Media and Resources | Southern Wales Tourism

Q: What are the best group-friendly attractions?

Cardiff Castle, Big Pit National Coal Museum, St Fagans National Museum of History

Q: Are local guides available for private tours?

Cardiff, Wye Valley, Wales Best Tour Guides

Q: What should we wear for the "unpredictable" Welsh weather?

Check the average climate through the year for Cardiff and BBC weather website for current conditions.

Q: Are there discounts or "Travel Trade" passes for groups?

St Fagans National Museum of History, National Roman Legion Museum

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FAQ's

Planning a group trip to Southern Wales involves specific logistical considerations, from coach parking to heritage site access. Here are the top 8 frequently most asked questions:

Where can our coach park or drop off?

Most large attractions have coach drop off or parking sites. Also, most of the towns around Southern Wales have identified where you can drop off and park - here is the information.

Do attractions require advance booking for groups?

Yes, to get the most from your visit, it is best to book in advance. Some sites require groups to book and help facilitate this by offering a booking system, for instance Cadw, who run most of the castles and lots of other heritage sites. Contacts for Group Bookings are included on the product listings.

What are the best group-friendly attractions?

Top recommendations include Cardiff Castle, the Big Pit National Coal Museum, and St Fagans National Museum of History – and there are many other attractions that love welcoming groups to their site, and offer unique experiences. If your group has special interests or other requirements then contact Southern Wales and we will help you to create the perfect itinerary for them to enjoy.

Are local guides available for private tours?

Groups frequently request local guides for specialized experiences, and Wales Best Tour Guides are able to provide guides for tours of all areas and all themes. You can select a guide by interest, their language skills, etc.

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In Cardiff there are a variety of tour options, such as:

Fogo’s Free Tours: Features a city centre tour (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday) starting at the John Batchelor Statue and a Cardiff Bay tour.
Invisible Cities: Social enterprise tours, including "Poetry, Protest and Place" and city history tours led by locals.
Doctor Who Walking Tour: A two-hour guided tour exploring filming locations in the city center, starting at Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Dark Side Tour: Focuses on the city's hidden history of crime, executions, and ghosts.

What should we wear for the "unpredictable" Welsh weather?

Comfortable footwear and waterproof clothing are consistently recommended for group members. Depending on the time of year you might need a waterproof jacket or suntan lotion and sun hat. Here is the average climate through the year for Cardiff and you can check the detailed forecasts on the BBC weather website. But be assured, Wales is a delight to visit and explore, whatever the weather.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated at group meal stops?

Most accommodation and restaurant providers in the region are equipped to handle various dietary needs, provided they are notified in advance and there are a good selection of vegan and Helal restaurants – contact Southern Wales for assistance in finding suitable food stops or restaurants. In the UK all food businesses must declare if any of the 14 major allergens are present in their food as labels in pre prepared food or with menu details at restaurants.

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Are there discounts or "Travel Trade" passes for groups?

Most attractions and activity operators have a group rate – contact directly for details. Remember that all National Museum sites offer free general entry (there may be special exhibitions or experiences with a charge) – in Southern Wales this includes: National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans National Museum of History, Big Pit National Coal Museum and the National Roman Legion Museum.

Cadw, who operate many of our castles and other historical sites, know how important Groups visits are so they operate the Cadw Tour Operator Scheme, to make it as simple as possible - take a look at this web page for details and how to register.

How long should we allow for specific site visits?

Timing is critical for itineraries; for instance, planners are advised to allow at least two hours for exploring major sites like Cardiff Castle – you should check with each attraction you intend visiting or contact the Southern Wales team for advice.

For Fun, here are some Did you know? questions about Southern Wales

What is the Capital City of Wales?

Cardiff (Caerdydd) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It became a city in 1905 and was declared as Wales’ capital on December 21, 1955. The city has major attractions such as the National Museum Cardiff, Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium, and is the hub for the country’s government with the Senedd located in Cardiff Bay.

What is the largest castle in Wales?

Caerphilly Castle. It is also the second largest in Britain, after Windsor Castle. It has a leaning tower, which leans at a greater angle than the famed Tower of Pisa. The construction of the castle began in 1268 and was mostly completed three years later.

Which golf course hosted the 2010 Ryder Cup?

The Twenty Ten Golf Course at the Celtic Manor Resort was specifically designed to host The Ryder Cup. Now all golfers can book a round on the challenging course, on the River Usk floodplain.

What is known as Europe's largest music and poetry festival?

The National Eisteddfod of Wales. The Eisteddfod celebrates Welsh music, culture and language and is held annually at a different location in Wales. It was last held in Southern Wales in 2024 in Pontypridd and may return to the region in 2028 or 2029.

Which coastal town featured in the BBC hit “Gavin and Stacey”?

Barry Island, which was an island until 1986 when a 250-yard long causeway was built for the railway to reach the coast, to bring holiday makers and day trippers to the resort. You can join a Gavin and Stacey tour around the film locations.