The August Bank Holiday is a time for getting out of the house and having fun, as it’s the last biggie before Christmas. Many of us would use this weekend to travel all over the UK, to Ireland, to the European continent, or beyond. I’m sure you remember the reports of very busy traffic is concerned, and gridlocked roads. Whilst it will be busy, this most certainly won’t be a ‘normal’ August Bank Holiday weekend (fuel, money etc)
In the UK, most shops remain open on the August Bank Holiday, but the operating hours can drop down to Sunday times.Some stores, however, do shut for the weekend, and schools and most non-retail businesses are generally closed. Public transport still runs, but again, it follows the reduced Sunday schedule.
So, let’s give you some suggestions and link to features on most of them, which will help you decide what you want to do. You can also visit our jam-packed WHAT’S ON DIARY to see the latest events day-by-day.
PONTYPRIDD SUMMER FUN
After the huge success of the Eisteddfod Pontypridd Residents will have plenty to enjoy this August Bank Holiday weekend with a fun-filled package of events which have run right through the summer.
Pontypridd residents will have plenty to enjoy this July and August with a jam-packed series of fun-filled events and activities for all, planned by Pontypridd Town Council.
The Pontypridd Town Council’s Tymor yr Haf – Summer Season is taking place at Pontypridd Museum, Meadow Street Community Garden, and the Taff Meadow and Graig community centres.
Pontypridd Museum’s popular family craft activities return for the school holidays, with sessions running every Wednesday between 12pm – 3pm through till August 28th.
Funtastic Fridays are back at the Museum with a pop-up Planetarium to delight star-gazers with an out-of-this-world experience. Sessions will be held on August 23rd and August 30th.
Enjoy the great outdoors in Meadow Street Community Garden, come along and explore the grounds, chat with our team and find out about getting involved. The garden is open to all each Wednesday from 3pm – 7pm, Thursday from 12pm – 7pm and Sunday from 10am – 3pm.
Visitors to the museum will also be able to enjoy the revamped shop, stocked with books, cards and gifts celebrating Pontypridd’s rich history.
During August, Pontypridd Museum, Meadow Street Community Garden, Taff Meadow and Graig community centres are hosting a variety of daytime and evening events, including music, comedy, poetry and talks, featuring a wealth of well-known Welsh talent and celebrating local artists, musicians, historians and raconteurs with something for all the family to enjoy.
For more details go HERE.
SUMMER FAMILY FUNDAYS
Join in the fun at Mumbles Pier this summer for family fun that you just cannot miss!!
EVERY Sunday throughout summer they have the Family Summer Fundays where you can expect:
-Kids Club and Games (entertainment by Purple Penguin) between 12pm-3pm
-Live Music (Various artists) between 5pm-8pm
A super fun and FREE day out for the whole family!!
THIS IS A FREE EVENT AND TICKETS ARE NOT NECESSARY. For more details go HERE.
WATCH A SHOW OR MOVIE
Always a good choice if you want to chill out and have some time together enjoying a few hours of great on stage or screen entertainment. We are blessed across South Wales to have so many theatres and cinemas, serving all interests across our community.
It is impossible to list everything going on, so here’s just a few suggestions to get you started……
INVISIBLE OCEAN – WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, TILL SATURDAY 8th SEPTEMBER
DESPICABLE ME 4 – CHAPTER ARTS CENTRE, THROUGH TO SUNDAY 1st SEPTEMBER
PEPPA PIG’S FUN DAY OUT – NEW THEATRE CARDIFF, SATURDAY 24th & SUNDAY 25th AUGUST
THE GARFIELD MOVIE – THE RIVERFRONT NEWPORT, 27th to 29th AUGUST
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – ABERYSTWYTH ARTS CENTRE SUMMER SHOW, 23rd to 31st AUGUST
MY FIRST FILM FESTIVAL: KENSUKE’S KINGDOM – COURTYARD HEREFORD, THROUGH TO SATURDAY 31st AUGUST31st AUGUST
TRUCKFEST WALES
Truckfest is nothing new, the guys who run these events have been doing them for a long time. We do however have something brand new here in the shape of TRUCKFEST WALES.
TRUCKFEST gets to the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd on the 24th and 25th August. You can even make a weekend of it and book a camping pass, these include your pitch, vehicle pass and show entry across the entire weekend! For more details go HERE.
FAMILY FUN DAY – CHEPSTOW
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, gather ’round and step right up to the family fun day at Chepstow Racecourse!
Bring a Picnic! Don’t forget to take along your favourite picnic goodies! Enjoy a picnic on the spacious grounds amidst the lively Family Fun Day atmosphere.
Fun Fair Extravaganza Immerse yourself in the atmosphere at this family day at the races and enjoy the FREE fun fair for the day! With a huge variety of rides including a Ferris Wheel and Carousel.
Circus Skills Galore Ever dreamed of running away with the circus? Now’s your chance to learn the tricks of the trade! The circus skills workshops will teach you everything from juggling to plate spinning.
Fantastic Facepainting Transform into your favourite circus character with incredible face painters! Whether you want to become a fierce tiger, a whimsical fairy, or a colourful clown, the talented artists will bring your imagination to life.
Inflatables and Bouncy Fun Jump, bounce, and slide your way through the amazing inflatable playground!
Coconut Shy Challenges Step right up and test your aim at the classic Coconut Shy! It’s harder than it looks!
Mesmerizing Stilt Walkers Keep your eyes peeled for the magnificent Stilt Walkers towering above the crowd! With their incredible costumes, they add an extra touch of magic to the day. Don’t forget to snap a picture with these gentle giants!
Don’t Miss Out!
Join in for a day of magic, unforgettable memories, and non-stop fun at Chepstow Racecourse. It’s the perfect Chepstow family day out – packed with activities and attractions that will delight kids and adults alike. Remember…Kids go FREE !
Bring a Picnic!
For more details and to book, go HERE.
BETWEEN THE TREES
Between The Trees is the vision of two educators, Andrew Thomas and Dawn Wood.
“We had begun to notice that people were becoming increasingly disconnected from nature and more connected to their screens, including us!
We wanted to do something to address this so, in 2014, Between The Trees was born.”
With its unique theme of nature & science, the festival aims to reconnect people to the natural world. It features a blend of original indie folk music, art and spoken word within a community that embraces all and encourages thinking and creativity.
They couldn’t have found a more suitable site – Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve is one of Wales’ Sites of Special Scientific Interest and is a haven for wildlife, with its magical woodland areas, magnificent sand dunes and the sea beyond.
Plants, trees and insects were on this planet long before humans arrived and are likely to be on the planet long after we have left. Basically, life on Earth would survive without us as a species, but not without the other Flora and Fauna.
“Homo sapiens are just one of a myriad other species living between the trees.”
BTT is passionate about the role we play in the conservation and preservation of all life forms. We specifically aim to encourage future generations to respect their Planet and enjoy the beauty of nature through scientific investigation and environmental art.
BETWEEN THE TREES is through to Sunday August 25th at the Candleston Wood Campsite, Merthyr Mawr, Rd, Bridgend, CF32 0LS. For more details go HERE.
MARGAM COUNTRY PARK
This 19th Century Tudor Gothic Mansion was designed by the architect Thomas Hopper for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
The house was built in 1830 – 40 at a cost of £50,000 (just remember the price when you see it) using sandstone from nearby Pyle quarry. Listed Grade I as a mansion of exceptional quality, the Castle has some spectacular features such as the vast staircase hall and octagonal tower.
Until 1942, the Castle and estate remained in the ownership of the Talbot family when it was acquired by a local landowner, Sir David Evans Bevan, and in 1974 by the County Council, the present owners, when it was of ruinous state.
A disastrous fire in 1977 gutted the interior. An ambitious restoration programme was embarked upon, much has been achieved and the programme continues.
The outbuildings house the Visitor Centre and park administration. Charlotte’s Pantry is open for take away snacks only. They do have a wood fired pizza takeaway and the Gower Brewery Double Decker bus – both on the castle lawns alongside the visitor courtyard.
The Entrance Hallway and Staircase Hall is open to the public. The Library, Dining Room and Drawing Room are now used for a variety of events. More details of the building listed status and history can be found HERE.
To find out more head here MARGAM
A CRAZY GOLF ADVENTURE
I think what we all love so much about Crazy, Mini, Adventure or whatever sort of golf you want to name it, is that, if you’ve ever or never played before, everyone has a chance to be champ. We’ve seen many so-called proper golfers being beaten by a six year old who’s barely able to hold the club.
Most of our Adventure Golf venues are the perfect place to visit over the Bank Holiday weekend. There’s indoor too, just in case we are treated to a little downpour.
One of the big things at the moment is FOOTGOLF, which is exactly what you’d think. Where two great sports come together Foot Golf is simple. You kick the ball from the tee to the hole in as few a shots as possible. It’s the perfect game to play with friends or family.
There are places that offer Foot and regular Adventure Golf, if you’re feeling energetic, you could play both.
Once again for the majority of the courses, you turn up, pay your money and play. We have a feature directing you to most of the venues in South Wales, take a look and pay a visit GOLF
TŶ NEWPORT BEACH
Bringing a slice of sunshine to South Wales
Tŷ Newport Beach is their exciting Summer event offering a wide range of seasonal fun and activities for all ages.
Whether you are staying at Tŷ Newport hotel, the nearby Coldra Court Hotel or are neighbours in the local area – all are invited to join in on the fun with us!
Build a sandcastle, take part in beach games or just chill with your feet in the sand. With an outdoor bar, a covered beach and deck chairs – there are plenty of ways to enjoy an afternoon or evening of fun this Bank Holiday.
Family Activities
Seasonal fun for all ages
The activities below are available every day between 10am – 9pm
- Sandcastle Building
- Scavenger Hunt
- Bocce Ball
- Corn Toss
Parental supervision for children is required at all times.
Advance booking is not required but there may be waiting times during peak periods.
Refreshments and light snacks will be available to purchase at the outdoor bar between 12pm – 9pm.
Indoor/Outdoor Cinema
Get together to enjoy family-friendly films
Sit back and relax during the early summer evenings as they show a family-friendly film at the on-site cinema. Expect to watch films such as Toy Story, Enchanted, Matilda, Paddington, The Greatest Showman and Beauty and the Beast.
Films will be shown at 8pm and guests staying at Tŷ Newport and Coldra Court Hotel will receive a complimentary serving of popcorn.
Refreshments and light snacks will be available to purchase at the outdoor bar between 6pm – 9pm.
Movie Schedule:
Monday – Toy Story
Tuesday – Enchanted
Wednesday – Matilda
Thursday – Paddington
Friday – The Greatest Showman
Saturday – No Film
Sunday – Beauty and the Beast
Available Sunday to Friday between 29th July – 30th August.
In a case of bad weather, they will relocate the cinema indoors.
More details on the beach HERE.
VISIT WHAT’S ON YOUR DOORSTEP
We ran a series of features here at SOUTH WALES LIFE to mark the end of lockdown restrictions. OUR SOUTH WALES dropped in on places right on our doorstep. Those places we should really know about, because they are where we live, but surprisingly we don’t.
We were amazed that people who live in Cwmbran for example, have never visited the beautiful boating lake. Those with the stunning Brecon Canal barely walk along the Towpath and enjoy the incredible scenery. And in Abergavenny, it’s surprising just how few people visit the historic castle.
We accept that we can occasionally take for granted the places we live, but in these times when funds are tight and restrictions are in place, some of the best, and most fun things to do, are within a few minutes walk from our home.
SHOPPING
We don’t need a Bank Holiday to be our reason to shop, but perhaps if the weather isn’t great, this would be a good chance for the whole family to get out and enjoy some retail therapy. Dare we remind you that schools are returning and things will need to be bought for that momentous occasion.
We really are blessed with such a variety of shopping locations. Whether you want indoor, open air, or even our incredible array of markets, we have them all here. We have a few suggestions to get you into gear and of course we have a huge feature on our markets, which are nw reopened for business. You can take a look at that here. SOUTH WALES MARKETS
- BRIDGEND DESIGNER OUTLET
- CARDIFF INDOOR FLEA MARKET
- CWMBRAN CENTRE
- FESTIVAL PARK
- FRIARS WALK
- NEWPORT RETAIL PARK
- QUADRANT – SWANSEA
- ST DAVID’S DEWI SANT
- TRAGO MILLS
THE GAVIN & STACEY TRAIL
Without doubt it is one of the most successful television shows ever filmed in South Wales. What has been a real pleasure, for those of us who know Barry so well, is that it showed what a close-knit, friendly community of people they are. As for the locations, they are now as famous as the show itself and attract thousands of visitors each year, and no doubt even more following the announcement of the final ever Christmas Special.
Most of the series, including many of the scenes that are meant to be in England, were actually filmed in and around Barry. Even the Shipman’s Essex home is really in South Wales.
When you walk through the door of the Island Leisure Arcade, armed with a pocket full of change for the machines, you instantly the know this is the place where Nessa works. Her stamp and face, are all over the walls. On top of that, it’s a proper seaside Amusement Arcade. Once you’ve finished your chips you have to go in to play. This is also the place where Nessa and Bryn practiced their duet to the Frank and Nancy Sinatra song ‘Somethin Stupid’.
What’s nice about doing the trail over the Bank Holiday is that you can indulges in a few of our suggestions in one day. Eating, shopping, day out, and if the weather is bad, still have a bit of fun checking out the locations.
If you’d like to follow the entire trail, take a look at our feature with all the locations in full – GAVIN & STACEY
If you still need a few ideas, try these…..
And as our summer drifts into Autumn, here’s a few ideas which you could actually begin early…….
Go on an autumn walk
Grab your coat, put on your wellies and get out and about wherever you are in the UK! One of our favourite things about autumn is the changing colours; see trees change from green to brown and watch as grass and paths are taken over by leaves. Whether it’s down your local park, exploring a forest or even just a walk around your town or village, why not make your own scavenger hunt of things to look out for?
Drink hot chocolate
Warm up after a day outside with a tasty hot chocolate. Feeling fancy? Make your own using real chocolate.
Listen to spooky stories
Get in the mood for Halloween, by hosting your very own haunting bedtime story! Choose something spooky to suit your kids ages, then read by torchlight for extra fear-factor.
Learn about bats
It’s the start of mating season for bats, ahead of winter hibernation, but there’s still plenty of time to learn about these amazing creatures. Check out the National Trust guide.
Watch an autumn sunset
Sunset is getting earlier and earlier, which is great news if you’ve got younger kids in tow. Check online to see what time it’s due to set, and aim to be in the perfect spot about 10 minutes before. Once it starts, it will disappear quicker than you think, then it’s home and off to bed!
Collect pinecones
Pinecones fall in autumn, and just like conkers, are a great thing to collect on your next outdoor adventure. Pinecones make great decorations and can be used for printing too. Or, why not try a pinecone bird feeder?
