Know Wales

Wales

Local knowledge for living in and visiting Wales.

Know what it costs. Know who to call. Know what to expect.

Say what you need and which town — or just one of the two.

What do you need to know?

Visitor questions — browse all categories.

Who do I call for the boiler?Gas Safe first — then a clear quote before walls open.What can I do here?Season, fitness and tickets before a list of operators.Where can I stay?What the stay is like before you book.Where should I eat?Independents first — menu and price sense.Who can MOT or service the car?What the test involves, then who to use.How much is a taxi?Official hackney table, then who to ring.

This week's knowledge

Plumbers and heating in CardiffGas Safe first — then a clear quote before walls open. Checked 22 Aug 2026.Holiday cottages in TenbySaturday changeover common — confirm what “sleeps 4” means before you book. Checked 22 Aug 2026.Restaurants in CardiffMains often £16–£28 where we have menus — check FSA rating before you book. Checked 22 Aug 2026.Cardiff taxi faresTariff 1 starts at £3.50. Official hackney table, then airport and accessible chapters. Checked 22 Aug 2026.

Know this town

Featured towns — browse all 157 towns.

CardiffCaerdyddCapital — Tariff 1 flag £3.50, Class 4 MOT cap £54.85, full pillar chapters.SwanseaAbertaweBay and Gower gateway — hackney tariff on the fares page, independents in centre and Mumbles.NewportCasnewyddM4 and rail gateway — riverfront walks, Caerleon Roman sites a short hop.BarryY BarriTariff 1 flag £3.10 — about £7.30 for 2 miles (daytime).BridgendPen-y-bont ar OgwrTariff 1 flag £4.60 — about £6.80 for 2 miles (daytime).CwmbranCwmbrânTariff 1 flag £4.90 — about £6.50 for 2 miles (daytime).WrexhamWrecsamNorth Wales city — Manchester and Liverpool airports closer than Cardiff for most flights.LlanelliTariff 1 flag £4.50 — about £7.00 for 2 miles (daytime).NeathCastell-neddTariff 1 flag £3.40 — about £6.10 for 2 miles (daytime).TenbyDinbych-y-pysgodWalled Pembrokeshire harbour — peak summer fills fast; parking tight in August.

From the journal

How to read a menu price in a tourist townWhat the number usually includes — and what it does not.What an MOT failure usually meansFail is not scrap. Retest rules and what to ask the garage.Gas Safe before you call a plumberBoiler and gas work: check the register before anyone opens a wall.Hotel vs self-catering in WalesWhat you are actually buying before you look at names.Booking activities: what to check firstSeason, fitness, tickets, and weather — before the operator list.Hackney vs private hire in WalesHow you hire them, and who sets the price.