Exploring our cities in South and West Wales

The tour begins in Newport, South East Wales. You can choose a variety of things to do on behalf of your clients including:

Tredegar House is managed by National Trust and is one of the finest examples of restoration architecture in Wales. Guided tours of the house are available and there’s the beautiful large garden to explore too. Refreshments and light meals are available. Allow 1hr to 1hr 30min for an average visit to the house only. Group rates are available for pre-booked groups. National Trust's 7 and 14 day touring passes for international visitors are also available.

Newport (St Woolos) Cathedral – a 12th century cathedral with Victorian restoration. In the cathedral grounds, there is a memorial to the 21 Chartists who were killed during the ‘Chartist Riots’ in 1839 outside the Westgate Hotel . They lie in unmarked graves. Allow 45mins. Free entry.

Newport Ship – the only example in the world of a mid 15th century merchant ship. The ship centre which is located on an industrial estate is a very active workshop as well as a public display area. Large groups are always welcome but please contact +44 (0)1633 274167 prior to visiting, where a guided tour will be offered to provide the best experience for your clients. There are toilets but they are not accessible. Light refreshments are available. Parking is available and they do not charge an entrance fee (check the website for opening times). Allow 1hr to 1hr 30min for an average visit. 

Transporter Bridge – one of only two working transporter bridges in the UK and six in the world. Visitors can travel on the gondola across the River Usk for a small charge. They welcome pre-arranged group visits. The more energetic can climb the steps within the supporting towers and walk along the gangway to cross the river. Visitors can enter the engine room as well the visitor centre. Please note the site is currently closed due to restoration work and construction of a new visitor centre, café, toilets, shop and exhibition space which is due to open 2024/25. 

Fourteen Locks Visitor Centre – the construction of the canal locks was a major engineering feat with a significant height being achieved over a relatively short distance – unsurpassed within UK. There is a very informative visitor centre, pleasant gardens and refreshments available. Free entry. Allow 1hr. 

Newport Market has been dominant in Newport since 1854. The impressive Victorian building has recently been transformed whilst retaining nearly all of its historical features and offers a unique shopping experience to your clients. The lively market showcases a mix of independent businesses such as local produce, crafts, gifts and homeware. It also has a food court offering a good variety of food and drink. The market is open daily including the food court. 

Newport Museum and Art Gallery – located in the city centre, it includes excellent displays on the Chartists, the last armed uprising on the British mainland which resulted in the deaths of 21 men who were campaigning for the right to vote. There is also an excellent display of the Roman remains from Caerleon and Caerwent. No entrance fee. Allow 1hr to 1hr 30min. There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Friars Walk and Kingsway Shopping Centres.

Spirit of Wales Distillery - located 2 miles (3.2 km) from the city centre, the award-winning distillery offers guided tours, gin or rum tasting experiences and tasting evenings. Advanced booking is required.

Your clients can include a choice of the above. If they wanted to spend longer than a day in the area it is recommended to visit the Roman remains at Caerleon that includes the Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths and Amphitheatre, and National Roman Legion Museum. Free entry and groups benefit from 10 per cent off gifts from the shop when spending £5 or more.

There are plenty of small cafes and coffee houses in Caerleon and the Ffwrwm is a charming shopping “alley”.

Nearby is the Newport Wetlands managed by RSPB, and a perfect spot for a walk. There is also a visitor centre and café (free entry).

Cardiff is a modern and cosmopolitan capital city. What’s really great about Cardiff is its size; it’s compact; almost everything you want to see is within walking distance or a short drive away. Listed below are some suggested places to visit, so mix and match as time and your client’s preferences allow.

The Civic Centre is often referred to as The Washington DC of Europe, thanks to its White Portland Stone Buildings and is where the National Museum Cardiff can be found. It consists of 15 galleries and it has the best collection of impressionist paintings outside of Paris, including works by Monet, Manet and Renoir. It also tells the story of Wales from earliest times and is unique among British museums and galleries for its range of art and science displays. Pre-booked groups benefit from 10 per cent off in the museum café, restaurant and shop on a minimum spend of £5 per person and complimentary refreshments for the coach driver.

Cardiff Castle is located in the heart of the city and enjoys a history spanning nearly 2000 years. The highlight is a guided tour of the spectacular castle apartments. They were created in the 19th century by eccentric architect William Burges for the very rich Third Marquess of Bute. Designed as a medieval fairytale home, the rooms are filled with ornate fireplaces, gilded ceilings, intricate stained glass and carved and painted animals throughout. House Tours can be arranged in English, Welsh, French and Spanish and audio guides of the site in English, Welsh, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Mandarin, Chinese and Portuguese. The café offers views of the Norman Keep and castle and a gift shop is available. Group rates apply to pre-booked groups of 20 or more.

Principality Stadium (formerly known as Millennium Stadium) was built for the 1999 Rugby World Cup and is now a major sporting and concert arena. A 90min behind the scene tour is a great introduction to the Welsh love of rugby and to find more out about the stadium. Check directly on availability as during build-up to matches and events tours may not be available but a mini 40min tour is usually offered instead. Group discounts for groups of 20 or more are available on request. Alternatively they also offer Scale, a rooftop adventure offering an exhilarating experience with stunning panoramic views of the city and beyond. Your clients can either opt to visit the viewing platform, situated 60 metres (197 feet) above the stadium floor, to take in the scenery, or for those seeking a thrill, they can combine the excitement of zip-lining across the stadium roof and abseiling back down to Base Camp.

Shoppers like browsing along the Victorian Arcades, home to many of Cardiff’s individual and unique shops. For 21st century shopping, many of the big brands are located in the St David's 2 shopping mall.

Cardiff Bay today is the vibrant waterfront area with a mix of shops, bars and restaurants. Wales Millennium Centre has already established its reputation as a unique and lively performing arts centre. Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy performances ranging from blockbuster West End musicals, Welsh National Opera, ballet and stand up comedy. Behind the scenes tours are offered on Friday at selected times for up to 20 clients. However, they can also be arranged on request for a minimum of 10. End the day with a performance at the centre. Discounts are available for pre-booked groups of 10 or more.

Cardiff International White Water offers watersports such as kayaking, paddleboarding, rafting and river boarding.

Alternatively you can book clients on these bookable walking tours of Cardiff:

• Cardiff on Foot
• Cardiff Tours
• Dark Wales Tours
• Fogo's Free Tours - private tours can be arranged in Italian and Spanish. All 'free' tours operate on a 'pay as you feel' basis after the tour.
• Invisible Cardiff
• Loving Welsh Food – private tours can be arranged in French, Italian, Spanish and German.

Tonight your clients can choose to dine in Cardiff Bay at one of the many waterside restaurants or check out one of the city centre restaurants. Alternatively Spirit of Wales offers an evening of Welsh entertainment with a three course meal at the Cornerstone, a refurbished former church daily from May until end of October. 

Head west along the M4 motorway to Swansea, the birthplace of the great writer and poet Dylan Thomas. He famously called Swansea an "ugly, lovely town" and there are many attractions here.   

For the morning choose from the following:-

The Dylan Thomas Trail that finishes at the Dylan Thomas Centre, where your clients will find a free interactive exhibition telling Dylan’s story. Guided tours of the exhibition at the Dylan Thomas Centre can be arranged for groups. For those keen to learn more about Dylan Thomas, include a tour to Dylan Thomas' birthplace, 5 Cwmdonkin Drive. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Booking in advance is advised. Lunches, afternoon tea and dinner parties can be catered for and if requested your clients can listen to actors reciting Dylan’s short stories, broadcasts and poems.

Art lovers should visit the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and for sheer atmosphere and great bargains visit Swansea Indoor Market, the oldest and largest indoor market with over 100 stalls. Traditional Welsh food including laverbread, cockles from nearby Penclawdd and Welsh Cakes can be bought here.

The National Waterfront Museum tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years. Free entry and pre-booked groups benefit from 10 per cent off in the museum café and shop on a minimum spend of £5 per person and complimentary refreshments for the coach driver.

Tailored tours for up to 12 clients are available at the 3,500 capacity Swansea Arena. Alternatively, visit the venue for an evening of entertainment which could include comedy, music and theatrical performances.

There are further options to include in this morning's itinerary. Clients can take a private walking tour around Swansea with Fogo's Free Tours. They can be arranged in English, Italian and Spanish. Or a visit to the newest venture by Penderyn. Located around 1 mile (1.6 km) from the city centre, Penderyn Swansea Copperworks Distillery is set on the regeneration development of Hafod Morfa Copperworks. Tours and masterclasses are available. There is an exhibition and shop on site.

This afternoon, head to the beautiful Gower Peninsula, Britain's first designated National Landscape (formerly AONB). Sit, gaze and enjoy the picturesque scenery with an ice cream or a cup of tea. Maybe take a stroll along the protected coastline to Worm's Head, Gower's western tip. For castles lovers, remember to include a visit to Weobley Castle and pop into the Gower Heritage Centre, a 12th century water powered cornmill and craft centre. Groups can benefit from a guided tour, guided and themed walks of the area and additional craft workshops. Tours can be tailored specifically for your requirements and they can also arrange a guided tour of Gower. There is a tea room on-site.

Leaving Swansea, head west to visit the final city on this tour. The smallest city in Britain and the spiritual capital of Wales, St Davids is more of a bustling village despite its full city status. Take time to explore the magnificent St Davids Cathedral which nestles in a grassy hollow before exploring the beautiful coastline of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Guided tours can be booked in advance, depending on availability of volunteers. There is a café located within the ruins of St Marys Chapel offering Welsh cakes and traditional Welsh dishes with a twist.

Adjacent to the cathedral is St Davids Bishop’s Palace, a ruined medieval palace. There are lots of little hideaways to explore and the story boards brings it to life. 

St Davids Bishop's Palace is in the care of Cadw. Register with the Cadw Tour Operator Scheme (CTOS) to become a member of Cadw’s online group booking scheme. Members benefit from preferential trade rates and discounts, complimentary admission for your tour leader, complimentary introductions to Cadw monuments, enhanced information for existing tours and invoicing following your visit. Travel Trade Explorer Passes can also be purchased. Please contact Cadwcommercial@gov.wales.

There are plenty of galleries and craft shops to explore in St Davids for a bit of free time. 

It’s recommended to include a visit to Oriel y Parc, a landscape gallery and Pembrokeshire Coast National Parks’ visitor centre. It is a great place to learn about the area and has an interactive interpretation area. It also houses a Class A Gallery displaying works of art from the National Museum Wales collection including works by Graham Sutherland. There’s a gift shop, café and parking available.

If your clients are interested in nature or a bit of adventure there are other alternative options, including a wildlife spotting trip to Ramsey Island. They will be able to look out for puffins, seals and of course the stunning coastal scenery. A number of companies offer boat trips to the island from St Davids including Voyages of Discovery and Thousand Island Expeditions.

The more adventurous can have a go at coasteering, a sport invented in Wales, that involves walking and scrambling along the coastline until you have to jump into the sea. Celtic Quest Coasteering is based in St Davids, as well as TYF Adventure which offers all sorts of adventure activities.

Or include a walk along the Wales Coast Path. It is particularly stunning around here. Staff at Oriel y Parc can offer walks in the area. An illustrated walking map of St Davids is also on display at the centre. See also Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s useful walking pages for inspiration.

Exploring the outdoors is fantastic fun, but please read up on the risks and make sure you are prepared.

Find safety advice for exploring Wales' National Parks and RNLI's safety tips for staying safe on the Welsh coast on the Visit Wales website.

Visit AdventureSmart.uk for information on how to stay safe whilst exploring Wales.