My 12-year-old son and teenage daughter are standing at the top of what’s known locally as Loonies Leap, preparing to plunge 15ft into the crystal clear waters below.

Meanwhile my husband is scrambling further up the canyon to an even higher point from which to launch himself, while I perch on a rock below, surrounded by white water, trying to capture the moment on camera.

This is our first experience of gorge scrambling which had started at beautiful place with an unpronounceable name, Pontneddfechan near Glynneath, where we were kitted out with good, thick wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids.

Over the course of the next two hours, we swam in rivers, walked behind waterfalls, dived into rock pools before reaching the final stage where you can attempt death defying leaps from various heights.

But we were in good hands, thanks to our guide from Adventure Britain who clearly knows every nook and cranny of the gorge.

And this was just the start of an action-packed, itinerary of family-friendly activities that had been organised for us in The Valleys of South Wales.

Although I’d heard it was a beautiful place, it was more stunning than I had imagined and it is only a three-and-a-half hour drive from Bournemouth.

Having survived our gorge scramble, we drove to the Nant Ddu Lodge & Spa at Cwm Taf near Merthyr Tydfil, a three-star country hotel nestled in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park which was to be our base for the next two nights.

We were given a warm welcome and escorted to our family suite which included a shower/bathroom and an adjoining room with bunk beds for the kids.

No sooner had we unpacked than we decided to check out the swimming pool which is a good size – there is also a sauna, steam room and spa.

Afterwards we had dinner in the hotel bistro offering hearty, no frills, good quality cooking featuring fresh local produce. The following morning after a full English buffet-style breakfast, my daughter and I set off to the Cantref Riding Centre which is about a |15-minute drive from the hotel, for a two-hour pony trek on two sure-footed Welsh cobs with hooves the size of dinner plates which were well suited to the steep and rocky terrain of the Brecons.

Afterwards we met up with my husband and son, and headed to the Blaenavon World Heritage Site to visit an old Welsh mining town before visiting the Big Pit where we travelled 90m underground for a 50-minute guided walk around the coal faces, engine houses and stables in the company of a former coal miner.

Our last day included a visit to The Rock Summit Centre at Trelewis, where we were able to try our hand at climbing, bouldering, archery and caving.

The journey home included a flying visit to Caerphilly Castle – Wales’ largest castle with its leaning tower – and some excellent interactive displays.

All in all it was an action-packed weekend from start to finish. Whether you want plenty of outdoor action or prefer to delve into the area’s rich past with its medieval castles and industrial heritage, The Valleys of South Wales has plenty to offer.

We are already planning to head back this summer, although I don’t think I will be tempted to join my family at Loonies Leap anytime soon!

l For more information visit thevalleys.co.uk