ABERGAVENNY

Cwm Farm Cider House, Llangattock Lingoed
7, 21 Sep 2-5 A purpose-built, recently conserved, and unusually complete Cider House built in 1754, surviving largely   unaltered. The ground floor has rare 18c fittings including the cider mill drive shaft, a large circular stone   trough, and stone mill wheel. There is a large cider press with spiral-turned wooden screw and many other old farm implements. On the first floor is a fruit loft with angled stone slabs that form a chute to the lower mill.
  This is still part of a locally-managed farm, whose nearby pear orchards contain original trees still producing fruit to be made locally into perry. The Offa’s Dyke path runs past the farm. DIS/ACCESS Parking in a field nearby, steps to upper floor of cider house. Stout footwear advised LOC NP7 8NP WEB www.villagealivetrust.org.uk

St Cadoc's Church, Llangattock Lingoed
7, 21 Sep 2-5 Talks on history of the church; teas. Beautifully restored, grade I medieval church set in lovely countryside. The church contains a 15c wall-painting of St George, discovered during the recent Restoration, which the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments described as the find of the decade. Other features include an intricately carved rood beam, medieval glass, and several fine memorials by Brute. The Offa’s Dyke path run through a church yard which has many rare grasses and flowers. Visitors can walk a circular trail around Llangattock Lingoed following an interpretation leaflet. LOC NP7 8PR WEB www.villagealivetrust.org.uk

Great Trerhew Barn, Llanvetherine, near Cross Ash
7, 21 Sep 2-5 The great barn on Great Trerhew Farm is Grade II* and possibly the last barn of this quality remaining in agricultural use in the county, if not in south Wales. Of medieval origins and extended in the late 17th century, it has eight bays with two kingpost trusses, gabled additions with cider mill and press, cattle stalls, stable and haylofts with stone chaff bin. Adjoining to the north is a yard enclosed by cattle pens with pent roofs Supported by rounded stone pillars and a couple of smaller barns (also listed). The farm buildings are sited alongside a house with medieval foundations, which possibly supplied nearby White Castle (early Norman - mid 15th century) when troops were garrisoned. The floor area of the great barn is around 460 square metres; the total complex is at least twice this area. Nearby is the site of a medieval mill, which has recently been recorded and an interpretation board erected.  Visitors can walk circular trail from Great Trerhew to White Castle in care of Cadw. DIS no — the farm is a working farm, parking in a nearby field. Stout footwear needed. LOC NP7 8PS WEB www.villagealivetrust.org.uk

CAERNARFON

Castle Square Presbyterian Church
13, 20 Sep 10.30-2.30 Handsome gothic nonconformist church with spire, in the early English style by Richard Owen, 1883. Climb to the gallery to see the fine timber ceiling, stained glass and pipe organ. Tea and coffee available, small display of church history, lunchtime organ music. DIS access through side door; steps to front door and stairs to gallery. LOC LL55 2NA

CARDIFF

Parish Church of St. Margaret, Roath
14 Sep 12-5.30 Guided tours of church and mausoleum, access to the tower. A Grade I listed building, St Margaret’s was commissioned by the third Marquis of Bute and built in 1870 to designs by John Prichard, restorer of Llandaff Cathedral. The building includes stonework and memorials from the ancient church on the same site which was demolished in 1867. The tower was completed in 1927 to designs by John Coates Carter. Reredos by Ninian Comper, 1925. It is an excellent viewpoint with unique views of Cardiff and beyond to the Glamorgan hills and the Somerset coast. The church contains the tombs of members of the Bute family, including the first Marquis, in a magnificent mausoleum built to designs by John Prichard between 1881 and 1886. The mausoleum contains fine carvings, mosaic and stained glass. DIS Ascent to tower is suitable only for able-bodied adults as this involves steep, narrow steps. Access to the tower will be subject to suitable weather conditions and numbers will be limited to parties of 20. LOC CF23 5AD

The Old Library, The Hayes, Working Street
13, 14 Sep 10-3.30 (tours half-hourly) An opportunity to see the ceramic decorations and stained glass inside the Old Library, which earned the building its grade II* listed status. The area is normally closed to the public.
13 Sep Cardiff Heritage Fair
DIS access restricted — spiral stair to view ceramics LOC CF10 1BH WEB http://cardiffmuseum.com

St John the Baptist Church, The Hayes
20 Sep 2-5 Exhibition, music, tower visits and tearoom, festival service at 5. Medieval church dating from the 11c, the parish church of Cardiff’s city centre. Construction of the tower, with its Somerset style. was completed in 1473 under the patronage of Lady Anne Neville. The tower houses ten working bells. Features include the Lady Chapel (15c; contains a fine carved screen as well as a memorial to Sir John and Sir William Herbert); the Priory Chapel of the Order of St John in Wales; the Willis Organ (1894, renovation just completed), and the Burma Star window, dedicated to those who fought in the Burma campaign during World War Two. The fine reredos above the High Altar dates from 1892. DIS disabled cccess via south entrance. Stairs to Tea Room, but service can be provided to ground level on request. LOC CF10 1GJ WEB www.cardiffstjohncityparish.org.uk

COLWYN BAY

Rydal Penrhos Senior School
13, 14 Sep guided tours 10, 11.30 BOOK essential 01492 545 206) Meet outside the Ferguson Center for a tour of the sole surviving private school in Colwyn Bay (organised by Llandudno and Colwyn Bay History Society). The tour will give an opportunity to see the fine collection of buildings, which combine together to give an Oxbridge college quadrangle effect. The original school was housed in a Victorian villa to which a number of additions have been made over the years. Most notable is the fine L-shaped stone Contain Buildings erected in 1930 by local architect S. Colwyn Foulkes. DIS Access restricted, visitors must be 16 or over and able to climb several sets of steps and a staircase. LOC LL29 7B

CONWY

Bodnant Garden, Tal y Cafn
13 Sep 1o-5 80 acres of magnificent garden in the beautiful Conwy Valley. Stunning colours throughout the season, huge trees and intimate plantings. Featuring Italianate-style terraces, formal lawns and borders, steep sided banks of the Dell, waterfall and a small river. DIS limited — The Garden is steep in places, has many steps and is not easy for wheelchairs. Ramped access to tea-room, garden and shop, wheelchairs available for free use (not bookable) LOC LL28 5RE WEB www.bodnantgarden.co.uk

HAWARDEN

St Deiniol's Library
13, 14 Sep 2-5 St Deiniol's Library was founded by William Ewart Gladstone, one of the greatest statesmen of the nineteenth century. Four times Prime Minister, four times Chancellor of the Exchequer and a Parlimentarian for over sixty years, he was also a voracious reader who accumulated thousands of books during his lifetime. Towards the end of his life, Gladstone formed the idea of leaving his books to the nation and of building a library to house them. In 1889, he moved 30.000 of his books from Hawarden Castle to theirh new home in the newly constructed Iron Library or Tin Tabernacle next to Hawarden Church. Following Gladstone's death in 1898. A public appeal was launched to raise funds for a fitting memorial of the 'Grand Old Man' and in 1902 the present building was opened as the national memorial to Gladstone. Today, the Library houses a unique collection of more than 250.000 books, journals, pamphlets and is home to a permanent exhibition commemorating the life and work of its founder. DIS wheelchair access throughout ground floor except for some areas in Reading Rooms LOC CH5 3DF WEB www.st-deiniols.org

LLANFAIRPWLL

Plas Newydd
13 Sep 11-5.30 (National Trust) Plas Newydd is the home of the Marquess of Anglesey built in the 18th century by renowned architect James Wyatt. With spectacular views of Snowdonia, this has one of the finest settings of any UK mansion. Apart from the gardens and walks the property is notable for its Rex Whistler collection and its military museum with relics of Waterloo. DIS Limited ground floor is accessible for manual wheelchairs LOC LL61 6DQ 2m SW of Llanfairpwll, J7/8A on A55. Bus 42 from Bangor.

MACHYNLLETH

Y Plas
6, 13, 20 Sep 10-4.30 Grade II listed mansion house, former home of Marquess of Londonderry. 6 Sep Open day and official opening to celebrate the return of Plas house and grounds to the town of Machynlleth under the stewardship of Machynlleth Town Council. DIS no special provision for vision/hearing impairments LOC SY20 8ER

PEMBROKE DOCK

Gun Tower Museum, Pembroke Dock Museum Trust
6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 Sep 10-4 A Cambridge gun tower (a "Martello" tower) that is fitted as a museum showing exhibits of the local areas of history. Army, navy and RAF have all served from Pembroke Dock. DIS Owing to the nature of the building and spiral staircases, disabled access is limited. LOC SA72 6BJ

RHONDDA CYNON TAFF

Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Trehafod
6 Sep 11-4 Based at the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Rhondda Heritage Park offers a fascinating insight into the rich culture and character of the Rhondda Valleys in a unique entertaining and educational environment for all ages. On 6 Sep the Glamorgan Family History Society will be at the Park offering help and advice to anyone interested in genealogy or tracing their family history. The Association of the Friends of Rhondda Heritage Park will also be available with information relating to the South Wales Coalfields and mining records. DIS Fully accessible for disabled visitors. Warm clothing and sensible footwear is advised. Uneven grounds, strobe lighting effects and a simulated ride not recommended for pregnant women, those with back problems or heart complaints. Height restrictions apply for simulated ride. LOC CF37 2NP WEB www.rhonddaheritagepark.com

Our Lady of Penrhys statue, St. Mary's Well, Penrhys
13 Sep (Village Carnival), 14 Sep (Penrhys Pilgrims) 2008 is the year of the 470th anniversary of the destruction of the Penrhys Shrine and the confiscation and burning of the statue of the Mother and Child; as well as the 40th birthday of the completion and occupation of the Penrhys Village. The Penrhys Pilgrims Festival is a month-long festival that will include music, poetry, drama and film events, conferences and community processions. DIS access limited (there is open access to the events, but the ground may be uneven for wheelchair users. Access to the well is difficult due to an gradient and uneven trackway to the site) LOC CF43 3PT WEB www.penrhys.com

SWANSEA

Dynevor Centre for Art, Design and Media, De La Beche Street
14 Sep tours hourly 11-3 The old Dynevor School (previously Swansea Municipal Secondary School) opened in 1883 and contributed greatly to the past, present and future of Swansea and the UK as a whole through its alumni. Now redeveloped, the site houses Swansea Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Art, Design and Media. The original Swansea School of Art was founded in 1853 and had a wonderful and creative history. Many of its staff and students earned worldwide reputations. The Dynevor Centre brings these two histories together and houses facilities for teaching and research in the creative arts. LOC SA1 3EU

The Environment Centre, Pier Street
14 Sep 11-4 The Centre was established in 1994 as a local independent registered charity, enabling the successful renovation of the historic old Edwardian telephone exchange into an enterprising environmental visitor centre. Originally opened in November 1903 to provide telephone services particularly for the local police and fire stations. In April 1995 the Centre was officially opened by the Prince of Wales. The Centre displays a variety of energy-saving features such as a solar chimney, turfed roofs and solar water heating. The building also hosts a number of inspiring art works from stained glass to ceramics, all commissioned from local artists. Visitors can stroll around our organic garden and see how composters and wormeries work. The Centre is full of useful information on anything from local nature reserves to recycling, and rain forests to renewable energy. LOC SA1 1RY WEB www.environmentcentre.org.uk

WELSHPOOL

Bryn Mawr Long House, Llanerfyl
A traditional Montgomeryshire longhouse, featured in I C Peates book The Welsh House is being restored as the center piece of a recreated Medieval Farmstead. Guided walks around the historic landscape, the buildings and farm with its traditional breeds of rare livestock. Interactive living history display. DIS disabled parking by arrangement (01938 820864). Short walk along farm track from parking. Working farm. Strong and sensible footwear. LOC SH9827 0615 | SY21 OJQ WEB www.bmheritagetrust.co.uk