Mama's Guide To Abergavenny.
Wow, the school holidays are almost upon (how is it July already?!) and many of us Mammas will be the feeling the stress of trying to fill our Big and Little Littles’ free time up with lots of smiles and (hopefully) sunshine. I decided to put together a ‘Days Out’ list for my own Big Little’s summer holiday and thought it may be of use for you guys too. We all need a bit more fun, less faff in life,don’t we?! I’ve featured places within a half hours drive from Abergavenny. We really do live in a beautiful, gorgeous part of the world and there are A LOT of things to do and places to see. We just need that weather now. Or good waterproofs. But probably both knowing the Welsh weather!!
Greenmeadow Community Farm- Cwmbran
Visit the animals of Greenmeadow, take a tractor and enjoy lunch at the yummy Cwtch Café. They host lots of events of the summer holidays so it’s worth checking the website for up to date info. Also, the AMAZING Baby and Toddler Tuesday will be running over the summer hols and offer a full day of activities and classes for your Little Littles.
Mountain View Ranch- Cwmcarn
Over a hundred acres of wild, outdoor fun for the whole family to burn off some energy (take me there now!) The ranch is home to South Wales’ very own Gruffalo Trail telling story of Julia Donaldson’s bedtime masterpiece (and who doesn’t love a bit of JD??) through trails and wood sculptures. Other activities include high ropes, segways and zip wires.
Butterfly Zoo – Ross on Wye
Grab your magnifying glasses and pop on your explorer hats as you try to find and identify all the butterflies literally fluttering around your head. It’s lovely and warm inside the zoo too so it is a great day out for a rainy day with the added bonus of pretending you’re in the REALLY HOT tropics. Everyone’s a winner! There is also outdoor and indoor picnic areas open so pack your snacks, sarnies and a flask of hot tea.
The Eden Centre- Aberbeeg
This is a good one; an Astra slide, climbing wall and a ‘Sky Glide’ zip wire await the Big Littles at The Eden Centre! There’s also a dedicated Under 5s area for the Little Littles featuring a double bumpy waterfall slide (I want one!) AND it’s all indoors so perfect for that not so perfect Welsh rain (we SHALL NOT be getting this August! Ha!)
Llangorse Lake and Multi-Activity Centre
The views here literally take my breath away every time we bring the Littles here-it’s just STUNNING! You can take a rowing boat out on the lake, laze in the grass with a picnic or visit the activity centre for a range of indoor and outdoor activities including climbing, pony trekking, zip wires and abseiling. Perfect for adrenaline junkie Littles (and getting them really, really tired!)
Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre
Boasting THE BEST water slides in the valleys (trust me, I’ve been on them) and a great beach area that’s perfect for babies and toddlers to paddle. Call into Brewer’s Fayre afterwards for lunch complete with a Charlie Chalks soft play (did I say tired Littles?)
Llancaiach Fawr Manor
Costumed characters galore to engage Littles in a super fun history lesson at this beautiful (supposedly) haunted manor. Lots of events running over the summer including a Super Hero Day! There’s also a café on site and a super spooky Ghost Tour available (oooooo!)
Castles
Did you know Wales is the country that boasts the most castles per in Europe? Pack a picnic and let your Littles roam free and also get a bit of a history lesson! Don’t forget the colossal stone dragon from Cardiff Castle is making a tour of Welsh castles this summer! Castles near Abergavenny:
Abergavenny Castle (obviously), White Castle, Raglan Castle, Tretower Castle, Chepstow Castle, Skenfrith Castle, Cyfartha Castle (there’s a gorgeous park and wet play area here and the café does proper lush Welsh cakes!)
So, I hope you find this list a little bit helpful or that it gives you some inspiration for a few fun days out. I wish you all a FANTASTIC (and sunny) summer with your Littles. Don’t forget, it’s always good for Mamma (and Daddy) to have a little down time so make sure you keep that bottle of Pimms ready for a glass of something cold when your (exhausted) Littles crash after a super day out. Enjoy, gorgeous people!#
Love, Sarah x