Exploring the West of Great Britain while travelling in Wales never fails to impress. Despite its relatively small size, Wales boasts a remarkable variety of landscapes, warm-hearted locals, and renowned coastal areas perfect for sun-soaked getaways. To enhance your travel experience, we have curated a selection of five extraordinary journeys that will leave you in awe.
Beautiful Wales - the beach at Rhossili Bay is one of the most beautiful in the region © Panoramic Images/Getty Images Cardiff - capital city by the sea
The Welsh capital was long unrecognised as an industrial port city. However, Cardiff has come a long way and is now worth more than just a day trip. The extensive Roath and Bute parks ensure that Cardiff is the greenest capital city in Europe. However, the main attraction is and remains a relic from the past: Cardiff Castle is located right in the city centre, so a flying visit to the British nobility of the 15th century can be combined with a shopping tour in the neighbouring shopping streets of St. Mary and Queen Street. The major labels are based in the new St. David's Shopping Centre. More original are the six historic arcades that run through the entire city centre. Behind hundred-year-old shop windows are funky accessories, handmade designer shoes and Welsh specialities.
British nightlife is controversial: too much alcohol, too loud, too excessive, and Cardiff is no exception. If you want to join in for an evening, stay in the city centre. Pubs and clubs are lined up around St Mary Street. Cardiff Bay is the place to be for those who prefer something a little more moderate. Up until the 1990s, the harbour district was still characterised by industry. This has since given way to modern architecture and good restaurants. The Millennium Centre is an architectural masterpiece and the most important theatre and opera house in Wales. The Welsh capital is the perfect starting point for day trips to south-west Wales. Tintern Abbey, the Gower Peninsula and the home of Dylan Thomas can all be easily reached from here.
For more information, navigate to www.visitcardiff.com
Exploring the life of Dylan Thomas
There's more to Dylan Thomas than just his deep love for literature and beverage. He was also enchanted by Laugharne - a whimsical village situated on the western shoreline of Wales, not far from Swansea. As a matter of fact, he found this place so appealing that he even referred to it as "the most idiosyncratic village of Wales", and eventually made it his home. Along with his beloved wife Caitlin and their three offspring, they resided in a boathouse, perched above the spot where the River Taff merges with the Atlantic, providing stunning vistas of a hidden bay, lush rolling hills and cattle-grazing lands. Today, their family abode along with his workspace, form the Dylan Thomas Museum. Cross the threshold, and you'll feel an almost palpable sense of his lingering presence, as if he would appear any moment, seated in his favorite armchair or sauntering around the kitchen in a tipsy state.
The curators have managed to make visitors feel at home with the Thomas family. There is chaos in the study, drafts of his writings lie crumpled on the floor, a jacket hangs over the chair and there is an empty bottle of beer on the table. Everything looks as if Dylan Thomas has just gone out for a breath of fresh air. In the main house, visitors wander between original manuscripts, furniture and a small tea kitchen. Dylan Thomas is one of the most important poets in the English language and would have been 100 years old in October 2014. The museum is open all year round and is as much a part of a visit to Wales as a pint of Brains.
Visit www.dylanthomasboathouse.com for more information.
Gower Peninsula - A Seaside Escapade
After indulging in a day by the sea, exploring myriad landscapes, and surfing the waves to your heart’s content, you deserve nothing less than a comfortable and luxurious stay. Wales, being a hospitable and tourist-friendly place, offers a brilliant choice of accommodations to rest your weary bones. For those in search of further comfort and indulgence, 4 star hotels in Wales offer an array of services and amenities to make your stay nothing short of extraordinary. Nestled amidst the lush green pastures, these hotels provide a perfect contrast to your adventurous day out at the Gower Peninsula. If you plan a trip anytime soon, ensure you book a stay at these hotels to make your visit a perfect blend of adventure and comfort.
The stunning coastline of Great Britain's West offers a remarkable experience for travelers. Spanning for three kilometers, this bay boasts a picturesque setting with horses and sheep freely wandering the area, creating a truly idyllic atmosphere.
During low tide, adventure-seekers can even explore Worms' Head, an offshore island that becomes accessible on foot. In the charming village of Rhossili, the laid-back surfing lifestyle is evident, with surfboards and wetsuits left to dry in the front gardens of thatched cottages. Additionally, the local surf school is an excellent resource for information on wind conditions and swell, further enhancing the experience.
Recognizing its outstanding natural beauty and rich diversity, the Gower Peninsula was designated as the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the United Kingdom in 1956, a distinction that remains well-deserved. This has since been followed by 45 other areas across the country. Moreover, for those seeking exploration, the Wales Coast Path stretches a remarkable 156 kilometers, encompassing all the beautiful bays along the Gower Peninsula.
Brecon Beacons - National Sport Nature
When there's no rugby being played, the Welsh flock to the countryside. However, it doesn't get crowded between the rugged mountain peaks and lush green meadows, as there is plenty of nature, but only around three million people in the whole country. The Brecon Beacons mountain range offers the full range of Welsh landscape beauty: Slate plateaus, marshes, waterfalls, lakes and castle ruins. The national park covers 1344 square kilometres, with the highest point being the summit of Pen y Fan (886 metres). A total of three trails run through the park. Ambitious hikers can try the Beacon Way, which demands quite a bit of leg strength on the 160 kilometres from Abergavenny to Llangadog. The Offa Dyke National Trail or the Taff Trail, which runs along the River Taff and connects the Beacons with the Welsh capital Cardiff, are much more relaxed.
Even at night, it remains exciting between the treetops of the Beacons. The national park is one of the world's six International Dark Sky Reserves. On a clear day, the Milky Way and countless stars shine brightly, undisturbed by the exhaust fumes and light pollution of large cities. Nature and culture can be experienced in perfect combination every May at the "Hay Festival". This is when the literary and artistic elite from all over the world gather in Hay-on-Wye, as the tranquil village is the world's largest so-called book village. There are around ten million books for every 1800 inhabitants. Abergavenny is the starting point for the entire Brecon Beacons region and can be reached in an hour by train from Cardiff, or two hours from London-Paddington.
Embark on a captivating journey to the heart of Wales. The idyllic www.breconbeacons.org
Discover Tintern Abbey: A Historical Gem Secluded in the Forest
The charm of the picturesque Tintern Abbey is second to none. With its ruins resting on the serene banks of the River Wye, embraced by vibrant deciduous woods and refreshing green fields, the place creates an awe-inspiring scene that mirrors a beautiful postcard panorama. The warm sunlight enhances the beauty of this place, casting an impressive shadow play of the intricate Celtic designs on the soft ground below, symbolising an elegant dance of nature with architecture. Tintern Abbey, which holds the reputation of being the first Christian edifice in the region, thrived until the year 1536. Once the final group of monks bid farewell to the locale, time took a toll on the abbey until the Romantic Era breathed a new life into it, ushering in a period of comprehensive restoration. The painstaking efforts of the bygone era have been fruitful, with the excellently conserved ruins attracting considerable attention and transforming into one of the prominent destinations in Wales. A short journey downstream takes you to the enigmatic ruins of the Chepstow Castle which sits on the threshold of England. Positioned as an ideal sojourn for day trippers from the capital city of Cardiff, Tintern and the neighbouring areas promise an unforgettable exploration. The well-maintained footpaths offer a quintessential British countryside experience.
To explore the best of what Wales has to offer, visiting http://cadw.wales.gov.uk.
An Escapade to Snowdonia
Snowdonia National Park is essentially the epitome of Welsh beauty packed into a vast, sprawling space of 2170 square kilometers. This location is renowned by natives as a microcosm of the best attributes of Wales. From majestic ranges of mountains, verdant valleys filled with local flora, serene lakes, to the lowly sheep roaming quaint villages, Snowdonia is the distillation of all things inherently Welsh. At the heart of the park stands Snowdon, the country's loftiest peak at an impressive 1085 metres. The mountain, often shrouded in a mysterious veil of mist, can sometimes be spotted bedecked in a coat of snow, even in the typically warm summer months. Navigating Snowdon is an adventure in itself, with a multitude of trackways meandering their way to its peak. On a clear day, the journey offers panoramic views of the park that are second to none.
Snowdonia is not only famous for its majestic landscapes but also for its rich biodiversity and unique geological features, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and geology buffs. Furthermore, the region is steeped in Celtic cultural heritage, with numerous ancient sites and folklore adding a layer of mystique to this stunning locale.
The expansive Rhyd Ddu Path, often celebrated as the scenic trail, can indeed be navigated by beginner walkers. Nonetheless, it's advised to set aside at minimum, a half day to successfully scale the peak. An enchanting alternative for the descent is a trip aboard the antiquated steam train, which operates to and from the mountain top through the valley multiple times daily. The structure of the national park stands unrivaled in the UK with private ownership encompassing around 70% of its expanse and a population of 26,000 designating Snowdonia as their place of residence. Known for their photogenic stone houses, these quaint small settlements draw a multitude of tourists for their charisma, ancestral public houses, and lodgings. Llanberis and Beddgelert are especially sought after. Nestled right on the River Llugwy's shorelines is the enchanting Capel Curig, a hamlet of around 200 inhabitants. The locale takes pride in being the home to the UK's sole 5-star hostel since 2010. To indulge in the Snowdonia region's splendor, a tri-day itinerary comes highly recommended - but don't forget to pack weather-proof attire and sturdy footwear!
Interesting to note, Snowdonia National Park has a unique eco-system with various species of flora and fauna. It also serves as an important historical site, thanks to its rich Celtic heritage and ancient castle ruins. These additional features further enhance the allure of the place and make it a must-visit destination on a trip to Great Britain.
