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Norwegian Church Arts Center

Norwegian Church Arts Centre (Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff) – this was a one-time church for Norwegian sailors. Nowadays, this unique venue hosts a variety of events, from live music to workshops, functions and classes. The Dahl Gallery also displays a range of art and photography exhibitions. An events calendar is available on the website.

Museo Nacional de Pizarra

National Slate Museum (Llanberis, Gwynedd) – for those passing through castle country in northwest Wales, this museum (located 4 hours/172 miles northwest of Cardiff) lets visitors go back in time to learn more about the Welsh slate industry – a by-product of England’s Industrial Revolution. Now, with imaginative interpretation, the remarkable relics of the slate industry can be understood and enjoyed by the many thousands of visitors to this stunning countryside, on the flanks of Snowdon. Admission: free. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily (Easter – October), 10 am – 4 pm (November – Easter).

Museo Nacional de Cardiff

National Museum Cardiff (Cathays Park, Cardiff) — located in the heart of Cardiff’s elegant civic centre, the National Museum Cardiff houses Wales’s national art, natural history, archaeology and geology collections, as well as major touring and temporary exhibitions. The variety of items showcased here range from Impressionist paintings to gigantic dinosaurs. Free admission. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Tuesdays – Sundays). Closed on Mondays except during bank holidays.

Museo Nacional de la Legión Romana

National Roman Legion Museum (High Street, Caerleon, Newport) – located just 33 minutes (19 miles) northeast of Cardiff, visitors can step back in time at the National Roman Legion Museum and explore life in a far-flung outpost of the mighty Roman Empire (Wales being its furthest outpost). In AD 75, the Romans built a fortress at Caerleon that would guard the region for over 200 years. Built in 1850, the museum became part of Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales in 1930. Today at Caerleon you can learn what made the Romans a formidable force and how life wouldn’t be the same without them. You’ll be able to see exhibitions and artifacts that show us how they lived, fought, worshipped and died.

The National Roman Legion Museum researches, preserves and displays half a million objects from the Roman fortresses of Caerleon (Isca), Usk (Burrium) and their environs. It is an internationally important collection which provides evidence for life in two major Roman military bases, as well as life in civilian settlements that grew up around them. Admission: free. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Monday – Saturday), 2 pm – 5 pm (Sunday). Call for further information: +44 (029) 2057 3550

Kidwelly Castle

Kidwelly Castle (Castle Road, Kidwelly) — located 1 hour & 23 minutes (63 miles) west of Cardiff, this was originally built during the Norman period (made of earth and timber). It was fortified into stone during the 13th century. Its half moon shape stems from the original 12th century Norman timber castle, of the motte-and-baley type, defended on one side by the river and on the other by a deep crescent shaped ditch. At the end of 13th century one of Edward I’s baron’s, Henry Earl of Lancaster, raised  within this a rectangular stone stronghold with round corner towers, perhaps echoing castles he had seen on Crusade. Even the chapel, in a protruding tower on the river side of the castle, was designed for defense. Admission:

Castillo Harlech

Harlech Castle (Gwynedd, Harlech, Gwynedd) – located 3 ½ hours (151 miles) northwest of Cardiff, this was another castle built by Edward I (this one being close to the Irish Sea). Its highland position keeps watch over the town of Snowdonia. Admission: £4.25 (adult), £3.20 (seniors/students/children under 16 years). Hours: 10 am – 4 pm (Monday – Saturday), 11 am – 4 pm (Sunday).

Grosmont Castle

Grosmont Castle (near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire) — located just an hour northeast of Cardiff, this is one of the so-called “Three Castles” (or “castles of the Trilateral”) built during the 13th century. Now in a state of ruin, much of the original walls are still standing, with one stone staircase leading up onto the battlements. The ‘motte’ or moat is mostly dry now. It last saw military action in 1405, when it was attacked by Welsh forces led by Rhys Gethin (while it was defended by English forces led by Gilbert Talbot – 5th Baron Talbot). By the 16th century, this castle outlived its military usefulness and was abandoned. Admission: free. Hours: 10 am – 4 pm (daily).

Castillo de Conwy

Conwy Castle (Rose Hill St, Conwy) – located 4 hours (244 miles) northwest of Cardiff, this was within the network of castles that Edward I built to secure English rule over Wales during the 13th century. Two barbicans (fortified gateways), eight massive towers and a great bow-shaped hall all sit within its distinctive elongated shape, due in part to the narrow rocky outcrop on which the castle stands. Its exterior was impressive enough. With an outer ward containing a great hall, chambers and kitchen, and a more secluded inner ward with private chambers and a royal chapel, it is very easy to imagine how Conwy functioned when the royal entourage was in town. Admission: £5.75 (adult), £4.35 (seniors/students/children under 16 years). Hours: 10 am – 4 pm (Monday – Saturday), 11 am – 4 pm (Sunday)

Castell Coch

Castell Coch (Castle Road, Tongwynlais, Cardiff) — unlike other castles in Wales, this one (located just 20 minutes northwest of Cardiff harbor) was built during the 19th century – this time by John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, the 3rd marquess of Bute, creating a rural retreat to complement the opulence of his main residence, Cardiff Castle. Admission: £3.80 (adult), £3.40 (concession), £11 (family). Hours: 9:30 am – 6 pm.

Castillo de Cardiff

Cardiff Castle (Castle Street, Cardiff) – this castle spans an incredible 2,000-year period. Roman soldiers slept here, noble knights held court here, and the Bute family, with extraordinary wealth and vision, transformed the Castle into a romantic Victorian fantasy.

Recent developments include the opening of the Wartime Shelters, a unique re-creation of a bygone era when the Castle’s tunnels were used as a place of refuge during the World War II German air raids. Admission: £11.00 (adult), £9.50 (seniors/students), £8.50 (children 5-16 years). Hours: 9 am – 6 pm (March – October), 9 am – 5 pm (November – February).