places to visit east wales

12 Breathtaking things to do in North East Wales

Wherever you look in North East Wales there seem to be a breathtaking view to be enjoyed. The top of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct rises above the Dee Valley. The Talacre lighthouse is framed by sand dunes on a wide expanse of beach.

This corner of North Wales is perhaps less visited than others, yet beautiful and unspoiled. The Clwydian range of hills is perfect for walking and there’s pretty market towns to explore.

As the region celebrates a Year of the sea in Wales, we explored the canals, rivers and coastline, and found plenty of things to do in North East Wales. Here’s what we enjoyed and what we did in Wales when we visited on our weekend break;

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Table of Contents

Things to do North East Wales

1. pontcysyllte aqueduct – the stream in the sky.

One of our first stops on Saturday morning was the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. The Aqueduct was completed by Thomas Telford in 1805 to carry coal, iron and slate on canal barges high above the River Dee.

The name in Welsh means the bridge that connects . For those that can’t get their head round a Welsh tongue-twister it’s pronounced Pont – kus – sulth – teh. However, it’s better known as the stream in the sky .

Whether seen from the valley below or from the aqueduct itself, you can’t help but be impressed. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most breathtaking things to do in North Wales.

It’s a bridge of superlatives, the highest and longest navigable canal in Britain. To give you some scale, the aqueduct is 126 ft high and 1007 ft long. Its 18 slender piers carry the weight of 1.5 million litres of water.

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Walk across the Aqueduct

It’s even more impressive that in these Health and Safety conscious times, you’re actually allowed to walk across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct! For those who don’t like heights it’s something of a head-spinning, stomach churning experience. There’s only a slender railing on one side and a couple of metres of water on the other, shielding you from the sheer drop to the valley below.

We started at the Trevor basin where there’s a car park and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct visitor centre. This is a good vantage point to watch the canal boats as they wait to cross the aqueduct.

A little further along the canal you can join one of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct boat trips with Jones the Boat. In the basin it’s also possible to organise canoe trips to cross the aqueduct. However, for me this would have been a bit too close to the edge for comfort.

Instead we decided to walk across, which takes 10 minutes and brings you to the basin on the Llangollen side. This is where the barges turn around and then wait to cross back the aqueduct again.

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After we’d braved the walk across the aqueduct and back, we drove down to the stone bridge at the valley level for some photos. There’s also a footpath down the to river valley if you’d like to see the aqueduct from below.

At the cute café boat by the visitors centre you can get a coffee and cake on your return. Watch the barges going to and fro, or waiting to cross in the closest thing to a canal traffic jam. More Info: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Website

2. Things to do near Llangollen in the Dee Valley

After visiting the aqueduct it makes sense to head to the pretty town of Llangollen. Set in the Dee valley, Llangollen is surrounded by hills where the Medieval stone bridge crosses the rushing river.

The town can be quite busy as a tourist hub with plenty of ice cream and souvenir opportunities around the bridge. We also liked the interesting indie shops like Ty Nook selling stylish Welsh gifts and crafts.

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As the afternoon turns to evening, you may be drawn to The Corn Mill , one of the old stone pubs in Llangollen. There’s the original mill wheel turning behind the bar and a deck that overlooks the river. This is a prime spot for a drink or meal on a sunny evening.

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in the evening, we also heard good things about the Gales of Llangollen Food and Wine Bar . They offer seasonal dishes and an extensive range of wines.

Llangollen Wharf

Across the bridge from the main town is the Llangollen Wharf and the same canal that we had just crossed on the Pontcysyllte aqueduct. From here you can take a horse-drawn canal ride or walk along the towpath to the Horseshoe falls, which supplies the aqueduct with water.

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Another big attraction is the train trip from the Heritage Railway Station in Llangollen. Board the vintage steam engine that takes you the 10 miles to Corwen and even have afternoon tea on board.

There’s a station tea room on the platform and a café inside one of the railway carriages by the track. You could easily be on the set of the 1945 movie Brief Encounter where Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. They look longingly into each others eyes over endless cups of tea in the station tea room.

Although we didn’t take the train during our visit to Wales, we could see how picturesque it must be as we drove along the Dee Valley from Corwen to Llangollen.

3. Plas Newydd Llangollen and the Ladies of Llangollen

Romance was certainly in the air when we visited Plas Newydd at Llangollen. Not only are the house and gardens picturesque but because of the romantic story of the former owners.

The house and gardens as they look now were created by Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby, known as The Ladies of Llangollen . They arrived here in 1780 and were the object of curiosity in Regency society because of their “Romantic Friendship”.

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The ladies had become close friends at school in Ireland. They decided to run away and set up a home together, driven by a need to escape the unwanted pressures of marriage and convention.

The ladies caught the imagination of society in their day. They embodied the ideal of living the Romantic lifestyle, with an escape to the country to enjoy cultural pursuits, read and improve the mind.

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Grand looking but overgrown

The Plas Newydd house looks very grand from a distance. But, it’s actually an overgrown cottage that has been ornamented inside and out by wooden carvings that the ladies and the subsequent owners of the house collected.

Downstairs we saw the rooms where the The Ladies of Llangollen would receive guests for tea and display their fine china, books and collected objects. Upstairs was the bedroom and dressing room where they could read to each other and keep their distance from curious visitors to their gardens.

The gardens at the back of the house were covered in carpets of primroses. A romantic shrubbery lead down to the river, the house framed by the striking topiary shapes on the lawns.

We tried some of the excellent Welsh specialities for lunch in the tearooms at Plas Newydd, with Welsh Rarebit for me. Guy had a Welsh Cawl, a hearty slow cooked stew made with lamb, root vegetables and thickened with pearl barley.

The house seemed to be especially popular with families. We saw many spreading out their picnics on the lawns among the topiary in front of the house. More Info: Plas Newydd website

4. The ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey near Llangollen

A short drive up the valley from Llangollen we visited Valle Crucis Abbey. These are ruins of a Cistercian abbey that was founded in 1201, one of 14 Cistercian foundations to be built in Wales.

The monks of the Cistercian order who lived here wore white habits of undyed wool and practiced an austere lifestyle of poverty and isolation. They would have been largely self sufficient, with fish from the pond behind the abbey and other produce from the abbey estates.

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The remains of the 13th century church and the cloisters have a bare beauty. We wandered through the shell of the church and the cloisters, wrapped around by hills.

The abbey is surrounded by a campsite which felt a bit incongruous, as I would have expected open fields as you find in Tintern Abbey. This was another Cistercian monastery that was similarly closed in the 16th century with the dissolution of the monasteries. More info: Valle Crucis Abbey website

5. The views from the Horseshoe Pass Llangollen

The road beyond Valle Crucis Abbey makes a scenic drive and a lovely thing to do near Llangollen. Winding through hillside covered with bracken and gorse it takes you up to 1400 feet and over the Horseshoe Pass.

The name comes from the way that the road twists and turns in a horseshoe around the hillside. This makes it a favourite route for motorbike riders, with a large car park at the top where bikers gather by the Ponderosa Cafe .

Read about 15 fun things to do in Carmarthenshire, Wales

If you stop here, you’ll have plenty of motorbikes to admire but it’s also a good place to photograph the contrasting views from the pass. You’ll see heath covered slopes on one side and green patchwork fields on the other.

There are opportunities for longer walks from Ponderosa Cafe too. Both the Offa’s Dyke path and Clwydian Way pass through here, so you have some different walking paths to choose from.

Even if you just want a short stroll, you’ll get the benefit of great views without too much effort, since you are already on the top of the escarpment. More information about the Clwydian range of hills here .

6. Gladstones Library at Hawarden

Sleeping among the books may be an unusual concept for a weekend break but it’s the rather special experience you can enjoy at Gladstones Library. This residential library was founded in 1894 to house the book collection of England’s Prime Minister William Gladstone. This is his home village of Hawarden, where he hoped to “ bring together books who had no readers with readers who had no books “.

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One wing houses the Reading Room with vaulted oak beams. The other wing has boutique bedrooms, a comfortable sitting room and the Food For Thought café.

Of course the library tends to attract writers, book-lovers or those who are looking for a comfortable base to explore the area. But, you can book a stay just like any other hotel.

A collegiate atmosphere

There’s a collegiate atmosphere which makes it easy to chat and mingle with other guests. Tthe beautiful gardens and calm atmosphere make for a very relaxing visit.

As a resident you get access to the Gladstones Library to read, write or work undisturbed. But even if you’re not staying, the library is well worth a visit.

The Food For Thought café offers locally sourced home cooked dishes. It’s open daily for lunch, as well as being a popular choice for Sunday lunch and afternoon tea, which need to be booked in advance.

The library hosts many events that explore literary, theological, linguistic or historical themes and in September runs the Gladfest literary festival. To visit the impressive oak-beamed Reading Room as a non-resident, there are daily Glimpse visits at 12.00, 2pm or 4pm for a 15 minute tour.

This would be easily combined with lunch or afternoon tea in the Food for Thought café. We very much enjoyed our stay at Gladstones Library and highly recommend it as a place to stay as well as a fascinating place to visit.

More Info: Gladstones Library Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

What’s to see in Hawarden

The village of Hawarden, where Gladstones Library is located, conveniently offers a train station, two pubs and a few small shops. Pass through the imposing gates in the heart of the village. Then, make a circular walk in the park past the ruins of the old Hawarden Castle.

The Gladstone family still own the Hawarden Estate, including the Glynne Arms in the village. This is less of a traditional pub and more of a stylish bar and restaurant. We enjoyed our dinner there on Saturday night with a selection of small plates and salads. Much of the local produce is sourced through the impressive Hawarden Farm Shop down the road.

7. Try the local Welsh produce in the Farm Shops

North East Wales is a fertile region of rolling hills and rich pasture. Here a thriving group of artisan food producers who are making the most of the area’s bounty.

A great way to tap into the food scene as a visitor, is to stop at some of the excellent farm shops as you drive around the area. A short drive from Gladstones Library is the Hawarden Estate Farm Shop . This part deli, part butchers and part café, showcases the best produce from North Wales.

The farm shop also hosts the Good Life Experience on Gladstones Farm, with a weekend of discovery, music, ideas and food cooked over the campfire.

Another farm shop that we loved close to Llangollen was the Rhug Estate Organic Farm shop . This is a similarly large emporium of local food from artisan producers and brewers, with meat from the Rhug Estate.

There’s a popular restaurant here and the Farm Shop Takeaway is a great place to pick up a burger made with the estate’s meat, which you can eat on the picnic benches outside.

8. St Winefride’s Well at Hollywell

There was something hypnotic about the spring water bubbling up within the medieval stone shrine at St Winefride’s Well in Hollywell. The story goes that St Winefride who lived here in the 7th century, was beheaded as she was chased by a spurned suitor. Miraculously her head was restored to her body and healed by a spring that gushed from the ground.

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St Winefride’s Well has for centuries been an important pilgrimage site. It’s known as The Lourdes of Wales with everyone from kings to paupers coming to be healed and seek the blessing of the holy water.

When we visited on Sunday the site was quiet and the rectangular pool in front of the shrine was closed. On other days you can bathe here if you’d like to feel the benefit of the holy spring water.

I can’t say that I was rushing to take a dip but was happy to take a sip of the spring water from the tap beside the pool. We used the cup that was given to us in the small visitors centre.

The chapel that sits immediately above the shrine is open for services. At other times you can borrow the key for a returnable deposit of £5. Entrance to the well site is £1. More info: St Winefride’s Well

9. A walk to the lighthouse at Talacre Beach

I love a windswept walk to blow away the cobwebs, to feel the space and wide-open-ness of the sea and sky. Where the North sea turns into the Dee estuary sits Talacre beach, a beautiful expanse of sand backed by dunes.

From here the North Wales coastal path continues for 870 miles through the bucket-and-spade seaside resorts of Prestatyn and Rhyl. I preferred the natural beauty of Talacre though – an RSPB nature reserve attracting sea birds in the dunes and waders in the shallows on the beach.

There’s parking in the village of Talacre, as well as a few cafes, pubs and shops. But once you’re on the beach there’s no development at all. There’s just the iconic Talacre beach lighthouse which makes a focal point for walkers and photographers.

The Point of Ayr lighthouse, as it is more properly known, was built in 1776. It remained active for over a hundred years, guiding ships sailing to Liverpool or the Dee Estuary. It’s now in private ownership and has a reputation for being haunted. If you see an unexpected figure of the old lighthouse keeper, you’ll know why!

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10. Prestatyn for walks in North East Wales

There are fantastic walking paths all over North Wales but perhaps the best known is the Offa’s Dyke path . The long distance hiking trail runs for 177 miles starting at Prestatyn on the North Wales coast and continues to Chepstow in the south.

It passes along the route of an ancient earthwork that was built in the 8th century and roughly marked the border between Wales and England. While we only stopped briefly in Prestatyn, we did drive up to the Hillside gardens where the Offa’s Dyke trail starts.

There’s a look out point over Prestatyn towards the sea. From here you’ll spot the distinctive green dome of a private house called Uplands. The house incorporates a revolving observatory for a panoramic view over the town.

Above the house is a viewing point with a path that leads up the hillside from a small car park. From here you can try the first part of the Offa’s Dyke walk. Or, plan to walk the whole trail which would take around 12 days.

If you prefer to walk close to the sea, the North Wales Coastal path also starts in Prestatyn. It passes through the nearby holiday resort of Rhyl before it reaches Bangor 60 miles later.

In May there’s a walking festival in Prestatyn. Even if you are visiting at other times, the Prestatyn Walking Festival website is useful to give an idea of the different walks available around Prestatyn. More info about Prestatyn: At Prestatyn Website

11. The pretty town of Ruthin & Nantcywyd y Dre

From Prestatyn, we headed inland from the coast and stopped for Sunday lunch in the pretty town of Ruthin. The town is centred around St Peter’s Square at the top of the hill.

Around the square there are a number of attractive old buildings, such as St Peter’s Church, the half timbered Old Court House. The brick fronted Castle Hotel, which is now a Weatherspoons pub.

On Sunday when we visited the town was quiet. We very much enjoyed our lunch of roast Welsh beef at The Myddelton Grill on the square , in a medieval oak beamed building. Just down the hill is Ruthin Gaol , which we didn’t have time to visit. At this Victorian prison you can see how prisoners, lived, worked and ate and the punishments they suffered.

Instead we walked along Castle Street to visit Nantclwyd y Dre. This medieval half timbered town house dates back to 1435 and is open to the public.

It’s been continuously occupied for five centuries. Each of the rooms in the house has been furnished to reflect the life and times of one of its residents.

A mixture of eras

While the structure of the half-timbered house is clearly medieval. However, you’ll pass through the hall set up with 1940s memorabilia and Bakelite radio. Then, through to the kitchen with a Victorian range decorated with horse brasses and Staffordshire china.

Upstairs there’s a Georgian bedchamber laid out with the dresses of elegant ladies. The adjoining dressing room is papered in the fashionable chinoiserie style. In contrast, the room next door is a 17th century Jacobean bedchamber with painted wall clothes and rush matting on the floor.

At the back of the house we enjoyed wandering around the surprisingly large walled garden and dovecot, leading to the recently renovated Lord’s Garden. This vegetable garden, cider orchards and beehives would have supplied the busy medieval household. Entrance £5 More info: Natclwyd y Dre website

12. Chirk Castle – dominating the Welsh Marches

The final stop on our tour of North East Wales was Chirk Castle, which is close to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct where we had started our weekend in Wales. The castle was built in the 13th century as one of the chain of Welsh Marcher castles.

These castles were built on the instructions of Edward I to fortify the north of Wales. Its appearance is just as you’d expect from a Welsh Castle, with thick stone walls, towers at each corner and a few small windows for archers to defend the castle from attack. Surrounded by open parkland on the high ground, the castle was an imposing symbol of English power in Wales.

When you step inside the castle it’s a surprise to find not medieval hangings and bare stone walls, but elegant 17th century furnishings that were installed by the Myddelton family. The castle was bought by Sir Thomas Myddelton who made his money in the East India Company and later became Lord Mayor of London.

The elegant state rooms with tapestries and portraits were furnished during the 400 years that the Myddelton family used the castle, pouring money into treasures to reflect their wealth and status. A few of the rooms reflect the style of Tommy Scott-Ellis who leased the castle from the Myddelton family from 1910 to the 1940s and installed fashionably opulent furnishings, to suit his artistic tastes. Chirk Castle is run as a National Trust property – Adults £15 More info: Chirk Castle

Other North East Wales towns to visit

There are several other attractive small towns around North East Wales, so depending on where your drive takes you you may like to visit;

Mold – a market town with a weekly Saturday market that also hosts the Theatr Clwyd Wales and Mold Food Festival in September.

Denbigh – a market town that is capital of the county with medieval town walls that you can walk along and the ruins of a 13th century castle.

Wrexham – the largest town in North East Wales with the Wrexham Museum and plenty of shopping opportunities.

A suggested itinerary for a weekend in North East Wales

Of course we didn’t see everything on our weekend visit to North Wales, but here’s our itinerary as a guide to what you could easily see in 2 days, if you are touring by car.

Stay at: Gladstones Library and look around the nearby Hawarden Farm Shop. Dinner at either Food for Thought in Gladstones Library or the Glynne Arms in Hawarden

Day 1: Saturday

• Morning: Visit the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
• Lunchtime: A wander around Llangollen and look at the Llangollen vintage railway and Llangollen Wharf. The Corn Mill or the Old Station tearoom would make a good lunch stop.
• Afternoon: A visit to Plas Newydd, Chirk Castle or Valle Crucis Abbey which are all close to Llangollen. As an alternative you could take the Llangollen Railway to Corwen and back.
• Drive back to Hawarden via the Horseshoe Pass and park at the Ponderosa Cafe if you’d like to do some walking as an alternative to visiting the heritage sites.

Day 2: Sunday

• Morning: Drive north from Hawarden to stop at St Winefride’s Well at Hollywell. From here continue to Talacre beach, for a walk through the sand dunes to the lighthouse. From here you could drive through Prestatyn and Rhyl before turning inland to Ruthin.
• Lunchtime: We recommend Ruthin as a good lunchtime stop as there are lots of nice restaurants and cafes, although less are open on Sunday than other days. There’s lots to see in Ruthin including Nantclwyd y Dre and Ruthin Gaol as well as the town market and craft centre.
• Afternoon: You may like to try one of the walks around Prestatyn or drive on south for some walking around the Horseshoe Pass. If culture is more your thing you could visit one of the heritage sites of Plas Newydd, Chirk Castle or Valle Crucis Abbey that you didn’t have time to visit the day before.

If you are visiting North East Wales without a car, we’d suggest basing yourself in Llangollen, as there is a lot to see in and around the town itself.

To plan your visit to North East Wales

You’ll find plenty more information to help you plan your trip on the North East Wales Tourism Website and follow their social media channels on Twitter | Facebook .

There’s also more information available on the Visit Wales Website and local tourism websites Discover Denbighshire website | Wrexham Council

There are excellent road, rail and air links to get you to North East Wales – more detailed information on the North East Tourism website .

The region covers the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham and is around 3 hours by train from London and 2 hours from Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester.

Thanks to North East Wales Tourism who sponsored* my weekend trip and Glad stones Library who hosted* our 2 night stay.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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The 14 best places to visit in Wales

Cymru, the capital of castles, the Land of Song. Whatever name you know it by, here's where to go to see Wales at its most magnificent.

There can be no such thing as too much appreciation when it comes to Wales. This small but mighty country has spectacular landscapes, a fascinating history and an all-round warm and welcoming spirit that makes it hard not to love. 

And you can encounter its wonderful Celtic magic in so many places. The beach options are endless, the foodie scene is thriving, the castles house centuries of stories  and the peaks are breathtaking. From Cardiff in the south and Snowdonia in the north to the coastal towns of the west, here are the very best places you have to visit in Wales. 

RECOMMENDED:  🍴 The best restaurants in Cardiff 👀 The best things to do in Cardiff 🌤️ The very best  things to do in the UK

This article was recently updated by  Amy Houghton , a writer from the Brecon Beacons. At Time Out, all of our  travel guides  are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines .

An email you’ll actually love

Where to go in Wales

1.  Pembrokeshire

Of course, Pembrokeshire is a collection of places, but this spread of gorgeous coastal villages and unbeatable walks deserves all the attention it gets. The beaches of this western county win awards regularly, while its fishing villages may just be enough for the first-time visitor to consider the merits of such a life. Explore the UK's smallest city, St Davids, visit the serene little settlement of  Dale  or take an invigorating trek along the coastline. Pembrokeshire is one of the best destinations in the UK, let alone Wales.

2.  Brecon Beacons

Pen Y Fan (South Wales’s highest mountain) is the centrepiece of the Brecon Beacons, a gorgeous expanse of nature that serves as another great example of this nation’s natural beauty. Some of the walks in and around the Beacons are incredible, while the lakes, cirques and waterfalls showcase the variety that makes this part of the world so very special. Keep your eyes open for dinosaurs – this was the filming location for Jurassic World 2 and there's an award-winning dino park at Dan-yr-Ogof Showcaves. 

3.  Gower Peninsula

Way back in 1956, the Gower Peninsula became the first region of the UK to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. That alone makes it a must-visit corner of this gorgeous country, but the Gower has plenty of brains to back up its award-winning beauty. Swansea is a centre for culture and literary innovation, while the adventurous should seek out Paviland cave (between Port Eynon and Rhossili, for the record) to discover the final resting place of the Red Lady of Paviland. Still, it all comes back to nature, and it doesn’t get much better than this.

4.  Cardiff

Cardiff has only been the capital of Wales since 1955, but the largest city in the country was hugely influential long before official recognition came its way. One of the greatest sporting cities in the UK, it is also a hotbed of culinary innovation and cultural excitement, with a raucous nightlife and gorgeous parks to boot. The Cardiff Bay area is one of Europe’s finest water developments, while the range of architectural styles across the city is almost tailor-made for celebrating across social media.

5.  Snowdonia National Park

Climbing to the top of a country is a real bucket-list achievement.  Snowdonia National Park  is one of the most popular areas in Wales, and rightly so, with the mighty Snowdon peak (1,085m into the air) standing tall above rivers, lakes and mountains as far as the eye can see. Scaling the peak and heading back down takes between five and seven hours, although the scenic Snowdon Mountain Railway will get you to the top in just over an hour.

6.  Conwy

It is difficult to argue against Conwy, perhaps the country’s prettiest town. The double-whammy of the toll bridge and the town’s famous castle cause jaws to drop right out of the gate, while the abundance of cafés, restaurants, pubs and shops in the idyllic centre are among the region’s best. Conwy is also home to the smallest house in the UK, a bright red cutie that manages to be tiny and impossible to miss all at once.

7.  Aberystwyth

Famous for its heady student population and annual murmurations (of starlings that is, not the students), Aberystwyth is arguably the most popular spot on the west coast. Known as the cultural capital of Wales, the town manages to be instantly recognisable as ‘Aber’ from north to south, which is impressive when you consider the abundance of towns with that classic Welsh suffix. Aberystwyth Castle is another to add to the list, while the students ensure this is one of the best nights out in Wales.

8.  Abergavenny

  Abergavenny  might well be Wales's foodie capital. The borders town hosts a tremendous food festival every autumn while serving delicious dishes all year round, accentuating a stunningly quaint town centre full of cafés, bars, pubs and restaurants. The town’s castle and museum are unique among the best on the nation’s roster, with a story of treason and violence that contradicts its current peaceful atmosphere. Not far away you've got the small town of Crickhowell, which welcomes thousands of music fans to the beloved Green Man Festival each summer. 

9.  Anglesey

Head up here for the longest train station name in the world, more adventure than you can shake your fist at and a conveyer belt of natural beauty that is as good as anything found in the south. Anglesey is a little bit different and that’s how it should be, something that is as apparent in Menai Bridge as it is in Cemaes Bay. Beaumaris Castle may well be the highlight, although night paddleboarding, rib-riding and the rest of the adrenaline-centric activities come close.

10.  Porthmadog

Fan of aesthetically pleasing ports that are major hubs for narrow gauge railways? Sure, that’s a niche collection of interests, but Porthmadog is one of those places built for adoration. Porthmadog’s maritime history is its major pull, but the town also serves as a tremendous base for exploring the region, whether that means Snowdonia National Park or fairytale-like  Portmeirion .

11.  Llŷn Peninsula

Wales is at its best when the air is still, and it doesn’t come more tranquil than the Llŷn Peninsula. The most isolated paradise in Wales still marches to the beat of its own serene drum, an area of outstanding natural beauty that has the paperwork to back that up. This is just about as unspoilt as Wales gets, with cliff-top walks and island views to die for. The Llŷn Peninsula is all forts, extinct volcanoes and the rest. Want Wales all to yourself? Head here.

12.  Cardigan

One of Time Out’s best places to visit in 2023, this market town was the birthplace of the Eisteddfod – a cultural stalwart of the Welsh calendar. Beyond that, Cardigan has a bustling creative community and so, so many delicious food spots. For a hearty brunch check out Crwst Bakery’s venue on Priory Street and for dinner overlooking the River Teifi, head to Pizzatipi. The gorgeous beach at Poppit Sands is a short drive away and a few miles further north you'll find Mwnt Bay. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins! 

13.  Hay-on-Wye

Thought Timbuktu wasn’t a real place? Well, it is. And Hay-on-Wye is its UK twin. This small Wye Valley town proudly proclaims to be the world’s first ever book town and is famed for its annual book festival that has attracted the likes of Hillary Clinton, Dua Lipa and Stormzy. With over 30 bookstores, this is a bibliophobes mecca. If you had to go to just one, make it Richard Booth's – an emporium of new and used books spread over three glorious floors.  

14.  Machynlleth

This Powys settlement tends to fly under the radar when it comes to roundups of Wales’s best bits. But mark our words, there’s a wealth of cultural innovation happening in Machynlleth. It hosts an annual festival dubbed the comedy world’s best kept secret, where well-known comedians try out their rawest material. And if you’ve got some money to throw around, feast on the 30-course menu at Ynyshir, Wales’s first ever two-Michelin star venue. Don’t miss the modern art museum and the wildlife thriving in the surrounding Dyfir Biosphere.

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5 Places in Wales Locals Visit for Gorgeous Hikes, Epic Stargazing, Castles, and Rugby

Here's how to see the very best of this proud Celtic nation.

Rory Fuller/Travel+Leisure

The Welsh love Wales. This proud country of three million people is culturally distinct from the rest of the U.K. and geographically unique. Called Cymru (cum-ree) in the Welsh language, the people of this Celtic nation have a reputation for being passionate about rugby (and football), but most of all about Wales itself.

Surrounded by the Irish Sea to the north and west and bordered by England to the east, Wales is a land of mountains, rolling countryside, and, yes, castles (427 at last count). Living in Wales, I'm always exploring its hidden corners in search of quintessential Welsh experiences and lesser-visited locations. Here's where the Welsh go on their days off.

Llanthony Priory, Brecon Beacons National Park

Rory Fuller

If you're after something genuinely idyllic, you don't have to start too far into Wales. The Welsh Marches that separate Wales and England are some of the most beautiful countrysides in Britain, none more so than Hatterall Ridge in the remote Vale of Ewyas. A wild part of the Black Mountains in the popular Brecon Beacons National Park , Hatterall Ridge is a natural part of the 177-mile-long historic Offa's Dyke Path that connects south and north Wales. It's also its highest point at 2,310 feet, and from Hatterall Ridge, it's possible to see over into Longtown below, in England. However, it's what's behind you that's most captivating. Though mostly in ruins, the 12th-century Llanthony Priory in the Vale of Ewyas is one of Wales' great medieval buildings. Yet within its boundaries is that most British of institutions — a small pub — with a hotel nearby. It's best visited after completing a five-mile circular walk up Hatterall Ridge. Twelve miles north is the famous "book town" of Hay-on-Wye, while 12 miles south is the Michelin-starred Walnut Tree Inn beside another classic short walk, The Skirrid .

Stargazing in the Elan Valley

More of the night sky is protected in Wales than any other nation. The darkest and most visually epic by day is the 45,000-acre Elan Valley, a vast chain of man-made dams, reservoirs, and an aqueduct that's also a certified International Dark Sky Park . It's about 100 years old and looks like it, with an iconic Victorian pump house on Garreg Ddu and a vast wall of water at Caban Coch dam at the entrance. It's best seen by bike, which you can rent, or by car, with the Elan Valley Hotel right by the entrance.

Nearby at Rhayader is Gigrin Farm and its Red Kite Feeding Station, which operates daily at 2 p.m. (from five hides). Tickets to photograph the incredible sight of hundreds of birds of prey swooping down must be booked in advance.

The Standing Stones of Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Stonehenge is for tourists. If you want to go deeper into Britain's mysterious neolithic history — and discover the origins of that iconic English monument — visit Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in West Wales. In addition to 186 miles of incredible clifftop coastal walks, this region contains dozens of bizarre monuments from 5,000 years ago, many of them in spectacular coastline locations.

One of the most dramatic is Carreg Coetan Arthur , a tomb in a boulder field on St. David's Head with spectacular seascape views. Another is Carreg Samson , a short walk from the tiny harbor at Abercastle. However, the most impressive and most famous is Pentre Ifan , a large capstone near Newport. Not far away is Waun Mawn in the Preseli Hills, where the oldest "bluestones" of Stonehenge originally stood.

Beddgelert, Snowdonia National Park

Idyllic mountain scenery is what you get in Beddgelert, a small and perfectly formed stone-built village in the shadow of Snowdon ( Yr Wyddfa in Welsh), the highest mountain in Wales and England at 3,560 feet. From Beddgelert, the region's highlights are within reach, from the stunning glacial lake of Cwm Idwal to Llanberis, where you can hike up the mountain (or cheat and take the Snowdon Mountain Railway ), take a circular walk around Llyn Padarn lake, or visit the lofty Dolbadarn Castle for spectacular views. Then, return to Beddgelert for a pint in its pubs, Prince Llewelyn and Saracens Head Hotel, before camping, glamping, or opting for secluded luxury at Forest Holidays and its woodland chalets complete with hot tubs.

A Rugby Match at Cardiff's Principality Stadium

It's not quite the biggest sports stadium in the U.K., but Cardiff's Principality Stadium is certainly the best. What helps make it a standout for atmosphere is its retractable roof, which is useful on rainy match days and turns the place into a cauldron of excitement. Hearing 74,500 rugby fans belt out Welsh hymns like "Bread of Heaven" and, in particular, the national anthem, "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau," is an experience like no other. Try the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for tickets or take a stadium tour while you're in Cardiff. The Principality is also one of the few stadiums in Europe to be right in the center of a city. So, on match day, Cardiff — the capital city of Wales — buzzes with people, and the pubs become packed. As a bonus, it's across the road from one of Britain's weirdest fairy-tale castles that gives the capital of the "Land of Castles" a special feel.

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20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Wales

Written by Anietra Hamper Updated Mar 14, 2023

Author Anietra Hamper traveled extensively throughout Wales in the fall of 2022 with photographer Ian Henderson exploring the best experiences, from the cities to the coast and countryside.

For such a small country, Wales has broad diversity when it comes to attractions, the outdoors, and history, with some of the most breathtaking coastal views in the United Kingdom. Some of the best places to visit are actually locations that encompass multiple experiences all in one place, like castles, beaches , villages, and notable landmarks including Thomas Telford-designed bridges.

As you plan your itinerary, it makes sense to start in one region, like North Wales near Snowdonia National Park and Anglesey, then work your way to other destinations along the Pembrokeshire Coast , south to Cardiff and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast .

From railways and mining excursions to living a part of preserved history by walking the castle walls surrounding Conwy, or taking in a national rugby game, you will have no problem filling a full itinerary.

Use our list of the top tourist attractions in Wales to narrow down your options.

1. Snowdonia National Park

2. brecon beacons national park, 3. cardiff castle & national museum cardiff, 4. gower peninsula beaches, 5. devil's bridge and the hafod estate, 6. wales by rail, 7. caernarfon castle, 8. principality stadium, 9. conwy & conwy castle, 10. pembrokeshire coast national park, 11. bookstores in hay-on-wye, 12. portmeirion, 13. beddgelert & betws-y-coed, 14. national slate museum & the big pit, 15. pontcysyllte aqueduct and llangollen canal, 16. cardiff arcades, 17. anglesey, 18. tintern abbey, 19. llandudno, 20. bodnant garden, more must-see destinations in and near wales.

Think of Wales, and you'll likely think of Snowdonia (Eryri), the beautiful range of mountains and hills located in the county of Gwynedd.

Consisting of 14 majestic peaks over 3,000 feet high—the most famous being the 3,546-foot Snowdon, the summit of which is accessible by train—Snowdonia can be seen as far away as Porthmadog on the west coast. The region remains one of the most popular vacation destinations in the UK, attracting some four million visitors a year.

When you're here, it's easy to see why the area has featured so heavily in local legends, including those based around King Arthur , who locals will insist was Welsh.

Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) is also one of the most popular hiking destinations in Britain, boasting more than 1,479 miles of marked trails. Climbing is also popular here, as are mountain biking and horse riding.

However you get here, the views from the summit are incredible and extend from the coast all the way to Bala Lake .

Brecon Beacons National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog) encompasses one of the most beautiful parts of Wales. This hiker's paradise is bordered by two quite different sets of Black Mountains . The first, to the west, is the source of the River Usk , while to the east is the range that's famous for its wild ponies.

Most of the mountains in this 520-square-mile park are higher than 1,000 feet — with many in excess of 2,000 feet—and are named after the red sandstone that causes them to resemble the beacons of light once used to warn of invaders.

Be sure to explore the park's many caves and waterfalls, especially Henrhyd Falls at Coelbren , which is one of the best waterfalls in Wales . Just outside the park, near Abergavenny, you can tour a coal mine at Big Pit National Coal Museum . Other popular activities and things to do in the Brecon Beacons include mountain biking, horse riding, canoeing, sailing, fishing, climbing, and camping.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in South Wales, UK

Perhaps the most photographic of Wales' many castles, Cardiff Castle is a must-visit and one of the top attractions in Cardiff . Boasting still-intact sections constructed more than 1,000 years ago this splendidly preserved castle can take a few hours to explore. Be sure to allow plenty of time to do so in your Cardiff sightseeing itinerary.

Highlights include the State Apartments, notable for its informative displays relating to life in the castle over the ages, as well as the attractive old chapel. Other notable features include the well-preserved Banqueting Hall with its medieval murals and elaborate fireplace. A variety of guided tour options are available, along with an informative audio guide that can be picked up from the visitor center.

If there's still time after your castle adventure, try to squeeze in a visit to the National Museum Cardiff . Undoubtedly topping the list of the best things to do for free in Cardiff, this major attraction houses impressive collections focusing on archeology, zoology, and botany, as well as the arts.

The National Museum of Art is housed in the same building. This excellent art gallery features a number of works by some of the world's most important artists, including Old Masters and Welsh painters.

Address: Castle Street, Cardiff

Read More: Top-Rated Day Trips from Cardiff

You cannot visit Wales without carving out some time to hit the coastal beaches. The Gower Peninsula has some of the best beaches in South Wales and many of the most popular in the country.

Topping your list of places to visit should be Rhossili Bay, which has an expansive coastline for swimming and kitesurfing, with a good mixture of activities and opportunities for scenic walks, especially at sunset. You can find water sports rentals, a car park, restrooms, and a restaurant close to the beach.

Another great beach to visit is Oxwich Bay , which has the added scenery of the Oxwich National Nature Reserve surrounding it. This is a nice family and dog-friendly beach because of the calm water.

Some other Gower Peninsula beaches to consider are Llangennith Beach , popular with surfers; Broughton Bay Beach , an ideal place for beachcombers; and Three Cliffs Bay , which might win the prize for the best scenic views on the south coast.

Located 12 miles from the seaside town of Aberystwyth , Devil's Bridge is actually three bridges spectacularly stacked atop each other. The oldest (and the lowest) dates from the 11th century, and the newest was built in 1901. They span the Rheidol Gorge , where the River Mynach plunges 300 feet into the valley far below.

Be sure to follow the Falls Nature Trail to the bottom. It's a bit of a climb back up—especially those steep, slippery steps of Jacob's Ladder , the segment leading to the oldest bridge—but the views are incredible.

Afterward, visit Hafod Estate , 200 acres of lovingly restored woodlands and 18th-century gardens once considered the finest in Britain. While the manor house is long gone, visitors can enjoy pleasant hikes along well-marked trails past waterfalls, ancient trees, and the estate's old, walled formal gardens. And if you're looking for an idyllic cottage vacation, the wonderful old Hawthorn Cottage allows guests an unforgettable accommodation experience.

Address: Hafod Estate Pont-rhyd-y-groes, Cwmystwyth, Ystrad Meurig

Wales was once famous for its mining operations, in particular, the mining of slate used for the roofing, which is still so common here. While the majority of these mines and quarries have closed, many of the narrow-gauge railways used to shift goods (and later, Victorian-era tourists) around the country have been restored and now provide scenic excursions.

Today, there are several heritage railway lines that reach some of the country's most popular landmarks, including mountains, seaside towns, and castles. Many of the bigger lines, such as the 14-mile-long Ffestiniog Railway running through Snowdonia National Park , offer unique train driving courses and volunteer opportunities to add to the experience.

Built by King Edward I in the 13th century as a seat for the first Prince of Wales, Caernarfon Castle (Castell Caernarfon) is one of the largest such fortifications in the country. With its 13 towers and two gates, this massive castle is recognized as one of the most impressive—and the best-preserved—medieval fortresses in Europe.

Occupying the site of an even older Norman castle, Caernarfon Castle dominates the waters of the River Seiont and the Menai Strait on one side, and is protected by a moat on the other. The castle's royal heritage continues to this day, and in 1969 it was the scene of Prince Charles's investiture as Prince of Wales.

Also of interest is the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum (admission included), notable for the 14 Victoria Crosses on display.

Address: Castle Ditch, Caernarfon

The pride of Wales rests in the people's enthusiasm for the game of rugby, so if you have a chance to take in a national game at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, it will be the highlight of your trip. Feel the Welsh patriotism as you attend a game with 74,000 rugby fans harmonizing the national anthem while donning their team jerseys and revving for fierce competition.

Joining the fun at Principality Stadium gives you a sense of Welsh culture in a way that other attractions cannot. The game of rugby means more to the Welsh than just a sporting event. It was created in the 19th century as a way for the Welsh to come together as a country and improve life by lifting their status as a nation.

Games are usually played from the fall through the spring, but if you visit outside of the season, you can still book one of several tours of the stadium.

Located on the north coast of Wales, just a short distance from Manchester, the small Welsh town of Conwy offers something for everyone: a stunning castle, medieval architecture, and plenty of great shopping.

The best views of Conwy Castle (Castell Conwy) and River Conwy , with its suspension bridge designed by Thomas Telford, are from the 13th-century town walls built by King Edward I to keep the Welsh at bay. Besides touring the castle, one of the most unique experiences to enjoy here is walking the castle walls that surround the entire city. It is free to do, and you can get on and off in different sections. This vantage point offers the best views of the city and harbor.

The National Trust's Aberconwy House is Conwy's only surviving 14th-century merchant's house and one of the first buildings constructed inside the town walls. Other interesting homes are the Elizabethan Plas Mawr and the Smallest House in Great Britain .

Address: Rose Hill Street, Conwy

Surrounded by water on three sides, Wales has more than its fair share of dramatic coastline. Some of the most imposing is found along the coast of the Pembrokeshire Peninsula, which juts out into the Irish Sea, much of it falling within the boundaries of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro).

You can best explore this magnificent scenery on foot along the dramatic Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail, finding villages like the picturesque little resort of Tenby, still partially enclosed by its medieval walls.

Other Pembrokeshire coast highlights are Pembroke Castle , St. David's Cathedral (in the town of the same name), and idyllic fishing harbors such as Laugharne, where Welsh poet Dylan Thomas lived for much of his life. His boathouse home above the bay is now a museum.

As elsewhere in Wales, adventurous travelers can find unique places to stay, including classic old farm cottages, gypsy caravans, or vintage railcars.

Whether you consider yourself a bookworm or not, a visit to the bookstores in Hay-on-Wye will be a memorable experience. Hay-on-Wye is renowned for its literary scene and the annual Hay Festival, which brings in well-known authors from around the world.

This small town, with a castle on the hill and charming winding streets, has more than two dozen bookstores. The area has historical and global literary significance, which you will find evidence of as you walk the quaint streets and see references to its moniker as the Town of Books.

This walkable town is worth a day, or at least an afternoon, of your time. After you find a good read to take home, stroll into the small boutiques or find an outdoor café to enjoy the town's ambience and live music that is often playing on the street corners.

Portmeirion is a beautiful hotel resort and visitor attraction on the coast of Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd , North Wales . Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, Portmeirion was designed to resemble a quaint Italian fishing village. Visitors staying overnight get the whole place to themselves once the gates are closed, when they can explore its beautiful gardens, fountains, church, and the coastal paths of the lower village.

This stunning attraction has been the location for numerous films and TV programs, including the 1960s cult show, The Prisoner , and should definitely be included on your Wales sightseeing itinerary.

The resort's restaurants come highly recommended. A variety of shops are also located here, some selling the famous Portmeirion pottery.

Address: Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd

Read More: Top-Rated Weekend Breaks in the UK for Couples

The Welsh are certainly a friendly lot. And nowhere is this truer than in the many picturesque small villages that dot the Welsh countryside. Two of the very prettiest—and friendliest—are located within easy striking distance of Snowdonia National Park: Beddgelert & Betws-y-Coed.

Just a 30-minute drive apart, these two postcard-perfect riverside villages make for a great day trip. They each offer a slice of that traditional Welsh hospitality in their quaint B&Bs, guesthouses, inns, tearooms, and restaurants, and are often heralded as among the most picturesque villages not just in Wales, but all of the UK.

Located at the junction of the Colwan and Glaslyn rivers, Beddgelert is especially favored by hikers using the village as a base from which to tackle Snowdon itself. A number of gentler trails and paths are also easy to access here and are great for those wanting a stroll that takes in spectacular mountain vistas. Failing that, an easy stroll through the village itself is rewarding, or you can jump aboard the heritage Welsh Highland Railway for a scenic train ride to Porthmadog or Caernarfon.

Betws-y-Coed also makes for a great base for a Snowdonia adventure. Set in the Gwydyr Forest, it's particularly pretty in spring and fall when the changing seasons turn the vegetation here into a riot of color (it's also quieter during these less touristy times). In addition to the many fine examples of historic buildings located within the village, be sure to take a stroll to its nearby waterfalls, including Conwy Falls.

Read More: Best Small Towns in Wales

Wales is a nation built in mining and, as such, has done a remarkable job of preserving its mining past. Of the many things to do related to this rich history, none can quite match the experience of visiting one of these mines in person.

Located in Caernarfon, the fascinating National Slate Museum offers an in-depth look at the workings of a 19th-century slate quarry, along with accompanying machinery and workshops, including a huge still-working waterwheel. A great deal of attention is also placed on the conditions for workers and their families, along with live demonstrations of the mining process.

Situated within Breacon Beacons, the Big Pit National Coal Museum offers a glimpse into the nation's other most-mined material and the lives of those who worked here. Highlights of a visit include exploring the well-preserved old buildings and homes on the site.

Blaenavon is also home to an old ironworks that's worth exploring, home to the "Big Pit" blast furnaces and foundries. Also worth a visit, Rhondda Heritage Park actually allows visitors to descend to "pit bottom" in an old miners' elevator. These Black Gold Experience Underground Tours are even led by former coalminers, adding to the authenticity of the experience. There's also a replica village to explore, portraying everyday life for mining families.

It took 10 years to design and build the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal across the wide valley of the River Dee in northeast Wales. Even today, it's considered a significant feat of civil engineering and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

The 18-arch bridge is built of stone and cast iron, its arches soaring 100 feet above the river, and is more than 1,000 feet in length. In 1801, when the aqueduct was built, canals were an important means of transport for manufactured goods and raw materials, and aqueducts were a more efficient means of carrying them across deep valleys than staircases of canal locks.

This one is the longest navigable aqueduct in Great Britain and the highest in the world. A narrow walkway with a railing allows pedestrians to cross the bridge, but it's far more fun to cross it on a canal boat .

It's not for those with a fear of heights, however, as your boat sits high on the shallow canal, and it's a long way down to the river.

For a less vertigo-inducing ride, horse-drawn canal boats take tourists on a tree-shaded stretch of the canal from nearby Llangollen Wharf. A fun alternative is to take a guided kayak tour across the aqueduct.

Location: Llangollen Wharf

Few experiences in Wales match the day of shopping that awaits at the Victorian Arcades in Cardiff. These elegant glass-covered arcades have been an iconic part of the capital city since the 1800s. They were built in the Victorian era to protect shoppers from bad weather conditions.

There are several dozen arcades around Cardiff, each with its own unique flare, with the oldest being the Royal Arcade. Inside, you will find small boutiques, shops with jewelry and housewares, cafés, and mom-and-pop stands selling homemade Welsh cakes from generations-old recipes. A nibble on some of these tasty sugar-dusted treats, while you shop, is highly recommended.

Separated from mainland Wales by the mile-wide Menai Strait—spanned by the Menai Suspension Bridge (1818)—the Isle of Anglesey is home to a number of quaint, small fishing villages sprinkled along its more than 100 miles of attractive coastline. Along with its sandy beaches and landmarks such as South Stack Lighthouse , the island's mild climate makes it popular for day trippers and campers alike.

The smaller Holy Island , linked to Anglesey by bridge, is a popular holiday resort with two promenades (one of them 1.5 miles long). Tiny Salt Island offers great views and a chance for some bird-watching. Finally, one of the world's most famous photo ops is on the railway platforms of the town with the world's longest place name : Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllandysiliogogogoch.

Read More: Best Beaches in Anglesey

One of the most spectacular attractions in Wales is walking among the ruins at Tintern Abbey near Chepstow. This historical and architectural treasure was built in 1131 by Cistercian monks, and while much of it has been destroyed, in part by order of King Henry VIII in the 1500s, there is enough preserved to marvel at its massive structure.

After your time walking the grounds at Tintern Abbey, make your way to nearby Chepstow Castle. The castle sits on the cliffside of the estuary banks of the River Wye and is the oldest fortification in Britain . Walk through the matrix of corridors and passageways that were constructed in 1067 and be sure to see the oldest castle doors in Europe, which are perfectly preserved here for visitors to see up close.

Dubbed the "Queen of the Welsh Resorts," Llandudno is the largest seaside resort town in Wales . Located on the north coast with views across the Irish Sea, this picture-perfect tourist destination lies between the Welsh mainland and the Great Orme, a peninsula inhabited since the Stone Age.

The town's unique promenade is free of the usual seaside shops and cafés, which were wisely placed behind the seafront to ensure Victorian visitors a more peaceful experience. Take a stroll on the bustling Llandudno Pier, which is the longest in Wales, jutting out into the sea at nearly 2,300 feet.

The best views of the town and its surroundings are from the Great Orme , easily accessible by a heritage tramway. Well connected by rail and road, Llandudno is a good base for touring Wales' spectacular North Coast .

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Llandudno

A National Trust property, Bodnant Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in Britain, created over many years by generations of the McLaren family and brought to its present heights by the 2nd Lord Aberconway.

Highlights of the spectacular gardens are the grand formal terraces , spectacular views across the River Conwy to Snowdonia, and the famous Laburnum Arch . This curved walk of about 50 yards is covered with laburnum, whose abundant, long blossoms cover it in cascades of yellow in late May and early June.

Spring is also when the Dell, a deep valley where trees tower above streams, is abloom with rhododendrons. But the wide variety of flowering plants assures that the gardens are filled with color throughout the whole season. Among the trees are 42 UK Champion Trees , judged the best examples of their kind in Britain.

The elegant Georgian Pin Mill was moved here from Gloucestershire. A tearoom is located on-site and comes highly recommended.

Address: Bodnant Road, Tal-y-cafn, Colwyn Bay

The lively Welsh capital city of Cardiff is a good place to begin your trip and a good base for exploring South Wales . Cardiff is not far from the interesting port city of Bristol , just across the border in England. When you're exploring the beautiful mountains and countryside of North Wales , consider popping across the border again to visit the attractions in Chester , a charming walled city on a canal.

More on Wales

Must-see attractions in Southeast Wales

Caerphilly Castle

Southeast Wales

You could be forgiven for thinking that Caerphilly Castle – with its profusion of towers and crenellations reflected in a duck-filled lake – was a film…

Tintern Abbey

The haunting riverside ruins of this sprawling monastic complex have inspired poets and artists through the centuries, most notably William Wordsworth,…

Carreg Cennen

Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog

Dramatically perched atop a steep limestone crag, high above the River Cennen, are the brooding ruins of Wales' ultimate romantic castle, visible for…

Chepstow Castle

Imposing Chepstow Castle perches atop a limestone cliff overhanging the river, guarding the main river crossing from England into South Wales. It is one…

Ascending Pen-y-Fan (886m), the tallest peak in the Brecon Beacons, is one of the most popular hikes in the park (around 350,000 people make the climb…

Big Pit National Coal Museum

Fascinating Big Pit provides an opportunity to explore a real coal mine and get a taste of what life was like for the miners who worked here from 1880 to…

St Issui's Church

Halfway up a thickly forested hillside in the Vale of Eywas, this tiny 11th-century church is like a time capsule of Welsh faith and culture, buried too…

You're likely to have the impressive remains of Garn Goch to yourself. One of the largest Iron Age sites in Wales, it comprises a smaller hill fort…

Llanthony Priory

Halfway along the impossibly beautiful Vale of Ewyas lie the atmospheric ruins of this Augustinian priory, set among pasture and wooded hills by the River…

St Mary's Priory Church

Although you wouldn't guess it from the outside, this large stone church has been described as the 'Westminster Abbey of South Wales' because of the…

Tretower Court & Castle

Originally the home of the Vaughan family, Tretower gives you two historic buildings for the price of one: the sturdy circular Norman keep, now roofless…

Tredegar House

The seat of the Morgan family for more than 500 years, Tredegar House is a stone and red-brick 17th-century building set amid extensive gardens, 2 miles…

Raglan Castle

The last great medieval castle to be built in Wales, Raglan was designed more as a swaggering declaration of wealth and power than a defensive fortress. A…

Welsh Mining Experience

Until its last pit closed in 1990, the Rhondda Valley was synonymous with coal mining. That industrial heritage is celebrated within the buildings of the…

Blaenavon Ironworks

When it was completed in 1789, this ironworks was among the most advanced in the world. Today the site is one of the best preserved of all its Industrial…

Waterfall Country

A series of dramatic waterfalls lies between the villages of Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte, where the Rivers Mellte, Hepste and Pyrddin pass through…

St Woolos Cathedral

A steep 10-minute walk uphill from the main shopping strip leads to Newport's ancient cathedral. The building provides a fascinating journey through…

Ysgyryd Fawr

Of the glacially sculpted hills that surround Abergavenny, Skirrid (486m) is the most dramatic looking and has a history to match. A cleft in the rock…

Penderyn Distillery

Though Wales has a long history of spirit distillation, this boutique distillery released its first malt whisky only in 2004, marking the resurgence of…

Cyfarthfa Castle

For a measure of the wealth that accumulated at the top of the industrial pile, check out this castle, built in 1825 by William Crawshay II, overlooking…

Talgarth Mill

Restored with the assistance of the BBC's Village SOS television show, Talgarth's 17th-century watermill is back in business for the first time since 1946…

Caerleon Roman Fortress Baths

Like any good Roman town, Caerleon had a grand public bath complex. Parts of the outdoor swimming pool, apodyterium (changing room) and frigidarium (cold…

Distinctive flat-topped Crug Hywel (Hywel's Rock; 451m), better known as Table Mountain, rises to the north of Crickhowell and gave the town its name. You…

Bronllys Castle

Looking like it's slid straight off a chess board, Bronllys' circular tower was built in 1230 on the site of an earlier Norman motte-and-bailey castle…

Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway

Built to haul coal and passengers, this railway has been restored by local volunteers, allowing you to catch a train from the town centre to Furnace…

Blaenavon World Heritage Centre

Housed in an artfully converted old school, this centre contains a cafe, a tourist office, a gallery, a gift shop and, more importantly, excellent…

Red Kite Feeding Centre

A multitude of majestic birds of prey swoop in daily for their afternoon meal of manky meat scraps at this remote feeding centre. You're likely to see…

Dan-yr-Ogof National Showcaves Centre for Wales

The limestone plateau of the southern Fforest Fawr is riddled with some of the largest and most complex cave systems in Britain. Most can only be visited…

Brecon Cathedral

Perched on a hill above the River Honddu, Brecon Cathedral was founded in 1093 as part of a Benedictine monastery, though little remains of the original…

Of the three mountains encircling Abergavenny, Blorenge (561m) is the closest to town – the round trip is only 5 miles – but it is a steep and strenuous…

The large blocky building next to the church is the former abbey's 12th-century tithe barn, the place where people brought their obligatory contributions…

Fronting Agincourt Sq at the north end of Monnow St, this handsome Georgian building was built in 1724 to house sittings of the assizes court. It was here…

Abergavenny Museum & Castle

Abergavenny castle's keep was converted into a hunting lodge during the Victorian era and now houses a small museum. It tells the history of the castle…

The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh

Based at Brecon's military barracks (built 1805), this museum commemorates the history of the Royal Welsh – a newish British Army infantry regiment…

Nelson Museum & Local History Centre

Admiral Horatio Nelson visited Monmouth twice in 1802, officially en route to inspect Pembrokeshire forests for ship timber, though it may have had more…

Fan Brycheiniog

The finest feature (and the highest point) of the Black Mountain is the sweeping escarpment of Fan Brycheiniog (802m), reached via a fairly strenuous 11.5…

Medieval Ship Centre

In 2002, construction work for the Riverfront Art Centre uncovered the remains of the most complete medieval ship ever found, buried in the mud on the…

Brecon Mountain Railway

Between 1859 and 1964 this narrow-gauge railway hauled coal and passengers between Merthyr and Brecon. A 5.5-mile section of track, between Pant Station…

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Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve

Walking trails

All of the walking trails are waymarked.

Please note: dogs on a short lead are welcome on the Green Lanes and Coast Walk only.

Orchid Trail

1 mile/1.6 kilometre, accessible

Look out for orchids in late spring and early summer.

Sculpture Trail

1 mile/1.7 kilometres, accessible

Go through reedbeds, over the floating bridge and past the lighthouse.

Woodland and Estuary Trail

1½ miles/2.3 kilometres, accessible

Go through reedbeds, woodland, past open water and the estuary.

The Wetlands Experience

2½ miles/4 kilometres, accessible

This route combines the orchid trail, the woodland and estuary trail and part of the Wales Coast Path.

Green Lanes and Coast Walk

3¾ miles/5.9 kilometres, easy

Highlights include the East Usk Lighthouse, views over the Severn Estuary as far as Exmoor, bird-hide, and green lanes (Fish-house Lane can be very muddy in winter or after heavy rain).

Dogs on a short lead are welcome on this walk.

RSPB Visitor Centre and visitor facilities

Newport Wetlands is a partnership between Natural Resources Wales, Newport City Council and the RSPB .

The RSPB manage the Environmental Education and Visitor Centre which has a café, shop and toilets.

The RSPB run events from family fun days to guided walks - booking is essential for some events.

To find out more about the visitor facilities:

• go to the RSPB website
• ring 01633 636363
• email [email protected]

What to see on the National Nature Reserve

Newport Wetlands is a National Nature Reserve.

National Nature Reserves are places with some of the very finest examples of wildlife habitats and geological features.

The landscape and wildlife varies depending on which time of year you visit – here’s what to look out for.

In spring, the reedbeds are alive with song. Warblers abound here, including a significant proportion of Britain’s Cetti’s warblers.

Scan the pools from one of the viewing platforms and you should also see mute swans, tufted ducks, coot and families of little grebe.

Look out for displaying lapwing and avocet and listen for the song of warbler species and skylarks.

Over on the saline lagoons, you may see migrant wader species.

At this time of year, visitors with young children enjoy spotting ducklings and chicks all around the reserve.

In summer, you will be able to enjoy the reserve’s plant life in all its glory.

Orchids are abundant, look out for the rarer shrill carder bee amongst the everlasting pea flowers.

Walk over to the saline lagoons and you will encounter a quite different habitat. This is the only breeding site in Wales for the avocet, a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive upwardly curving beak.

In the warmer months, the hay meadows around the reserve are rich in wild flowers.

If you make your way along the paths around the reedbeds, look out for orchids, dragonflies, hobbies and shrill carder bees.

As dusk falls, barn owls come out to hunt over the grasslands.

Autumn is the best time of year for birdwatching at Newport Wetlands when migratory wildfowl and wading birds begin to arrive.

Watch migrant wader species on the saline lagoons and the starling roost on the reedbed. 

Flocks of redwing and fieldfare are busy feeding on the hedgerows along the Wales Coast Path which passes along the edge of the reserve.

In winter there are the largest flocks of birds - look out for merlin and peregrine falcons when the lapwing flock is startled.

Look out for big flocks of wigeon, teal, dunlin and lapwing.

In the wide open skies above the reserve you are likely to see hunting birds of prey such as peregrine, merlin and marsh harriers.

National Nature Reserves in Wales

There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves .

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

Please note:

• Livestock graze parts of the reserve – do not approach or try to feed.
• Keep dogs on a short lead and please shut gates behind you.
• Mudflats and saltmarsh are regularly covered by tides.
• Deep water in ditches – please keep to the paths.
• Steep slopes on the sea-wall – please keep away.
• High-voltage overhead power lines.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely .

Accessibility information

All of paths around the Uskmouth reedbeds are accessible to wheelchairs and there are benches approximately every 200 metres.

The paths are level with some gentle slopes and a zig-zag ramp to climb the five metres up to the raised reedbed levels.

Facilities include:

• parking for Blue Badge holders
• wheelchair access to the visitor centre and café
• accessible toilets
• three electric mobility scooters to hire, free of charge (contact the RSPB centre to book tel: 01633 636363)
• viewing screens and a hide with wheelchair spaces

Dog restrictions

Dogs on a short lead are welcome on the Green Lanes and Coast Walk only .

Opening times

For current opening times, please contact the RSPB.

Changes to trails

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to the trails here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

How to get here

Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve is five miles south of the city of Newport.

It is in the county of Newport.

Ordnance Survey map

Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map 152.

The OS grid reference is ST 334 834.

Satellite navigation (sat nav)

The post code for sat nav is NP18 2BZ.

From M4 Junction 24: take the A48 west and then follow the brown duck signs to the Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve car park.

From M4 Junction 28: take the A48 east and then follow the brown duck signs.

The car park is on the West Nash road, just before the entrance to the Uskmouth Power Station.

Sustrans National Cycle Route

Sustrans National Cycle Route 4 has a branch to Newport Wetlands using cycle paths and quiet roads. T

here is a covered cycle stand in the car park and a cycle stand at the entrance to the visitor centre.

Public transport

There is a demand responsive bus service to Newport Wetlands.

Ring 01633 21120 to book a bus by 5pm on the day before you wish to travel.

The nearest train station is in Newport.

For details of public transport visit the Traveline Cymru website .

The car park is managed by the RSPB.

Car parking costs £4 (free for RSPB members).

Related document downloads

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Walk through heathland and woodland

Blaen y Glyn, near Brecon

Two car parks with short walk to waterfall

Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve, near Abergavenny

Small woodland with accessible boardwalk

Craig Cerrig Gleisiad a Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve, near Brecon

Craggy mountain landscape in the Bannau Brycheiniog...

Cwm Carn Forest, near Newport

Forest drive, mountain biking trails and walking

Dinas Rock, near Neath

Accessible trail to spectacular cascades

Fforest Fawr, near Caerphilly

Woodland walks and family-friendly sculpture trail

Glasfynydd Forest, near Llandovery

Walk or cycle around the Usk Reservoir

Gwaun Hepste, near Merthyr Tydfil

Gateway to the famous Four Falls Trail

Manor Wood, near Monmouth

Small woodland in the Wye Valley

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve, near Ystradgynlais

Open moorland with spectacular views and fascinating...

Penhow Woodlands National Nature Reserve, near Newport

Ancient woodland full of wildflowers in spring

Pont Melin Fach, near Ystradfellte

Small picnic site with a waterfall walk

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Taf Fechan Forest, near Brecon

Short riverside walking trail

Wentwood, near Newport

Largest area of ancient woodland in Wales

Whitestone, near Chepstow

Historic viewpoints overlooking the Wye gorge...

Wyndcliff Wood, near Chepstow

Walk to the Eagles Nest, a famous viewpoint over...

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Brochure about visiting our places

Get a copy of our brochure about visiting our woodlands and reserves

Film about visiting our places

Watch the film about visiting our woodlands and reserves

Other websites

Wales in Autumn: 6 best places to visit

• David Angel
• Wales , United Kingdom

Are you thinking of planning a trip to Wales in Autumn? As a proud Welshman with more than ten years of experience working in the tourism industry, I’ve got all the insider knowledge you need.

Autumn in Wales is absolutely stunning, in this guide I’ll show you the places to visit and the best spots to find those breathtaking autumn colors. Plus, I’ll give you lots of essential travel tips and loads of fun ideas for your visit.

Wales in Autumn has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK with the forests, hills and valleys turning a magical array of colours.

As well as the autumn colours you can chance upon beautiful morning mists along the Welsh lakes and rivers . We’ve compiled an itinerary of the best places to visit in Wales in autumn, to help you catch the best of the fall colours around the country.

As well as showing you the best autumn landscapes in Wales, we also show you many of the best things to do in Wales along the way. Our route also allows the opportunity to break your journey at some of the best places to stay in Wales along the way.

You could comfortably complete the journey in a three day autumn break, or just make a day trip out of a section of it. Hopefully you’ll get the best of the weather and catch the Wales autumn display in all its glory.

Table of Contents

When to Visit   Wales in Autumn

The best time for Wales autumn colours is usually the last week of October and first two weeks of November. Sometimes the autumn leaves linger into mid-November. It all depends on the weather that has preceded it in October.

The autumn months aren’t usually the best time for UK weather. It can be wet and windy, with regular rain belts coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. We’ve also experienced sunny days as warm as 17° C (63° F) at the end of October, so you never know from one year to the next.

Best places to visit in Wales in Autumn

1. autumn in llangollen and north east wales.

The Dee Valley around Llangollen makes a wonderful introduction to Wales. 

If you’re travelling on the A5 road you’ll glimpse the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009.

For the best autumn views, you’re better off on the A539 on the north side of the valley, which you can reach by taking the road that leads to the Aqueduct.

Then take the minor road off the A539 to climb to the Offa’s Dyke national trail.

Here views gradually open out over the valley, Llangollen town and the ruins of Dinas Bran Castle sitting on top of a conical hill surveying the scene.

The town of Llangollen is one of the best places to visit in North Wales, with outstanding scenery and amazing walks in every direction.  The tributary valley beyond Dinas Bran is also great for leaf-hunting.

The ruined Valley Crucis Abbey is worth a visit, and is the starting point for a straight-up-and-down walk up the steep hill across the A542 road, Coed Hyrddyn (Velvet Hill). At the top the view opens out over the vale below and Llantysilio Mountain.

The Clwydian Range around Ruthin to the north is also stunning in autumn, and two of the best castles to stay in Wales – Ruthin Castle Hotel and Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel – are nearby.

See Also : North East Wales – 27 Wonderful Places To Visit

2. Snowdonia and North West Wales

After Llangollen, the A5 is the main approach to Snowdonia, giving tantalising glimpses of the main Snowdon range before descending into the Conwy Valley and Betws-y-Coed, the gateway to the National Park at the foot of the Gwydyr Forest.

Betws-y-Coed is one of the best places to stay in Snowdonia whatever time of year you’re visiting. It’s only a few miles along the A470 from one of the most famous autumn shots in Wales.

The red Virginia-Creeper-clad Tu Hwnt I’r Bont teahouse next to the stone bridge over the Conwy at Llanrwst looks at its best in late September and early October, before autumn kicks in for most trees in Wales.

There are many lesser-known spots to explore in the area. Before you reach the town, the large lay-by on the A5 gives you a great view up the Lledr valley to the jagged hulk of Moel Siabod, the mountain which dominates this part of Snowdonia.

The road also passes close to Fairy Glen (Ffos Noddyn in Welsh), a dramatic ravine carved out by the waters of the Conwy river two miles south of the village which is ablaze with colour during autumn.

Continue past Betws-y-Coed on the A5 for two miles (3km) and pause for a while at Swallow Falls, which is usually full of water in autumn. The young river Llugwy summons up great force to crash down a series of falls on its way to meet the Conwy river downstream.

There are plenty more places to see in their autumn finery if you head off the main roads. The B5106 leads from Betws to Trefriw, where you take a very steep left up the mountain, continuing through forest and farmland until you reach Llyn Crafnant, a remote lake surrounded by a ring of mountains with a beautiful autumn display.

If you haven’t already visited, Conwy Castle is only a few miles from here. It’s one of the best castles in the world, and not to be missed.

It’s also worth a journey high up above the other – eastern – side of the Conwy valley, taking the B5113 for a wonderful roof-of-the-world panorama of Snowdonia’s peaks, with autumn colour from the Gwydyr forest and foreground trees.

The Snowdonia range itself has some autumn colour, mostly along the scenic A498 road that runs down from the Llanberis Pass to Beddgelert. The first lake you reach, Llyn Gwynant, nestles deep at the bottom of a dramatic valley, at the foot of Y Lliwedd, one of Snowdon’s immediate neighbours. 

Three miles further on, Llyn Dinas is also spectacular, and both lakes seem to attract their fair share of early morning autumn mists to make a glorious start to the day.

Snowdonia’s coast and southern section – all the way down to Cadair Idris and the Dovey estuary – also have beautiful pockets of autumn colour.

Portmeirion, the Italianate fantasy village on the Dwyryd estuary, is particularly striking on a clear autumn day, surrounded by some outstanding colours.

Mid Wales and the Cambrian Mountains

The Cambrian Mountains – the remote series of mountains and upland areas running from Plynlimon in the north to Llyn Brianne lake in the south – also offer some wonderful rewards for autumn hunters.

A paradox of this mostly unpopulated area is that although it is largely empty, unexplored and remote, much of the landscape has been shaped by humankind, with a series of reservoirs created along the length of the range.

The Elan Valley is one of the best places to visit in Mid Wales. It’s a series of reservoirs and dams built to supply the city of Birmingham – across the English border – with water. The dams were built in the 1890s and 1900, with the nearby Claerwen dam being added by 1952.

If you’re wondering where to see autumn colours in the UK, the Elan Valley is a great place to start. It’s also a wonderful place to drive, cycle, walk or go off-road.

The B4518 road loops out of the nearby town of Rhayader, joining and following the lakes before returning to the town after a magnificent scenic 20 mile journey.

The first spot for autumn watchers is the picturesque long stone arched bridge that sits on top of the submerged Garreg-ddu dam, which is surrounded by trees which go golden by the end of October.

From here, a side road leads up towards the Claerwen dam, following the small river of the same name as it winds its way to where it joins the Elan reservoirs.

Otherwise, continue along the ‘main’ road past Garreg-ddu and Pen-y-garreg reservoirs, climbing into more open country, with what we think is the highlight of the drive, Craig-goch dam, in an amazing setting with its lake just behind and the rusty bracken-covered mountains behind glowing in the late afternoon light.

The area around Llyn Clywedog is also a great area to catch autumn colours in Wales.   The reservoir is around 30 miles (50 km) to the north of the Elan Valley, a few miles (8 km) north west of the town of Llanidloes, and the best way to see it is by rejoining the B4518 road as it leaves Llanidloes, climbing steeply up the ‘big dipper’ road which runs along the northern shore of the lake.

It’s a scene which can look amazing on a still morning, the water like mirror glass reflecting the hills above, and mists collecting in the valley.

Alternatively, there is another minor road which climbs around the west end of the lake, passing close to an exhilarating section of the Glyndwr’s Way National Trail, with views over the dam.

Brecon Beacons and around

The Brecon Beacons National Park extends from Carmarthenshire in the west to the English border in the east, and is made up of several distinct sections.

Starting in the west, the area around Carreg Cennen Castle , has some wonderful pockets of autumn colour. This is remote country, between the market town of Llandeilo and the bare Black Mountain escarpment.

Carreg Cennen is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe , and one of the best places to visit in West Wales.

Just to the west of Llandeilo, the verdant rich Tywi (Towy) valley also produces some fine autumn hues, and has been known to deliver some wonderful morning mists with castles on hilltops (Dryslwyn and Dinefwr) peeking through to catch the first rays of light of the day.

Around twenty miles (30 km) east, between the villages of Ystradfellte and Pontneddfechan, several small rivers have carved gorges through the wooded limestone hills to create a series of steep valleys and waterfalls.

A network of paths follow the rivers, so nearly all the Brecon Beacons waterfalls are accessible to walkers. The forest is flooded with autumn colour for a few weeks, and photographers head back there year after year.

The Angel Inn in Pontneddfechan is a well-known starting point for the easiest of the walks, a half hour stroll through the woods to Sgwd Gwladys (Gwladys Falls, also known as Lady Falls).

If the river is low, follow a goat’s path above this waterfall, ford the river a few times and you reach Sgwd Einion Gam, a much higher, more dramatic fall.

The central range of the Brecon Beacons, centring on the two highest peaks, Pen y Fan and Corn Du, are largely treeless, but the surrounding valleys are full of colour during autumn.  

One of my favourite drives through the Brecon Beacons in autumn is along the A40 and Honddu (later the Usk) valley between Brecon and Crickhowell, passing the main peaks  near the start of the drive, then reaching the Black Mountains – the easternmost part of the National Park – around the village of Bwlch.

Beyond Crickhowell, the road continues to the north of the river, eventually reaching Abergavenny. From there it’s a few miles up the A465 road towards Hereford before the turn for the remote Llanthony valley, whose trees and bracken give the steep valley sides plenty of dashes of warm autumn colour.

One of the birthplaces of modern tourism in the late 18 th century, the Wye Valley is shared between Wales and England. 

Its source (like that of the Severn) is on the slopes of Plynlimon in Mid Wales, and it begins its journey south eastwards, through Rhayader and Builth Wells towards the border at Hay.

It then returns to Wales near Monmouth, winding its way through a steep wooded valley en route to the sea, where it enjoys a brief reunion with its old neighbour the Severn.

The upper Wye receives far less visitors but has some outstanding autumn scenery – the view from a hill above the village of Erwood is magnificent early in the day, when some mist may still linger in the valley.

The lower Wye, between Monmouth and Chepstow, is a great hour-long drive, but with detours and walks, you could easily spend two or three days exploring. 

The most obvious attraction is Tintern Abbey, its great 13 th century church left open to the elements for almost five centuries. The valley is heavily wooded either side, with the rich autumn colours forming a beautiful backdrop for a few short weeks.

There are plenty of forest walks along the lower valley. The river forms the border with England for the final part of its journey, and there are paths both sides. The walk across the bridge at Tintern and up into the forest to the dramatic Devils Pulpit (1 hour each way) is very rewarding.

Back on the Welsh side, one of our favourites is Bargain Wood, high above the village of Llandogo a few miles north of Tintern, taking in a series of viewpoints along a ridge overlooking the valley.

No trip to the Welsh side of the Wye Valley would be complete without a walk up to the Eagles Nest viewpoint, which overlooks one of the final meanders in the Wye’s journey to the sea.  

It is the culmination and high point of a grand walk from the Piercefield Estate below, part of which now borders Chepstow racecourse.

The viewpoint is accessible via the 365 Steps walk from the Lower Wyndcliff car park below, or the much easier stroll through the woods from the Upper Wyndcliff car park. Both are a short drive from the village of St Arvans, just outside Chepstow.

Cardiff and Around

Cardiff has some magnificent parkland, and some of this comes into its own in the array of autumn colours.  one of the greenest cities in Europe becomes one of its most golden for two or three weeks each year.

It’s also packed with some of the best sights to see in Wales, and is very much a year-round destination. Cardiff is definitely one of the best places in Wales to base yourself, especially with so many other places to visit in South Wales so close by.

The place to start is Bute Park, next door to Cardiff Castle, right in the middle of the city. It is a designated historic landscape, formerly the private garden of the Marquesses of Bute who resided at the Castle.

Coopers Field, at the city end of the park, is the place to see the trees at their best, with walks along a canal, past the Castle or just around the corner, to the River Taff.

After around 400 metres, a bridge connects the Park with Sophia Gardens and the cricket stadium of the same name, one of England’s Test cricket venues.  The parkland continues both sides of the river, finishing on the western side at Llandaff Fields, over two miles away from the other end of Bute Park.

Roath Park, two miles to the north-east of the city centre, is another wonderful autumn spot, Here, the parkland is divided into three sections, culminating in the botanical garden and lake with its iconic tower.

Some years ago, Castell Coch, a remodelled castle on a wooded hill on the outskirts of Cardiff, was voted the people of Wales’ favourite building. It is also one of the best autumn locations in the country, the beech forest around providing a spectacular backdrop for the fairytale castle.

The views from the car park are amazing, and for keen photographers a wander around the parks and paths of the adjacent village, Tongwynlais, will reveal plenty more autumn views.

Autumn is also a great time to catch a sunrise at nearby Caerphilly Castle. The castle is surrounded by lakes, and on a still autumn morning mists often rise from the water, creating a real sense of mystique around the silhouette of the castle.

Best Places to Visit in Wales in Autumn Map

I created this map in google maps to help you locate all the places I have mentioned in this guide. Click on the map and it will take you to google maps where you can get directions to each of these locations.

Wales In Autumn – Final Words

I hope you’ve found my article on Wales in autumn inspirational. Wales can look stunning in autumn – and hopefully you’ll get some sunshine and dodge some of the rain that’s prevalent at this time of year.

If you have enjoyed this article, I suggest you also take a look at my article on the most beautiful landscapes in Wales . My article on the best rivers in Wales to visit also takes you through some of the loveliest autumn colours in Wales – particularly the River Wye and River Dee.

I also suggest reading my articles on the best things to do in Betws-y-Coed and things to do in Llangollen for more ideas on places to see locally. Both areas are prime autumn colour territory, and you also get some amazing river valley mists during autumn.

It’s also worth taking a look at my Snowdonia road trip article, which has four different itineraries. If you want to catch the best of the Snowdonia autumn colours, follow the first and shortest itinerary past Llyn Gwynant and Llyn Dinas, two of the loveliest lakes in Wales .

Autumn is a great time to explore castles around Wales. Take a look at my guides to the best castles in North Wales and best castles in South Wales for ideas on the best castles to visit.

And for an overview of the very best places to visit in Wales, check out my Wales Bucket List guide.

David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian. He is a European travel expert with over 30 years’ experience exploring Europe. He has a degree in History from Manchester University, and his work is regularly featured in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, The Times, and The Sunday Times.  David is fluent in French and Welsh, and can also converse in Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and Polish.

Attractions

There isn’t another country we know of that offers such a range of attractions; from castles and museums through to our world recognised beaches. Wales is a small country, which means you don’t have to go far to find something new and interesting to discover.

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Explore wonderful castles in wales.

Explore a Norman castle, marvel at decadent Victorian architecture or relax at romantic ruins.

• National Trust
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Take to the water to enjoy the wonderful scenery along our coasts and canals.

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Arts attractions to discover

Art galleries in wales .

Art galleries in Wales are packed with creative brilliance, both old and sparkling new.

Mad for museums in Wales

Wales has over 90 accredited museums, ranging from industrial heritage, to textiles and fine art.

Discover our seven National Museums 

For Welsh history and culture, our seven, free entry National Museums take some beating.

Discover our maritime and industrial history

Several Welsh museums tell the stories our shoreline communities and industrial heritage of Wales.

• UNESCO Heritage
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Something different?

The quirky cinema circuit of wales.

Enjoy an epic film production at some of these wonderful Welsh picture-houses.

• City / Town

Wonderfully quirky places to visit

Discover our eccentric heritage with some wonderfully unusual places to visit.

Welsh water adventures

With land and water based activities, enjoy a great day out at one of Wales' idyllic reservoirs.

• Wellness activities

© Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

British Sign Language available here

Many of our theatres, attractions and events now offer BSL (British Sign Language) interpretation

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Holiday ideas for autistic visitors

Memorable autism-friendly attractions and activities in Wales

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On top of the world at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Meet Nicky Lincoln who crosses Thomas Telford's amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on a boat every day.

• Transport and travel

© Welsh Canal Holiday Craft Ltd

Search for places to stay, things to do, and things to see in Wales

Accommodation

More great attractions

Exploring the underground mines of wales.

Discover the mines you can visit and explore by yourself or with an expert guide.

National Trust houses and gardens

The National Trust properties in Wales make for perfect days out offering a mix of places to visit.

A day at the zoo

A showcase of Welsh wildlife and a celebration of exotic animals and marine life of the world.

Farm attractions in Wales

You don’t have to muck out at these farms, but you’re welcome to muck in with feeding and petting.

Wales' independent shops

Wales has countless inspiring and independent shops for fashion and unique finds.

Lights, Camera, Action! Top TV and film attractions in Wales

Discover the must-see filming locations in wales.

Discover some of the places in Wales that have featured on the big and small screen.

Follow the TARDIS to top Doctor Who locations

Discover the locations behind the TV series with this handy guide to Doctor Who locations in Wales

Where Netflix's series Sex Education is filmed in Wales 

Find out about the beautiful South Wales locations you can see in the Netflix series Sex Education.

• Countryside

Gavin and Stacey: a filming locations guide

Explore the filming locations around Wales used in the hit BBC comedy series, Gavin and Stacey.

Cardiff Castle: an all-action attraction!

From the gargoyles on the castle walls to secret tunnels, Cardiff Castle is brought vividly to life.

Adventure Parks

Zip-boing: brilliant activities for a holiday you'll never forget.

Discover thrill-seeking activities and adventures in North Wales for all the family.

Life is a rollercoaster

Rollercoasters, zip wires and dinosaurs, Take a tour of the theme and amusement parks around Wales.

Space-themed attractions in Wales for budding astronauts

From observatories to moon rocks, these are the top cosmic attractions in Wales for space-obsessed kids.

Going underground: Welsh caves to explore

Enjoy a unique subterranean adventure exploring underground caves in Wales.

• Wales Coast Path

Some of our best free days out

Here are fun things to do in Wales that won't cost you anything. Free days out for all ages.

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The 35 Best Places To Visit In South Wales: 2024 Guide

South Wales is a broad region of Wales which spans from the Bristol Channel and the border of England in the east, mid-Wales to the north and to the Welsh coast in the west.

South Wales is the most densely packed area of Wales since it contains several of the biggest cities, such as Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. The Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog) makes up roughly one third of the region, the highest peak of which is Pen y Fan. At the very bottom of South Wales is the vibrant capital city of Cardiff.

On a trip to South Wales, visitors can expect to explore natural wonders such as caves, waterfalls and mountains and see historical sites such as castles, abbeys and manors. There are cities to visit, national parks to hike and wildlife to spot.

This is a locals guide to the best places to visit in South Wales.

Disclaimer:  Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps cover the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support!

What and Where Is South Wales?

Wales can be broadly broken up into three areas: North Wales, Mid-Wales and South Wales. The counties of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire in southwest Wales, I would technically describe as West Wales and the town of Brecon is in the county of Powys, which is technically mid-Wales.  

However, to keep things simple and for the purpose of this travel guide, I will loosely refer to South Wales as the whole bottom third of the country.

Why Visit South Wales?

For a very small area, South Wales crams in a vast array of things to see and do, including two National Parks. There are ancient Neolithic structures, Gothic Abbeys and a multitude of castles. South Wales is home to the largest city in Wales and the smallest city and Wales, with many more towns and villages in between.

In the Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog) there are caves to explore, secret waterfalls to discover and mountain peaks to climb. In Pembrokeshire Coast National park there are sandy beaches on which to relax, rugged coastlines to wander and an abundance of marine wildlife to spot.

As someone who grew up in the valleys of South Wales I am no doubt biased. In my childhood I spent weekends exploring the hills of the Brecon Beacons around my grandmothers farm, enjoyed family holidays on the beaches of Pembrokeshire and went to school in a 19th century castle. All pretty idyllic! 

However, after reading this guide, hopefully you too will agree that South Wales has something for everyone, on any occasion!

How To Get To South Wales

If arriving on public transport, the easiest place to start your South Wales road trip will be in Cardiff, as the capital is well linked to other major cities in the UK such as London, Birmingham and Bristol.

South Wales is easily accessible from London by either bus or train. From London there are direct trains and buses to Cardiff and Swansea multiple times per day.

Travel to South Wales is also straight forward from the midlands, with trains and buses running multiple times per day from Birmingham to Cardiff.

🚌 WHERE CAN I BUY THE CHEAPEST BUS AND TRAIN TICKETS?

If you are looking for the cheapest bus and train ticket, then I highly recommend you to choose Busbud , an online platform that has compiled the world’s largest selection of bus/train tickets. Wherever you’re traveling, you can easily compare tickets from different companies and book the best option for your next trip.

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

Cardiff also has an International Airport, so a South Wales road trip can start the moment you get off the  the plane! Find top deals on flights here.

Many of the places on this list of the best things to see in South Wales are in rural areas, so a car is the easiest way to reach these remote locations. Discover Cars is a car rental comparison site that offer great deals on car rentals ensuring you get the best price.

35 Top Places To See In South Wales

Listed roughly in order from east to west, here are my top places to visit in South Wales.

1. Tintern Abbey

Located next to the village of Tintern, on the banks of the river Wye, is Tintern Abbey. This British Gothic masterpiece was originally founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks, however the ruined remains left today were constructed a century later.

The Abbey was abandoned after Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries but found new life as a tourist attraction thanks in part to poems by William Wordsworth.

Marvel at this architectural icon up close and then walk a section of Offas Dyke to get views from the Devil’s Pulpit. For more information on this walk and other things to do around Chepstow, see this guide .

2. The Black Mountains

A dedicated National Park since 1957, Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) spreads across the central region of South Wales and is made up of four different areas. One of these areas is The Black Mountains, which makes up the eastern range of the Brecon Beacons.

The most popular hike in the Black Mountains is to the summit of Sugarloaf , however other great hikes in the area include Skirrd Fawr , Blorenge , Hay Bluff and the Waun Fach .

If you’d prefer not to hike a mountain, you can take the low-level option of walking the Monmouthshire-Brecon Canal. Finish your walk beautiful South Wales walk with a delicious meal at the Coach and horses pub in Llangynidir.

3. Llanthony Priory

Llanthony Priory is a ruined Augustinian priory located in a quiet valley of the Black Mountains. The surrounding ridges provide great hiking opportunities and the priory is even home to a hotel if you fancy stopping for the night.

This ruined priory comes complete with a cellar bar, which means after a busy day of sightseeing or hiking, you can kick back and enjoy a pint on a pew!

For a guide to walks from Llanthony Priory, see this post.

4. Blaenavon Ironworks And The Big Pit

South Wales has a big coal mining history and played an important part in the Industrial Revolution. Blaenavon, a town on the edge of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), was a leading producer of iron and limestone which was distributed all over the world. 

At the Ironworks visitors can see 18th and 19th century furnaces, kilns, railway systems and workers cottages. The Big Pit National Coal Museum was a working coal mine from 1880 to 1980 and today this heritage museum offers underground tours to see what life was like for thousands of coal miners.

Blaenavon’s importance in the Industrial Revolution has been recognised by UNESCO who inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 2000, so be sure to add it to your South Wales itinerary. 

5. Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye is a small market town in the County of Powys, close to the English border. As a teenager my mum and I would take regular visits to Hay-on-Wye on the hunt for interesting or unusual books.

Today Hay-on-Wye has over twenty bookstores to keep literary lovers enthralled. But a visit to Hay-on-Wye is as much about the buildings that house the books, as it is about the books themselves. The book stores vary from castles to boutique stores, to simple book shelves on the streets. The town also has a medieval castle which has been fabulously restored – don’t miss the unique film about Hay-on-Wye in the castle basement!

Every year Hay-on-Wye hosts the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts, aka the Hay Festival. This festival lasts for 10 days and was described by Bill Clinton as the “Woodstock of the mind.”

If you plan your visit for a Thursday you can also enjoy Market Day, a tradition that has been running in the town for hundreds of years. In the market you can find books (of course), antiques and locally produced food.

For a complete guide to all the things to do in Hay-on-Wye, see this post .

Need somewhere to stay? For a delightful glamping experience, try  GoldenValley Shepherds Huts .

Located at the northern edge of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) is the picturesque market town of Brecon. The town is steeped in history dating back to the Norman times. The high street is a delight wander along with an inviting range of shops and cafes to explore. Be sure to take some time to visit the towns 12th century Cathedral.

Brecon marks the start of the previously mentioned Monmouthshire-Brecon canal and is a great base for enjoying more Brecon Beacons hikes. To discover more things to do in the Brecon Beacons, see this guide . In the summer, Brecon is also home to the Brecon Jazz festival which is a fabulous opportunity to soak up some jazz music.

7. The Central Brecon Beacons

The Central Brecon Beacons contain several of the biggest peaks in South Wales and indeed Southern Britain. At the heart of the Beacons is Pen y Fan, the highest and most popular mountain to hike .

If you prefer to escape the crowds, there are plenty of other mountains to hike in this area, which you can read about here . If you’d like quiet option with a little bit of history, try the Waun Rydd and the Wellington Bomber Memorial Loop .

Now Available

Bannau Brycheiniog Hiking Routes

Hiking routes include the ever popular Pen y Fan, Llyn y Fan Fach, Sugar Loaf and the Four Falls.

Enjoy 35 beautiful hikes in Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) with the help of my pre-planned hiking routes. I have 35 beautiful hiking trails marked out on the free, offline app Maps.me. Simply download my pins into the app and choose which one of these epic hikes you’d like to enjoy!

Prefer not to walk alone? If you’re looking for a Mountain Leader to guide you on a mountain adventure, please contact me here to discuss rates and availability.

8. Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil is another town in South Wales which played an important part in the Industrial revolution. However, today Merthyr has reinvented itself as a mecca for outdoor sports.

Merthyr Tydfil is conveniently located on the outskirts of the Beacons, just 10 miles from Pen y Fan. This makes it a suitable base for exploring the Central Beacons. On the edge of town visitors can also find Dolygaer Outdoor Pursuits Centre, Rock UK Climbing Centre and Bike Park Wales, the leading centre for mountain biking in the UK.

Other activities to enjoy in Merthyr include visiting Cyfarthfa Park to explore the 19th castellated mansion, taking a ride on the Brecon Mountain Railway and visiting Penderyn Distillery to taste award-winning single malt whiskies.

Merthyr Tydfil also happens to be my hometown and for that reason is a top South Wales place to visit 😉

For a complete guide to visiting Merthyr Tydfil, click here .

9. Castell Coch

In case you didn’t already know, Wales is home to a lot of castles. Over 600 in fact. Many are in ruin whilst others still stand in their full splendour. One of the more unique castles in South Wales is Castle Coch (Red Castle).

With its conical roofs and circular towers, this castle truly looks like something out of a Fairytale and is affectionately known by many as the Fairytale Castle . Wander the surrounding grounds of Fforest Fawr before purchasing your ticket to explore inside.

10. Caerphilly Castle

The next castle on this list is Caerphilly Castle, a mighty medieval fortress constructed in the 13th Century. However, this is no ordinary castle, this is the biggest castle in Wales and the second biggest in the UK (Second only to Windsor – you win Charles!).

You’ll need time to explore the massive walls, towers and hidden passageways of Caerphilly Castle but as a Welsh icon it’s definitely one to add to your South Wales list of things to see. Plus it’s got a moat and a tower which leans more than Pisa, which makes it extra cool in my opinion!

TOURS TO CAERPHILLY CASTLE

• Day Tour – Castles, Mountains & More (from $92.94, what to expect: Cardiff Castle (Pass By), Castell Coch, Caerphilly Castle, Brecon Beacons National Park, Brecon)
• The Wandering Bard Tour of South Wales (from $87.13, with the company of a historian, and native Welsh speaker, who is passionate about the country; included: Caerphilly Castle, Tintern Abbey, Chepstow Castle)
• Private Day Tour of South Wales, including Cardiff & Caerphilly Castle (from $220.74)

11. St Fagans National History Museum

Ah St Fagans, the destination for many a school trip in my childhood! St Fagans National History Museum is the place to visit if you want to see what rural life in Wales was like before the Industrial Revolution. It’s a truly great South Wales attraction for families.

This open air museum chronicles the historical culture, lifestyle and architecture of Welsh people. Set in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, the museum consists of more than 40 re-erected buildings from across Wales. The museum holds displays of traditional crafts such as weaving and milling and has a small working farm dedicated to preserving native Welsh breeds. 

12. Cardiff

Not all capital cities are worth a visit but Cardiff most certainly is. Cardiff is a vibrant city which has a little something for everyone and makes it one of the best places to visit in South Wales.

At the centre of the city there is (of course!) a castle.  Opposite Cardiff Castle you can find the Victorian Arcades which are filled with boutique shops. Join this  Alleyways and Avenue Tour  to find the best spots. The nearby streets are filled with restaurants and bars which offer a great night out, especially after a Welsh rugby match! 

For an exploration of the seafront head out to Cardiff Bay Barrage, which is Europe’s largest waterfront. If you’re looking for adventure here, try white water rafting or indoor surfing at Cardiff International White Water. The Bay is also home to the Senedd and is therefore the beating heart of Welsh Politics.

If you’re a Doctor Who fan, you’ll know Cardiff is where this series is filmed and during your visit you can embark on your very own Doctor Who tour ! 

EXTEND YOUR STAY IN CARDIFF, CHECK TOP PLACES TO STAY THERE BELOW

• Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff (⭐4, located in the heart of Cardiff, $)
• Future Inn Cardiff Bay (⭐4, located 1.2 miles from city center, $$)
• Park Plaza Cardiff (⭐4, located in the heart of Cardiff, $$)

13. Barry Island

Barry Island (Ynys y Barri) is a seaside town in the Vale of Glamorgan. Contrary to the name, Barry Island isn’t actually an island but is in fact a peninsula. Barry Island rose to fame thanks to the TV show Gavin & Stacey, but in its heyday the Pleasure Park was the place to be.

So what’s occurring in ‘Barrybados’ then? Well Gavin and Stacey fans, can go behind the scenes in this half day tour and visit familiar locations such as Uncle Bryn’s house and the arcade where Nessa worked.

For everyone else, a visit to Barry should include a visit to the somewhat dilapidated Pleasure Park, relax on the sandy beach of Whitmore Bay or head to Goodsheds, a revamped dockyard filled with boutique shops and artisanal traders. Oh, and they also have craft beer. Tidy!

14. Glamorgan Heritage Coast

The Glamorgan Heritage Coast spans for 14 miles from Porthcawl to Aberthaw. The rugged cliff-lined coast offers spectacular views over secluded coves and rocky beaches and gives plenty of opportunity from which to observe the second largest tidal range in the world.

The dramatic coastline is perfect for hikers and bikers with miles of footpaths, country roads and plenty of small towns and villages to stop for a break along the way. Wales is spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful coastlines and the Glamorgan Coast tends to get overlooked. However this a top South Wales beauty spot to add to your bucket list.

Don’t miss Dunraven Bay and Nash Point.

15. Waterfall Country

Wales has an abundance of waterfalls and since the country receives so much rain every year, they are often flowing at full pace. Many of Wales’ most beautiful waterfalls are spread out around the country, however there is one area in South Wales which has more waterfalls per square mile than anywhere else in the country.

This area, known as Waterfall Country, is a beautiful South Wales destination to visit.

In Waterfall Country there are several  waterfall trails to enjoy , including the fabulous Elidir Trail , however the most popular is the Four Falls Trail. On this walk you can visit four waterfalls and at the final fall, Sgwd yr Eira, there is the option to walk behind the powerful cascade.

For more information on the  4 falls trail, take a look at this guide , alternatively discover Pen y Fan’s secret waterfall in this guide .

16. National Showcaves Centre (Dan-Yr-Ogof)

Another top destination in South Wales for families is the National Showcaves Centre. In fact these caves have won so many tourism awards it’s a top South Wales destination for everyone. You can even get married in the caves!

There are several caves to explore here with impressive stalactites, stalagmites and underground lakes. But it’s not just about the caves, there is also a dinosaur park, Iron Age farm, Shire horse centre and  museum.

You must book your tickets online before you go which you can do here .

For the ultimate two week road trip itinerary around Wales, take a look at this guide.

17. Llyn y Fan Fach And The Western Beacons

Llyn y Fan Fach is a glacial lake in the Black Mountain region of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). This region of the Beacons (also known as the Carmarthen Fans) offers breathtaking examples of glacially formed cwms (valleys), lakes and escarpments.

The most dramatic of which is Llyn y Fan Fach, Llyn y Fan Fawr and their surrounding peaks.

There are multiple hiking options to view these lakes which you can read about in this guide . These hikes are, for me, the best the Brecon Beacons has to offer, making them one of the best things to do in South Wales.

The Carmarthen Fans are also the location for several aircraft crash sites, most notably the Wellington Bomber on Carreg Goch and the Vampire jet on Fan Hir .

18. The Mumbles

The Mumbles is a headland and village on the western edge of Swansea City. At Mumbles you can stroll along the Victorian Pier, explore the medieval castle (Oystermouth Castle) and if the tide is right, walk out Mumbles lighthouse. 

You should probably eat some fish and chips whilst you wander the promenade and you should definitely try some ice cream from Joe’s Ice Cream Parlour !

19. The Gower Peninsula 

Further around the coast from the Mumbles you can explore the Gower Peninsula. This was the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and on a visit to this rugged peninsula you’ll quickly discover why. There are cliff-edged hikes to explore, beautiful beaches to relax on and multiple water sports to enjoy.

Located at the far end of the peninsula, Rhossili beach has been voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world and I’d certainly recommend a visit. If the tide is right, venture out onto the tidal island of Worm’s Head. 

There are many beautiful hikes in the Gower, the best of which I describe in this guide . The Gower is also popular with surfers and coasteerers. Both super fun activities but brace yourself for the cold waters!

Other top things to do in the Gower include relaxing at the picturesque 3 cliffs Bay, searching for the Blue Pool in Broughton Bay and walking out to Whiteford Lighthouse (at low tide only).

For all the best beaches on the Gower, take a look at this article .

South Wales has many pretty seaside towns and my personal favourite is Tenby. Pembrokeshire is a top holiday destination in South Wales and I spent many a childhood holiday playing on Tenby’s famous beaches. However, this seaside town is also packed with charm and history.

Tenby is a historic fishing village with gorgeous colourful houses dotted around its harbour. These are best enjoyed with a relaxing stroll during the soft golden tones just before sunset.

In 2019 Castle Beach in Tenby was voted the UK’s best beach by the Sunday Times.  This beach is the smallest of Tenby’s beaches. From Castle Beach, at low tide, you can access St Catherine’s island and fort. To the north of the beach climb the steps to Castle Hill which houses the remains of Tenby Castle. 

To learn all about the best things to do in Tenby, take a look at this guide.

BEST ACCOMMODATION IN TENBY

• Giltar Hotel (⭐3, 📈8.4, Tenby, beachfront, £)
• The Park Hotel (⭐3, 📈8.9, Tenby, beachfront, ££)
• Heywood Spa Hotel (⭐4, 📈8.8, Tenby, 0.7 miles from North Tenby Beach, £££)

21. Folly Farm

Not far from Tenby is Folly Farm, which is an enjoyable place to visit in South Wales with the family. I’ve enjoyed several trips here with my nieces and nephew and it never gets old.

Check out the super cute red pandas, the adorable sloths and be sure to allow time for rides in the Vintage Fairground. Bigger kids can test their skills on the mini CAT diggers and adults and kids alike can bring out their inner Formula One drivers on the electric go karts.

22. Oakwood Park

Who said theme parks are just for kids? Well, definitely not me! Oakwood Park is Wales’ biggest theme park and with over 40 rides and attractions, is sure to give you a rush of adrenaline.

Bounce along Megaphobia, the best wooden rollercoaster in the UK, get wet on the appropriately named Drenched or for a real adrenaline rush brace yourself for my personal favourite, Speed. It’s a real fun day out in South Wales for all the family.

Put your hands up in the air!

23. Manobier Bay and Castle

Further around the Pembrokeshire coast, Manorbier castle is perched on the cliffs overlooking Manorbier Beach. The bay is a beautiful place to take a stroll or relax before an exploration of the castle behind.

The castle was built in the early part of the 12th century by the Anglo-Norman de Barry family. Today the castle is privately owned but is open to public visits.

The castle is open every day from 10-4pm but may be closed occasionally for private functions and events, so it’s worth calling ahead to avoid disappointment.

24. Barafundle Bay

The hidden gem of Barafundle Bay is another beautiful South Wales place to visit. Well it’s not so much hidden, as just a little bit tricky to get to. There is no road access to Barafundle Bay and instead you have to walk around from Stackpole Quay. The car park here is large but it does get busy so its pays to arrive early.

The coast near Stackpole is popular with coasteerers and paddle boarders. We kayaked from Stackpole to Barafundle but if the water isn’t too choppy, it is also possible by paddle board.

However you reach Barafundle Bay, your efforts are certainly rewarded as you get to relax on, not only the most beautiful beach in South Wales, but one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

25. St Govan’s Chapel

Founded in the 6th century, St Govan’s is a remarkable little chapel built into the side of a limestone cliff. I first discovered St Govan’s purely by accident, whilst enjoying a hike from Bosherton. I definitely recommend the Bosherton Lilly Ponds walk, however there is road access to St Govan’s if you don’t want a long hike.

Access to the chapel is a via a steep set of stairs. Legend has it that if you count the stairs on the way down and then again on the way back up, the number is never the same! Surely it’s well worth a visit just to find out?!

26. Green Bridge Of Wales

Another highlight of the Pembrokeshire coast is the Green Bridge of Wales. This is a natural rock arch which has been carved away from the mainland by erosion. The Green Bridge is a 5km (one way) hike from St Govan’s Chapel or again it is accessible by road. 

You can also find the Elegug sea stacks nearby which were once arches similar to the Green Bridge.

Both St Govan’s and the Green Bridge are located on MOD land so call ahead to check the firing range is open to visitors. Castlemartin Range – 01646 662367.

Pembrokeshire Classics Tour

Visit the Green Bridge, St Govan’s Chapel, Manobier Castle and more on this guided driving tour of Pembrokeshire.

27. Freshwater West Beach

Freshwater West Beach is another of Pembrokeshire’s beautiful beaches and a popular haunt for surfers. It was a picturesque spot for van lifers, but now overnight camping is prohibited.

For any Harry Potter fans out there this beach is a must visit, as it’s the place where Dobby the house-elf is laid to rest. There’s even a memorial to the fictional Dobby found behind the dunes!

Dobby or no Dobby, this is still a beautiful place to see in South Wales.

28. Skomer Island

Puffin lovers should take a boat trip to Skomer Island, a reserve located just off the Pembrokeshire coast. All Skomer Island visits must be prebooked as visitor numbers to the island are managed. Overnight stays are also possible.

To see puffins, be sure to visit between the months of April and August. We visited in September which is the perfect time to see seal pups. We also saw shearwaters and lots of other birdlife.

Be aware that Skomer is still quite wild so good hiking footwear is required and there are no cafes or restaurants so take your own food and drinks.

Solva is a quintessential Welsh coastal village. The tiny village has a selection of cafes, art galleries and gift shops to explore. A little further upriver there is also the Solva Woollen Mill.

When the tide is high, Solva harbour is home to various watersports but at low tide the inlet drys up completely. A walk out to the mouth of the inlet reveals a large beach with another smaller cove full of rock pools.

Be sure to check the tide times before your visit.

30. St Davids

St David’s is a charming little city in west Pembrokeshire. In fact, it is the smallest city in the UK and about as far west as you can go in Wales. The city is built on the site of a monastery founded by the patron saint of Wales, St David ( Dewi Sant )

Given the history of this city your trip should, of course, include a visit to St David’s Cathedral. Also pay a visit to the adjacent medieval ruins of Bishops Palace.

After the history fix is complete be sure to wander around the pretty narrow streets, peeking your head into the numerous art galleries, cafes and it’s one and only pub! Then head out to the stunning Whitesands Bay.

From this sandy beach you can enjoy some of the best surfing South Wales has to offer. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to keep your feet dry, visit St Davids Head for a breath taking walk around the peninsula. Keep your eyes open for dolphins and seals!

For your perfect stay in St Davids, try the gorgeous  LLety Farm .

31. The Blue Lagoon

For an adventurous exploration of South Wales’ more modern history, head to the Blue Lagoon in Abereiddy. There is a cove near Abereiddy which was once a slate quarry and was active until the early 20th century. When a channel connecting the quarry to the sea was blasted, the Blue Lagoon was formed.

Abandoned quarries and slate mines all around Wales are being given a new lease of life as adventurous destinations (such as those at Zipworld) and the Blue Lagoon is no different. The Blue Lagoon is a popular spot for adventure sports such as coasteering and cliff jumping and has become a tourist hot spot.

Ruined quarry buildings around the lagoon provides evidence of its’ industrial past and add an eerie element to this otherwise beautiful South Wales tourist attraction.

32. Porthgain

At Porthgain, Pembrokeshire delivers another pretty village in another pretty harbour. Porthgain was a harbour village created solely to service its various industries, however today it’s popular for its two art galleries and Bistro Bar called The Shed.

If you’re looking for a pretty coast walk you can venture to Porthgain from the Blue Lagoon and back. Porthgain is actually one of the designated stops for the Coastal bus service, which makes it an ideal starting point for walks in either direction.

33. Strumble Head Lighthouse

Get your wildlife fix at Strumble Head. This rocky headland is considered one of the best locations in the UK for spotting porpoises. It also has a bird observatory (once a wartime lookout post) which was opened by the bird expert himself, Bill Oddie.

The Strumble Head lighthouse was built in 1908 and is still operational today. You can include Strumble Head in your walk around the coast as it’s serviced by a shuttle bus that runs from Newport to St Davids.

34. Pentre Ifan

Found in an unassuming field on the Preseli Hills is Wales’ most famous ancient site – Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber. Constructed over 5000 years ago, the remains of this ancient ruin provide a glimpse as to what must have been quite an incredible burial chamber.

Any archaeological buffs out there will also know that the Preseli Hills are also home to the Spotted Dolerite – the rocks that form the inner sanctum of Stonehenge. Yes, those world famous rocks were dragged all the way from West Wales to the Salisbury Plain.

Even if you have no interest in Neolithic monuments, it’s still very impressive to see a 20 ton capstone precariously balancing on the tips of 3 standing stones. You can push it as much as you like, I promise it doesn’t budge! 

Pentre Ifan is free to visit and a magical place in South Wales to enjoy the sunset.

35. Tresaith Waterfall

I’ve sneaked this one in even though it’s located in Ceredigion which is in the realms of Mid-Wales. The reason for its inclusion though is due to its uniqueness. This beautiful waterfall on the coast near Aberporth, is the only waterfall in Wales that flows directly into the sea (if the tide is right).

There is very limited parking next to the beach so park in the fields at the top of the hill. As you walk onto the beach, the waterfall is on the right hand side. After you’ve finished marvelling at this unique act of Mother Nature, head to the Ship Inn for a drink or bite to eat.

Related Reading

• The Best Places to Visit in Wales
• The 50 Highest Mountains in Wales
• 10 Top Hikes In Snowdonia National Park

A Summary Of The Top Places To Visit In South Wales 

South Wales is a broad region of Wales which incapsulates the entire southern region of this compact country. In this guide I have outlined all the top things to do in South Wales and all the best places to visit.

South Wales is easily accessible from other regions of the UK. The bigger cities are serviced by public transport however the more remote regions are best served by having a car.

A trip to South Wales offers a wide array of options. Visitors can explore natural wonders such as caves, waterfalls and mountains and see historical sites such as castles, abbeys and manors. There are cities to visit, national parks to hike and wildlife to spot.

Are there any other places in South Wales you would add to this list?

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Louise is an Adventure Tour Guide & Mountain Leader from South Wales. Through working as a tour guide and snowboard instructor, she has spent the last 15 years travelling Asia, Africa and the Americas. Louise is a published photographer and is currently based in the UK.

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Turnout was 40.5%.

There were fears within the Labour Party that the vote would be much closer amid worries about low turnout.

However, Mr Khan amassed 1,088,225 votes, compared to Ms Hall's 811,518.

Mr Khan is now the first person to serve a third term as London mayor.

Twelve of the 14 constituencies in the capital have declared so far in the London mayoral race. 

Eight have been declared for London mayor Sadiq Khan. 

The results so far give Mr Khan 43.5% of the vote. His nearest rival, Conservative Susan Hall, is currently trailing with 32.8% of the vote.

Based on the early results, Sky News is projecting a historic third term for Mr Khan. 

But those briefings from both sides in the contest appear to have been erroneous.

The 12 constituencies to report so far are Greenwich and Lewisham, North East, West Central, Merton and Wandsworth, South West, Enfield and Haringey, Bexley and Bromley, Barnet and Camden, City and East, Ealing and Hillingdon, Brent and Harrow and Croydon and Sutton.

Bexley and Bromley, Brent and Harrow, Ealing and Hillingdon, and Croydon and Sutton are the four constituencies to declare a win for Ms Hall.

The London mayoral candidates have been told to arrive at City Hall at 4.30pm. A declaration could come soon after that. 

Incumbent Tory mayor Andy Street is fighting to retain the West Midlands mayoralty, and we had been expecting a result around about now.

But there is a delay, and we understand that is due to bundle recounts under way.

When votes are counted, they are divided into bundles for each candidate, with a pre-determined number of ballots per bundle, to be totalled more easily.

A bundle recount means that they can be inspected by the candidates or their agents to reassure them - and it is one step short of a full-blown recount.

Five of the seven boroughs have been asked to provide their bundles for recounts, our team at the count reports.

Our deputy political editor Sam Coates says Conservative sources are worrying they are 2,000-3,000 votes behind the Labour candidate, Richard Parker.

A loss for Mr Street would be "an upset" and a result we "wouldn't have been expecting", he adds.

A council official at the count has said the result will come "in the next hour, if we're lucky".

 "Buy me a pint if you see me", Andy Burnham has joked, after decisively winning a third term as Greater Manchester mayor.

He was replying to question from Sophy Ridge live on Sky News about how he planned to celebrate his victory.

He says he is surrounded by family and will be "out and about" in Manchester this evening.

"It's going to be a good night, he says. 

But, he promises that after "one night off" he will be "straight back into it" tomorrow morning.

" There's loads to do," he says.

 "The biggest moment of opportunity lies ahead of us now.

"We've got more powers here, we hope we'll have a government at our back soon. 

"Greater Manchester's moment is now, and I'm absolutely not going to waste it," he says.

Signing off, Sophy tells viewers to watch out for Mr Burnham if they are out in Manchester tonight.

"Buy me a pint if you see me," he replies.

The Liberal Democrats have won more seats in this set of local elections than the Conservative Party, Sky News elections analyst Professor Michael Thrasher says.

With just three councils left to declare their final results, we can say that the Liberal Democrats have come second behind the Labour Party, with the Tories trailing in third.

In a statement, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said these results will leave Tory MPs "looking over their shoulder terrified".

He went on: "This was the final test before the general election, and it's clear Conservative MPs are on notice.

"We've moved forward in blue wall battlegrounds, and we've seen a real collapse in support for Rishi Sunak and his out of touch government."

Andy Burnham is speaking live to Sky News, moments after winning his third term as Greater Manchester mayor.

He says the result has been "overwhelming" and "humbling".

Mr Burnham saw a decisive win, picking up 63.4 % of the vote.

However, he says he never took victory "for granted".

These are "really tough times", with people "really struggling", he says. 

He adds the results show the country is "crying out for change" and wants to "get on with delivering it" under a Labour government.

"For us here in Greater Manchester to have a Labour government ... led by Keir Starmer, that could be such a game changer for us," he says.

"So we're getting excited about that prospect now."

Sky's Sophy Ridge asks whether he would be as forthright with Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister as he is with the current government. 

"I would certainly point out if things were wrong ... I won't hold back from doing that," he says.

"You only do these jobs properly when you take a place first approach," he says, adding that there have been times when the current government has "really disrespected the people of Greater Manchester".

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