Brecon Beacons, Wales, UK by Nigel Swales

This region of the UK has an abundance of beautiful countryside, stunning coastal paths and soft, sandy beaches. There are also many interesting castles and historical sites waiting to be explored.  South Wales has long been a popular choice for families on holiday in the UK. There are many great holiday caravan parks and campsites to choose from in the region and they are always popular places during the summer months.

Reasons to Take a Family Holiday in South Wales

Why do so many families come to South Wales every year for a getaway? There are many reasons why this part of the world is so popular with families on holiday. Here are some of the reasons why South Wales is such a great family getaway destination:

• Amroth Castle is located in South Wales. This unique and beautiful historical 18th century house was constructed on the site of an original Norman fortress and makes a very interesting and educational day trip for kids of all ages.

• South Wales has many opportunities for active holidays, such as hiking, swimming and more. If you have kids who love to explore the outdoors they will have a great time here.

• South Wales does not have a high crime rate, so it is a very safe place to bring your children on a holiday.

• As it is only a short drive or train ride away from anywhere else in Britain, you will not have to take a plane to get to your holiday destination which saves you time and money. Also, sometimes flying with young children can be stressful so staying in South Wales will let you avoid this.

• This region is home to the Brecon Beacons national park which covers a third of the area and contains the highest mountain south of Snowdonia; Pen y Fan. This is a beautiful place to show your children the wonders of nature and take some impressive family photographs.

• With so many holiday caravan parks and camping sites in South Wales, there is a lot of selection and your family will be sure to find somewhere that suits your needs and budget. Camping can be a lot cheaper than staying in a hotel as well as being a fun and memorable holiday experience.

• All of the national museums within Wales are free to visit and great fun for families. Your kids might enjoy visiting the National Museum in Cardiff, the National Waterfront Museum or the National Roman Legion Museum.

• Cardiff, Swansea and Newport offer a good selection of high quality restaurants so that your family will have plenty of choice when it comes to where to eat.

• Every summer plenty of family-friendly festivals take place in South Wales, such as the Cardiff Festival. These events include live music, food, entertainment and children’s activities and are great fun for kids of all ages.

• The big sandy beaches of the West Shore are the ideal place for a classic British seaside experience. Your kids will love making sandcastles and swimming while you relax in the sunshine.

These are just a few of the reasons why South Wales is such a popular destination for family getaway. Why not consider booking a trip this summer with your kids?

South Wales is an ideal place to take the family on a holiday and here are the reasons why so many people love Kiln Park Camping.

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The Dartmoor National Park / James Farnham

Water Sports

The coastlines in Devon cover more than 250 miles. This affords a wide range of water-sports. If you are the adventurous, adrenaline seeking type, perhaps white water rafting or kite-surfing might be just what you desire. However, if your idea of fun is far more tame, perhaps sailing or fishing might be more what you are looking for.  The diving in Devon is hard to be beat. There are numerous wreckages and reefs to explore while underwater. If remaining on top of the water is a better idea to you, surfing is practiced year round while wakeboarding, water-skiing, and windsurfing have high seasons and low seasons.

Fishing

Fishermen and women flock to Devon from all over the world in pursuit of the many fishing opportunities. There are occasions to visit any of the many fishing ports where sea vessels take expectant anglers on day trips. There are also a myriad of streams and tributaries offering fresh water fishing if wrestling saltwater fish is not to your liking. Fishing is big business in Devon so whatever your needs or desires, it can all be met here.

Beaches

If all the activity of water-sports or fishing is not quite your style, taking a lazy afternoon to soak up the sun on the beach may be just what satisfies your needs. The large coastline offers many opportunities to do just that. The North Devon Coast and the South Devon Coast each offer unique features. The North Devon coast has hanging cliffs and sandy beaches, whereas, the South Devon coast has sandstone cliffs and pebble beaches.  Some beaches have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag award designating those beaches as some of the best and cleanest in the world.

Family Attractions

Many family attractions are available in Devon with possibly Dartmoor National Park being one of the best.  It is an excellent place for lengthy strolls where towns and villages can be explored.  It is free to get into the park so all can go freely.  Morwellham Quay provides an opportunity to step back in time to the 1860’s.  Kids and adults alike can play dress up and experience life as it was in this copper mine and family farm.  There are three theme parks that offer an array of exciting opportunities.  The Milky Way has ferret and falconry displays, the Crealy Great Adventure Park has a tidal ride that will get everyone’s heart pumping, and the Woodlands Leisure Park allows for relaxing on a lengthy toboggan ride.  Finally, if any or all members of the family are animal lovers, the Pennywell Farm provides ample opportunity to interact with various members of the animal kingdom.

If you are planning on visiting this beautiful English county with the family why not book a stay in one of the houses to rent in Devon.  The Owners Direct website has a lot for you to choose from so you are sure to find one that is ideal.

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The Mawddach Trail

This Snowdonian trail runs from Dolgellau to Barmouth and is 15km in length. The trail follows a disused railway track that runs alongside the Mawddach estuary. The scenery along this trail is spectacular with views of the Rhiongydd mountain range and a host of other Welsh peaks. If you do not feel up to tacking the whole 15km then the train can be joined at many points including Morfa Mawddach and Penmaenpool. This trail is top for wildlife sightings and mountainous views!

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by johnson

The Forest of Dean

Located in Gloucestershire, the Forest of Dean has a number of family friendly cycle routes. The stone roads and hard trails make the forest perfect for cyclists, whether you want to try some serious off road mountain biking or winding hill climbs. The Cannop valley family cycle route goes along the Severn & Wye railway line as well as taking in some old coal mines located at Foxes Bridge and Lightmoor. It is 11 miles long and takes an average of 2 hours to complete. There are lots of picnic spots throughout the trails in the Forest of Dean so you are sure to find somewhere nice to feed those hungry mouths and rest tired legs at the end of your cycle. This is a perfect trail for little legs that need regular rests!

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by European Environment Agency (EEA)

Kennet & Avon Canal Route

This canal links London and the Bristol Channel and weaves it way through some of the most beautiful places in England such as the Cotswolds. The canal starts in the historic town of Bath where there is much to see and do. Start off following the Bath to Bristol railway path and you will soon join the canal towpath which has been well maintained by British Waterways. You will see lots of brightly coloured canal boats on this route as well as some lovely old bridges and 2 amazing aqueducts. Great for those who love both nature and history!

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Dan Sloane

Vicky loves to take cycling holidays in the UK. Her favourite routes are those that have lots of historic sights to see as well as some off road biking sections!

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The entire region not only includes the peninsula, but covers an area of more then 188 kilometres. In the north, you will find the Loughor Estuary and to the east one can find Swansea Bay.

Gower Peninsula, Wales, UK by Mike Mantin

There are numerous caves that can be found along the edges of the peninsula. The most popular of these caves includes the Minchin Hole Cave and the Paviland Cave. The central portion of the peninsula is agricultural land. While there are some villages in the area, very few have been developed extensively.

It has been well known that the area of Wales has been inhabited by civilizations dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic Era. Over the years, a number of archaeological discoveries on Gower Peninsula have been made. Back in 1823, an archaeologist uncovered the skeleton of a male who had lived in the peninsula more than 33,000 years ago. Several burial chambers that have been successfully dated back to the Neolithic period have also been uncovered.

Out of the original nine stones Bronze Age menhirs that once existed on the peninsula, eight of them are still standing upright today. It is here that one will find the infamous Arthur’s Stone which weighs in at a massive twenty-five tons. To imagine that these massive rocks were cut and moved to the area during the Bronze Age is simply amazing.

Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales, UK by Walter Daw

You will not only find a castle in the peninsula that dates back to the medieval period, you will also find the Roman fort of Leucarum. The Roman built fortress can be found where the River Loughor’s mouth existed back in the first century. Today a Norman Castle exists in the location.

You will find that the area is home to a total of six castles. You will find the Bovehill Castle on the Gower Peninsula as well as the Oxwich, Oystermouth, Pennard, Weobley and Penrice Castles. While not all of them are in the best conditions, they are nonetheless a very popular part of visiting the area.

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