Here are the Top 9 things I think any visitor to Wales should try to tick off their list. We’ll leave the 10th for you to decide, you’ll find plenty of inspiration on the pages of this blog!
- Castles, hundreds of them!
Wales has over 600 castles, it’s often said that we have more per square mile than anywhere else in Europe. Some are little more than rock piles these days but many others are magnificently well preserved. It’s really hard to pick a favourite because there are a number that would be impressive enough to make it onto a list of must-visit places if they were in any other country in Europe. If forced to make a choice though, I’d visit one of the four structures that make up the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd UNESCO World Heritage Site. They’re all pretty spectacular (and if you’ve got the time, I recommend you visit them all) but Caernarfon Castle would be top of my list.
This imposing fortified complex was built in the 13th century by the English as a stronghold against the Welsh. The stunning location on the banks of the River Seiont affords amazing views from both the top and base of its imposing walls. An excellent guidebook is available to buy at the gift shop, it explains the historical context of Caernarfon castle and includes an interesting self-guided tour.
If you’re staying in South Wales, head for Caerphilly Castle, the largest in Wales.
- Spend the afternoon at an unspoiled beach
Wales has 870 miles (1,400km) of coastline (in fact, there’s a dedicated footpath running its entire length!) so it’s probably not surprising that we have a beach or two. Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire is my absolute favourite (although some of the beaches on the Gower Peninsula, and Morfa Nefyn beach on the Llŷn Peninsula come very close). Park up at the car park, take a short walk across the cliff tops and then down a set of steep steps and you’ll find yourself on a sandy beach with clear blue waters and pine trees. You won’t find much else. There aren’t any shops, cafes or amusements – and that’s why I love it!
- Hike or ride to the top of Mount Snowdon
Standing at 1,085 m (3,560 ft), Mount Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales. While it’s not exactly a world-beater when it comes to height, Snowdon’s beauty is hard to better. There are six well marked paths to the summit (Snowdon Walks App). For a more leisurely way up the mountain between March and September you can ride the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit (Note: due to social distancing measures the railway will only go 3/4 of the way to the summit for the 2021 season).
Make the hike (or ride the rails) on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of the surrounding Snowdonia National Park.
- Eat Welsh Cakes and Bara Brith
As a child, I knew I was in for a treat when my grandmother opened the door and the aroma of freshly cooked Bakestones wafted out. Some people call them Pics, others Welsh Cakes, but whatever you call them, nothing beats enjoying one with a cuppa. Most coffee shops, tea rooms and cafes in Wales will have them on their sweet treats menu. You’ll find them at bakeries and supermarkets, but for absolute perfection, try to find them freshly baked and still warm (like at Cardiff Bakestones who also have diabetic and vegan varieties).
Bara Brith is a cake-like bread (or a bread-like cake, some recipes use yeast, some don’t) with spices and mixed fruit like currants, sultanas and orange peel that have (in the best ones) been soaked in tea, making them deliciously juicy. It’s usually served spread with butter. It may be a little harder to find than the welshcakes but it’ll be worth the effort. Look for it in traditional bakeries and tea rooms.
This is probably the easiest item to tick off my Top 10 list, but you certainly won’t want to miss it.
- Go down a coal mine …
In 2000, UNESCO recognised the industrial landscape around the town of Blaenavon as a World Heritage Site. In the 19th century, South Wales was the world’s major producer of iron and coal and nowhere is this fascinating story better illustrated than at the visitor attractions available here.
At Big Pit National Coal Museum you’ll descend 90 metres (300 feet) down the mine shaft for a tour of part of the original underground workings conducted by a former miner. Learn all about the process of extracting and transporting the coal and what life was like as a miner. Back above ground you can wander around the preserved buildings and find out how modern technology has changed the way coal is mined.
The nearby Blaenavon Ironworks, which started production in 1789, is one of the best preserved blast furnace complexes of its period anywhere in the world. It was here that English inventor Sidney Gilchrist Thomas perfected the “Basic Process” of steelmaking which revolutionised the world’s steel industry. The reconstructed company shop (which helped keep workers indebted to the company!) and refurbished workers’ cottages give an insight into the lives of people in this area during the industrial revolution.
- … then visit the city that made its fortune from coal
Cardiff isn’t called the City of Arcades for nothing! Its beautiful Victorian and Edwardian spaces house more than 100 businesses, from high-end boutiques to delicatessens and coffee shops. They’re the perfect place for a wander even on a cold wet day.
Cardiff has plenty more to do than shopping though. Cardiff Castle is a favourite with visitors, as is the National Museum of Wales and Bute Park, all of which are in the city centre.
Catch a water taxi to Cardiff Bay, a popular waterfront area where you’ll find the Wales Millennium Centre, the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) and lots of bars and restaurants. Take a look at the grand exterior of the Cardiff Exchange building (now a luxury hotel) in Mount Stuart Square. Opened in 1886, it was here that sales and shipping deals for coal from the collieries of South Wales were brokered. Step inside the Victorian terracotta-faced Pierhead Building to learn about Cardiff docks and the development of Cardiff Bay. From there you can walk or cycle (bicycle hire available) along the barrage to Penarth Marina. Stop along the way to visit the Sails & Scott Exhibition and find out about the ill-fated British Antarctic Expedition, led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, which departed from Cardiff Bay in 1910 bound for the South Pole. Done enough learning for the day? Enjoy a drink with a view at one of the waterside bars.
- Float along a stream in the sky
Did you think I was finished with World Heritage Sites? Well, here’s another one from UNESCO’s list. Built between 1795 and 1805, the 38m (126ft) high Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a cast iron trough on top of 18 stone piers that carries the Llangollen canal over the River Dee. The design and construction was overseen by respected canal engineer William Jessop, but many of the project’s technical details were developed by Thomas Telford, who would go on to become one of Britain’s most celebrated civil engineers.
Boat trips along the canal and across the aqueduct are available from Llangollen Wharf. The Trevor Basin, adjacent to the aqueduct, has a Visitor Centre and a pleasant canalside Pub. If you’re feeling brave, you can walk along the tow path across the aqueduct. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with some spectacular views.
- Watch a Rugby match
Rugby is arguably Wales’ national sport and it seems like every village in Wales has its own rugby club. If you want to experience a piece of real Welsh culture, joining the locals to watch a game of rugby should certainly be high on your list. The atmosphere at rugby matches is friendly and children are always welcome. While rugby purists may disagree (arguing that a local amateur or semi-professional match is the “real thing”) I suggest visitors go and see a game at one of the professional regional clubs. These teams (Dragons, Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets) play their games in or near larger towns or cities and sell print-at-home tickets online. Be aware that if you buy a “terrace” ticket you’ll be watching the game from a standing area, you won’t get a seat. Personally, I enjoy watching a game from the terraces, but (depending on how tall you are) you’ll need to arrive a little earlier to get a good spot.
- St Fagans National Museum of History
Many Welsh people (I include myself in this) have fond memories of school trips and family visits to St Fagans. This living museum showcases over forty buildings from different historical periods and parts of Wales, painstakingly dismantled and faithfully reconstructed in the 100 acre grounds of a 16th century manor house. Learn how the Welsh have lived, worked and entertained themselves from the iron age to the present. My favourite part is Rhyd-y-car Terrace, six row houses and gardens furnished and planted to show what life was like during six different periods in history from 1805 to 1985.