pigsty and include farmhouses, cottages and working buildings. The museum is open daily 10am to 5pm.
Getting There
The museum is 4 miles west of Cardiff City Centre, just off the A4232 and is well signposted from junction 33 of the M4. Buses 32 and 320 run from Cardiff Bus Station (immediately outside Cardiff Central Railway Station.
Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes
Merthyr Mawr, home to the largest sand dune system in Europe, was the location for desert scenes in the film "Lawrence of Arabia" . Explore the massive sand dunes and play “hunt the sea” (be warned it is literally miles!) , cross the stepping stones to Ogmore Castle or explore the picture postcard village of Merthyr Mawr. The ruins of 15th century Candleston Castle are found near the car park, which is not free.
Getting There
Merthyr Mawr is 3 miles south of Bridgend, just off the A48, and can be easily combined with a trip to the nearby coastal resort of Porthcawl.
Neath Museum
01639 645726
Located in the town’s Leisure Centre the museum explores Neath’s history town from Roman times , through the medieval period to Victorian Neath and includes displays of costumes and items of everyday life, with a photographic display showing how the town has changed and developed
Open from Tuesday until Saturday from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. charge.(Closed for lunch between 1.00 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.
Getting There
The museum is in Neath town centre on Dyfed Road. If you are brave enough to navigate the one way system parking is available. Otherwise, park in a car park and ask directions. Buses and trains from all over South Wales serve Neath. The museum is about 10 minutes walk from the station.
Neath Abbey
029 20 500200 (CADW information)
Neath Abbey is one of Wales’s most interesting historical sites. The remains of the Cistercian abbey, once described as 'the fairest in all Wales' date from 1130. Centuries of neglect led a 19th century visitor to liken the abbey to “the skeleton of a stranded ship crumbling piecemeal to decay”.
The substantial remains include most of the west range dating from 1170 and the 13th century dormitory undercroft.
Getting There
From the A465 follow the A4320 (signposted Skewen) and turn left opposite the Hope & Anchor pub. First Cymru buses 143 and 158 from Neath to Swansea pass near the Abbey.
Big Pit
01495 790 311
Take a guided underground tour of a real coalmine and experience what life was like at the coalface After being kitted up with a helmet and cap lamp, the tour starts with a 300 foot drop in a pit cage down the mineshaft, and continues for almost an hour. On the surface, are some of the original colliery buildings including the Fan House, Blacksmith's Forge, Stables and Winding Engine House. Open daily 9.30 am–5 pm. Underground tours run frequently 10am–3.30 pm. Please call for December and January opening times.
Getting There
Follow the brown Tourism signs from J25a (westbound) or J26 (eastbound) on the M4, the museum is also signposted off the A465 at Brynmawr and Abergavenny.
The X30 bus runs every two hours from Newport daily (Monday to Saturday) between 1 March and 30 November.
Tourist Information
Carmarthenshire Tourist Information
Pembrokeshire Tourist Information
Swansea Bay Tourist Information
Other Things to do in South and West Wales
Things to do in South West Wales
Family Days Out in South Wales
Margam Country Park ,South Wales
Days Out on The Gower Peninsula
