South Wales

The city of Cardiff offers a great range of unique attractions and quality shopping all within walking distance of each other.

Innovative architecture sits alongside historic buildings and, with a rich cultural and sporting heritage, the city is vibrant and the perfect place for a holiday.

What to do in & around Cardiff

  • Cardiff Castle

    In the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle is a reconstructed Roman fort, an impressive Norman Castle and an extraordinary Victorian gothic fantasy palace, all in one, hence its popularity as a filming location. The jewel in the castle’s crown is the wonderful decoration of the spectacular apartments and with a Norman keep, wartime shelters, clock tower and a museum to explore, there is plenty to see.
  • St Fagans National History Museum
    St Fagans is one of Europe’s leading open-air museums and Wales’s most popular heritage attraction. Standing in the grounds of the magnificent Fagans Castle and gardens, over forty original buildings from different historical periods have been re-constructed in the 100 acre parkland, including a farm, a school and a chapel. Traditional crafts and activities bring this living museum to life.
  • Castle Coch
    Castle Coch is the ultimate fairytale castle, with conical towers and needlesharp turrets peeking out from a wooded slope, and due to its “Camelot” style, it has been the location of many TV productions and films. With a drawbridge, a portcullis, court yard and lavish interiors to see, this is a picture-perfect castle.
  • The Royal Mint Experience

    Just 20 minutes from Cardiff, the Royal Mint Experience gives unprecedented access to The Royal Mint to discover the people and events behind the coins in your pocket. With a guided factory experience and interactive exhibition, visitors will discover how blank pieces of metal are made before being struck to become coins.
  • National Museum Cardiff

    The museum houses Wale’s national art, geology and natural history collections as well as major touring and temporary exhibitions. The art collection is one of Europe’s finest, with 500 years of magnificent paintings, drawings, sculpture, silver and ceramics from across the world.
  • Millennium Stadium Tour
    Experience the build-up before the match in the Dragon’s Lair, Wales’ team dressing room. Hear the roar of 74,500 fans as you walk down the players’ tunnel towards the hallowed turf. Learn about the pitch and the fully retractable roof, which allows the entire playing surface to be covered to create one of the world’s largest indoor arenas. Take in the view of the pitch from a VIP hospitality suite, and finally lift the trophy to the skies like a sporting superstar in the President’s Box, an area normally reserved for royalty!
  • Tredegar House

    Dark arts, riotous parties, war heroism, crocodiles and crucifixes, Tredegar House has never been an ordinary household! One of the architectural wonders of Wales, situated in 90 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland, the house provides a fantastic day out.
  • Big Pit National Coal Museum

    Big Pit is an award-winning national museum and real coal mine. With facilities to educate and entertain all ages, Big Pit offers a multi-media tour, exhibitions in the Pithead Baths and historic colliery buildings, as well as the world-famous Underground Tour, where visitors can go 300 feet underground with a real miner to see what life was like for the thousands of men who worked at the coal face.
  • 

Caerphilly Castle

    One of the greatest medieval castles and the second biggest castle in Britain, Caerphilly is undoubtedly one of the mightiest fortresses in Wales. Surrounded by two huge lakes, the castle is located in the centre of Caerphilly town and spreads over more than 30 acres.

From cathedrals and abbeys, churches and stately homes, all steeped in centuries of history, some in Roman Towns others in quintessential English ‘picture postcard’ villages, every choir and musical ensemble should spend a tour exploring the United Kingdom and Ireland. Whatever part of the country you to choose to visit, by working with a knowledgeable team of people who know the regions inside out from both a tourism and musical perspective, you will be guaranteed the richest of touring experiences
Tim KnightBritish composer and Choral Director
You’ve been patient and kind all the way through this, Jo – especially with it being the first international tour I’ve done, and with all the unforeseen changes to the travel arrangements, so thank you to you and the team.
Sarah MonteithChoir DirectorResound ChoirParis 2023
As a Chorister, and eventually Head Chorister in our local church choir for eleven years, Jo was talented, dedicated and could always be relied on to work to the utmost of her undoubted abilities. I would expect that she would apply the same attributes to her professional life
P BuckmasterChoral Director
One of the best tours we have ever undertaken – musically, socially and geographically. Would heartily recommend Sound Escapes to any group considering a tour.
Carole Lindsay-DouglasAmici SingersWeston-Super-Mare 2023
Brilliant tour, expertly organised. Kindness and compassion. Nothing was too much trouble. Colin, our driver, was a complete gem and so knowledgeable about the isle. Lovely hotel staff where nothing was too much trouble
Felicity CourageChoir Director, Courage Choir
Fantastic tour in Bonnie Scotland, enjoyed by all who went, singing and non-singing. Brilliant organisation from Jo who really made it all look so easy.
Kate HymansTour organiser for Masterworks Chorale

In May 2020 we were due to tour the Stirling area in Scotland and due to the current coronavirus pandemic we took the difficult decision to call off the tour. I’d like to give our thanks and praise to Jo and her team for all the planning and preparation she had done to put the itinerary together – she was able to provide us with an excellent range of stunning concert venues, plus some great suggestions for our leisure time, and we look forward to working with her again soon.

Sally ColesSecretary, Cantamici
Jo and her team came up with a fantastic itinerary for our choir and planned everything to the last detail. We always felt we were in safe hands and that they were on the end of a phone to help us with anything we needed. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
Rosie SayersChairperson for Sing It Loud Community Choir
Care and attention to detail of the highest degree. The planning with Jo Porter was detailed and meticulous, with nothing being missed, and although she was not involved in the accommodation arrangements, she nevertheless checked it out and acted as an intermediary.
Robin SpencerChoir Secretary, Phoenix Choir
Sound Escapes did a fantastic job on arrangements for our tour . Would thoroughly recommend Jo to any choir looking to travel . All feedback has been positive from everyone who travelled . The extra care at meeting us at the coach and check in to ensure things ran smoothly went above and beyond .
Don OakleyMalmesbury ChoirOxford 2023