Perriswood Archery & Falconry Centre

Drawing a longbow while a peregrine falcon watches from its handler's glove - that's the sort of medieval fantasy you can live out at this proper old-school centre just outside Swansea. Perriswood combines two ancient skills that actually work brilliantly together, giving you a chance to try both archery and falconry in one visit.

Archery sessions start you off with basic bows before working up to proper longbows if you've got the strength for it. The instructors know their stuff and won't let you loose arrows into the Welsh countryside until you're hitting something resembling a target. Meanwhile, the falconry experience lets you handle various birds of prey - from nimble hawks to magnificent owls.

Families with older children will get the most from this. The archery needs a bit of coordination and arm strength, so probably best for ages eight and up. History enthusiasts will love the traditional approach - this isn't some theme park version but the real deal.

It's perfectly placed for a Gower Peninsula holiday, sitting between several caravan parks including Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park and Oxwich Camping Park. After a morning with bows and birds, you're minutes from some of Wales' finest beaches. Check their website before turning up though - opening times seem to vary and you'll want to book ahead for the falconry sessions.