Darran Valley Travel Guide

Cardiff

Rhos Las Reservoir. South Wales.UK
Rhos Las Reservoir. South Wales.UK
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)

Popular places to visit

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

4.5/5(190 reviews)

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

Cardiff Bay
Millennium Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

Principality Stadium

4.5/5(198 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
Cardiff Castle showing heritage architecture, château or palace and heritage elements

Cardiff Castle

4.5/5(251 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
Barry, South Wales. Vale of Glamorgan. UK

Barry Island Beach

4/5(76 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
Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

Cardiff University

4/5(44 reviews)

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
D6WYKM Aerial photograph of the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Utilita Arena Cardiff

4.5/5(59 reviews)

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

Things to do

Cardiff: Gower Peninsula's Cliffs & Bays Scenic Day Tour

Cardiff: Gower Peninsula's Cliffs Scenic Day Tour

Rp1.958.615
per adult
Cardiff: Gower Peninsula's Cliffs Scenic Day Tour
Cardiff: South Wales Cliffs, Beaches & Castles Day Tour

Cardiff: South Wales Cliffs, Bays & Castles Day Tour

Rp1.972.170
per adult
Cardiff: South Wales Cliffs, Bays & Castles Day Tour
Cardiff Bay Boat Tour

Cardiff Bay Boat Tour

Rp286.861
per adult
76% of travellers recommend
Cardiff Bay Boat Tour
Cardiff: Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience

Cardiff: Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience

Rp1.098.140
per adult
Cardiff: Alcotraz Immersive Prison Cocktail Experience
Cardiff bay

Sightseeing Tour Cardiff Bay and Vale of Glamorgan Full-Day Driver Guided

Rp2.189.678
per adult
Sightseeing Tour Cardiff Bay and Vale of Glamorgan Full-Day Driver Guided
Cardiff in a Day

Cardiff in a Day

Rp1.904.937
per adult
Cardiff in a Day
See all activities in Cardiff

Top hotels in Darran Valley

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! (2,925 reviews)
Excellent customer service from staff.

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

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The Angel Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff

Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff

4 out of 5
Meridian Gate 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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
Excellent service

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Get rates
Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff
Cardiff Marriott Hotel

Cardiff Marriott Hotel

4 out of 5
Mill Lane Cardiff Wales
The price is Rp1.416.235 per night from 16 Jan to 17 Jan
Rp1.416.235
Rp1.699.482 total
16 Jan - 17 Jan
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,166 reviews)
Great location, friendly staff. Breakfast and check out times allow you to relax and unwind. Meal in restaurant was excellent too.

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Cardiff Marriott Hotel
Future Inns Cardiff Bay

Future Inns Cardiff Bay

4 out of 5
Hemingway Road Cardiff Bay Cardiff Wales
The price is Rp1.327.307 per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
Rp1.327.307
Rp1.592.768 total
29 Jan - 30 Jan
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! (1,567 reviews)
Room was clean and spacious. TV was a nightmare to operate, so reported to reception whi said that they would send someone to check it out. No-one came!

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2026

Future Inns Cardiff Bay
Village Hotel Cardiff

Village Hotel Cardiff

4 out of 5
29 Pendwyallt Road, Coryton Cardiff Wales
The price is Rp1.453.807 per night from 23 Jan to 24 Jan
Rp1.453.807
Rp1.744.568 total
23 Jan - 24 Jan
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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
Fit for purpose.

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

Village Hotel Cardiff
Clayton Hotel Cardiff

Clayton Hotel Cardiff

4 out of 5
St Mary Street Cardiff Wales
The price is Rp1.334.411 per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
Rp1.334.411
Rp1.601.293 total
29 Jan - 30 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
Room was super,and the staff were very welcing

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

Clayton Hotel Cardiff
See all 2,050 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.

Other neighbourhoods around Darran Valley

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Llantrisant

Visitors to Llantrisant enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, The Royal Mint Experience is worth a stop.

Llantrisant
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Photo by Mick Lobb (CC BY-SA)

Whitchurch

4/5(29 area reviews)

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
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Caerleon

4.5/5(19 area reviews)

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

Caerleon
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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
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Llandaff

5/5(1 area review)

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

Llandaff
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Photo by gordonplant (CC BY)

Penylan

Travellers like the restaurants in Penylan, and Teamsport Karting is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Penylan

Darran Valley Travel Guide