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Visit Southern Wales - Travel Trade Newsletter
Southern Wales was delighted to welcome the Coach Tourism Association to Cardiff for their AGM and Spring networking event in early May.They stayed at the Majestic Hotel Cardiff, and enjoyed fam visits to Tredegar House and Park, Caerphilly Castle, National Museum Cardiff, and the Cardiff Museum on Saturday and then, on Sunday, a walking tour of Cardiff and Cardiff Castle, followed by a trip to The Royal Mint Experience and gin tasting at Hensol Castle Distillery - all guided by Steve Griffin. The evening was filled with a Welsh themed dinner and Welsh folk music and singing with a theatrical and comedic twist. Monday was a day of meetings and business.
“Cardiff and the surrounding area has a great deal to offer coach groups. It was great to visit some classic attractions alongside new highlights not previously visited by CTA members,” said CTA Chair, Robert Shaw.
New attraction to open in Abergavenny
People know Abergavenny as a lovely market town, with a castle and a highly successful food festival, on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons).
In 2028 a new attraction will open on the route from the bus station to the market - Plas Gunter Mansion. It will take visitors back 400 years and tell stories of peaceful domesticity and Catholic resistance, showing how the building has played a key part in the story of Abergavenny. One of the main features will be the hidden chapel which is a direct link to key events in Welsh and British history. It is the only known existing recusant chapel in Wales and one of the most important and best surviving in the whole of Britain.
If the Gunter name is familiar, then you might know the famous Gunter Teashop of Berkeley Square, London which featured in various Regency books and even appeared in Bridgerton.You can follow the progress of the restoration project, funded with £3.3 million Heritage Fund, on its website, and Southern Wales will make sure that information about the opening is available as soon as possible.
Summer events at St Fagans National Museum of History and National Museum Cardiff
St Fagans National Museum of History is always an fascinating place to visit, but this August the stories of buildings will come to life
as you encounter special guests in some of your favourite buildings around Gwalia Green. Who will you meet? Also, objects from the Amgueddfa Cymru collection, including vehicles and carts will be around the site.Meanwhile, in National Museum Cardiff you will be able to see the sun, up close. Helios - an amazing seven‑metre‑wide artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram, brings the Sun closer than ever before, in a way that’s safe and spectacular.
Using real solar imagery from NASA and scientists, this glowing sculpture lets you look closely at the Sun’s
surface and spot fascinating details like sunspots and solar flares - including the part of the Sun that caused the Northern Lights to be seen from the UK in 2024. At this scale, every centimetre represents 2,000 kilometres of the Sun, making it a brilliant way to explore space together.
Both are Free to visit and perfect for curious minds.
Visit a garden this autumn
A new event is planned for Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Park this Autumn.
The Rooted in Wales Flower Festival is a three-day celebration of sustainable, artisan floristry and Welsh-grown flowers. The theme is Cynefin – Our habitat and place of belonging. The displays will ask the question: What does it mean to be "Rooted" in Wales?Alongside spectacular visual displays and innovative floral designs using native foliage, the festival features hands-on activities, talks, demonstrations, and nature-based workshops for families and schools. Runs 2 - 4 October 2026.Other floral and garden ideas:
- The autumn colours will be arriving through the Wye Valley - our own New England.
- Take a tour of the Physic Garden just off the high street in Cowbridge.
- Take a tour of one of the National Trust gardens at Tredegar House and Park or Dyffryn Gardens.
- Add a visit to one of the great gardens that are part of the National Garden Scheme.
Free Coach Parking at Barry Island
Barry Island is a great destination for your next group visit — now FREE coach parking available for registered groups, making your trip even more convenient and cost-effective.
Barry Island is a vibrant seaside destination offering a fantastic mix of attractions, facilities, and experiences for visitors of all ages - discover loads of ideas for your visit and advice to get the best from your visit.
Whether you're planning a day trip or part of a wider South Wales itinerary, Barry Island provides a smooth and enjoyable experience for groups, with excellent coach access, a welcoming atmosphere, and plenty to see and do. And if you register here, you can park for FREE!
Register here for your FREE parking at Barry Island.
Miskin Manor Hotel - A Victorian Manor
Have you ever visited Miskin Manor Hotel, Llantrisant, just off the M4?
It's been closed for a few years but now a major restoration of this Victorian manor house is underway and the plans are to reopen this year. You can follow the story of the restoration on their Facebook page - it's a fascinating watch - traditional skills are bringing this building to life. We can't wait to see the final result!
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