Let In Wales

There is so much to see and do in Wales – whether you are planning a shopping filled break in Cardiff or a walking holiday in Snowdonia, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Wales Millennium Centre

Wales plays host to three of Britain’s National Parks, each offering beautiful scenery and lots to do. Snowdonia is the second largest National Park in Britain and offers both stunning landscapes and unique surroundings. The perfect place for those who love walking , its home to estuaries, lakes, streams and open mountains, as well as many rare species including the Snowdon Lily – an alpine plant only present in the park. The Pembrokeshire National Park , the smallest of all the parks, is also perfect for walkers, consisting of beautiful coastline, islands, coves and sandy beaches as well as some lovely walks. The most spectacular of these walks is the Coastal Path which runs a total distance of over 180 miles, the vast majority of which is within the park. There are several tourist bus routes along the path, which means that you can take in short sections of the walk, whilst still appreciating many of the stunning views (and avoiding the sore feet!) 

The Brecon Beacons is located in mid-Wales and contains some of the most diverse landscapes in Europe. Pen y Fan, the highest hill in the Brecon’s, is very popular, with its distinctive red sandstone table top summit – the highest of its kind in Britain. There’s a lot going on in the park during the year, with Brecon Jazz and Hay Literature Festival as well as guided walks and open days. The area also plays host to some excellent venues for those planning to tie the knot or organise a conference or party - Craig-y-Nos Castle offers the perfect surroundings for any type of get together in the wonderful location of the Brecon Beacons.

Whilst enjoying mid-Wales, a trip to the Talyllyn Railway, a historic narrow-gauge steam railway is a must. It is set in beautiful countryside, running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol. There are some lovely walks to enjoy as well as a shop (keeping the kids happy!), museum and café - a perfect family day out!

If you are looking for a bit of an adventure why not try Bog Snorkelling?! This very unusual event takes place in Llanwrtyd Wells in mid-Wales and involves completing two lengths of a 60 yard water filled trench cut through a peat bog in the shortest time possible! Or if that sounds a bit too …muddy then how about coaststeering? This unique sport combines sea level traversing, rock climbing, cliff jumping and exploring sea caves. Why not visit Pembrokeshire and explore their beautiful coastlines in this exhilarating way? Alternatively visit the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales and go to Wakestock – Europes largest wakeboard music festival! Watch as competitors from all over the world battle to excel in the summers alternative to snowboarding – a must see for all those who like something a bit different!

The Gower is a gorgeous area of Wales and a great way to explore it is to do so from the water! Take a speedy trip on the Gower Explorer powerboat and enjoy an exhilarating voyage packed full of exciting wildlife observation, spectacular scenery and wondrous tales of Gower pirates, smugglers and shipwrecks - a fab way to discover the beauty of the Gower.

If all that sounds a bit exhausting then there are many places where a more relaxing time can be had! Visit Hay-On-Why and lose yourself among the lovely bookshops (over 30 bookshops in total!) or catch some Welsh sun on one of South Wales's stunning beaches. Visit one of Wales many beautiful villages such as Penally on the outskirts of Tenby or Crymych, nestled in the heart of the Preseli mountains, and sample a real bit of Welsh life (and some chocolate at nearby Pemberton Chocolate Factory – well worth a visit!) For even more information about things to do and places to see in Wales, take a look at the West and Wales Web which contains loads of information and suggestions of what you can get up to in Wales.

A selection of the images are © Crown copyright (2007) Visit Wales