Cowbridge Cabins

Busy times await if you want them… there’s paintballing five minutes’ drive away and go-karting 10 minutes away, plus the chance to sandboard down Europe’s second-highest sand dune 20 minutes away at Merthyr Mawr. To cool off from that little lot, hit the beach at Ogmore, Llantwit Major or Southerndown (all within 20 minutes) for a paddle – or a surf lesson, if you’ve still got some energy left. Dial down the pace a little by heading out for walks in Hensol Forest (10 minutes) or around Dyffryn Gardens (15 minutes). This being Wales, there are of course castles aplenty to see: St Quentin’s (five minutes), Old Beaupre (10 minutes) and the ruins of Ogmore Castle (15 minutes) are all worth a wander. Swing home via Glyndwr Vineyard (five minutes) or Llanerch Vineyard (15 minutes) for local tipples to chill out with back at base. There’s another castle over in Cardiff (25 minutes), of course – along with the fab St Fagan’s National Museum of History, passionate rugby matches at the Principality Stadium and stacks of shops. If you’ve still got space on the credit card, there are more chances to give it a workout at Macarthur Glen Designer Outlet (15 minutes).