2025 Tongwynlais Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Castell Coch is one of my favourite gems in Wales, just outside Cardiff this stunning castle looks like it is straight out of a fairytale film. The castle is nestled on a hill within forests and can be seen from far away, the Motorway running along the bottom of the hill gives you a great view as you drive by. There has been a building on the site since 1080 but the castle that stands there today was built between 1875-1891, it was the brain child of the famous William Burges who also led the building of Cardiff castle. The castle is striking because although it is small in size it is brimming with architectural features, from the outside the curves of the walls and the turrets give it such a unique look. There is drawbridge and keep that leads you into the main courtyard, with stairs leading off to the various rooms of the building. You can explore the castle at your own leisure and take in the stunning decorations within the rooms, especially the intriqute detailing to the ceilings. There are many different designs throughout the building that take inspiration from animals and nature, there are so many details to spot it can take you some time to move from room to room. In the higher rooms you can get a stunning view out over Cardiff and the wider area, seeing as far as the Bristol channel on a clear day. The woods around the castle are stunning and a great spot for walks, exploring the area and taking in the natural surroundings. #timetotravel #trip #instatravel #cardiff #castle #history

This is an architectural masterpiece located in the Welsh Mountains and truly a jewel of the UK. Originally a Medieval castle this was rebuilt at great expense by Lord Bute and designed in a Gothic style. As with his other projects this has an incredible attention to detail. The rooms are decorated with incredible luxury for the time and they still look stunning even today. There are several floors to explore including bed chamber, drawing room and library. You can even check out the cellar or dungeon. You get a free audio tour with the ticket and it gives a lot of useful information. As you'd expect it is a great photo opportunity too. #2023travelwish #uk #travel #tripblazers #urbanexplorer #awesomepic

This is an architectural masterpiece located in the Welsh Mountains and truly a jewel of the UK. Originally a Medieval castle this was rebuilt at great expense by Lord Bute and designed in a Gothic style. As with his other projects this has an incredible attention to detail. The rooms are decorated with incredible luxury for the time and they still look stunning even today. There are several floors to explore including bed chamber, drawing room and library. You can even check out the cellar or dungeon. You get a free audio tour with the ticket and it gives a lot of useful information. As you'd expect it is a great photo opportunity too. #travel #uk #urbanexplorer

An incredible nature walk. This is the perfect place to take a break from the stress of life and get some fresh air at the same time. This is a well laid out path through tall trees and along a dirt path so you can't really go wrong or get lost. I love that it's a dog friendly path, in fact most of the walkers will be dog walkers. It's worth going off the beaten bath a little and explore the trees, you'll see some interesting sights. Ahead a little there is a cool cave and some nice carvings. And of course wildlife such as squirrels If you walk this be sure to check out Castell Coch too for an unforgettable heritage sight. #bucketlistreboot #tripblazers

Address: Near Tongwynlais, Cardiff CF15 7JS, Wales Attraction & Atmosphere: A woodland sculpture trail hidden behind Castell Coch (the “Fairy Castle”). Perfect for families or solo explorers who love secret woodland paths. Highlights: Wood carvings, fairy-tale forest, and panoramic views with a fresh air over Cardiff. Rating: ★★★★ #familytrip #greenenvironment