YOU can take a glimpse into the past at historical sites across the region.

There is plenty to keep all the family entertained, from history buffs to young children. You can all get stuck in at some of the region’s best attractions.

The National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon

Every Saturday visitors can enjoy the reconstructed barrack room and the Capricorn Centre at the museum. You can discover what life was like for a soldier in the Roman army and meet a facilitator who will show you the weapons and armour that the Romans used to fight off the Celts. There is also the opportunity for children and adults to try on some replica armour.

For more information about the events go to museumwales.ac.uk/roman or call 0300 111 2 333

The Bit Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon

Visit the free national coal museum in Blaenavon to find out the lives of people who worked down the pit. With facilities to educate and entertain all ages, Big Pit is an exciting and informative day out.

Travel 300ft down the mine with a former miner, listen to stories and join in with the ‘banter’. If an underground adventure isn’t for you then pop in to ‘King Coal’ our interactive mining galleries or the Pithead Baths exhibition to find out what life was like for the thousands of men and their families who worked at the coal face. You can also take a look at photographs by Walter Waygood that document the landscape, home life, society, work, religion and youth in Blaenavon from the 1970s onwards.

For more information about the Bit Pit National Coal Museum visit museum.wales/bigpit/ or call 0300 111 2 333.

Blaenavon Ironworks

Another free attraction that is perfect for all the family is Blaenavon Ironworks. There will be a World War II themed event on August 5 and 6. Entry is free and there will be enjoy living history displays, weapon displays and music, painting a vivid picture of life during this troubled time. There will be a chance to listen to real stories of life on the home front told by the firesides of Stack Square.

For more information about events at the Ironworks visit http://cadw.gov.wales.

Tredegar House, Newport

Situated within 90 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland, this red brick house provides an ideal setting for a day out.

Join in with family-friendly events or plot your own adventure and see how many of the 50 things to do before you're 11¾ you can complete before school rolls back around.

There is den building, fossil hunting and you can build a home for wild animals. You can also try kayaking on the lake over the August Bank Holiday weekend. You can tackle the 68 steps to the top of Tredegar House and take a look at the conservation work happening on the roof.

To book or find out more visit nationaltrust.org.uk/tredegar-house or call 01633 815880.

Llancaiach Fawr, Trelewis

There will be lots on offer at the manor this summer. Children's soft play will be taking place on August 1, 8 and 15 where there will be a bouncy castle and disco with a roly-poly jungle theme. On August 3 there will be a Frozen themed day with games and crafts and a sea themed day on August 10. A Roald Dahl characters themed day will be held on August 17.

All the family will love King's Day on August 6 when Charles I visits the manor with soldiers camp, muskets, artillery and falconry. Sunday 6th August. The Bedwellty Show comes to the manor on Saturday August 19 and the Barking Mad Dog Show, organised in association with Hope Rescue, comes to Llancaiach Fawr on Bank Holiday Monday August 28. It will be a fun packed day for all the family with competitions such as best young handler, prettiest bitch or most handsome dog.

Some activities need to be booked in advance. Find out more at your.caerphilly.gov.uk/llancaiachfawr/ or call 01443 412248.

Newport Museum and Art Gallery

As well as the exhibitions, children can get crafty at the Newport Museum and Art Gallery this summer. There are family crafts sessions held every Wednesday including make a woodland animal mask on August 16 and make a paper Newport Ship on August 30.

Suitable for children aged five to 11, there are 15 places are available for each of the three sessions that take place during the day.

For more information visit newport.gov.uk/heritage or call 01633 656656.

Newport Medieval Ship

Join the friends of Newport Medieval Ship as they skirmish and swash their buckles on August 19 and 20 at the South Wales Pirate Festival at Caldicot Castle. You can also visit the ship project, located on Estuary Road in Newport, on selected dates.

To find out more visit newportship.org.

Blaenavon World Heritage Centre & Library

Bring your favourite teddy to Blaenavon for the teddy bears’ picnic on August 6 for entertainment, activities and fun games with Mad Mel. Best dressed teddy wins a prize. £1 to register your bear for the competition.

Find out more at visitblaenavon.co.uk.

Abergavenny Museum and castle

On August 18 Billionaire Boy by David Walliams comes to Abergavenny. Bring your picnics, blankets and fold up chairs and come to the helicopter pad outside at Bumfresh Towers to hear the story of how Mr Spud made his billions, lost it all and how Joe became the richest boy in the world.

Performance starts at 4pm and takes place in the castle grounds. Bring a rug or chair and sun or rain protection as appropriate

Tickets are available from Abergavenny Museum for £13 adult, £8 child or £39 for a family or call 01873 854282)

Pontypool Museum

All Torfaen schoolchildren have free entry to the Pontypool Museum during the school holidays. The special summer school holiday display of 'Our Torfaen Treasures' showcases the history of the Valley from Prehistory to Medieval times.

For more information visit pontypoolmuseum.org.uk or call 01495 752036.

Nelson Museum & Local History Centre, Monmouth

Find out about the life, loves, death and commemoration of the famous admiral through displays of weapons, pictures, fine ceramics, silver and glass, ships models and letters at the Nelson Museum & Local History Centre in Monmouth. Horatio Nelson was born in Norfolk, died at sea, and is buried in St. Paul's Cathedral - yet Monmouth is home to a collection of Nelson material.

Visit visitmonmouthshire.com/nelsonmuseum for more information or call 01600 710630.

The National Museum and Art Gallery, Cardiff

Head to Cardiff for a range of exhibitions including Dinosaur Babies which includes a full size dinosaur skeletons and replicas, touchable models of dinosaur embryos and eggs, and even a 2.5 metre model dinosaur nest. Get involved be becoming a dinosaur detectives in these workshops especially for older children.

Get creative from August 22 to 24 with a selection of art materials including paint, glue, colours, paper, twigs and leaves to create artwork that is inspired by the work of Gillian Ayres. Based on the early year’s philosophy of Reggio Emilia, this creative space is a place for child-led artistic exploration. There isn’t a pre-designed activity, it’s up to you what you create. A facilitator will be there to help you get stuck in.

You can also explore the wonderful world of worms. An exciting, family-friendly exhibition delving into the wonderful world of worms. Crawl inside the amazing ‘wriggloo’ and get an earthworm’s eye view of the world.

Find out more at museum.wales/cardiff/ or call 0300 111 2333.

The Winding House, New Tredegar

There is lots to do at the Winding House this summer. Join dinocrafts on August 4 to excavate a dinosaur from ice and create a fossil necklace. On August 11 you can design an Egyptian headdress and collar fit for ancient royalty. On August 25 make Stone Age crafts and create your ancient essentials with cave art and ‘tooth’ bracelets.

Find our more details at http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/windinghouse/ or call 01443 822 666.