Nestled in a pretty village, just a short drive from Cardiff, is St. Fagans National History Museum. It’s an open air museum that showcases the history of Welsh rural life; its dwellings, traditional local crafts and culture. It’s free to get in and is a truly great day out for everyone.

There’s so much to look at, including restored houses furnished through the ages, set out with furnishings as they would have been. My favourite row of cottages jump through the decades and are decorated accordingly! Most cottages have a fire going and a knowledgeable guide to talk you through the history in warming Welsh tones.

On certain days you can find a working smith, a saddler, a miller, a weaver and a clog maker dotted around the grounds. You can step back in time and discover what a local general store would have looked like, complete with its own tearoom, and there’s a working bakery where you can stop by and pick up some freshly made Barra Brith or a loaf of bread.

Venture out into the woods and you’ll find hidden roundhouses. I also recommend strolling a little further over to the castle where you can lose yourself in the beautiful gardens. The castle itself is free to look around and also full of history and character. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s a lovely cafe at the entrance serving up luscious food and drinks, and a great adventure playground for children. I don’t think I will ever tire of visiting such an enchanting place!

Images by Abigail Oliver