Tinkinswood and St. Lythans Burial Chambers

Tinkinswood Burial Chamber - image from www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

These ancient archaeological sites are located near the village of St. Nicholas, Cardiff; and were shown to me by my friend Leanne, who knows of more offbeat historic sites than anyone I know! It's not a long walk, but it is definitely worth a look if you like history, Tinkinswood is thought to have been a neolithic burial chamber. You can't see it from the road; you have to look for the layby with the tourism sign and the kissing gate, and walk across the field. Next to the site, there's an information point with a wind-up audio device that tells you the history of the area. There are livestock in the fields nearby, so it's best to keep your dog on a lead.

St. Lythans - image from www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Further on down the road is another neolithic marvel, St. Lythans. This also has an audio information point, which speculates on how the 6000 year old tomb was built. Well worth bringing your camera (and wellies)! Unfortunately you may not be able to get as close as the other tomb, as usually there are animals grazing here. You and your dog may be lucky though if the field is empty!

http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/enjoying/visit_the_vale/see_and_do/history_and_heritage/tinkinswood_and_st_lythans/tinkinswood_and_st_lythans.aspx

Note that the CADW website has opening times for the chambers and states assistance dogs only. However, both sites are always 'open' and dogs are allowed as long as no livestock are in the fields.

Parc Coetir Bargod & Hengoed Viaduct

River view in Parc Coetir Bargod

Parc Coetir Bargod (Bargoed Woodland Park) is Caerphilly County's newest country park. It's come a long way since the days when it was Europe's tallest coal tip, and although signs of it's industrial past are still to be found, it's also now a haven for wildlife. You can park in the car park at the bottom of the Pengam traffic lights where it's pay and display. Or if you can, get a space by the barrier further up the hill (towards Cefn Fforest) and park for free. There are tarmacked footpaths to follow, making it suitable for wheelchairs and prams. You can download a park leaflet from http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside/parks/parc-coetir-bargod and plan your route.

After your walk here, it's worth a short drive to Hengoed for a stroll on the famous viaduct, if only to take in the views. Park by Hengoed train station and go for a wander. The viaduct has been improved in recent years with safety fencing, and the addition of viewing platforms (great for shorties like me). You can find out about the history of the viaduct at hengoed.net .

Tintern

Tintern Abbey - image from www.wales.com

Tintern is one of our favourite places to walk, especially in the autumn. It's such a beautiful location, and you can do a different walk each time you visit. On the road descending to Tintern from Chepstow there are a couple of laybys with paths leading from them. Or you can carry on driving to the village itself, park up near the abbey and start exploring from there. Honestly, there are so many walking routes around this stunning area, we've barely begun to find them all. The Visit Wye Valley website has a list of walks we intend to try soon. The Devil's Pulpitt walk looks good too.

If you haven't the time for lengthy walks, take a look around the abbey, your dog is welcome on a lead. Or you can explore the St Mary's church ruin on the hill above Tintern - park up at the abbey, then go back on foot and cross the road, walk up the lane past the houses, you'll see the cemetery gates on your left, and have superb views of Tintern. Take care if you go into the church though, and keep your dog on lead, there's lots to trip over and holes to fall down. Some interesting information on the ruin can be found at www.tinternvillage.co.uk/seedo/st-marys-church/

View of Tintern Abbey from St. Mary's Church

Inside St. Mary's Church

If it's dry, we like to finish our walk with refreshments in the beer garden of the Anchor Inn by the abbey, where the hounds usually embarrass us by howling at everyone walking past!

Cyfarthfa Park

Cyfarthfa Castle - image courtesy of Martin289 at https://www.flickr.com/photos/martin289/4589340631

Cyfarthfa park is a magnificent green space in the heart of Merthyr Tydfil. A regular walking spot of my friend Sarah and Alfie the whippet, and it's easy to see why. There are 160 acres of gardens and woodland walks to explore, lake and sensory garden, and events being held all year round. The castle has a museum, shop and cafe, though dogs are not allowed in so go with someone who can pop in to get you a drink while you mind the hounds!

Alfie

http://www.visitmerthyr.co.uk/attractions/cyfarthfa-park-museum.aspx

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Free parking

Indoor Dog Walking - Just What Wales Needs!

Action Petz - image from http://www.heathvets.co.uk/blog/blog-dogs

Yesterday we took the dogs to Llwyn-On reservoir, but just as we got there the sky turned black and it hammered it down. Now we don't mind getting soaked, but the hounds do! So we decided to try out an indoor dog centre we'd heard about recently (thanks Dilys!). After a quick phone google, we turned the car around and headed to Cardiff instead.

As we got to Action Petz (just off Newport Road) the sun came out (typical) but we were curious and decided to go in anyway. Our male hound Rosco can be a bit snappy with bigger dogs, so we muzzled him before going in. We half expected them to say he wouldn't be allowed in, but they were very welcoming and made a fuss of both dogs. We filled out a form giving general information about our dogs and their temperaments, but we didn't have their microchip numbers or vaccination certificates. Not to worry they said - we could still go in for a look around but we had to keep the dogs on a lead, and bring the missing details next visit. Brilliant!

We were shown in, and told to take the dogs straight to the outside yard to toilet, and to do this every visit. If they did have an accident on the artificial grass inside, not to worry, just clean it up using the bags and disinfectant provided on the walls. It's huge inside, so much room for all the dogs to run, obstacles for them to navigate and toys to play with. The dogs off lead were happily scampering around and sniffing each other. There were other dogs on leads, and with muzzles on too. Roxie our other basset was trying to play with a group of beagles that were there. We can't wait to go back and let her run free! Rosco on the other hand needs more socialising and training first, so we booked in with the on-site trainer Michelle while we were there. He was happy enough with the little dogs, but wary of the bigger dogs. With a bit of work hopefully we can snap him out of it and he can run free too! There's a little cafe inside too, as well as a dog groomers and shop. We were there two hours without realising!

We're so glad we went, all the staff were lovely, and we can see us being regular visitors. If you decide to go, here are some tips:

• Bring your dog's microchip info, vaccine certificates, and vet details.


• Make sure your dog has a collar on, and I.D. tag with your name and their name.


• There's a one-off £10 joining fee. You can choose to do monthly membership, or pay to 'pop in and play' at £4.50 a time, plus £1 for each extra dog.

http://www.actionpetz.com/

Parc Nant-y-Waun

Parc Nant-y-Waun - image from www.parcnantywaun.org.uk

We only discovered this place two weeks ago! Parc Nant-y-Waun in Brynmawr is one of the fourteen 'Green Spaces' on the Ebbw Fach Trail. The land and ponds here originally belonged to the Nantyglo Ironworks, but has in recent years been developed into a stunning park with fishing lake, woodland, and even a fitness trail. This is all thanks to the Friends of Parc Nant-y-Waun, and information about their projects at the park can be found on their website here: http://parcnantywaun.org.uk/

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Parc Bryn Bach

 Parc Bryn Bach - image from www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

At Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar you can take your dog on a scenic walk around the 36 acre lake where you might see the Model Boat Club in action, or even the dogs of the Welsh Newfoundland Club attempting mock rescues in the water. At the heart of the park is a visitor centre with a restaurant and gift shop. Be aware of the car park closing times when you go - the gates are locked at 4.30pm in winter.

http://parcbrynbach.co.uk/

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Free parking
Wheelchair and buggy friendly
Visitor Centre
Restaurant
Gift Shop
Activity Centre

Chepstow Castle

Chepstow Castle - image from www.castlexplorer.co.uk

Chepstow Castle is in a beautiful location on the banks of the river Wye. There is a fee to enter the castle itself, but the grounds are free to wander. Dogs on leads are welcome. There is an on-site exhibition, the high point of which are the original 800 year old castle doors. There is a gift shop and toilets on site, and if you're gasping for a cuppa and hot snack after exploring with your dog, (shameless plug alert) my mum's cafe The Orange Crate is a short walk up the road in Chepstow town centre!



http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/chepstow-castle/?lang=en

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Pay & display parking
Wheelchair & buggy friendly in parts
CADW entrance fee to castle
Gift shop
Toilets

Newport Wetlands

Newport Wetlands - image from www.dragonfly-days.co.uk

Newport Wetlands is a nature reserve run by Newport Council, Natural Resources Wales, and the RSPB. We usually start our walk from the path that runs along the Uskmouth Power Station, near the car park exit. The initial walk isn't particularly scenic, with views of heavy industry on your right, and noisy pylons on your left. But keep going and once you're past the power station, you'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the Severn Estuary. At the lighthouse you can cut back to the car park through the wetlands and past the visitor centre. Some of the footpaths do not allow dogs in order to protect the birds, but these are clearly marked. If you're a nature enthusiast, the 'Seasonal Highlights' section of their website is worth a look before you go. The dusk starling display from October onwards is apparently not to be missed, with 50,000 starlings flying at the season's peak (and now I have Hard-Fi's 'Living for the Weekend' song from that Carling advert stuck in my head).

http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/n/newportwetlands/

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Free parking
Wheelchair and buggy friendly
Cafe
Visitor Centre
Guided walks

Wentwood Forest

Wentwood Forest - image from www.thetimes.co.uk

Wentwood Forest near Llanvair Discoed is a great place for an Autumn walk. The forest is ancient; it used to be the hunting grounds of Chepstow Castle. It sprawls over 1000 acres, so it's difficult to know where to start walking, but there are routes available to download here http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/mediafile/100081485/wentwood-walks.pdf from the Woodland Trust. From the end of November you can pick up your Christmas tree and get a hot chocolate from here too!

I've been going to Wentwood since I was a kid in the 80s, and this was my favourite bit:

Wentwood Assault Course - www.caldicot.com/enjoy/wentwood.html

Does anyone know if this is still here? I've been keeping a look out for the Krypton Factor style assault course but I cant find it. Wentwood is so big I could easily have missed it, but I've got a feeling it's been pulled down. I'd be grateful if someone could tell me!

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Bring your wellies!

Parc Cwm Darran

Parc Cwm Darran by Jeremy Bolwell at www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2491687

Parc Cwm Darran by Robin Drayton at www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1880759

As you can probably tell, we like our waterside walks! Parc Cwm Darran near Bargoed has a large man-made lake and even a small waterfall. The council have created a number of trails you can do on their website  http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside/parks/parc-cwm-darran. It's a great place to visit in the Spring/Summer; you and your dog can stroll through the pretty wild flower meadows while slurping a 99 from the seasonal cafe. Winter walks at Cwm Darran are quieter, but Townies beware - it will feel about 20 degrees colder than home so wrap up warm and take a thermos!

Useful Info

Pay & display parking
Wheelchair and buggy friendly
Seasonal cafe/visitor centre
Camping

Parc Taf Bargoed

Parc Taf Bargoed - image from www.visitmerthyr.co.uk

A recent discovery for us, Parc Taf Bargoed is just a ten minute drive from Parc Penallta, and a lovely spot to enjoy a hot roll and a cuppa after a walk! It's home to the local angling and canoe clubs, as well as being popular with cyclists and horse riders. The park seems very community driven; there's a new Pavillion where visitors can learn about the history and wildlife of the park. There are play areas for children, a lakeside activity centre, and volunteer wardens. Their website  http://www.visitmerthyr.co.uk/attractions/parc-taf-bargoed.aspx is very informative, with up-to-date news on park projects. Parc Taf Bargoed is a little-known gem that we will be visiting lots in future!

Useful Info

Free parking
Toilets
Wheelchair and buggy friendly
Seasonal kiosk
Visitor centre
Activities
Play areas

Parc Penallta

 Sultan the pit pony at Parc Penallta - image from www.visitwales.com

Sorry about the slow start! I don't know where this month has gone, but I'm hoping to post lots of walks today to make up for it ^-^

Another favourite of ours, Parc Penallta can be found between Ystrad Mynach and Nelson. I didn't realise just how big it was on our first visit there. It's huge! There are lots of paths to take, flat ones and hilly ones, so each visit there can be different. There are two entrances that I know of, though there may be more. The biggest car park is the one signposted near the Caerphilly council offices. The other quieter car park is just along from the Rowan Tree pub on the A472. Both car parks are unfortunately pay and display - we've met a few park users who have emailed the council to complain. Nonetheless it's still a great walk, with sculptures to make it interesting, and ponds for your dog to splash in.

http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside/parks/parc-penallta

Useful Info:
Pay & Display Parking
Wheelchair & Buggy Friendly