Neath and Port Talbot

Cardiff Castle was originally built as a fort in around the first century AD by the Romans, since then the castle has had many owners and roles. Its 10 foot thick walls helped protect the port of Cardiff from Irish pirates and unhappy Britons. Around 1000 AD, with the arrival of the Norman’s a wooden keep was built inside the castle on top of a huge mound surrounded by a moat. A newer stone keep now stands in it's place. The castle stands at northern end of Queen Street and approximately 100m from the National Stadium of Wales. In the grounds of Cardiff Castle the Taff Trail starts. About four miles along the trail is Castell Coch.

Permanent Exhibitions like The Evolution of Wales, this exhibition traces the development of Wales over 4,600 million years up to the arrival of man can be found at the Museum and Art Gallery.

Shopping in Cardiff is excellent with Victorian and Edwardian arcades which weave their way amongst modern malls. A trip to the Victorian indoor market is a great experience.

Cardiff's sporting pedigree as the spiritual home of rugby is well-known. The legendary Cardiff Arms Park was renovated in 1998 complete with a new spectator stand.

Llandaff Cathedral is located 2 miles from the city centre. A little further out is the open-air Museum of Welsh Life, where old buildings re-create the Wales of bygone times.