South Wales

Norm Longley (www.normlongley.com) was brought up in Somerset, before studying at university in Bedfordshire. The urge to travel then kicked in. After time in Canada, he taught in Serbia for several years, also travelling extensively around the countries of the former Yugoslavia and other Balkan states. After returning to the UK, Longley turned his hand to writing guidebooks, living in London and Cambridge before resettling in Somerset, (very much home base now). Now an experienced guidebook writer for over more than 20 years, Longley is the author of two Bradt guides (Montenegro, Slow Somerset) and several Rough Guides. He has also written on travel for publications including The Guardian and The Independent. With his family, he often spends weekends popping across the border to Wales or roaming the Somerset countryside in search of exciting and/or novel things to do - or at the very least, hunting down good food and drink.

• PART 1GENERAL INFORMATIONChapter 1 Background Information At a glance, Geography, Climate, Natural history, History, Archaeology, Government & politics, Economy, People & culture (inc Religion, Language, Education), Art & architecture, Music, Literature, SportChapter 2 Practical InformationWhen to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, Travelling with a disability, Travelling with children, LGBT+ travellers, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating & drinking, Public holidays & festivals, Shopping, Arts & entertainment, Outdoor activities, Media & communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positivelyPART 2 THE GUIDEChapter 3 Cardiff (and around)History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information and tour operators, Orientation, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Cafés, bars & nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, Sports & activities, Other practicalities, What to see and doChapter 4Monmouthshire to NewportChepstow, Tintern and the Wye Valley, Caldicot, Usk, Monmouth, Newport, CaerleonChapter 5Vale of Glamorgan to the GowerBarry, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major, Ogmore, Merthyr Mawr, Porthcawl, Kenfig NNF, Bridgend, Port Talbot, Swansea, The GowerChapter 6The ValleysAfon Lywd (Blaenavon), Ebbw Vale, Sirhowy Valley, Rhymney Valley, Taff Valley (Merthyr Tydfil), Ely Valley, Cynon Valley, Rhondda Valleys (Fach & Fawr), Ogwr Valley, Garw Valley, Lynfi Valley Afan Valley, Vale of Neath, Dulais Valley Chapter 7Brecon Beacons to HayBrecon Beacons National Park, Brecon, Crickhowell, Abergavenny, Talgarth, Hay-on-WyeChapter 8CarmarthenshireAmman Valley, Llanelli, Laugharne, Carmarthen, Tywi Valley and Llandeilo, Kidwelly, Llandovery, Newcastle Emlyn, Teifi ValleyChapter 9PembrokeshireNarberth, Landsker Borderlands, Saundersfoot, Tenby, Manorbier, Pembroke, Stackpole, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, St Bride's Bay, Marloes, Skomer/Skokholm, St Davids, Fishguard, Newport, Mynydd Preseli Appendix 1LanguageAppendix 2Further Reading

'As the first of the always-excellent Bradt guides to focus on a specific part of Wales, this book lets you really drill down into one of the UK's least heralded but most spectacular corners' - Wanderlust magazine