Zip World Tower Rhigos
Hirwaun, Aberdare, CF44 9UF, UK
Email – info@zipworld.co.uk
Attractions
Capel Cartref is equipped with a comprehensive information folder, which includes plenty of information on where to eat and options for what to do, during your holiday in South Wales, Powys, with suggested itineraries to assist you in planning your days. Cwmtwrch is a host to a variety of wildlife as broadcast by BBC2 during Rugged Wales by Lolo Williams.
Capel Cartref is in an ideal central location for visitors who wish to sample a variety of attractions and places of interest across South Wales, including the Brecon Beacons, the haunted Craig Y Nos Castle and Country Park, once owned by opera singer Adelina Patti, (as shown on TV’s Countryfile), Gower beaches and all the shops and visitor attractions in Swansea. Numerous local activities available include mountain biking, walking, golf, fishing, horse riding, surfing and shopping.
A lovely place for dog walking and appreciating plant life is Clyne Park, Mumbles Road Mill Lane, SA3 5BD. Although some of the paths are steep and contain steps so not great for people who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Listed on this page are just some of the top attractions which are within easy travelling distance.
The Escape Game
Escape Room in Swansea
Unit 2B Samlet Shopping Centre, Samlet Road, Llansamlet SWANSEA SA7 9AG
Bannau Brycheiniog (AKA Brecon Beacons National Park)
You’ll find a warm welcome at the Visitor Centre. This is a beautiful part of Wales, with traditional market towns, stunning landscape, canal paths, castles and plenty of family attractions. The scenery here is both beautiful and diverse – rolling countryside and valleys, wide open spaces to the wild beauty of the waterfalls and caves.
Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, Brecon, Powys LD3 8ER Tel. 01874623366
Dan yr Ogof Caves – National Showcaves Centre
This is one of the most popular attractions for families in South Wales. The Centre boasts some of the largest and most impressive caves in Europe. There is also a Shire Horse Centre, Barney’s Playbarn and a very popular Dinosaur Park – ideal for children and like-minded adults to investigate and explore. The Centre usually opens from April to October, seven days a week.
The National Showcaves Centre, SA9 1GJ 01639 730 284
The Gower Beaches
The beautiful beaches of the Gower in Swansea, such as Rhossili, have won awards for their outstanding beauty and cleanliness. The Gower is approximately forty minutes’ drive from Capel Cartref and is perfect for walking, swimming, biking, beach-karting, picnics, photography and surfing.
Afan Forest Mountain Bike Centre
There are five world class tracks at Afan Forest (also called Afan Argoed), which are set in 11,000 hectares of forest. Afan Forest Park was the only UK trail destination to feature in the ‘What Mountain Bike Magazine’, as one of the ten best places to ride ‘before you die’. In 2008 it was also voted one of the top ten public forests in the UK, by the Sunday Telegraph.
Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre, Cynonville, Port Talbot SA13 3HG 01639 850564
Vale of Neath Waterfalls
Nowhere else in Wales is there such a richness and diversity of waterfalls within such a small area as can be found in the Vale of Neath. This abundance has led to the region becoming known as ‘Waterfall Country’.
Aberdulais Falls, Main Road SA10 8EU 01639 636674
Gnoll Country Park
Gnoll Country Park is a delightful country park based on an 18th Century landscaped garden. Close to Neath town centre, it features lakes, cascades, a grotto, children’s play area, adventure playground and a Visitor Interpretation Centre. The park’s forest footpaths link to the Mosshouse Reservoir and Cefn Morfudd historical viewpoints. From the A465 at Neath follow B4434 signs for Tonna and then the brown signs off Gnoll Park Road. The main park can be enjoyed by all, but the footpaths to the Mosshouse are a little more strenuous.
c/o Neath Borough Council, Civic Centre, Neath, West Glamorgan SA11 3QZ – Phone: +44 (0)1639 635808
National Botanical Gardens of Wales
A must for anyone who is interested in plants and botanical science. This is the number one most visited garden in Wales and was voted the number one Wonder of Wales, by the Western Mail – it has even featured in the BBC’s Dr Who! TV programme! Regular events are held throughout the year.
Middleton Hall, Llanarthney, Carmarthen, Dyfed SA32 8HG – 01558 668 768
Places to Eat
The Crown for pub/food closer to the chapel, which is situated approximately 500 yards) It reopened in 2021 after being named The Ffynnon. Tel. 01792 983405 crown.inn@yahoo.com
Tafarn Twrch (The Castle Inn), 2 Bethel Road, Lower Cwmtwrch SA0 2PS – pub within walkable distance. No food served but they do have a pool table…
New Tradegar Hotel is also quite a nice homely pub/restaurant, Tel 01639 830229 Upper Cwmtwrch SA9 2XG
The George IV Inn. Heol Gwys, Cwm-twrch Uchaf, Cwmllynfell, Swansea SA9 2XH Tel 01639 831229
Ancient Briton, Brecon Road, Pen-y-cae SA9 1YR Tel 01639 730273 – A very friendly pub serving good food, with a range of ales and local cider. Children and dogs welcome. It is situated quite close to Dan-yr-Ogof Caves, Henrhyd Falss and Craig-y-Nos Counry Park.
The Aubrey Arms, Gurnos Road, SA9 2LA is located off the main roundabout heading into Lower Cwmtwrch. They serve steak and visitors have recommended it. Tel. 01639 842116
Saws-Deka (Som-Tum Authentic Thai Take Away) – based in car park of Godrergraig social/working men’s club Ystalyfera SA9 2HA 5-10pm Mon-Sun Tel 07969357307 – This has a new owner so we cannot review it until we try it for ourselves…
The Tiffin do a nice Indian take away but they do not deliver. Tel 01639 842144 (1 mile away in opposite direction to The George) Ystradgynlais, Swansea SA9 2JX) VERY LONG WAITING TIME, EVEN WHEN YOU PHONE BEFOREHAND THEY CAN LEAVE YOU WAITING FOR OVER AN HOUR
Pen & Cae Inn, Brecon Road, Pen Y Cae, Swansea Valley, SA9 1FA Tel 01639 730100 – FIFTEEN MINUTE DRIVE AWAY BUT WELL WORTH THE JOURNEY
The Clock Works in Ystradgynlais, (on the same site as Tesco) is another dog friendly eatery. Wind Road, SA9 1AD. Tel. 01792 721084 The menu contains ‘typical’ pub food as well as nachos and pizzas. If you visit their website, it is possible to download the menu. https://www.theclockworkspubystradgynlais.co.uk
TESCO – Wind Road, Ystradgynlais SA9 1AD
Tel No. 0871 789 9473
ASDA – Ystalyfera, Glanyrafon, Godrergraig SWANSEA SA9 2DE
Tel No. 01639 665800
Swansea Indoor Market, Oxford Street, Swansea SA1 3PQ sells lots of local produce as well as books, clothes and jewellery, however, no dogs are allowed inside.