Things to do in Newport

Pencoed Castle is derived from the Welsh meaning "head of the wood". The castle stands among 370 acres of rolling farmland and countryside. The Castle itself is a fortified Tudor manor house built by Sir Thomas Morgan during the first quarter of the 16th Century on the site of a moated Norman castle. The remains of the outer walls are still intact. The tower still existing at the southwest corner of the courtyard is probably one of the towers of the original castle. The inner portion of the castle is a stone manor house with battlements at the top of the walls. The interior of the castle currently lies in a state of disrepair and is ruined. Nevertheless, this small castle has to be one of the most beautiful we have visited in all of Wales. The Castle now has new owners with a gate erected at the end of the long driveway to prevent would be visitors to the castle, which is also their family home. Access is therefore understandably strictly private. The gatehouse is probably the most impressive part of the castle and with expressed permission, you can explore the castle grounds, which are quite fascinating. It is clear that the main hall of the castle is being renovated so please do ensure you seek permission in advance from the owners.

Cefn Mably Farm Park is an all-weather family attraction set in rolling countryside near Michaelston-y-Fedw, between Cardiff and Newport, offering a combination of farm animals, indoor soft play and outdoor activities designed for families with children from toddlers to teenagers. The farm is home to a wide range of animals including chickens, pigs, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, cows, ducks, geese and a herd of alpacas, many of which are rescued animals that have been taken in by the farm over the years. Visitors can take a ride on the Cefn Mably Railway, a miniature train that circuits the paddocks via a lookout bridge and duck pond, try their hand at nine-hole crazy golf, operate real mini-diggers and enjoy a large indoor soft play barn with separate areas for different age groups. An undercover petting corner provides hands-on encounters with guinea pigs and rabbits, and the on-site café serves freshly prepared food alongside a farm shop and butchery called Moody Sow, stocking home-reared and locally sourced produce. The park is open every day and accepts school and group bookings throughout the year.