Tourism
in The Vale of Glamorgan
From
the popular seaside towns of Barry and Penarth to the quaint charm of Cowbridge,
The Vale of Glamorgan has something for everyone.
Tourists arrive here not from just other parts of the UK put also from overseas, and in the summer it is now quite normal to her many different languages being spoken in our towns and villages.
Given the natural beauty of the area and our location it is not really surprising.
The Vale of Glamorgan is the perfect base for exploring all of the South and Mid Wales areas.
Situated between The Brecon Beacons National Park, Swansea City, The Gower Coast and our capital city of Cardiff, all of these other beautiful tourist spots are just a short drive away.
The Vale of Glamorgan has something for everyone.
Tourists arrive here not from just other parts of the UK put also from overseas, and in the summer it is now quite normal to her many different languages being spoken in our towns and villages.
Given the natural beauty of the area and our location it is not really surprising.
The Vale of Glamorgan is the perfect base for exploring all of the South and Mid Wales areas.
Situated between The Brecon Beacons National Park, Swansea City, The Gower Coast and our capital city of Cardiff, all of these other beautiful tourist spots are just a short drive away.
The
Vale is also the home of 'Cardiff Wales International Airport'
Much
of the following information is intended for tourists from overseas and although
obvious to many residents of the UK, may be invaluable to others.
Shops
Generally most of the shops in the area are open Monday-Saturday, 9.00am - 5.00pm. On either Wednesdays or Thursdays some close at 1.00pm, . Many shops in The Vale are also open on Sundays, typically 10.00am - 4.00pm or 11.00.am - 5.00pm.
Generally most of the shops in the area are open Monday-Saturday, 9.00am - 5.00pm. On either Wednesdays or Thursdays some close at 1.00pm, . Many shops in The Vale are also open on Sundays, typically 10.00am - 4.00pm or 11.00.am - 5.00pm.
Money
The currency used in all of The UK is Pounds Sterling. The currency is available in the denominations below.
£1=100 pence.
Notes in £5, £10, £20, and £50. Coins in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2
Changing cash and travelers cheques should not present any problems, as there are many banks and travel agencies within the area, most of which have a bureau de change.
The currency used in all of The UK is Pounds Sterling. The currency is available in the denominations below.
£1=100 pence.
Notes in £5, £10, £20, and £50. Coins in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2
Changing cash and travelers cheques should not present any problems, as there are many banks and travel agencies within the area, most of which have a bureau de change.
For
more information
Click on either logo.
Click on either logo.
Post
Offices
There are many post offices in the area with main post offices being located in the towns.
Other sub- post offices can be found in most villages and outlaying areas of the towns.
In addition to postal services, most offer a wide range of other services, including exchanging currency.
There are many post offices in the area with main post offices being located in the towns.
Other sub- post offices can be found in most villages and outlaying areas of the towns.
In addition to postal services, most offer a wide range of other services, including exchanging currency.
Emergency
In an emergency you should dial 999
You will then be answered by the operator who will ask which service you require:-
Police, Ambulance or
The Fire Service.
Explain the nature of the emergency and the operator will then connect you.
If you are at the coast and are reporting an incident at sea, you may ask for the Coastguard.
Please speak clearly and slowly, giving your name, location and an explanation of the emergency that you are reporting.
You may use any telephone to report an emergency and there is no charge when reporting one by any landline.
In an emergency you should dial 999
You will then be answered by the operator who will ask which service you require:-
Police, Ambulance or
The Fire Service.
Explain the nature of the emergency and the operator will then connect you.
If you are at the coast and are reporting an incident at sea, you may ask for the Coastguard.
Please speak clearly and slowly, giving your name, location and an explanation of the emergency that you are reporting.
You may use any telephone to report an emergency and there is no charge when reporting one by any landline.
Tap
Water.
Unlike some countries, the tap water in the UK is perfectly
safe to drink
Unlike some countries, the tap water in the UK is perfectly
safe to drink
Public
Houses
There are many public houses in the area, many of which serve
food.
Their normal opening hours are 11.00am - 11.00pm, which means
drinks must be finished by 11.20pm. However, with new laws, some will now stay
open later. Check with the landlord about closing times.
Many pubs close in
the afternoons, whist some open only at the weekends.
The town centers can
get a little lively on weekend evenings.
Driving
If you intend to drive in the UK, please remember to keep to the left.
It is all too simple to forget for a moment.
Also famillierise yourself with the highway code, and keep to the rules. Always obey the speed limits as there are many speed cameras located around the area. Also be aware of the drink drive law, it is strictly enforced by the police in the UK.
If you have any doubts, you can always catch a bus or hire a taxi.
If you intend to drive in the UK, please remember to keep to the left.
It is all too simple to forget for a moment.
Also famillierise yourself with the highway code, and keep to the rules. Always obey the speed limits as there are many speed cameras located around the area. Also be aware of the drink drive law, it is strictly enforced by the police in the UK.
If you have any doubts, you can always catch a bus or hire a taxi.
Non
Emergency calls to the local police stations can be made on ??????????
There will be a charge for these calls.
There will be a charge for these calls.
Electricity
Britain's voltage is 240V AC which could damage lower voltage appliances. In addition, plugs have three square pins with which most foreign electrical goods will not be compatible; so you will probably need a transformer or an adapter. These are widely available (probably best bought at airports) so if you forget one it should not be a problem.
And remember to also be careful if buying electrical goods in the UK - it might not be compatible back home so check first.
Also take care when buying pre-recorded DVDs in the UK. Britain uses Region 2 players and as such any DVD bought here may not be compatible with your DVD player at home, unless it is a multi-region one. So to avoid wasting your money, check that any DVDs you buy will be compatible with your equipment back home
Britain's voltage is 240V AC which could damage lower voltage appliances. In addition, plugs have three square pins with which most foreign electrical goods will not be compatible; so you will probably need a transformer or an adapter. These are widely available (probably best bought at airports) so if you forget one it should not be a problem.
And remember to also be careful if buying electrical goods in the UK - it might not be compatible back home so check first.
Also take care when buying pre-recorded DVDs in the UK. Britain uses Region 2 players and as such any DVD bought here may not be compatible with your DVD player at home, unless it is a multi-region one. So to avoid wasting your money, check that any DVDs you buy will be compatible with your equipment back home
Telephones
There are public phones throughout the towns and villages. Some take coins (10p, 20p and 50p) and some take phone cards (£1, £2 or £5; buy them from newsagents). However, many will accept both coins and cards.
A local call will cost between 10p - 20p. A call within the UK (to book a hotel room say) will cost 20p - 50p. Calls are cheaper after 6pm
and at weekends.
There are public phones throughout the towns and villages. Some take coins (10p, 20p and 50p) and some take phone cards (£1, £2 or £5; buy them from newsagents). However, many will accept both coins and cards.
A local call will cost between 10p - 20p. A call within the UK (to book a hotel room say) will cost 20p - 50p. Calls are cheaper after 6pm
and at weekends.
Tourist
Information Centres
Open: Daily 10am - 5.30pm (Easter-September).Telephone and e-mail enquiries received all year Monday to Friday.
Address: The Promenade,
The Triangle, Barry Island, CF62 5TQ
Tel: 01446 747171 / Fax: 01446 747171
Open: Daily 10am - 5.30pm (Easter-September). Telephone and e-mail enquiries received all year Monday to Friday
Address: Penarth Pier,
The Esplanade, Penarth, CF64 3AU
Tel: 029 2070 8849.
For local enquiries only.
Weekdays: The phone is set to the fax setting for you to fax enquiries to be answered at the weekend. If your enquiry is urgent you are advised to call in to the visitor centre personally and someone will assist you.
Saturdays/bank holidays: Open 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm
Sundays: 12pm-5pm
Address: Town Hall, Llantwit Major, CF61 1SB
Fax/phone: 01446 796086
Self Service at the Arrivals Hall,
Tel: 01446 747171
Visit
the site of
the local authority.
www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
Lots
more information about The Vale of Glamorgan can be found on other pages of this
site.
Please browse through at your leisure.
Some useful tourism links:-
www.visitwales.com
or
www.walesinfo.com
