Suggestions for weekend away please- South Wales ??

[Ian341]

Hi All,

We haven't used the van since Feb half term so are planning a weekend away shortly.

We were going to visit Brecon but after hearing that most of the canal has been drained for work to be carried out, we don't really fancy it anymore. (Who wants to walk alongside an empty muddy canal ??)

We are now having a good think of somewhere to go, but don't want to travel for more than an hour from Swansea.

Not bothered if its a CL or independent site but hook up would be nice.

Many Thanks

Ian

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

How sad, I didn't realise that had happened. I've just checked it out on the BW website and it wont re-open for cruising on the 16 miles that is closed until 2009. I wonder what happens regarding the narrowboat hire companies like Cambrian Cruisers. Do they get compensated?

It's also sad regarding the wildlife, a lot of fish must have perished not to mention the invertebrate life like dragonfly larvae etc. When I had a boat on there we saw lots of kingfishers but I suppose the Usk isn't no more than a mile away at the furthest.

I'm glad now that the Stables were full for the two dates we asked about, that site is going on hold now until next year.

You can read about the stoppage here ..

=53&start_day[]=6&start_month[]=4&start_year[]=2008&endPeriod=all&end_day[]=31&end_month[]=9&end_year[]=2008&submit= Find Stoppages ]http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/stoppages/results?waterways[]=53&start_day[]=6&start_month[]=4&start_year[]=2008&endPeriod=all&end_day[]=31&end_month[]=9&end_year[]=2008&submit= Find Stoppages

 

[Ian341]

HI LB,

We rang the Stables earlier and enquired about a space for the weekend and renting a day boat there and this is when they told us about this incident. Apparently they have water but they are restricted to only go one direction and only for about 6 miles. They said then that they wouldn't be renting out any boats this year, which is an awful shame !!

http://www.heritage-now.com/content.php?page=54
That also explains about the damage.

After hearing this we also decided not to visit anymore so are now looking for somewhere else to go. The problem is that we have visited most places around Swansea :-(

Any Suggestions ?

Many Thanks

Ian

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Hi Ian - there is a very nice CL in Zig Zag Lane off Newton Nottage Road in Porthcawl. It is approx. half a mile down the lane from the main road. I believe it is run by the Guttridge family of Porthcawl. We haven't stayed there as it is virtually on our doorstep but we know of people who have stayed there and given it a good report. There is also the site is Nottage, Porthcawl just off the Port Talbot road as entering Porthcawl. This is a commercial site and again supposed to be quite good. The only other one in Porthcawl is Happy Valley which is on the Bridgend Road out of Porthcawl and is a few miles out of town. I am afraid I have no information on this site as I do not know anyone who has stayed there - it is a combination of statics, tourers and campers.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

There's two that come to mind Ian. The first is one of my favourites especially as the 3 times I've been we have had brilliant weather, unusual for mid Wales. It is a Managed site under the C.C. and you have to book direct. It's Doldowlod C.C. site near Rhayader, another site built on a former railway station. It has no facilities but does have the usual 16a EHU. There is a play area on site, what it's like I'm not sure not having kids so not inspecting it. It does have a lovely dog walk that goes along the River Wye. There are sheep about so your dog needs to be on a lead. The walk is circular and is about 1 mile long. Approx. 4 miles away is Rhayader and the dams, you can even have a drive over the single track mountain road to Devils Bridge. There you can catch the narrow guage Vale of Rheidol train to Aberystwyth which is one hour each way.

The second site is somewhere we haven't managed to get to yet so can't vouch for it but it does have good write ups.

It's a private site called Fforest Fields.

http://www.fforestfields.co.uk/index.php
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=1674
It's not to far from Doldowlod.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

I forgot to say, if you decide on Doldowlod ask for a pitch on the "front", better views.

 

[Ian341]

Hi Both thanks for the replies,

Doldowlod looks a lovely site and we are already planning to go there in the summer but it is a bit far from us for a weekend.

Just had a look at the CC website and Ogofau, Pumsaint looks nice for a weekend away.

Anyone been there and what is the tow like ??

Many Thanks

Ian

 

[Anthony_374242616]

I went to Brecon at the weekend Talybont, Gilestone, and boats were going down the canal on saturday towards brecon also the canal was full as i drove into brecon town from the Brynich roundabout, wheres the canal drained?