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Just west across Cardiff Bay is the Vale of Glamorgan, kicking off with Penarth, a laid-back beach town accessible from the city via Cardiff Bay Barrage. Here the countryside replaces the suburbs surprisingly quickly, giving way to sandy coastline and rolling inland hills full of ancient history. Historic Llantwit Major has tranquil camping nearby, some of which puts you in touch of lovely beaches like Dunraven Bay.
Delightful wooded hills soar up to the north of Cardiff, separating the city from the Caerphilly region. Caerphilly is best-known for sporting one of Wales’ hugest and handsomest castles, but the rural landscapes around hide some fine camping spots. Secluded Under the Oak Glamping, with its mix of safari tents and railway carriages to sleep out in, has an enviable location in tree-dotted meadows just outside Caerphilly.
Cardiff is a buzzing, year-round destination and fittingly, campsites like the one in Pontcanna Fields are also open year-round. This is Wales, however, famous for its wet weather and the mud that it brings: April through October gives you a far-better chance of pitching under fair skies and over less soggy ground. July and August are filled with vibrant Cardiff festivals celebrating food, theatre and music—though big events also mean campsites are more crowded.