Need something to do that will fill your time but won’t empty your wallet? Fancy yourself an intrepid explorer or an Olympian-in-waiting? Then we have the activities for you!
[Related: Not so outdoorsy? Try our Culture Edition here!]
1. Get on your bike! Wales has many bike trails away from busy traffic and Cardiff has two spectacular ones that you can take. If you’re a humble beginner, you can cycle from the Bay along the barrage to Penarth (named one of the best bike rides in Britain) whilst those up for more of a challenge can take the Cardiff Taff Trail, which goes from Bute Park all the way to Castell Coch. As well as the opportunity to explore the sculpture trail on foot at Fforest Fawr, you can continue along the trail all the way to Caerphilly Castle or return back to the Bay.
2. Without a Paddle? Not anymore at Paddle Fest. As part of the summer-wide Cardiff Festival, Cardiff visitors will be able to try a variety of watersports, such as canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding at this year’s annual watersports festival and, with entry being completely free, it’s perfect for all you waterbabies who want to try a new skill. More info here.
Paddle Fest returns this 3rd September. Image source: Cardiff Events.
3. Splash around? Alternatively, if you fancy your watersports paddle-less, you have two options:
- Cardiff Leisure Pool – Located at Cardiff International Pool, this fun and colourful pool has a range of floats, toys and twisting slides for those who find the Olympic pool too daunting or boring, and only costs between £3.10-£4.60 per session.
- Victoria Park Splash Pad – For weaker/non- swimmers, you can now enjoy all the fun of the leisure pool without the floats at Victoria Park’s new spectacular water feature, which is also completely free to use. Just bring clothes in which you don’t mind getting wet!
4. Pump some iron at Bute Fitness trail. If you want to get fit without the costly gym fees, there is equipment dotted all along Bute Park free for the public to use. If you’ve already caught the Rio fever, why not grab some similarly sporty friends and have your own mini-Olympics using all the free fitness equipment in Bute Park, along with all the free green space?
5. Take advantage of all that the parks have to offer. There are 137 parks in Cardiff, all with different facilities and events going on over the summer. You can try rowing in Roath Park, pitch and putt in Heath park and check out the various free nature walks and fun days in this park events guide. You can save money on lunch afterwards by bringing a picnic!
Bute Park in Cardiff’s city centre. Image credit: Jon Candy via flickr cc.
6. Search for something creepy and kooky. For all of you who like their activities on the dark side, you can check out the cutest creatures of the night in the various bat walks occurring at St Fagan’s and some local parks over the summer. However, if you prefer your activities more paranormal, you can try to find some lost souls around St Fagan’s, Cardiff Castle or Llandaff on a ghost tour, although slightly pricier than our furry friends.
7. Bounce along to Infinity Trampoline Park. If you prefer your exercise more airborne, then you can visit the still fairly new Infinity Trampoline Centre, which is only £6 per person per fitness class or, if you and your friends just want to muck around, it’s £8 for the free jump session. You can find more info and book here.
“Tramp boarding” in Cardiff. Image source: Infinity Trampoline Park Cardiff Facebook page.
8. Go on a real life treasure hunt. Whilst everyone has been hunting pokemon as of late, if you want to find something you can actually touch, you can try Geocaching, which is where you use clues combined with GPS technology on your phone to find little boxes with items left by previous geocachers hidden away. You can take a little memento of your discovery, just make sure to leave something (non-valuable) in return! Check out the website and all the rules here.
9. Have a day at the beach. For those of you who aren’t up for the walk to Penarth or the train to Barry but want to enjoy this current heatwave, then you need look no further than Cardiff Bay itself! Before you try to dip into the fishing waters, check out a another staple of the Cardiff Festival, Cardiff Bay Beach, which opens on Friday 22nd July in Roald Dahl Plass and is a recreated beach to compete with Blackpool! It is free entry and has plenty of attractions and events to entertain you, whatever the age.
The beach will be in Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay 22nd July-4th September 2016. Image source: Cardiff Bay Beach Facebook page.
These are just a few suggestions, but here at TheSprout we are all about hearing from you, and if you have any of your own suggestions, post them down in the comments below!
Also for the all arty types out there or those who fancy a challenge, check out our Cultural and DIY editions of things to do!
Related:
Cheap Things To Do In Cardiff This Summer: The Cultural Edition
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