Set in 90 acres of magnificent grounds, Newport's Tredegar House was the ancestral home of local bigwigs the Morgan family. Stroll through park and woodlands all year round, or tour the 17th-century mansion between Easter and the end of September.
Available :
Daily
Discovered in 2002 on the banks of the river Usk, the well-preserved remains of this 15th-century merchant vessel have put Newport on the archaeological map. Conservation work open days reveal fascinating secrets about nautical life in the Age of Discovery.
Available :
Daily
Newport's massive Transporter Bridge looms over the city's skyline and is one of only eight "aerial ferries" in the world. Emblematic of Newport since its construction in 1906, it also has the distinction of being a Grade 1-listed structure.
Available :
Daily
Attaining cathedral status in 1949, the site of the historic St Woolos Cathedral has been a place of worship since the 6th century. Retaining many original features, this "old Welsh dragon" overlooks Newport town centre from high on Stow Hill.
Available :
Daily
Located in central Cardiff, the Capitol Shopping centre is an all-day experience with a range of high-street brands under one roof. Along with fashion favourites like Hobbs and H&M, there are a range of restaurants to keep you going.
Available :
Daily
The National Museum Cardiff, set in pleasant surroundings in the city centre, is unusual in that it focuses on both art and science. See works by world-renowned artists (particularly the Impressionists), and explore the history and natural history of Wales.
Available :
Daily; not Mon
Enjoy national art exhibitions or trace Newport's colourful history via archaeology, art and natural history at the Newport Museum and Art Gallery. Collections include an insight into the building of the city's Transporter Bridge and artefacts from 250,000BC.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Every winter the lawn in front of Cardiff City Hall is transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland skating rink. A heated terrace overlooks the ice and a free entertainment programme celebrates the festive season.
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Nov 2013 - Jan 2014 (annual)
Top international snooker players assemble at the Newport Centre to contest the Welsh Open Snooker Championships. Defending champion John Higgins has competition for his crown from the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Welsh ace Mark Williams.
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Feb 2013 (annual)
Tiger Tiger in Cardiff city centre boasts a restaurant, four bars and a club. With the stylish venue spread over two floors, the club occupies the upper level where DJs spin dance tunes on the decks.
Available :
Daily
The Great Welsh Beer and Cider Festival at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff is the premier real-ale event in Wales. The festival aims to present beers from all 35 Welsh real-ale breweries and others from across the UK.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
Even the 21st-century building that houses The Riverfront is a work of art. You will find everything from comedy to opera workshops at Newport's modern waterfront arts centre and theatre. Don't miss the free gallery of photography, art and design.
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Daily; not Sun
This Cardiff pub named after medieval leader Owain Glyndwr stands on the site of an 18th-century alehouse. Enjoy cask ales in the old-fashioned bar or food in the modern lounge-dining room, where there's a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Daily
Spillers Records has been in business in Cardiff since 1894 and claims to be the world's oldest independent record shop. It's small, but its range of vinyl and CDs is extensive, with diverse offerings of rock, jazz, hip-hop and more.
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Daily
An iconic Welsh landmark, Cardiff Castle bursts with history from the Romans to the Normans and beyond. Learn about these extraordinary episodes from the exhibition and film in the Interpretation Centre, before joining a guided tour of the Castle Apartments.
Available :
Daily
Sniff and nibble more than 450 different cheeses of all flavours, shapes and sizes at Britain's biggest cheese market. The Great British Cheese Festival takes place each year at Cardiff Castle and heralds the British Cheese Awards.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
As part of the Cardiff Festival, Cardiff Castle Open Air Theatre presents performances of Shakespeare's masterpieces in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. This year's production is the bard's last play, his poignant farewell to the stage, The Tempest.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Travel back in time during the Medieval Melee at Cardiff Castle. Stroll around the Castle Green encampment and enter a world of sword fighting, archery and field games. Dress up in authentic costumes or armour before honing your archery skills.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
You'll find a little of everything at Cardiff's bustling Victorian market hall, including fresh fruit, fish, meat, cheese and crusty bread. Browse for gifts, buy sportswear, luggage, books and toys, or pick up a few essential household items.
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Daily; not Sun
Pick up traditional and contemporary Welsh souvenirs at Cardiff's knick-knack-filled Castle Welsh Crafts shop. Wooden lovespoons, Celtic jewellery, stuffed toys and T-shirts are just some of the items on show, along with a variety of local food products.
Available :
Daily
Just across the road from Cardiff Castle, the Goat Major is a traditional ale-and-pies pub, filled with dark wood furnishings. Named after the mascot of the Royal 41st Regiment of Wales, it is popular with both tourists and office workers.
Available :
Daily
If you're a retro-clothes lover, then Cardiff's Hobo's Vintage Clothing is just the place. Rummage for the perfect pair of velvet loons, snazzy hotpants, a paisley shirt, Beatle boots or psychedelic Sixties or Seventies fashions.
Available :
Daily
Rugby Union side Newport Gwent Dragons welcome Magners League teams to their Rodney Parade stadium for the 2011/2012season. Please visit the club's website for full details of all fixtures.
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Sep 2012 - May 2013 (annual)
The Cardiff Festival offers a programme of outstanding events each summer featuring the best in street theatre, live music, family entertainment, funfairs and drama. Events take place each weekend at venues all over the city and are mostly free.
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Jun - Sep 2013 (annual)
The fast, flat and scenic route of the Cardiff Half Marathon makes it one of the UK's most popular long-distance races. The route heads past Cardiff Castle, the Welsh Assembly and the Millennium Stadium before finishing outside Cardiff City Hall.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
The Cardiff Comedy Festival showcases top class comedy at venues across the city including a finale at St David's Hall. The programme features Edinburgh Festival previews, an up-and-coming Welsh acts competition, youth stand-up workshops and Welsh language gigs.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
As part of Sport Relief, the Cardiff Mile sees thousands of people running around Cardiff to the finish line at Roald Dahl Plass, in sight of Cardiff Bay. All ages and abilities can take part to raise money for charity.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
The House of Fraser store in Cardiff, formerly known as Howell's, is the city's largest department store. Food, perfumes and clothes dominate the ground floor, with furniture, electronics and homeware found upstairs.
Available :
Daily
A Cardiff Festival highlight, the Cardiff Big Weekend is one of the UK's biggest free outdoor music festivals. Taking place outside the Civic Centre, the event offers top live music and a fairground with family attractions and white-knuckle rides.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
Sparks in the Park is an enormous fireworks display held at Coopers Field in Bute Park, against a backdrop of Cardiff Castle. Children's rides entertain the little ones before the bonfire is lit and the fireworks begin.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
The RHS Spring Flower Show returns to Cardiff's Bute Park. Visitors can view inspirational show gardens, spring flower displays, floral marquees and the entries for the coveted RHS medals. Gardening experts give demonstrations and plants and flowers are on sale.
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Apr 2013 (annual)
As the name suggests, Clwb Ifor Bach is geared towards Cardiff's Welsh-speaking community, but everyone is welcome. It's spread over three floors, with weekly club nights and live music most nights from both established acts and new talent.
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Daily
This grand former Cardiff theatre is today a huge two-level Wetherspoon pub, with much of the original stucco ornamentation retained. Downstairs, The Prince of Wales has a lively, spacious bar, while upstairs there's a dining section facing the old stage.
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Daily
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium opened in 1999, with the UK's first retractable roof. This world-class arena hosts spectacular sporting events like the Welsh international football, Rugby Union and the British Speedway Grand Prix, as well as concerts by international acts.
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Daily
The pride of the Southern Hemisphere's rugby union teams visit the Millennium Stadium this autumn. Wales face a stiff test of their credentials in the three matches ahead of February's Six Nations championship.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
The spine-tingling sound of massed Welsh rugby fans singing in support of their team is a cornerstone of Six Nations matches at the Millennium Stadium. In 2012, Wales welcome Scotland, Italy and France as they attempt to regain the championship crown.
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Feb 2013 (various dates)
The Friends Provident T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Glamorgan Dragons play their home games at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.
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Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
The biennial BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition returns to Wales' capital. Top young classical singers from 25 countries converge on the New Theatre and St David's Hall, to compete before a distinguished panel of judges for the coveted title.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Welsh Proms at St David's Hall in Cardiff are an annual highlight of the Welsh capital's summer festivities. Under the artistic direction of Owain Arwel Hughes OBE, the programme features a series of magnificent orchestral symphony and family concerts.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The Spice Quarter, in Cardiff's fashionable Old Brewery Quarter, is a smart place to dine on authentic Indian cuisine prepared by experienced chefs. Specialities include dhaniya murg, chicken breast pieces cooked in a creamy sauce with coriander or jalandhari duck, roasted and served with chilli, cashew nuts and cream.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
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