Do you know that Wales has extra castles per sq. km than wherever else in Europe? That’s simply one of many many causes to go to Wales. We’re rounding up all the highest locations to go to in Wales that can entice you so as to add it to the highest of your UK bucket record. Wales, one of many 4 nations that make up the UK, has typically been missed in favor of its extra outstanding neighbors: England, Scotland, and Northern Eire however when you go to Wales you’ll marvel why you by no means considered it earlier.
Locations to Go to in Wales
This tiny nation is crammed with imposing castles, placing landscapes, and superb adventures. The Welsh are a unusual bunch who like to leap off issues, dangle excessive within the sky, and converse a wholly completely different language. With a wealthy historical past and a land crammed with imposing castles, Wales can be a unbelievable vacation spot for tradition as a lot as it’s for journey.
So get able to study a phrase or two of the Welsh language, get your adrenaline on, and step again in time as a result of we’re going to share all the most effective locations to go to in Wales that can make you need to pack your baggage proper now.
1. Snowdonia Nationwide Park
Snowdonia Nationwide Park in North Wales is one in all three nationwide parks within the nation and it tops our record for its pure magnificence. Situated in northwestern Wales, the park covers over 800 sq. miles of rolling hills, lakes, and an enormous rugged panorama.
Journey lovers will love exploring the Snowdon mountains they usually can hike the numerous trails to discover the unbelievable mountain views. The star attraction goes to the summit of Mount Snowdon, the best peak in all of Wales standing proud at 1085 meters (3645 toes). Wish to hike up the Snowdon Mountain Summit? Ebook this guided hike with an skilled information.
2. Snowdon Mountain Railway
When you’ve got restricted time, you may take the Snowdon Mountain Railway as much as Britain’s highest customer middle. The century-old narrow-gauge railway opened in 1896 and its historic steam prepare travels up 5 miles to the height of Mount Snowdon.
If you arrive you get out to do some mountain climbing and take within the extraordinary views from the 1085-meter (3645-foot) peak. You possibly can take the prepare again down or hike down the mountain. Watch our video of our journey as much as Mountain Snowdon
3. Llanberis
Llanberis is a good place to make a base when exploring Snowdonia Nationwide Park. Plus there may be a lot to see together with the Nationwide Slate Museum, and one other historic railway, the Llanberis Steam Railway.
In addition to Snowdon Mountain, Snowdonia Nationwide Park homes 14 mountains over 3000 toes making it one of many best-hiking locations in the UK. Climbing, mountain biking, and horseback driving are additionally common in Snowdonia.
This dawn hike takes you from the village of Llanberis for an early morning hike to observe the dawn from the highest of Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa with a professional mountain information.
Locations to Keep in Llanberis
4. Bounce Under
Bounce Under is a huge underground trampoline that provides adults playtime within the final jungle gymnasium. The collection of trampolines, nets, ladders, and slides make for a heart-pounding expertise that offers as many thrills because it does laughs.
Situated at Llechwedd Slate Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog, the cave is twice the scale of St. Paul’s Cathedral and is the results of an previous mining quarry. Let me let you know it’s large so give your self no less than a half day to get pleasure from this! Learn extra: Bounce Under – The Final Underground Trampoline for the Child in You!
5. ZipWorld
The Llechwedd Slate Caverns is certainly the place to go to for distinctive adventures. After leaping round at Bounce Under, be sure to do the By way of Ferrata and Zip Line. This hair-raising course takes three hours to finish and takes you thru a dozen zip strains whilst you traverse alongside excessive cliffs plunging to the caverns beneath.
There are caves, ropes, and bridges to cross and it’s a superb journey for these in search of one thing distinctive to do in Wales. If you would like one thing actually quick, head outdoors to the Titan Zipline, it’s the quickest in Europe!
6. Portmeirion Vacationer Village
Some of the distinctive locations in Wales is the Italian-style city of Portmeirion. Portmeirion is a unusual vacationer village in Gwynedd, Wales. No person lives on this city, however it’s a beautiful cease in your go to to Wales that offers a quiet retreat in a really completely different vacation spot.
It was designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis who modeled Portmeirion after the Italian Riviera village of Portofino positioned very near the Cinque Terre.
Spend a day consuming ice cream and have some scorching espresso with contemporary scones and cream as you discover the fairytale village. Or higher but, keep in a single day on the Portmeirion Resort the place you’re feeling as if in case you have stepped again in time.
We beloved our keep at Resort Portmeirion – The benefit of staying right here is you will have many of the village to your self within the morning and night earlier than and after the tour busses have left.
7. Llandudno
Llandudno is the Queen of the Welsh Resorts. It’s the largest seaside resort in Wales located on a slim strip of sand that connects the Welsh mainland and the Nice Orme. The luxurious Welsh resorts of Llandudno and Conwy lie between two beautiful sandy seashores. The Hop on Hop Off bus provides two completely different routes to get pleasure from views all the highest sights.
Llandudno has two great seashores, making the proper place to go to in the summertime. Its stunning seaside promenade makes for a stunning stroll out to the pier that juts 700-meters (2,300-foot) into the bay. You should definitely hop on the Nice Orme Tramway, the one cable-hauled tramway on a public street in Nice Britain.
We stayed at Llandudno Bay Resort and beloved it. This boutique resort is positioned on the Llandudno Promenade with sea views.
8. Conwy Fort
Wales is the fort capital of Europe and one in all our favourite castles to go to in Wales is Conway Fort in North Wales. Commissioned by Edward I, Conwy Fort has stood the take a look at of time because it was constructed between 1283 and 1289. It’s thought-about one of many biggest fortresses in Europe and is a chosen UNESCO World Heritage Website.
This magnificent fort has imposing partitions taht have stood the take a look at of time that also encompass the grounds and small city of Conway as we speak. If you go inside Conwy Fort, you’ll witness the good corridor, chambers, and kitchen, and a extra secluded inside ward with personal chambers and a royal chapel.
When visiting Conway, remember to cease and see Britain’s most interesting townhouse of the golden Elizabethan age the Elizabethan Plas Mawr, and the Smallest Home in Nice Britain.
9. Harlech Fort
Harlech Fort is essentially the most dramatic fortress from Edward I’s Thirteenth-century ‘iron ring’. and is a chosen UNESCO World Heritage Website. It’s positioned within the city of Harlech in west Wales, within the county of Gwynedd. Trying over Tremadog Bay from the highest of a sea cliff is a shocking view.
Harlech Castles is without doubt one of the prime locations in Wales to see. Make sure that to go inside to discover the fort tower. When you’d like to go to the fort, it opens at 10:00 am and prices £6.90 pp
10. Nice Orme
Witness the towering cliffs of the Nice Orme in North Wales to see unbelievable wildlife, from seals to seabirds as you’re taking a Sea Fishing journey in North Wales. We hopped aboard a fishing boat to study all about lobster fishing.
This distinctive journey takes folks out on this distinctive journey the place you board his fishing boat to examine his lobster traps within the bays.
Not solely do you discover ways to catch a lobster, however to additionally perceive the conservation of this common seafood entrée often known as the Black Gold of the Sea. For extra info on fishing journeys and lobster safaris to the Nice Orme go to: Sea Fishing Journeys North Wales
11. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Some of the picturesque scenes in Wales is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal throughout the River Dee. A UNESCO World Heritage Website, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is the best canal aqueduct on the planet.
Its 18 arches rise 38 meters (126 ft) toes into the air spanning 1000 toes. Pedestrians can stroll beside the water or you may take a canal boat. However if you’re on the lookout for one thing adventurous, strive taking a guided canoe tour
12. Pembrokeshire Coast Nationwide Park
One of many wildest and most rugged locations to see in Wales is the Pembrokeshire Coast Nationwide Park positioned on the West coast of Wales. The easiest way to discover the Pembrokeshire Coast is by going Coasteering. Coasteering was invented in Wales and we determined that if we have been ever going to present the adrenaline journey of Coasteering a strive wherever, it could be right here. Test it out right here.
Coasteering is a singular journey sport or coastal exploration the place you traverse alongside the coast of Wales by mountain climbing, cliff leaping, and swimming into sea caves. It provides exceptional views and as a lot journey as you want. You possibly can bounce from 10 meters or you may merely slip simply into the ocean. We went Coasteering with Preseliventure, e-book your journey right here.
13. Pembrokeshire Coast Path
When you don’t need to bounce within the water, you may hike the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. It covers a distance of 186 miles (299 km) alongside the west coast of Wales and provides a number of the most breathtaking coastal surroundings on the planet. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path takes you thru rugged sea cliffs, sandy seashores, and churning waters of the Irish Sea.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is split into 14 sections, every providing a singular and unforgettable expertise. A number of the highlights embrace the dramatic cliffs at St. David’s Head, the secluded seashores at Barafundle Bay and Marloes Sands, and the picturesque harbor at Solva.
Mountain climbing your complete path normally takes round two weeks, however there are many shorter sections that may be accomplished in a day or two.
14. St. David’s Cathedral
Whereas in Pembrokeshire be sure to go to St. David’s Cathedral positioned within the coronary heart of the town of St. David’s. Throughout the cathedral is the Shrine of St. David, which is believed to comprise the stays of the Patron Saint of Wales. The shrine is adorned with intricate carvings and is a spot of pilgrimage for a lot of guests to the cathedral.
The cathedral has a protracted wealthy historical past, courting again to the sixth century when The Patron St. David based a monastery on the location. The unique constructing was manufactured from wooden and was later changed with a stone church within the twelfth century. Over the centuries, the cathedral was expanded and rebuilt a number of occasions, ensuing within the construction that stands as we speak.
Guests can take a guided tour of the cathedral to study extra about Welsh historical past and structure, or just discover the numerous nooks and crannies of the constructing on their very own. St. David’s Cathedral is taken into account one of many holiest websites within the nation
15. Porthgain
The village of Porthgain is so picturesque that the BBC Film, The Most interesting with Invoice Nighy and Sam Claflin of Starvation Video games fame shot right here whereas we visited. There is a superb pub that you should cease in for a pint, the Slooth, and additionally it is a picturesque coastal stroll that’s so good, that the Pink Bull Cliff Diving Occasion happened right here in 2013.
You don’t have to leap off the large cliffs, however strolling alongside the coast provides extraordinary views of the coast of Wales. For mountain climbing this is a superb place in Wales.
16. Gower Peninsula
In case you are on the lookout for one other place in Wales for seashores, the Gower Peninsula in South Wales is thought for its lengthy sandy seashores and clear waters. Rhossili Bay is an iconic seaside with dramatic sea cliffs stretching 3 miles (5.8km) to Worm’s Head which acquired its identify from the Viking phrase for a sea serpent.
Some seashores to take a look at within the Gower Peninsula embrace Llangennith Seaside, Three Cliffs Bay, Oxwich Bay, and Rhossili Bay. Caswell Bay is common with surfers.
17. Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital metropolis of Wales and no journey could be full with out visiting this bustling city middle. It’s an excellent place to make a base whereas exploring South Wales and there are many issues to see and do.
Ebook this Cardiff guided Strolling Tour with a neighborhood information to admire the Cardiff Fort, Nationwide Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, and the Cardiff Civic Centre which was constructed through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
An excellent place to make a base is Resort Indigo positioned within the coronary heart of Cardiff close to all the main sights together with the fort, St David’s Corridor and principality stadium.
18. Cardiff Fort
Some of the common issues to do in Wales is to go to Cardiff Fort. This medieval fort is positioned within the coronary heart of the town and dates again greater than 2000 years. Within the eleventh century, the fort was the seat of the Welsh king, Rhys ap Tewdwr, and later served because the residence of assorted highly effective Welsh lords and princes.
Within the late Thirteenth century, the fort was seized by English forces beneath the command of King Edward I, who rebuilt and expanded the fortress to assist safe his maintain over Wales.
At this time, guests to Cardiff Fort can discover its ornate Gothic-style mansion, its spectacular clock tower, and the Welsh Navy Museum.
19. Nationwide Museum Cardiff
In case you are a historical past buff, the Nationwide Museum Cardiff is to not be missed. The constructing incorporates a gorgeous atrium, a fantastic rooftop backyard, and a spread of galleries and exhibition areas starting from historic artifacts to modern artwork.
There are everlasting and short-term reveals which are enjoyable for the entire household. Youngsters will love the interactive reveals the place they’ll discover a duplicate Victorian schoolroom, strive on medieval armor, and find out about Welsh historical past, myths and legends.
Among the finest issues concerning the Nationwide Museum of Cardiff is that admission is free.
20. Carreg Cennen Fort
There are greater than 100 castles to discover in Wales which are in glorious situation and there are numerous extra ruins. We have been informed that if there may be one fort to go to, make it Carreg Cennen Fort simply north of Cardiff.
This dramatic fortress is a part of King Edward I’s Thirteenth-century ‘iron ring. They weren’t mendacity when somebody informed us that we will typically be the one individual there. We had all of it to ourselves. The fort’s partitions are nonetheless standing however what makes this fort so particular is the truth that it’s in ruins.
21. Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park
The third installment of the three nationwide parks to go to in Wales is Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park is an out of doors lovers paradise. From stargazing to mountain biking its rolling hills, there’s something for everybody. With 4 mountain ranges, there are many locations to discover inside its 520 sq. miles.
Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park homes the Fforest Fawr UNESCO World Geopark and it’s a darkish sky protect. The Beacons Means is a 100 mile route via the nationwide park and the Taff Path is a long-distance biking route that goes via the park from Brecon to Cardiff.
Ebook this adrenaline journey from Cardiff to Brecon Beacons. Begin with a guided tour of world well-known Rhondda Valley in Southeast Wales earlier than starting your adrenaline-fuelled journey of canyoning, swimming, and leaping into crystal clear mountain streams
22. Llandeilo
Llandeilo is one other picturesque fishing village within the county of Carmarthenshire in Wales and is an effective base to discover Dinefwr Fort and Park, the Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park, and the Carreg Cennen Fort. When in Llandeilo, additionally, you will be close to two notable Gardens – The Nationwide Botanic Backyard of Wales and Aberglaseny Gardens.
Llandeilo has a historical past that dates again over 1,000 years, and there are a selection of historic landmarks to discover within the city. Some of the notable is the ruined Llandeilo Fort, which dates again to the Thirteenth century and provides gorgeous views of the encompassing countryside.
Llandeilo is especially well-known for its meals scene, with quite a lot of high-quality eating places and cafes serving up scrumptious Welsh delicacies and domestically sourced produce.
23. Aberaeron
Some of the colourful locations in Wales is the beautiful seaside city of Aberaeron. Make sure that to strive its honey ice cream wherein has been domestically made by the Holgate household for 35 years.
We stayed on the Harbour Grasp Resort, a stunning resort overlooking the ocean with an excellent restaurant. Aberaeron is often known as the Lobster Capital of Wales, so remember to get pleasure from domestically caught lobster within the night.
24. Satan’s Bridge Falls
Satan’s Bridge is a village named after the bridge it’s well-known for. It has been a vacationer attraction because the 1700s. Satan’s Bridge is definitely a collection of three bridges constructed on prime of each other. The unique dates again to medieval occasions. As an alternative of demolishing the bridges once they grew to become unstable, they merely constructed one other atop them.
Legend has it that it acquired its identify after an previous lady misplaced her cow and noticed it grazing on the opposite facet of the river. The Satan appeared and agreed to construct a bridge in return for the soul of the primary dwelling factor to cross it.
So, when the bridge was accomplished the girl threw a crust of bread for her canine to retrieve. When the canine jumped over the bridge, it was the primary dwelling factor to cross the bridge.
25. Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a seaside city in West Wales, within the county of Ceredigion. One of many predominant sights in Aberystwyth is its seaside, which is a protracted stretch of golden sand that’s good for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports activities.
The seaside is backed by a promenade that provides gorgeous views of Cardigan Bay, and there are a number of cafes, eating places, and bars close by the place guests can get pleasure from a meal or a drink.
Aberystwyth can be house to quite a lot of historic landmarks and sights, together with Aberystwyth Fort, which dates again to the Thirteenth century and provides gorgeous views of the city and the encompassing countryside.
Different notable landmarks embrace the Nationwide Library of Wales, which homes a set of Welsh books and manuscripts, and the Vale of Rheidol Railway, which takes guests on a scenic journey via the Welsh countryside.
26. Caernarfon Fort
Situated within the city of Caernarfon, Gwynedd, in North Wales, Caernarfon Fort is a medieval fort that was constructed by King Edward I. A Unesco World Heritage Website, the fort was constructed between 1283 and 1330, with the intention of serving as a royal palace and a army stronghold. King Edward, I needed to make a press release about his conquest of Wales and to bolster the English Crown’s authority over the Welsh folks.
The fort has a reference to the Prince of Wales started in 1911, the long run King Edward VIII was invested right here because the Prince of Wales. Since then, the investiture of every new Prince of Wales has taken place at Caernarfon Fort.
The fort incorporates a collection of spectacular towers and ramparts. Some of the notable options of the fort is its polygonal towers that guests can climb to the highest for views of the encompassing Welsh countryside.
27. Hay on Wye
Hay on Wye is the nation’s nationwide e-book city positioned in Powys close to the border with England. The city is legendary for its giant variety of second-hand and antiquarian bookshops, in addition to its annual literary competition. The Hay Pageant has been working since 1988.
The competition is a celebration of literature, arts, and tradition, and brings collectively a variety of writers, poets, artists, and musicians from all over the world. The Hay Pageant takes place over 10 days in Mid Might and June in Hay on Wye and has featured the likes of Margaret Atwood, Invoice Clinton, and Salman Rushdie.
Hay on Wye was based within the early nineteenth century as a market city, however it grew to become well-known within the Sixties when Richard Sales space, a neighborhood bookseller, started selling the city as a middle for books. At this time, Hay on Wye has round 20 bookshops, lots of that are positioned in historic buildings and supply a variety of uncommon and strange books.
28. Middle of Various Expertise
To step out of historical past for a bit, The Centre for Various Expertise (CAT) is a good change of tempo. Thie instructional and analysis middle positioned in Machynlleth, Wales was based in 1973 by a bunch of activists and environmentalists who needed to advertise sustainable dwelling and exhibit sensible options for a low-carbon future.
CAT is ready on a 7-acre web site and is house to quite a lot of instructional reveals and interactive shows. Guests can find out about renewable vitality, natural gardening, sustainable constructing methods, and plenty of different subjects associated to sustainability and environmentalism.
Getting Round Wales
The easiest way to get round Wales is by rental automobile. We flew into Machester, England, and picked up our automobile on the airport earlier than heading out to discover Wales in a counter-clockwise route. It was an excellent path to see all the highest Wales sights over the course of 8 days in Wales. Examine rental automobile costs at RentalCars.com
The Welsh Language is usually a little bit of a tongue tornado to get your head round however don’t fear everybody speaks English in Wales. The toughest a part of the journey is simply attempting to learn a number of the indicators. However then once more, isn’t studying one other language a part of the enjoyable of touring?
So there you will have it! These are our suggestions for the most effective locations in Wales. From its imposing castles to rugged coast, there are such a lot of issues to do in Wales, I’m stunned it isn’t on extra folks’s radar.
Whereas writing this text, it made me need to return. There’s nonetheless a lot extra to see and do. What’s your favourite place in Wales?
Learn Extra About Journey in Nice Britain
Our journey to Wales was in partnership with Go to Britain and Go to Wales