4 tips to make your weekend break in South Wales perfect 

To make the most of your time away, we’ve assembled a few top tips to get your weekend break in South Wales off to a flying start. 

Pick the best local adventure for you 

Our biggest tip for a weekend break in South Wales is to do a little research and find that one thing you, personally, can’t afford to miss. To help you out, here’s our top spot if you love… 
 
Castles: There are more than 600 castles in Wales to choose from. How can narrow that down to just one? You could go for the biggest: that’s Caerphilly castle with 30 acres of defences to explore. Or perhaps the oldest, Chepstow Castle boasts magical views over the River Wye. 
 
Gardens: The National Botanic Garden of Wales holds 6,000 different plant varieties within 560 acres of inspiring gardens. Explore the range of themed gardens, impressive glasshouse and tropical Butterfly House. There’s something for every true (and aspiring) horticulturalist.  
 
City culture: If the urban jungle is more to you taste. Wales’ capital, Cardiff, has enough going on to jam-pack every weekend of the year. A medley of museums for culture, Victorian arcades for shopping, Wales Millenium Centre for shows and entertainment - and, yes, there’s a castle too.  
 
Walking: Get a taste of sea air along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. The 14 mile trail stretches between Aberthaw to Porthcawl and features all the hallmarks of a coastal paradise: dramatic cliffs, sweeping views and secret coves. You may even find a Jurassic fossil or two. 
 
Coastal havens: Porthcawl is a oft-missed gem of the South Wales coastline. A beautiful harbour town with stunning shoreline views - it’s a great choice for families looking for a fun day out. For nature-lovers, the pristine beaches on the Gower Peninsula offer some truly special spots. 
 
Whisky: Those who enjoy the finer beverages in life should head to Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Tucked away in the Cynon Valley is Penderyn, Wales first whisky distillery since the 19th Century. Award-winning single malt whisky, distillery tours and masterclasses await. 
 
Waterfalls: Keeping in Bannau Brycheiniog, you’ll find an area known as Waterfall Country. We’d have a hard time naming just one waterfall in this incredible area so we’ll settle by recommending the Elidir Trail which features four amazing waterfall in one walk. Perfect. 
 
TV show locations: There are some amazing film and TV locations to found around South Wales. While many will flock to Bannau Brycheiniog for The Dark Knight Rises or the Wye Valley for Sex Education, we’d have to pick Barry for all the best scenes in Gavin and Stacey.

Stay somewhere central to the action 

You’ve got limited time to explore on a weekend break, so you don’t want to spend it all travelling. Choose a hotel that is central to the action with great connections to the places you want to be. For example, The Great House Hotel is a short 10 minute drive from Porthcawl for family seaside fun and halfway between the bright lights of Cardiff and Swansea. The vast Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is just a short drive north. Perfectly placed for an amazing weekend break in South Wales with everything you could want in easy reach. 

Feast on local food and drink 

Wales may not have France’s reputation for high-quality cuisine but a taste of Wales is still not to be missed. If you’re looking for best in Welsh cooking, make sure you choose restaurants serving local-sourced seasonal ingredients. At The Great House Hotel, we use fresh fish brought into Porthcawl, just 10 minutes down the road. You can’t say fresher than that. Our award-winning Leicester’s Restaurant is a great choice to taste the best of Wales with our emphasis on clean flavours and creativity. Go on, treat yourself. 

Find a unique and luxurious place to stay

The best weekend breaks in South Wales come with a slice of luxury. When choosing your hotel, don’t settle for a chain. You want somewhere special to lay your head, run by locals who know South Wales inside and out. At The Great House Hotel, we strive to provide an exceptional hotel experience. With just 11 rooms nestled within a stunning countryside setting, you’ll find an outstanding personal service awaits on every stay.  

The Great House: rural charm and luxury

A warm and friendly atmosphere awaits at The Great House. Our grade-II listed hotel comes full of character, complete with flagstone floors, oak beams and inglenook fireplaces. The 11 rooms each have their own unique style and an outstanding, personal service is guaranteed. 

We look forward to welcoming you on your weekend break in South Wales.