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

Useful Info

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/

Useful Info

Free parking

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/

Useful Info

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