Travel Information

Owned and run by the National trust this is one of the natural wonders of Glamorgan harnessed to provide power for smelting the copper and tin centuries ago. The falls were visited by the famous artist Turner so you would be following in the footsteps of genius. His painting of the falls was painted in1796 and is now probably priceless. When you are there you understand why a great artist gained inspiration here. If you are traveling in your Wales campervan hire vehicle and have with you young budding artists, get them to bring their sketch books with them. Aberdulais Falls could be the inspiration that ignites a future career. If your creative talents are some what limited do not despair, the Falls will still invigorate and lift the spirits. Just admire what was the largest waterwheel of its kind producing clean energy. It’s set in a steep gorge but lifts enable visitors to access the upper levels for excellent views of the falls. The visitor centre also shows a film describing the history of the falls over 400 years. Take your family in your Wales Campervan hire just east of Swansea to Aberdulais Falls. Check opening times and admission prices on the National Trust website by clicking the blue text for National Trust. National Trust members go free.

Aberdulais Falls
Aberdulais near Neath
Port Talbot
Glamorgan
SA10 8EU

Telephone: 01639 636674

The Air Ministry requested rural land in the Vale of Glamorgan and setup a war time satellite aerodrome and training base for RAF spitfire pilots for No 53 Operational Training Unit.

Post War, Aer Lingus in the 1950s started a service to Dublin. A new airport terminal was built and flights where offered to Belfast, Cork and continental France. By the early 1960s one million passengers regularly past through the airport on national and international flights.

So successful was the airport that it was transferred from Ministry of Defence to Glamorgan County Council ownership. Shortly afterwards in 1971 the first transatlantic flight took-off from Cardiff Airport. The airport had truly come of age.

Further development took place to the Terminal Building and Control Tower as well as extending the main runway. Ready for the Mediterranean package holidays of the early 70′s to 80′s.

In the early 90′s Manx Airlines established their European Air Route Hub at Cardiff with daily services to key business destinations within Europe and the UK. Scheduled passenger levels exceeded 100,000 for the first time in a single year.

Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra unveiling a commemorative plaque in 1992 to celebrate the airports Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years of flying from Cardiff.

Cardiff Airport today is a strong passenger orientated regional airport and Cardiff Airport motorhome hire is equally popular.

Cardiff Castle in Cardiff city is an imposing castle with a great keep.

To get a true picture of life as it was  in the valleys, have a look at a Colliery Museum on your journey through Wales. Cefn Coed was one of the most dangerous coalmines in Wales, gaining the nickname ‘The Slaughterhouse’. It was once the deepest anthracite coal mine in the world. Thousands of men worked here and some will have lost their lives here. The Coed Colliery Museum tells their stories. The museum is home to a preserved 1927 Worsley Mesnes Horizontal Duplex Cylinder Steam Winding engine, arguably the jewel in the museum’s crown. Once powered by steam when the site was a working colliery this magnificent winder is now turned over by electricity, however its majesty never fails to impress enthusiasts the world over. Coed Museum is open daily from 1st April to 1st October (October – weekends only and October half-term week, please ring the museum for further information) Opening Times are from 10.30am to 5.00pm (last admission to the museum 4.30pm). It is located near the village of Crynant in the Dulais Valley five miles north of Neath . If you are driving in your Wales campervan hire then exit M4 eastbound at junction 43.Take the A465 sign posted Aberdulais / Resolven / Brecon road. Come off on the slip road signposted (A4109) to Aberdulais Falls, Cefn Coed Colliery Museum. The museum is approximately 3 miles along the Neath Road. It is certainly worth a visit in your Wales Campervan Hire.

Cefn Coed Colliery Museum
Neath Road
Creunant
Glamorgan
SA10 8SN
Wales

Tel: (01639) 750556

Not far away from Cardiff, actually approximately 5 miles away, is Flat Holm Island and the chance of a day trip adventure. The boat trip across to the island for a day visit to Flat Holm will give you 3 hours on the island. Here you can buy a guided tour pack, to discover and read about Flat Holm’s wildlife and historic buildings. There are Guided tours on certain dates. The island also has a shop for gifts and teas and snacks. The boat with visits to the island operates from March to October and if you feel like a day on the open seas here is your opportunity to leave your Motorhome hire in the car park and take to the water! Step aboard the Lewis Alexander at the Barrage South Water Bus Stop, situated in the Penarth Marina. The crossing takes about 50 minutes and parking is available in the Barrage South Car Park. The company provide you with a parking ticket valid for the day of your visit when you book .Be at the departure point 15 minutes before the boat is due to leave. Make a visit to Flat Holm Island one of the highlights of your Motorhome hire holiday in Wales. For bookings and more details including charges contact the Flat Holm Booking office by clicking on the blue text.

Flat Holm Booking Office
Cardiff Harbour Authority
Queen Alexandria House
Cargoe Road
Cardiff Bay
CF10 4LY

Tel: 029 2087 7904 or 029 20 877912

Gnoll Country Park is definitely the place to stop for a picnic on a fine day. In 2010 it was voted the Best Picnic spot in Wales2010 in the Warburtons National Picnic Awards. It’s a rather lovely setting for a picnic or a walk with the impressive Gnoll Cascades all set within a beautiful 18th Century landscaped garden. There is also an environmental exhibition, children’s playground, 9 hole golf course, fishing, and a number of way marked woodland walks. You can find plenty of open space, for the children to enjoy. In fact the area around Neath Port Talbot has breathtaking landscapes that change throughout the year. So the whole area is worth a visit on your holiday in Wales.Entry to the country Park is currently (july 2011) free with £1 parking fee for your Wales Campervan Hire. In the summer the Gnoll Country Park is open from 8:00am until 8:00pm and the visitor centre is open 10:00am until 7:30pm. There is also a very nice Café which sells teas,coffee etc Travel in your Wales Campervan Hire to Gnoll Country Park.

Gnoll Country Park Visitor Centre
Gnoll Estate
Neath
West Glamorgan
SA11 3BS
Wales

Tel: 01639 635808

Everyone should have made a visit to a lighthouse at least once during their lives. They are amazing places that have served to safe guard ships over the years. This particular lighthouse is about one mile from Marcross in south wales. It aimed to prevent shipping running onto the sandbanks that are just off the coast in the Bristol Channel. In 1830 the passenger steamer ‘Frolic’ was wrecked on these sandbanks and many of the passengers were drowned. People were horrified by the large loss of lives and as a result three years later the lighthouse was built to warn shipping of the dangers off shore. The lighthouse has quietly done its job successfully for over a hundred years ensuring safe passage for hundreds of sailors and their passengers since. There are two towers one is 37 metres high and the other is 25metres high. They are located apart and the low light is no longer in use. Opening times for the visitor centre varies and there is an admission charge. Arrive early as you may not be admitted if you are late and always check opening times prior to setting out in your Wales Campervan Rental. There is a pay and display car park opposite the light house.Interestingly, this remote area is the home to a rare thistle called cirsium tuberosum discovered in 1977. For a link to the lighthouse website, click the blue text below.

Nash Point Lighthouse
Near Marcross
Glamorgan
Wales

Telephone: +44(0)1255 245011 or +44(0)7850 047 721

Local crafts and art with changing exhibitions in the gallery.

Oriel Washington Gallery
1-3 Washington Buildings
Stanwell Road
Penarth
Vale of Glamorgan
CF64 2AD

Telephone 029 2071 2100

St Fagans is one Wale’s most popular open air museums and worth visiting in your motor home. It stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, and includes over forty original buildings from different historical periods that have been re-erected in the 100-acre parkland. Located 4 miles west of Cardiff City Centre, just off the A4232.

St Fagans Natural History Museum
Cardiff
Telephone (029) 2057 3500

Wondering what to do with the children if its rainy in Wales and you are near Cardiff? Then this is the place for you.With over 160 interactive exhibitions to occupy all the family, this centre is certainly worth taking the whole family for a visit even on a sunny day! It opens for the 2011 season on 11th April. If you visit early in the season (April to 15th May) you can see some amazing experiments and demonstrations with eggs in the theatre area.  For an additional charge you can also visit their Planetarium. Science suddenly becomes very exciting for children at this centre. Cardiff, of course, is home to the famous Dr Who TV series much of which was filmed in the area. The centre is a shrine to Dr Who and the Daleks, plus the spin off series, Torchwood and Sarah Jane Series. Techniquest Science and Discovery Centre is at the start of the Taff Trail. In your Wales Motorhome Hire leave the M4 at Junction 33 and follow the brown signs for Cardiff Bay on the A4232 Dual carriageway. There is plenty of local Pay-and-display parking in close vicinity of the Techniquest Centre but it is not clear whether or not they have height barriers preventing Motorhome access. For more information , opening and admission prices, contact The Techniquest Centre before you set out with your Wales Motorhome Hire.

Techniquest Science Discovery Centre
Stuart Street
Cardiff
CF10 5BW

Originally called the ‘sunday gallery’ this gallery is worth a visit any day it is open. Changing exhibitions.

Turner House Gallery
Plymouth Road
Penarth
CF64 3DM
Cardiff
Wales
Telephone: 0122.270.8870

Always telephone to confirm opening times before traveling to this venue. It is always closed Tuesday. If you are like me, and love seeing these birds close up, you will find it a fascinating experience. The centre has over 200 birds of prey including Eagles, Owls, Hawks, Falcons and Buzzards. The real treat of the day here will certainly be watching the flying demonstration. Watching these birds on the wing is a thrilling sight. The sheer speed and beauty of these birds in flight is breathtaking. In the wild, you start to realise how harsh life is for small mice as these birds swoop on their prey from above. Weather permitting; birds are flown every day the centre is open, starting at 12 noon. The car park is free and the admission charge is reasonable. There is also a café and gift shop.
To get to the Welsh Hawking Centre in your Welsh Campervan Hire, follow the signs for Cardiff Airport and continue to follow the signs in Barry.

Welsh Hawking Centre
Weycock Road
Barry
South Glamorgan
CF62 3AA
Tel; 0144 734687