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Destination guides
Find out where to drop off your passengers, park your coach or get further information about the region.
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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:
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.
Yes, especially for heritage sites. For example, Cadw requires all groups to make an advance booking and bring a unique reference or QR code for entry. Contacts for Group Bookings are included on the product listings.
Top recommendations include Cardiff Castle, the Big Pit National Coal Museum, and St Fagans National Museum of History – if your group has special interests contact Southern Wales and we will help you to create the perfect itinerary for them to enjoy.
Groups frequently request local guides for specialized experiences, such as walking tours of Cardiff, historical tours of the Wye Valley or "Doctor Who" themed tours. In Wales, the Wales Best Tour Guides are all qualified and experienced guides – you can select a guide by interest, their language skills, etc.
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.
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 orrestaurants. 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.
Most attractions and activity operators have agroup 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.
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 Fun, here are some Did you know? questions about Southern 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 Castle and the Principality Stadium, and is the hub for the country’s government with the Senedd located in Cardiff Bay.
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.
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.
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.
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.

