Natural Views - Cardiff

Perfect for a relaxing stroll or bike ride, the Barrage embankment is situated in a stunning maritime setting and offers spectacular views over Cardiff Bay and the Severn Estuary. Thanks to its flat gradient and lack of steps, it’s accessible for all visitors. A variety of leisure activities take place along the Barrage embankment at the children’s play area, Skate Plaza and adiZone outdoor gym. Visitors can also peruse the free exhibitions, have a sit-down and selfie with The Enormous Crocodile, and take a pit-stop at the RSPB-run Hafren Café. https://www.visitcardiff.com/highlights/cardiff-bay-barrage/

Considered by Cadw to be the best Edwardian gardens in Wales, the National Trust’s Dyffryn Gardens comprises of intimate garden rooms, formal lawns and a glasshouse showcasing impressive cacti and orchid collection. Standing at the heart of the estate is the magnificent Dyffryn House, where everyone can play the pianos, enjoy a game of billiards or sit down and admire the breath-taking views. The property has been a popular filming location for Casualty and Dr Who and was featured in the BBC’s 2017 production of ‘Decline and Fall’ starring Eva Longoria and Jack Whitehall. Dyffryn’s arboretum on the east side of the garden is a wild and exotic area, holding one of the most significant collections of trees in the National Trust. Covering 22 acres, there is plenty to discover, with all year round colour and 17 Champion Trees, the largest of their kind in the British Isles. https://www.visitcardiff.com/highlights/dyffryn-gardens/

Not strictly in Cardiff, but just five miles off the coast, the stunning island of Flat Holm is a different world with a wealth of history and wildlife. You’ll be amazed at how much there is to discover… Since the Dark Ages, Flat Holm has been a retreat for monks and acted as a sanctuary for Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, silver miners and smugglers. Fortified in Victorian times and again in World War II, it’s perhaps most famous for receiving the first-ever radio message across the water by Guglielmo Marconi in 1897. A day visit by a boat provides you with three to six hours on the island, where you can purchase a self-guided tour pack or go on a free guided tour on certain dates. You can relax and soak up the island’s tranquil atmosphere and spectacular views, and also enjoy a drink at The Gull and Leek, Wales’ most southerly pub. There will also be an opportunity to visit the gift shop, where you can buy postcards, Fairtrade snacks, and a range of souvenirs as a memento of your island experience. https://www.visitcardiff.com/highlights/flat-holm-island/