Parks & nature in Cardiff

Barry Island Beach Huts

Barry

Hire your own beach hut for the day at Barry Island, with a climbing wall on the sand and free all-terrain wheelchairs for the beach.

Accessible toiletChanging PlacesDog friendlyParking+2 more

Cardiff BMX Racing Club

Cardiff · ages 0-99

A proper BMX track where you turn up, borrow the gear if you need it, and race in heats of eight.

Food on siteParkingRestaurant

Charlcombe Bay Beach

Clevedon

A pebbly, rock-edged bay near Clevedon for a proper coastal walk out to Black Nore Lighthouse.

Coed y Werin

Caerphilly

Free woodland walking with sunny glades, boggy dips, ancient rocks and fungi to spot along the way.

Parking

Cold Knap beach

Barry

A pebbly beach with a duck-and-swan lake next door and remote-controlled boats to watch in summer.

ToiletsWheelchair accessible

Fforest Fawr Car Park

Caerphilly

A free woodland car park with a sculpture trail and valley views, plus picnic tables right by the cars.

Free parkingPicnic areaPicnics allowed

Forage Farm Shop and Kitchen

Cowbridge

A working farm shop with a big play area, pick your own flowers at weekends and a proper pumpkin patch with tractor rides come autumn.

CaféFood on siteOutdoor playRestaurant

Henleaze Lake

Bristol

Open water swimming and springboard or high diving in a spring-fed lake, but only if you can swim 50 metres unaided.

Accessible toiletBooking requiredIndoor seatingFood on site+1 more

Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs

Cardiff · ages 6-18

Open water swimming, sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding on two reservoirs, plus walking trails around the water.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBirthday parties+13 more

Mountain View Bike Park

Caerphilly · ages 2+

Graded trails from pump track to black run, with day passes from £12 and proper supervision rules for younger riders.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféOutdoor play

National Lido of Wales

Pontypridd

Three heated outdoor pools plus a play park with slides, swings and tunnels for the bits when they've had enough of swimming.

Birthday partiesCaféParty roomsWheelchair accessible

Pencoedtre Park

Barry

A free splash pad plus a skate park, toddler area and games court, all in one open park with parking on site.

Free parkingOutdoor play

Prior's Wood

Bristol

Free woodland walking with bluebells in spring and buzzards overhead, though the paths get properly muddy.

Roath Pleasure Gardens

Cardiff

A lakeside park with playgrounds, boating and model yachting, plus fishing if anyone in your group is patient enough.

CaféPicnic area

The Organic Garden

Bristol

A working organic garden with meadows, a sculpture trail and a children's garden running two-hour gardening and art sessions.

CaféDog friendlyGift shopWheelchair accessible

Water Adventure Play Park

Weston-super-Mare · ages 1-12

An outdoor splash park with water play features for a couple of quid, open 10am to 5pm every day, with unlimited entry once you're in.

Group bookingsFood on siteParkingPicnics allowed+1 more

ZeroW Wales

Cardiff

A 24/7 access gym in Cardiff with app entry, staffed hours on weekdays and membership tiers to suit different budgets.

Free parkingToilets