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Top Attractions in Wales |
Snowdonia Northern
Wales is dominated by the stunning Snowdonia mountain range
that loom spectacularly over the coastline. Snowdonia is the second-largest
national park in Britain as well as being home to the highest
mountain in the country south of the Scottish Highlands. At
1085m, Mt Snowdon provided the training ground for the climbers who
made the first successful attempt on Mt Everest and today attracts
thousands of aspiring climbers each year. As well as the spectacular
mountains, the park boasts a wide variety of other natural features
– forests, glacial valleys, moorlands, waterfalls and an attractive
coastline.
Pembrokeshire Coast The
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is one of the smallest National
Parks in England and Wales. Its coastline is one of the most
beautiful in Europe boasting high cliffs, long open beaches, sheltered
coves and harbours, mud flats and dunes. Predominantly coastal,
the park includes several offshore islands, the largest of which
are Skomer, Skokholm, Ramsey, Grasholm and Caldey. Each of the islands
are major attractions because of their wildlife and are small
worlds waiting to be discovered. Attractions within the park include
the St. Davids Visitor Centre. Situated within walking
distance of St Davids, it is an ideal starting point for a visit to
St David’s town. The magnificent castle at Carew has a history
spanning 2000 years. Castell Henllys is a Scheduled Ancient Monument
and one of many prehistoric promontory forts in the National Park
dating to around 600BC.
Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons is the third of Wales’ national parks.
Evolving over the centuries as a mix of natural beauty and human
history, the Brecon Beacons National Park is one of these 'working'
landscapes and is a harmonious blend of natural beauty and human
history. The designated area encompassed within this national Park
covers some 519 square miles over half of which lies 1,000 ft above
sea level. In the far West of the National Park is the upland range
known as the Black Mountains. This remote almost wilderness like
location contains one of the finest ridge walks anywhere in England
or Wales.
St David’s
St David's (Ty-Ddewi) is the smallest city in Britain with a
population of 1500. It is the birthplace of St David (Dewi Sant),
Wales' patron saint. Venerated after his death, St David was not
only a religious figure, but also a symbol of Welsh independence
David was known in his day as Aquaticus, the Waterman, due to the
numbers of people he baptized or converted to Christianity. Wales
did not adopt St David as its patron saint until the 18th century.
The reputed date of his death - March 1st - was chosen as the day of
a national festival, but very little is known about him for certain
apart from the fact that he lived in the sixth century and probably
died in 589. Built on the site of St David’s 6th-century monastery,
St David’s Cathedral and its ancient tombs has been a site of
pilgrimage and worship for many hundreds of years and still
functions as a church serving a living community.
Hay on Wye
The town of Hay-on-Wye lies on three borders. The national
boundary with England and the county boundaries of Brecknockshire
and Radnorshire run through the town. Because of its position the
town has seen many battles through the ages. The castle has been
attacked several times from both sides of the border. However Hay on
Wye is also known as the second hand book capital of the world with
over thirty second hand bookshops in the town. Furthermore, there
are plenty of craft shops and studios offering interesting, high
quality items. The town is relatively small and offers an insight
into rural country life.
Harlech Castle
Harlech Castle, a World Heritage Site, is set on a towering rock
above Tremadog Bay and is one of the best-protected castles in
Wales. Protected on three sides by cliffs and with a complex
arrangement of gates and portcullises, this castle could defend
itself against a large number of attackers. The castle was the last
Royalist stronghold to fall during the Civil War and a final refuge
of the Welsh patriots, and since then has remained fairly intact.
Combining magnificent medieval architecture with a breathtaking
location this superb castle should be high on your list of prime
locations when site-seeing in north Wales.
Welsh Male Choir
Without a doubt Wales is a musical nation.
Its choirs and music are loved at home and abroad stirring passion and memories to all who hear them. Try
and catch a performance by one of the many choirs when in
this musical land.
Conwy
Picturesquely dominated by its classic castle, Conwy is one of
the best European examples of a medieval walled town. Conwy Castle
has eight massive crenellated towers and its shape is largely
dictated by its rock-bound foundations. The best view is from across
the River Conwy with the Snowdonia Mountains providing a dramatic
backdrop. Three-quarters of a mile of the town's walls remains
intact, topped off with 22 towers and three original gateways. The
Smallest House in Britain, the 14th century timber-and-plaster
Aberconwy House and Bodnant Garden 13km to the south round off
Conwy's impressive collection of sights.
Machynlleth
Machynlleth is a small market town with a population slightly
over 2000 situated in the lower Dyfi Valley on the western edge of
Montgomeryshire. The most prominent feature in Machynlleth is the
clock tower standing at nearly 80 feet tall and built in the latter
part of the 19th century. More importantly though, the Centre for
Alternative Technology, or CAT as it is known locally, is located in
a disused slate quarry and is now the biggest tourist attraction in
this part of Wales. CAT is dedicated to the promotion of more
sustainable lifestyles. You will see both water and solar power -
the former used widely along the Dyfi Valley for generating
electricity as little as 50 years ago, the other a relatively new
invention. Visit CAT and check out their energy-efficient buildings,
beautiful organic gardens, delicious restaurant and the
water-powered Cliff Railway.
Cardiff
Check out our guide to the top ten attractions in Cardiff.
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Destination Guides
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Country
• Wales
Destinations
• Snowdonia
Cities
• Cardiff
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