Free Museums in Porthcawl

"Devoted mainly to natural history and art, this grand neoclassical building is the centrepiece of the seven institutions dotted around the country that together form the Welsh National Museum. It's one of Britain's best museums; you'll need at least three hours to do it justice, but it could easily consume the best part of a rainy day. On-site parking, behind the museum, is £6.50."

"If your yearning for learning wasn't fully sated at the National Museum of Wales, make the short journey west of the city center to St. Fagans National Museum of History. This fascinating open-air attraction is very much a living museum, with costumed characters demonstrating the kind of traditional skills and crafts that helped shape the country. Highlights include the opportunity to explore a variety of original and reproduction buildings, including quaint farmhouses and cottages, well-kept gardens, along with workshops and mills where you can enjoy demonstrations of old machinery."

"Visit this 100-acre (40.5ha) open-air museum and learn about Wales’s historical past. There are re-erected buildings from various ages to explore – including old schools, butchers, bakers, ironsmiths and workmen’s institutes – while on the grounds you’ll also see native breeds of livestock. There are also festivals and seasonal celebrations of traditional music and dance, making a trip to St Fagans a wonderfully engaging day out for the whole family."

"Step back in time for a superb day out at St Fagan’s National History Museum. You can explore a multitude of recreated buildings from different time periods including a church, farmhouses, mills and a tannery to name a few. You can also view craftspeople carrying out traditional craft activities in this open-air museum."

"Or is your younger brother/sister/cousin coming to Cardiff to visit and you do not know where to take them?. Techniquest, the hands-on science and discovery centre at Cardiff Bay, is the place for you!. The centre aims to encourage people, particularly children and teenagers, to learn more about and enjoy the subjects of science, maths, engineering and technology."

"Located in Swansea’s former Guildhall, the Dylan Thomas Centre houses an extensive collection of memorabilia relating to the city’s most famous resident. Alongside photographs and sound recordings, the centre is also home to the permanent ‘Love the Words’ Exhibition, opened on Dylan Thomas’ 100th birthday and which explores his life and work through a selection of fascinating interactive displays. The centre is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4.30pm and entry is free."

"Just a short walk from Swansea city centre is the Glynn Vivian Gallery, also free to enter, and containing a variety of displays from artists across Wales and beyond. It has a broad spectrum of exhibitions, changing throughout the year and encompassing both modern and traditional styles. Among these is an exhibition on the life and private art collection of Richard Glynn Vivian, original founder of the gallery, who left his entire art collection to it in 1908 for ‘the enjoyment of the people of Swansea’."

"One of Wales’ most famous galleries, the Glynn Vivian Gallery was named after its benefactor and founder Richard Glynn Vivian 1835-1910. Born into a wealthy copper smelting family, Richard chose to pursue his love of art after inheriting a quarter share of the family business. The dividends allowed him to indulge in his greatest passion."

"The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is now closed to the public as preparations are underway for a multi-million pound redevelopment project."

", offers up a whole load of wonderful seaside attractions including go-karts, arcades and kid’s play areas. Sit on the green and eat chips while you watch waves roll in off the Atlantic, or collect seashells and build sandcastles down on this sandy beach. Build your own natural windbreak amongst the pebbles of the pebble ridge or walk along the beach to nearby Northam Burrows Country Park, where you might meet sheep and ponies grazing on the grass."

"The Restaurant at The Beach Hotel in Minehad serves tasty British cuisine with French touches. Dine in the breezy cafe with stunning beach views while tucking into pan-seared scallops or pork chops."

"Many seaside towns in the UK have thriving art scenes, and Ilfracombe is no exception. The Ilfracombe Art and Craft Society germinated in the 1960s, and since then has evolved into one of the most popular exhibitions in Devon, perched on the promenade looking out at Capstone Hill. You can buy prints and sculptures by local artists, as well as more extravagant items such as handmade violins and pottery."

"Nantgarw China Works tends to fly under the radar when compared to the bigger names on this list, but what it lakes in fame, it more than makes up for in beauty. So why should you visit?. Well, for a start it's the only surviving 19th century porcelain works in the whole of the UK."

"Some of Cardiff’s best independent stores can be found inside the beautiful Victorian and Edwardian Arcades which are dotted around the city centre. These architectural gems are one of the features that makes Cardiff special and are a wonderful place to take pictures. Head to the balcony in the Castle Arcade for a unique vantage point, and don’t forget to point your lens at the stunning curves of the Morgan Arcade’s ceiling."

"Cardiff - Caerphilly Castle - St Davids - overnight in Pembrokeshire First stop is 13th century Caerphilly Castle, one of the largest castles in the UK, with elaborate water defences. Then on to the spiritual home of Wales, St Davids - the smallest city in Britain by virtue of its famous awe-inspiring Cathedral. St David is the patron saint of Wales and his death is celebrated on 1st March every year."

"Fresh local honey, as well as jams, marmalades, chutneys, pickles, fresh meats, fruit and veg. They’re open for collection or delivery."

"At the harbour entrance is one of a couple of Ilfracombe landmarks that everybody has an opinion about. Verity, by the world-famous sculptor and installation artist Damien Hirst, was erected in October 2012 and is typically uncompromising. This 20-metre stainless steel and bronze statue is an allegory of truth and justice, showing a pregnant woman standing on a pile of law books, holding the Sword of Justice aloft in her left hand and carrying the Scales in her left."

"Overlooking the historic harbour of Ilfracombe, Verity is a 20.25-meter tall sculpture (by Damien Hirst) made of stainless steel and bronze which is pretty hard to miss. Now, Verity herself is a sculpture of a pregnant woman standing on a heap of books, holding the Sword of Justice with one arm. The other side of Verity shows the exposed muscles and the fetus in her womb and it’s pretty impressive to see."

"The Verity statue was designed by resident Damien Hirst in 2012; it towers 66ft (20m) over Ilfracombe Harbour. The statue depicts a pregnant woman raising a sword in one hand and carrying the scales of justice in the other. It’s not an image you’re likely to forget in a hurry, and visitors often travel to Ilfracombe just to see this magnificent statue."

"For over a decade Cardiff has been the filming location for famed TV series Doctor Who and its spin-off, Torchwood. In 2009 one of the main characters of Torchwood – Ianto Jones – was killed off."

"And speaking of Torchwood, there's even a shrine to one of the loved characters, Ianto Jones. Visit: Just go to the actual site."

"Most visitors buzz straight past tiny, tumbledown Cleeve Abbey, but it’s one of the best examples of traditional Cistercian architecture in southwest England, and offers a fine glimpse into the life of the monks..."