Why go? Well it's not very big, but it does have excellent one off examples of great Art and Sculpture, including one of the largest Impressionist and ceramics collections outside of London.
Must seees are:

'Small Nijinski Hare' by Barry Flanagan, you have to go downstairs into the restaurant and round the back to see it - if it's not there we've stolen it. HERE

HEPWORTH, Barbara
Oval Sculpture (Delos).
" In 1954-5 she carved several abstract sculptures with Grecian titles from a consignment of seventeen tons of Nigerian hardwood. Amongst her grandest and most lyrical works, these were inspired by the landscape and antiquities of Greece. Delos is both the site of the cave of Apollo and the island around which the Cyclades lie in an oval form." HERE

Catherine Yass - Light boxes taken at Port Talbot

Turner - HERE beautiful small oil paintings, really easy to miss as you go through a gallery and up some stairs to see the Turners.

MONET - Rouen Cathedral: Setting Sun.
Why is this worth seeing? Well because most of his Cathedral paintings really don't work, but this does. It used to work better before it was re-hung, but try to look at it close up and then step back and watch it emerge at a distance. HERE

There's a good range of Gwen John's work . HERE (although you need to go to Tenby to see a really exquisite early painting by her). Despite the repeated references to her affair with Rodin, few writers ever refer to her 'intense friendship' with Vera Oumançoff HERE

200metres across, nose to tail!!!
"Parc Penallta is Caerphilly's newest country park opened in July 2000. Carved from a former coal tip, Penallta offers the visitor spectacular views across the county borough from the high point observatory. You won't be able to miss 'Sultan' the UK's largest figurative earth sculpture depicting a pit pony, locally nicknamed 'Sultan'. Built as a wind break the impressive land sculpture is well worth a vist. You can climb all over him and his head is great to fly a kite from. The park is still under construction so the amount of sculpture is limited, but visitors can enjoy walks though woodland and grasslands, where Skylarks and Lapwings breed. Discover the exciting boardwalk, crannog and willow tunnel in the wetland area."

Cyclists can also gain access onto Route 47 of the National Cycle Network and cycle in safety to Sirhowy Valley Country Park.

To get up to the park either catch the train from Cardiff Central to Ystrad and then walk up the hill towrds Gelligaer. Alternatively drive into Ystrad past The Beaches pub and then turn right on the road to Gelligaer, past Penallta Colliery. The park is on your left. FREE