Unmissable Welsh Destinations You Should Travel To
Wales is the third largest country in the United Kingdom, with a population of a little over three million. It is a beloved travelling destination for many owing to its rich culture represented through music, language and visual arts, as well as the natural landscapes, with sweeping valleys and verdant forested areas. If you’ve been thinking about travelling to Wales but aren’t yet sure what the best spots would be, here are some places that might pique your interest.
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Brecon Beacons
Also known as Bannau Brycheiniog, this mountainous region and national park includes the Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, at 886 metres above sea level. If you enjoy trekking and mountaineering, this is the ideal vacation destination for you.
However, you should be sure you’re in perfect condition if you plan to move around during the holidays. In case you go through a physical accident that has you pursuing the medical services offered by the state, you’ll spend quite some time recover and geting back to your holiday. If anything goes south with the healthcare professionals, like poor treatment or never events, know that you can always use a guide on how to sue the NHS and have justice made for you. Hopefully, it won’t be your case, but it’s good to know that if you or a closed one are mistreated by the NHS, the legal system works in your favor.
Returning to our muttons, much of the national park is bare and grassy, and Welsh mountain ponies and sheep graze the moorlands. Many bird species are common in the area, such as peregrine falcons, merlins, red kites, ring ouzels and common ravens. Fishing, canoeing, cycling, horse riding, sailing and windsurfing are common outdoor activities in the Brecon Beacons.
Pembrokeshire
Situated in the south-west of Wales, the county is surrounded by the sea from every direction except for the east and northeast. It is home to some of the country’s most spectacular beaches and picturesque seaside towns.
St Davids, the smallest urban area in the United Kingdom, is located in the region.
Haverfordwest, the most populous townlet in the region, is the birthplace of actor Rhys Ifans, soprano singer Juliette Pochin and Sir John Perrot, who served as Lord Deputy of Ireland under Queen Elizabeth I of England.
There’s an alpaca farm in Haverfordwest, an unmissable spot if you travel with your children. Apart from the thirty-two alpacas, there are also chickens and dogs with which the children can interact and play. The Scolton Manor, a Victorian country house, is just to the northeast of the city. Built in 1840, the house retains its original study, dining room and nursery. At the Welsh Owl Garden and Zoo, you and your children can see over twenty-five species of birds.
Portmeirion
This tourist village, located in Gwynedd in the north of Wales, was established between 1925 and 1975 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, an architect who wanted to recreate the Mediterranean atmosphere of Portofino in Wales. The pastel colours and extensive gardens provide all visitors with a sense of peace and relaxation and although it might seem too touristy a choice for some, its undeniable charm is bound to win you over.
If you enjoy slow holidays, when you can take your time to walk around and explore, Portmeirion is the ideal option. You can also start with a guided tour in the beginning to get a better idea of your surroundings. There are many hidden gems you should get on your itinerary, including a Japanese garden with a lake and pagoda.
The cuisine of Portmeirion is incredible because it is a blend of Welsh and Italian. For example, you can get a scoop of bara brith-flavoured gelato, the traditional Welsh tea bread with dried raisins, currants, candied peel and spices as the main ingredients. Pasta is served with a ragu made of Welsh lamb and tomatoes, and Welsh cheese platters are served with Italian bread. Truly a feast for the senses.
Llangollen
This riverside community is a haven for travellers looking to enjoy for a culture-packed experience. From February to October, you can hop on a steam train that journeys between Llangollen and Corwen that takes you to a national train with ancient roots, the Offa’s Dyke Path. You’ll see the Welsh Marches, the border area between England and Wales.
Tip: Don't miss the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site while in Llangollen.
The coastal town of Prestatyn, located on the Irish Sea coast, can also be visited when you’re on the Trail. Evidence shows that it has been occupied since prehistoric times and became popular around the 19th century among Victorians who lived in urban areas. City dwellers saw the beach and clean water as health boosters.
Castles
For those who love history, castles are a must-see. Luckily, plenty of them in Wales are open for the public to visit. Dolwyddelan Castle, built between 1210 and 1240, was built to defend a trade route going east to west within the kingdom. Edward I of England captured it in 1283. It was constructed out of local gritstone and slate rubble, with the keep, consisting of two stories and a basement, being the first to be built.
Caernarfon Castle, situated in Gwynedd, was built in the 11th century as a motte-and-bailey castle. The structure was gradually replaced with the current stone building by Edward Longshanks, who began reconstruction efforts in 1283. During the English Civil War, Caernarfon was held by Royalists. The Parliamentarian forces besieged it three times. This was the last time the fortress was part of a military conflict. In 1911 and 1969, it stood as the place of inauguration for the Price of Wales. In 2022, it was revealed that the current Prince of Wales has no plans for a familiar investiture owing to the controversy surrounding the title.
Restaurants and bookshops
Even if you’re not a culinary aficionado, you must taste some of the country’s traditional foods. Welsh cakes, a traditional sweet bread made on griddles, are flavoured with sultanas, raisins, nutmeg and cinnamon. Caerphilly cheese, hailing from the southern end of the Rhymney Valley, approximately eleven kilometres north of Cardiff, was created for the local coal miners. Artisan cheesemakers still make it in the traditional, pre-war style.
Cawl is a traditional soup made with potatoes, lamb or beef, carrots and leeks, the national vegetable of the Welsh. Welsh rarebit is a serving of cheese sauce over toast. Tatws Pum Munud, known in English as Five-minute potatoes, is a Welsh stew made with stock, bacon and vegetables. One of the most popular restaurants you can try is the Black Boy Inn, situated within the walls of Caernarfon.
If you love reading, you must stop by Hay-on-Wye, often described as a “town of books” because of its over twenty bookshops. You can find specialist or secondhand books as well as antiques.
And when visiting Hay-on-Wye, an ideal retreat would be By the Wye - a treetop glamping venue where you can get close to nature and enjoy luxurious glamping.
Wales is a vastly underrated travel destination, but if you’ve considered visiting, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity.
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