15 Best Day Trips from Cardiff

The Welsh capital city of Cardiff has a lot to offer tourists who are willing to look further some of the more popular attractions in the UK. A gateway to the South Wales countryside, the city is surrounded by natural beauty.

It also features its own vibrant nightlife thanks to regeneration efforts, and a modern waterfront with a number of dining and recreation options.

It also serves as a great base for day trippers, being ideally placed for visiting pretty much anywhere in Wales or Southern England.

Modern cities, beautiful landscapes and quaint villages are all well within easy reach of this Welsh hub.

Here are the 15 best day trips you can take from Cardiff.

1. Brecon Beacons

Brecon Beacons, Wales, UK — Brecon Beacons

Located just north of Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons is a national park which stretches across the South of Wales.

There are three mountain areas within the park, as well as forests, lakes and moorland.

This is the heart of the famous Welsh valleys, and there are plenty of great walking trails throughout the region that have been marked by residents for centuries.

The small villages dotted around the region give insight into rural Welsh culture, and quaint farms provide unique photo opportunities.

The villages also have a variety of activities celebrating Celtic culture year-round.

2. Caerphilly

Caerphilly Castle, Wales — Caerphilly Castle

Located less than an hour north of Cardiff, Caerphilly is a large town packed with Welsh spirit and culture.

The famous Caerphilly Castle is the main attraction in the town.

It is the largest castle in Wales, and the second largest in the entire UK, making it a great place to learn more about medieval Celtic and British cultures.

The castle also has a famous leaning tower which leans even further than the tower in Pisa, Italy.

After visiting the castle, check out the Indoor Market in the town center for a selection of local food and Celtic goods.

3. Wye Valley

The Wye Valley straddles the border between Wales and England and is a designated Area of Natural Beauty.

The River Wye runs right along the valley, feeding the dense, lush forest that the region is famous for.

A drive around the valley makes for a very rewarding day trip, not just because of the limestone gorge scenery, but also for an interesting insight into the local cultures of both Wales and England.

Hay-On-Wye is the main town, and is known for having over 40 different bookshops within the town.

There is also a small castle close to the town.

4. Gower Peninsula

Gower Peninsula, Wales — Gower Peninsula

The Gower Peninsula was Britain’s first ever designated Area of Natural Beauty, and it is easy to see why.

The entire peninsula epitomizes the best of British coastal scenery with long, secluded beaches, one of which famously featured in an episode of Doctor Who.

Rhossili Bay has stunning clifftop scenery popular with both hikers and sunset spotters, with sheep grazing along the sides of the cliffs and well-marked paths guiding you along some of Wales’ best scenery.

The coast is lined with quintessential British villages and fascinating castles and ruins.

The Gower Heritage Centre is also an interesting museum, dedicated to rural Welsh life.

5. Barry Island

Made famous by the British comedy Gavin and Stacey, Barry Island has long been popular with Cardiff locals as a day trip spot.

There is an interesting ruin located in Barry, with some great historical info about the region.

The Barry Waterfront has recently been redeveloped with entertainment and refreshment facilities, helping the town to rival other coastal towns across the country.

The Porthkerry Country Park is a free park with quaint woodland walks, golf facilities and a small, locally owned café.

There is even the opportunity to learn how to fly light aircraft and helicopters at the Rhoose Flying School.

6. Newport

Located less than an hour from Cardiff, heading towards the English border, Newport is the third largest city in Wales and gives an idea of the modern side of the country as well as insights into the region’s industrial past.

The Fourteen Locks Canal is the main focal point of the city, with barge rides available for visitors as well as an interesting visitor center detailing the history of the city.

The Transporter Bridge acts as a monument not just to the city of Newport, but to the peak of industrialization across the UK. There is also an English heritage listed police box in the city, perfect for getting your own photos with a replica of the TARDIS.

7. Swansea

The second largest city in Wales combines modern with traditional architecture and even has some ancient monuments sprinkled in.

Swansea Castle is a ruin located in the city center and is positioned with the more modern buildings in the background, making for great photo opportunity.

The affluent Mumbles neighborhood is a popular seaside resort with visitors from across Wales heading to Mumbles pier for stunning views over the sea and Swansea itself.

Wind Street has some excellent examples of British post-war restoration efforts, with traditional buildings housing cultural attractions, shops and pubs.

8. Aberystwyth

Located in the country of Ceredigion, Aberystwyth is a coastal town providing beautiful views over Cardigan Bay and the Irish Sea.

The town is the heart of the Welsh nationalist movement and the campaign for the restoration of the Welsh language.

As such, it is a great place to learn more about traditional Welsh culture and the relationship between Wales and the rest of the UK. Due to the large student population, the town is full of pubs that range from modern and trendy to traditional and quaint – whatever suits your taste.

Constitution Hill has good views over the town and bay, and a traditional tea shop to reward yourself after your climb.

9. Pembrokeshire Coast

Less well known by visitors than other coastal routes in Wales, the Pembrokeshire Coast is lined with dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and a single coastal path that stretches along the entire length of the national park.

This is a great hiking opportunity for experienced hikers and is possible within a day if you keep a good pace.

The beaches are some of the cleanest in the UK, with plenty of cafés and restroom facilities along the route to keep you satisfied.

If you get tired of hiking, you can take a boat trip out to one of the seabird colonies, or try your hand at surfing and sea kayaking at one of the few beaches that offer these facilities.

10. Bristol

Just across the River Severn from Wales, Bristol has become a fun tourist destination in its own right over the past few years.

The city has a very scenic quality thanks to the Avon Gorge, flanked with lush forest and traversed by the Clifton Bridge which is now an iconic symbol of the city.

Bristol has an eclectic arts scene, particularly when it comes to film and photography.

M Shed on Princes Wharf is a great place to check this scene out, as well as learn more about the city and the history of the region.

The youthful city is also packed with trendy restaurants and bars.

11. Bath

A historic spa city from the Roman Empire, Bath is just a short trip south from Cardiff via the River Severn.

Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage site which contains its very own hot spring spa for visitors to enjoy.

You can check out the original baths from the Roman period and learn more about British history during that period of European civilization.

The town also has some interesting exhibits about medieval culture, as well as fantastic examples of Georgian Architecture from a later period in the city’s history.

Walcot Street serves as the city’s Bohemian district and is often compared to Camden Market.

12. Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia National Park is an area of outstanding beauty, featuring dramatic mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls and secluded castle ruins.

Mount Snowdon is the tallest mountain in Wales (and the tallest mountain in the UK outside of Scotland), and there is a clear trail to the top for the most adventurous.

It is also a great place to check out the Northern Welsh culture, which is more dominated by rural villages than the urban spaces of the south.

There are a number of steam railways across the mountain range for you to enjoy the scenery at a slower, but more traditional, pace.

13. Cotswolds

Cotswolds and the Stroud Valleys — Cotswolds And The Stroud Valleys

If you are looking for a more subtle landscape, the Cotswolds is a national park in England, and is only a short drive from Cardiff.

The rolling green slopes are quintessential of the English countryside and the region is dotted with quaint villages and Roman Era towns.

The gentle landscape makes it ideal for leisurely walks between villages, and you can make a full day of visiting a different pub in each town for local food and beer.

If you opt to drive through the area, you will be greeted with adorable English cottages, rolling farmlands and cute little boutique stores.

14. Birmingham

Despite a less than desirable reputation, recent developments to Birmingham City Centre have made it a vibrant population center worth visiting for an experience of the real Britain.

The second largest city in the UK is home to a diverse population and cosmopolitan lifestyle.

The recently renovated Bullring Shopping Centre features futuristic architecture and is a symbol for the regeneration of the city.

Classic examples of Victorian red-brick buildings can also be found scattered across the city.

For chocolate lovers, the Cadbury Factory is located in the south of the city, and you can experience your very own chocolate factory tour.

15. Oxford

Dating back to the Roman Era, Oxford is home to one of the most famous universities in the world.

You can easily visit one of the colleges during the day to take in the extravagant architecture and historic atmosphere.

The city is packed with museums that feature a number of exhibits including ancient art, natural history, and anthropological artifacts.

As a student city, there are plenty of events throughout the year, as well as high-quality bars and restaurants.

The botanical gardens are also well worth a visit for a relaxing stroll, and there are picnic facilities if you are lucky enough to visit on a fine day.