Darran Valley Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Parc Cwm Darran lake The lake has been dredged and slightly remodelled in the last year and is now nearly rectangular (compare the OS map).
Photo by Colin Bell (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Parc Cwm Darran lake The lake has been dredged and slightly remodelled in the last year and is now nearly rectangular (compare the OS map).
Photo by Colin Bell (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Parc Cwm Darran Nearly deserted on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. The structures on the right are a children's playground.
Photo by Colin Bell (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Cefn Gelligaer Gelligaer and Merthyr Common extends for a few miles. This is roughly halfway. Small ponds such as these are frequent; most are not marked on the map. The area is probably usually used for grazing horses but nothing was out on this cold rainy day. The transmitter in the background is on Twyn y Fidffawydd, two squares away.
Photo by Graham Horn (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Pasture at Cefn Bach A footpath runs along the western side of the ridge, across the pastures of Cefn Bach farm. This area is full of rough pastures divided by substantial stone walls.
Photo by Graham Horn (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Popular places to visit

Millennium Stadium showing a river or creek and modern architecture

Principality Stadium

4/5(6 reviews)

Follow in the footsteps of sporting and musical greats when you tour this vast sporting arena. Walk on the pitch, see dressing rooms and lift a trophy.

Principality Stadium
Pierhead Building, a Grade One listed building of the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff Bay, Wales. A Cardiff's landmark taken from Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff Bay

4/5(3 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Cardiff with a trip to Cardiff Bay. Discover the lively bars and acclaimed theatre scene in this family-friendly area.

Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Castle showing heritage architecture, château or palace and heritage elements

Cardiff Castle

4.5/5(28 reviews)

A fortified tower from the 12th century, World War II tunnels and Welsh military history make a fascinating day out at this magnificent castle.

Cardiff Castle
Aerial panorama of Barry Island, Wales, UK

Barry Island Beach

3/5(2 reviews)

If you’re looking for a quintessential Welsh seaside experience, look no further than Barry Beach in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan.

Barry Island Beach
D6WYKM Aerial photograph of the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Utilita Arena Cardiff

3/5(1 review)

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is located on Mary Ann Street in the heart of Cardiff. It was opened in 1993 and is the largest purpose-built facility for staging exhibitions and concerts in South Wales.

Utilita Arena Cardiff
Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

Cardiff University

Founded by Royal Charter in 1883 and located in the heart of the thriving Welsh capital, Cardiff University has built an international reputation for the quality of its work.

Cardiff University

Activities

The Royal Mint Experience: Ticket, Guided Tour & Exhibition

The Royal Mint Experience: Ticket, Guided Tour & Exhibition

AU$33
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
The Royal Mint Experience: Ticket, Guided Tour & Exhibition
Cardiff: Gower Peninsula's Cliffs Scenic Day Tour

Cardiff: Gower Peninsula's Cliffs Scenic Day Tour

AU$168
per adult
Cardiff: Gower Peninsula's Cliffs Scenic Day Tour
Cardiff: Silent Disco Adventure Tour

Cardiff: Silent Disco Adventure Tour

AU$44
per adult
Cardiff: Silent Disco Adventure Tour
From Cardiff: Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons Full-Day Trip

From Cardiff: Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons Full-Day Trip

AU$191
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
From Cardiff: Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons Full-Day Trip
Day Hike: The Brecon Beacons Amazing Six Waterfalls

Day Hike: The Brecon Beacons Amazing Six Waterfalls

AU$129
per adult
Day Hike: The Brecon Beacons Amazing Six Waterfalls
Day Hike: The Eight Waterfalls Of The Brecon Beacons

Day Hike: The Eight Waterfalls Of The Brecon Beacons

AU$129
per adult
Day Hike: The Eight Waterfalls Of The Brecon Beacons
See all activities in Cardiff

Our pick of the best Darran Valley Hotel Deals

The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street Cardiff Wales
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,007 reviews)
Room was clean, and staff very courteous.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

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The Angel Hotel
Celtic Manor Resort

Celtic Manor Resort

5 out of 5
Chepstow Road Newport Wales
The price is AU$204 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
AU$204
6 Mar - 7 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Newport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 indoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,334 reviews)
Lovely hotel.

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

Celtic Manor Resort
Park Plaza Cardiff

Park Plaza Cardiff

4 out of 5
Grey friars Road Cardiff Wales
The price is AU$153 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
AU$153
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
Good welcome, nice big room.

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Park Plaza Cardiff
Cardiff Marriott Hotel

Cardiff Marriott Hotel

4 out of 5
Mill Lane Cardiff Wales
The price is AU$136 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
AU$136
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,215 reviews)
Reception very friendly and helpful. The room was clean, but an extra chair in the room would be better, as it was a King room, not single.

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Cardiff Marriott Hotel
Village Hotel Cardiff

Village Hotel Cardiff

4 out of 5
29 Pendwyallt Road, Coryton Cardiff Wales
The price is AU$152 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
AU$152
5 Mar - 6 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Room was very basic for what I paid, I also didn’t like the self check in

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Village Hotel Cardiff
Future Inns Cardiff Bay

Future Inns Cardiff Bay

4 out of 5
Hemingway Road Cardiff Bay Cardiff Wales
The price is AU$117 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
AU$117
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,581 reviews)
Clean room . Ideal location. Comfortable stay will book again .

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Future Inns Cardiff Bay
See all 1,994 properties in Darran Valley
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Other neighbourhoods around Darran Valley

The Royal Mint.

Llantrisant

Llantrisant is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like The Royal Mint Experience and Llantrisant Leisure Centre.

Llantrisant
Hollybush Estate Road - Coryton

Whitchurch

Whitchurch is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by Forest Farm Country Park, a top place to visit in the area.

Whitchurch
University Hospital of Wales gardens

Heath

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Heath and surrounding area, you can visit Cardiff Golf Club and The Gate Arts and Community Centre.

Heath
Well-preserved oval mound that once hosted gladiatorial combat and military processions. This amphitheater was built for the Roman forces at Isca around AD 90 and would have seated around 6000 spectators!

Caerleon

Caerleon is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Isca Augusta and Caerleon Amphitheatre.

Caerleon
Cardiff, UK

Gabalfa

Gabalfa is well liked for its parks. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Cardiff area, you might plan a trip to Insole Court or Cardiff City Hall.

Gabalfa
Llandaff Cathedral featuring a church or cathedral, heritage elements and religious elements

Llandaff

Visitors to Llandaff like its monuments and historical sites, and Insole Court is a sight worth a stop.

Llandaff

Darran Valley Travel Guide

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