A family and dog-friendly weekend in Wales #GlamAdventure
The last time we visited Wales was in 2009, well before we started our little family. We climbed Snowden, visited Caernarfon Castle and concluded our Welsh road trip with a few nights in Cardiff. We have great memories of beautiful landscapes, epic sights and friendly locals.
So when the Visit Wales team and the people behind Glamorgan Heritage Coast & Countryside asked us if we would like to come for a family and dog-friendly #GlamAdvenure we jumped at the chance.
We visited some great places during our 48 hours in the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, and I’ll be writing more about each of them. But here’s a taster of our weekend.
Where we stayed in the Vale of Glamorgan
Our base for the weekend was Warren Mill Farm near Pendoylan in the Vale of Glamorgan. We were staying in one of the B&B rooms in this 16th Century farm house. The owners, Marian and Howard, kindly accommodated us at the last minute and provided an airbed for Tin Box Tot to go beside our travel cot for Tin Box Baby. They couldn’t have been more helpful.
The farmhouse is full of rural curiosities. TBT was particularly taken by Mr Fox – a walking stick holder -who stood by the door.
We had two very peaceful and comfortable nights at Warren Mill Farm, which is in easy reach of Barry Island, Cardiff and the Glamorgan coastline.
Our days out in the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend
We left it up to the #GlamAdventure team to find us some local activities that would be suitable for our young family and Tin Box Dog. It’s often a bit of challenge to keep everyone happy but they came up with some great days out.
First we visited Amelia Trust Farm – a charity in the Vale of Glamorgan working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people that is also open to the public. We spent a morning meeting the animals, searching for fairies and gnomes, and wildlife spotting. Tin Box Dog was even welcome to wander around the farm on her lead.
Next we headed to Bridgend where we had a guided tour of the Parc Slip Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. It’s been created on the site of an old mine and is now home to some of Wales’ rarest wildlife.
Before we headed home the next day we made a quick stop at Dunraven Bay at Southerndown – a beach on the Wales Coast Path. It was a lovely day and the dramatic scenery made for some great photos. TBT was so engrossed in digging for treasure that she didn’t want to leave. Dogs are welcome from October to May.
Where we ate in the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend
There was a fantastic choice of roadside pubs in the area so we were never far from somewhere to eat. However we had a few places recommended to us.
On our first night we ate at the Pelican in her Piety opposite the ruins of a Norman castle in Bridgend. The staff were very friendly and only too happy to supply us with a children’s menu and highchair for TBB. We wolfed down three courses and enjoyed every mouthful. In fact we wished we’d ordered two baked camembert starters rather than shared – it was delicious.
On day two we stopped at The Prince of Wales at Kenfig in Bridgend for our evening meal. This pub is steeped in history and serves up some epic homemade food. There’s a snug room that welcomes dogs and we were offered a highchair for TBB. Mr Tin Box may have been the only man in the pub cheering for England in their Six Nations match with Ireland but we were made to feel very welcome.
Thank you to everyone who made our #GlamAdventure in South Wales so enjoyable.
Disclosure: we were invited guests of Visit Wales and Glamorgan Heritage Coast & Countryside. All views are my own.
I’m a blog awards finalist – yay!
I’m incredibly excited to share that I am in the finals of the 2016 MAD (mum and dad) Blog Awards and the shortlist of the Brilliance in Blogging Awards. If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read and have a spare minute please consider voting for me in the Family Travel Blog category of the MADs and the Travel category of the BiBs.
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looks great!#monday escapes
I love the thought of someone planning my days out. Your photos are lovely and looks like you all had a good time – including the dog. #PointShoot
Such beautiful photos, I love the one of your little on on the badger – so cute
Sounds like a lovely weekend, I have never been to Wales, it is certainly on the list to visit though. x
Lovely part of the country to escape to X #checkoutthatview
That looks like a wonderful adventure !
We loved wales spent a week there last year. You looked like you had a great trip. Its great for places to accommodate animals, my parents have a dog and they take it everywhere.
I’ve really enjoyed your posts about Wales Mark. I was thinking about them a lot while wee where there and wishing we could have explored further afield like you.
Nice blog, Love Wales , we were in there for last w/e of 1/2 term, easy to get to and lots to do! Walked up the Brecon beacons in a gale probably put kids off tramping forever! Impressed you got away with cheering for England in a welsh pub!
Oh no, what a shame you had bad weather in the Beacons – still, it’s character forming 🙂 Yes, I did feel a little self-conscious to begin with (Mr TB can’t control his excitement when there rugby is on), but the pub regulars were lovely. I think the fact we had two small children with us also helped!!
We have never been to Wales. We haven’t seen much more than London & surrounds in the UK but one day it would be lovely to go do a big trip all around the UK. This looks like a lovely mini break.
Thanks! Yes,definitely add it to your UK bucket list next time you’re here!
The buildings and countryside are just beautiful. We hope to return to Wales one day x
It’s taken us quite a few years to return but I’m visiting at least twice in 2016. There’s definitely something about Wales that draws you back! x
I just love the architecture of the places you ate at. Picture perfect and it sounds like you had a great time watching the game as the locals made you feel welcome!
We ate at some great traditional, family pubs. I’m going to be sharing a bit more about them on other posts. The food was great and the history behind the buildings was really interesting.
That looks like such a great place! I love the photo of your daughter on the dog sculpture!
It’s a badger but I can see where you’re coming from 🙂 It was one of those photo opportunities that was too good to miss!
First, I am in love with the Pelican in her Piety, what a name and a beautiful building! And I love that you travel with your 4 legged family member….I’m trying to learn to love it, so I’m always in awe of people who make it look so easy!
I’m flattered that you think it looks easy – my job as a travel blogger is done! 😉 What I have neglected to mention in this post, and was going to share a bit more of another time, was the total lack of sleep we had over the weekend. A combo of being in a different place and a touch of sickness meant we were up with our girls quite a bit over the weekend. However, Tin Box Dog was impeccably behaved. Travelling with a dog is easy. Travelling with kids… 🙂
We’ve never visited Wales properly but just the other day we crossed part of it on the way to Thomas Land (we had gotten the ferry to Holyhead) and thought we should visit. It seems like a really charming place and the nature we saw was truly stunning and wild
It’s definitely somewhere you should return for a good explore. Mr TB is in love with the Brecon Beacons and I adore Cardiff. In fact there ‘s not much we don;t like 🙂
Lovely photos! And sounds like a fun trip! Goodness I really love your photos!
#mondayescapes #pointshoot
Aww, thank you so much Merlinda 🙂
I’ve never been to Wales! It looks lovely, with lots of fun things to do. Love that picture of your dog. It looks professional! #KCACOLS
Looks like you’ve had a brilliant time! Our little country has so much to offer 🙂 the vale of Glamorgan is a fab place to go! #KCACOLS
What a great post! I love your photos! #KCACOLS
I loved reading this, the weekend sounds perfect! Love Wales. We are regular visitors to Abersoch and Tenby, back in a few weeks. Thanks for sharing. Claire X #KCACOLS
Sounds like a lovely adventure and a welcoming place to stay #KALCOS
Looks great! we follow a different kind of “footbball” over here, but I often find myself the only one rooting for my team when out in a pub. Glad the locals took it easy on him
Wow, beautiful pictures! I live in Canada and have never been to Wales before, although I am proud to say it is part of my heritage. I love how rustic and inviting it looks. I hope that once our kiddos are a bit older we will have the extra money to do some travelling in Europe. I will keep Glamorgan in mind when we do! 😉 It’s very nice to meet you and your blog, I have followed you on a couple of your social networking sites 🙂
#KCACOLS
Tori
http://www.themamanurse.com
Love that you were able to bring your dog on holiday with you! We have a dog who’s part of the family, but always has to be left behind with friends or family whenever we go anywhere. Love the look of all the heritage buildings and the sound of your eating outings – I do love a good feed while on holidays 🙂
Sounds like. Lovely break. We’re always looking for ideas for little getaways and I love Wales so definitely one for the lost. #KCACOLS x
The beach looks stunning! Wales is a bit far for us for a weekend but maybe a longer stay. X via #KCACOLS
We’ve not had an opportunity to explore that part of the country yet, but it looks lovely. In our to-do list! ☺
#KCACOLS
Looks like a great holiday! I had some nice trips to Wales when I used to live in Chester. My husband and I took our last trip alone together before having our daughter to Anglesey, and it was lovely. #KCACOLS
Looks like you and your family had a great time! Lovely photos! I love a holiday where the place is so rich in history. #KCACOLS
Looks like you had a lovely break and what a beautiful family you have. I gave a little giggle when you mention the Rugby, I can totally imagine all the Welsh supporting Ireland!
Amanda. #kcacols
That looks like a great place to visit and I love the look of the pub! 🙂 #KCACOLS
Such gorgeous photos! And what a charming place! I hope to visit Wales someday.
#KCACOLS
Wow looks lovely and sounds like you had a fantastic couple of days. Beautiful photos too! I haven’t explored much of Wales but would really like to.
Gorgeous post – i love Wales! And such adorable pictures! xx #KCACOLS
Thank you so much! 🙂
Wow, looks amazing. My two would love every second of it! We are looking for a staycation this summer and this looks fab. Thank you #KCACOLS
It’s definitely worth considering 🙂
We’re familiar with Pembrokeshire as we have family there but don’t really know this part of Wales – looks fab! #KCACOLS
It’s definitely worth a look if you have time 🙂
It sounds like a lovely break – the farm house looks so welcoming! #KCACOLS
It totally was! I’ll be sharing more about Warren Mill Farm another time
Sounds like a lovely few days away. Great photos. Thank you for linking up to #CheckOutThatView – the latest linkup has just gone live – hope to see you there again. x
Thank you! I’ll drop by tomorrow x
It looks like a great place to visit – and your photos are gorgeous too! 😀 #KCACOLS
Thank you so much!
I’ve never really considered Wales as a holiday place but it looks beautiful. I love the look of the place you stayed and it’s fab you can bring your dog too 🙂 Thanks for hosting #KCACOLS
Debbie
I remember a few holidays in and around Wales as a kid and I’ve now done a few there as an adult. It’s definitely worth considering for a break in the future, especially if you have a pet you’d like the bring along 🙂
Sounds like a fab few days away for you and your family. I have not been to Wales yet but this place seems so interesting. Lovely photos and video too! #KCACOLS
Thank you! It’s our first attempt at a video so I appreciate the feedback 🙂
What a great looking weekend and I adore the shot of Tin Box Dog #Piontshoot
Thank you. She’s getting lots of compliments 🙂
Sounds like a delightful weekend with your family! I live in the US so the names of places sound so beautiful and elegant. The historic buildings, houses and farms look so enticing. I hope I get to visit “your neck of the woods” someday. Thanks for giving me a glimpse! #KCACOLS
You’re very welcome 🙂
This looks incredible. I love Wales, and climbing Snowdon is STILL on my list of things to do! #KCACOLS
I’d definitely like to do Snowden again. Last time it was really cloudy when we reached the top. I felt a bit cheated as we’d spent a couple hours climbing to get there 🙂
Such lovely photographs of your stay. It looks like you all had a fabulous time and great that you were able to take the dog with you! I haven’t been to Wales for some time but think it is a beautiful country and love the idea of a glam adventure! 🙂 #KCACOLS
Thank you! x
Oh how lovely and what beautiful photos! It isn’t somewhere I have ever visited but I most definitely would like to! #KCACOLS
Thank you! It’s definitely worth it 🙂
Looks like a very family friendly place to visit. I have only ever been to a stadium in Cardiff to see Oasis in concert many years ago, so not at all familiar with Wales, but this looks a great weekend away! xx
#KCACOLS
I love Cardiff but it’s definitely worth getting outside the city to see some of the Welsh countryside x
That looks such fun. We’ve been to Wales a few times, but never Bridgend. Glad you had a good time
Thanks!
We have not been back to Wales since our little man was born but judging by your pics it’s time to return. I loved holidaying in Wales when I was a kid!
It was fab! I hope you can arrange to go soon. Reliving holidays with your kids is so much fun 🙂
Sounds like you had a great #glamadventure
My mummy is salivating over the baked camembert!! Bridgend looks quaint 🙂 #KCACOLS
We had to relive the camembert last night at home. It was lush! 🙂
Oooh it looks like you’ve had a wonderful time! The pub in particular looks lovely. Becky x #KCACOLS
The pubs we visited were great. More on those another time!
Wow what a wonderful trip! We moved to South Wales two years ago from Essex and every day out feels like we are on holiday. It is such a beautiful part of the world with so much to see! I look forward to reading your future posts on this trip! #KCACOLS
It’s lovely feeling like you’re on holiday all the time. We feel like that since moving to Devon. I hope we can see that going as long as you have!
What a great looking post, looks like a great family holiday, I’m always amazed at the differences of visiting somewhere with my boys that I have previously been to when I was young free and single!! Well younger and maybe not so single but still without kiddies:) Beautiful countryside. Thank you for sharing
Ha! Yes, pre and post-kids are two very different experiences 🙂
What a lovely weekend! I must say I have only been to Wales once and it was a long time ago! I would be really interested in going again and the pub looks lovely! 🙂
#KCACOLS
Ah, the pubs were so good! More on them in future posts 🙂
Looks like a great holiday, love all tour pictures. I have lived in Wales all my life (up until September last year) and I have never visited any of these places. Quite unbelievable really considering we lived join Swansea for 6 years and that’s only 25mins from Bridgend. Love the video and looks like the dog had a great time too xx #kcacols
Isn’t it funny how we rarely check out what’s right on our doorstep. I’m really guilt of that myself! xx
This sounds great fun! I love South Wales. I know Bridgend (I must confess that, before I went, I spent years believing Bridgend was in Essex – presumably because of Southend) – it’s nice round there! #KCACOLS
Ha! I think we went to the same geography lessons at school 😉
Looks like lovely trip and like you had a great time. It’s such beautiful countryside #KCACOLS
It really is 🙂
What a lovely weekend away. I’m absolutely besotted by all those adorable pubs and can’t wait to take the kids to the UK to drive around exploring some of them. And the beautiful scenery of course!
You’ll never be short of pubs in this lovely area of the world 🙂
Sounds like you had a fab time! 🙂 #KCACOLS
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
Thanks, yes we certainly did 🙂
What a lovely mini break, it looks like such a beautiful area. Thanks for linking up to #PointShoot x
Ooh, so beautiful. I can’t wait to share a few more pictures x
That looks fab. Particularly loved the name and look of the pub. Food sounded good too!
Oh, the food! I’m dribbling now just thinking about it 🙂
Should have said #KCACOLS
this looks so lovely! We try visit Wales once a year – so much outdoor space. Love the photo with your dog x #KCACOLS
Thank you. Yes, there was so much space to explore. Wee could have spent a lot longer than a weekend there! x
Wow you certainly visited some beautiful places – my children would love it there. I haven’t been to Wales much, but our school journeys were in a place near Betws-y-coed and it was really beautiful. Happy memories. We should try and go there on holiday one day.
x Alice
It’s always good to relive a bit of your childhood. I’m sure your kids would love it 🙂
I forgot the hashtag too!
#kcacols
It looks so lovely, especially the pub! Thanks for sharing 🙂 #kcacols
Everyone seems to have liked the look of the pubs 🙂
This looks like it was a brilliant break. We used to do lots of holidays like this before the children but I admit we haven’t quite been brave enough since they came along. It looks like a lot of fun! #KCACOLS
Give it a go. It’s not all peachy, but then again, neither is it when you are at home. At least, it’s like that in our house 🙂
What a lovely weekend away! We definitely want to start exploring the UK more, so places like these are great to discover and read about through other bloggers with little ones. It looks like you all had a lovely weekend 🙂 Emily #KCACOLS
Thank you, yes it was a good one and lots to do with young kids 🙂
It looks like you had a lovely weekend that had something for everyone (including the dog) to enjoy! I haven’t been to Wales in years and years but I remember some wonderful family holidays there when I was a kid. #KCACOLS
Wow this was really a great holiday!! As I mentioned to you before Wales is a place that I would love to go and visit as I have never been there before. So this gives me some great ideas of where to go and what to do! Your girls are adorable and your dog is so handsome!! You have a beautiful family!! Your video is really good!! I love it!! Thanks so much for co-hosting with me this week at #KCACOLS. I really appreciate your help!! 🙂 xx
Thank you and it’s an absolute pleasure x
Oh wow that place looks stunningly beautiful! I would love to visit there one day.
Sounds like you all (including dog) had a wonderful time! Wales truly is a beautiful place I must say so!
Thanks! Yes, Tin Box Dog was in her element. Especially on the beach 🙂
This looks like a great weekend away. Tin Box Dog looked very chuffed 🙂 I haven’t visited Wales yet for a holiday, and I keep hearing about how beautiful it is. Thanks for sharing. Kathy x #KCACOLS
It is beautiful. The coastline in particular is stunning x
Awwwn you guys seem to have had such a wonderful weekend! So nice that you could bring Tin Box Dog along 😀
I love her picture, looks like such an explorer like Enzzo 😀
Happy to have you on #MondayEscapes
Hi Claire, I realised that I forgot to put that I found your great post through #KCACOLS 🙂
I posted on March 6th 🙂
What a fun weekend. So nice to have someone else plan your itinerary for you.
Looks really family friendly! #KCACOLS
Ahh sounds like you had a lovely time away – beautiful photos! We went to Wales around this time last year for a long weekend and we LOVED it. My boys have not stopped talking about going back. There is just so much to see! #KCACOLS
What a lovely weekend you had, with something for everyone 🙂 I’ve not been to Wales in a very long time but it’d be great to check out next time we go!
Laura xx
#KCACOLS
Wow this looks like my absolute perfect weekend away! We are always looking for dog friendly accommodation and pubs where we can take our dog. I love how the team arranged your weekend for you – I never really like the research part!! Looks like you had a fab time, we really need to visit Wales more x #KCACOLS
There’s certainly a lot of choice when it comes to dog and family-friendly pubs and our B&B was fab x
Sounds like a really fab few days and a lovely time. #kcacols