This four-day itinerary includes venue options such as the Vale Resort and Hensol Castle, along with a range of activities including gin and welsh cake masterclasses, stargazing in the beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, and fire and ice experiences to inspire teams.
Accommodation and venue space
The Vale Resort and Hensol Castle 4*
The Vale Resort, set within 450 acres of countryside and just 20 minutes from Cardiff and Cardiff Airport, offers modern conference facilities with 15 multi-functional meeting rooms, accommodating up to 700 delegates. The resort includes high-speed internet, AV equipment, and dedicated event coordinators. It features 146 bedrooms including suites, a restaurant, a championship golf course, and leisure facilities. It also serves as the training ground for the Wales International rugby team.
The resort owns Hensol Castle, located just five minutes away. This listed property features a sweeping driveway, meeting spaces for up to 300 guests, 23 luxury bedrooms, and a gin distillery with a gin masterclass school. The castle can be hired exclusively for business events and gala dinners.
Day 1 - Arrival & well-being
Check-in and Welcome – Guests arrive and settle into the hotel with a welcome drink.
Afternoon Activities – Options include golf lessons on the championship course or use of the resort’s leisure and spa facilities.
Evening – Dinner at the Vale Resort’s restaurant.
Day 2 - Cultural Immersion
Breakout Experiences
- Welsh Cake Making – Hands-on session held on site.
- Coin, Coal and Cheers – A cultural experience including a visit to The Royal Mint, where UK coins are produced; a guided tour of a former industrial coal mine; and a gin masterclass at Hensol Distillery.
- Penderyn Whisky and Big Pit Experience – Includes a tour of the Penderyn Welsh Whisky Distillery and a visit to Big Pit National Coal Museum, featuring an underground tour led by a former miner.
- Adventure Activities – Zip wiring at Zip World Tower, a former coal mine transformed into an outdoor attraction, and mountain biking at Mountain Bike Wales with electric bike hire and custom woodland trails.
Meals
- Lunch – Options include Zip World Restaurant Cegin Glo or Ty Newydd Country House Hotel.
- Dinner – Llanerch Vineyard.
Day 3 - Education experiences
Educational and Enrichment Experiences
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Dark Sky Wales – Developed by Wales conference ambassador Allan Trow, this astro-tourism initiative offers stargazing experiences tailored for business events. Activities include guided sessions in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park and mobile planetarium experiences at indoor venues. Wales has 20% of its skies internationally recognised for their darkness.
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Llanerch Vineyard – Located a short walk from Hensol Castle, this 17th-century farmhouse offers vineyard tours, wine tasting, meeting spaces, and accommodation.
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Hydra Suite Experience – Hosted at the University of South Wales Treforest Campus, this fascinating cyber security simulation challenges participants to work together on decision-making in high-pressure scenarios.
Dinner
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Evening meal at either the Miskin Arms or Caesars Arms Restaurant, both within a 10-minute drive and serving locally sourced produce.
Day 4 - Well-being and activities experience
Morning Options
1. White Water Rafting at Cardiff International White Water
- High-adrenaline activity
- Ideal for thrill-seekers and team bonding
2. Mountain Yoga with Fire & Ice Well-being Experience
- Gentle, restorative start to the day
- Combines yoga with nature and wellness elements
Afternoon Options
1. Welsh Food Tour in Cardiff
- Guided walking tour with Loving Welsh Food
- Includes market visits, Cardiff Castle, and a local pub
- Great for cultural immersion and culinary exploration
2. Call of the Wild Team Building Activities Tailored half-day or full-day experiences:
- Canyoning near Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
- Walking under waterfalls with wild swimming and picnic
- Quad biking across South Wales’ scenic hills
Gala dinner - Hensol Castle
The Courtyard Hall is a standout feature of Hensol Castle a beautiful Grade I listed building with sweeping staircases and gothic towers to state-of-the-art multimedia technology. Located at the heart of the castle, the Courtyard Hall accommodates up to 200 guests for a dinner and provides a memorable setting for gala dinners and conferencing. Consider a Welsh banquet, meeting the chef behind the dishes, and enjoying entertainment that reflects the local culture - ranging from traditional choirs and harpists to modern Welsh music or a Sir Tom Jones lookalike act.
