Top Ten Things to do in Wales
Discover Amazing Welsh Mountains, Castles, Beaches and History
The visual splendour of Wales’ mountains, parks and coastline is a huge draw for visitors. Yet, the roads in Wales can be long and winding, drawing out what can seem like an easy distance. It’s best to have a good plan in advance before heading to Wales, otherwise too much time can be spent driving, and not enough spent enjoying the sights and activities.
The Best of Welsh Castles
Unbelievably, there are over 400 castles in Wales, many of them the finest examples of Medieval Castles in Europe. Choosing the best can be daunting, so here are some clues. Most visitors will start at the grand Cardiff Castle, in the city of the same name. Then move on to Caerphilly Castle, just north of Cardiff: the second largest castle in the UK, and a grand old Medieval building too. Then, in the Brecon Beacons, a visit to Carreg Cennen, sitting majestically on a hill is suggested. Finally, it's important not to miss the best castle in Wales: Conwy, set in the walled town of the same name. This brilliant 13th century castle, in a beautiful old walled city is the only UNESCO World Heritage Listed castle in Wales and is a sight not to be missed. For a list of the ten best castles in the UK, visit this article.
Setting the Scene in Cardiff
The Welsh capital is a great starting point for discovering Welsh culture. Beer drinkers will want to try ‘Brains’ a type of beer only found, and drunk in Cardiff. A great family outing is Cardiff Castle at the city centre; a great place to discover history about the city itself. For something different the ‘Museum of Welsh Life’ is a huge open air museum, reconstructing the lives of Welsh citizens in times past, and is an amazing and rare example of an historical ‘living’ museum. Cardiff also has museums, galleries and Cardiff Bay where you can sit with a drink and watch the sun set over the water.
The Beauty of Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is no longer Wales' best kept secret; the south west coastal region is one of the countries biggest tourist draws. The reasons are simple: the beauty of the coastline and its beaches, along with walking trails, idyllic villages and a sense of simplicity, of ‘getting away from the hustle and bustle’. Pembrokeshire has many great resorts for those who want to relax, or adventure options for those who want a little more. Also a great place for whale and dolphin watching.
Descending into Ancient Mines at the Welsh Mining Museum
Wales is famous for its mining history, and down in ‘Big Pit’ at the Welsh Mining Museum, visitors can experience this dark and fascinating history first hand. Located in south Wales, between Cardiff and Brecon, at the Mining Museum visitors can go deep into ‘Big Pit’ a real mine closed only in the 1980’s, and get a sense of what this most dark and grueling of occupations was really like.
Climbing the Great Mountains in Snowdonia
Mt Snowdon, in Snowdonia National Park, is the highest mountain in Wales, and also one of the most popular to climb in the UK. Despite being the highest, at only 1085 metres it’s an achievable climb for most and thus a popular challenge for hikers and walkers. Snowdon aside, the National Park overall has a brilliant reputation as a scenic place for walking and hiking, and many people in the UK flock to the area for that simple pleasure.
The National Pastime: Rugby
The Welsh love Rugby with an indisputable passion. Probably no other nation in the world is so dedicated to this one sport, and it’s a real experience to sit in a Welsh pub while the national team plays. Even better, then, is to watch the Welsh play live at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff at one of the hardest, most viscerally exciting sports in the world.
Eat and Drink Welsh Style
As mentioned in the above section on Cardiff, the Welsh love their beer, and Cardiff’s own ‘Brains’ beer is a unique experience. The Welsh also have a growing reputation for wine, and many wineries can be found, especially in the south of the country. When it comes to food, the Welsh are known for their Leek Soup, easy to find in restaurants, or else Welsh Cakes, which are a surprisingly addictive sweet-cake snack to be found in most markets and supermarkets.
The Longest Town Name in the World
It has been disputed, insubstantially, but it’s hard to get past Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch as the longest name for a town in the world. Located in the North West, just over the bridge on Anglesey Island, this tiny town draws tourists, if only for the sight of its immense name written on shop signs and at the train station. For travellers who like something different and quirky.
Unspoilt Greenery in the Brecon Beacons
A National Park to rival the northern Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons is included because it’s already been mentioned twice above – see the entries about the amazing hilltop castle Carreg Cennan and the real mining experience of ‘Big Pit’. Further to this, the Brecon Beacons is notable for its walking trails, lush with greenery and unspoilt by the masses of tourists that tend to cloud other parks like the Lakes District in England. With many castles, chapels and quaint towns, the Brecon Beacons is a quiet jewel of south Wales.
Perfect Scenic Train Journeys in Snowdonia
Finally, for travellers who love the scenery but don't like the hiking then taking an old fashioned steam train from Lanberis, through Snowdonia National Park up Mount Snowdon will certainly be a great way to experience the beauty of Wales.
Conwy Castle North Wales
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Brecon Beacons National Park
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Welsh Cakes Cardiff Market
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Longest Town Name in the World
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