Explore the best of Cardiff and find that ‘One Great Thing’

Druids, Celtic tribes and pilgrims have all been drawn to this sacred spot, said to be guarded by swarms of bees. It’s a strenuous hour-long hike to the Iron Age hillfort at the summit, but spectacular views across the Bristol Channel are your reward.

Twmbarlwm, Cwmcarn Forest Visitor Centre, Cwmcarn, Newport, NP11 7FA. your.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmcarnforest

Premier Inn Cardiff, East Newport Rd, Castleton, Cardiff, CF3 2UQ. 8.4 miles

Nicknamed Barrybados by locals and made famous by sitcom ‘Gavin & Stacey’, this sheltered sandy bay mixes the old-fashioned charms of beach huts, rock pools and amusement arcades with a funky climbing wall, seasonal festivals and a stunning coastal walk.

Whitmore Bay, Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan, CF62 5TQ. www.visitthevale.com

Premier Inn Cardiff, West Port Rd, Nantisaf Wenvoe, Cardiff, CF5 6DD. 5.8 miles

Fancy a spot of roller skiing, followed by gorge scrambling at a disused silica mine? Or mountain biking and mindful walking? Whatever your dream adventure, this expert team will plan it, pick you up and take you to the prettiest place to get your adrenaline fix.

Capital Adventure Wales. capitaladventurewales.co.uk

Premier Inn Barry Island (Cardiff Airport), Triangle Site, Fford Y Mileniwm, The Waterfront, Barry, CF62 5QN. 4.1 miles

Experience the countryside at high speed as you navigate a nature trail on a 250cc or 90cc quad bike. The centre also has an assault course, archery and laser and clay pigeon shooting. Booking required.

Taff Valley Quad Bike & Activity Centre, Cwrt y Celyn Farm, Upperboat, Pontypridd, CF37 5BJ. SatNav CF37 5YE. adventurewales.co.uk

Premier Inn Caerphilly (Corbetts Lane), Corbetts Lane, Caerphilly, Mid Glamorgan, CF83 3HX. 5.4 miles

Take a guided tour round the grounds of Wales’s oldest vineyard while sampling the fruits of its labour – or get straight to the good stuff with a tutored or self-guided tasting. There’s a harvest event every October, too, just apply in advance to join in.

Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8GG. llanerch-vineyard.co.uk

Premier Inn Llantrisant Magden Park, Gwaun Elai, Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF72 8UX. 5.2 miles

The Green Lady is rumoured to haunt this moated medieval fortress, which has starred in TV shows ‘Merlin’ and ‘Doctor Who’. Snatch a selfie at its ruined south-east tower, said to lean at twice the angle of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Caerphilly Castle, Castle St, Caerphilly, CF83 1JD. cadw.gov.wales

Premier Inn Caerphilly (Crossways), Crossways Business Park, Pontypandy, Caerphilly, CF83 3NL. 1.3 miles

Whatever your artistic poison – big production musicals, folk chanteuses, magical ballet or cutting-edge comics – you’ll find it at this sexy-looking cultural centre on Cardiff’s seafront. Lord Lloyd-Webber named it the best theatre built in the world in the last 50 years – and he should know.

Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5AL. wmc.org.uk

Premier Inn Cardiff City Centre 10 Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2NB. 1.3 miles