Our Top 8 Things to Do in Wales
Considering its relatively small land area, Wales packs in a enormous variety of natural beauty and attractions, from the dramatic mountain ranges of Snowdonia to timeless market towns, alongside ancient castles, rugged coastline and innovative modern architecture. While we find it hard to limit our enthusiasms to a mere handful, we present a highly subjective list (in no specific order) of our Top 8 Things to Do in Wales, alongside some opportunities to relax at a nearby Best Loved hotel.
1. Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, also known as Principality Stadium, seats 74,5000 spectators and is the home of Welsh sporting pride, where tours go behind the scenes of international fixtures. www.millenniumstadium.com
2. Conwy Castle, built around North Wales by Edward I in the 13th century, is a living testament to Wales’s rich history. www.cadw.gov.wales
An ideal place to stay nearby is The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno, 4-star Victorian luxury seaside hotel with traditional hospitality, fine dining and spectacular views across Llandudno Bay.
3. Snowdonia National Park for lush, widescreen scenery and mountain vistas. www.eryri-npa.gov.uk7
Located just at the edge of Snowdonia, Trefeddian Hotel is a family friendly seaside hotel with panoramic views of the Mid Wales coast.
4. Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum, one of the new-generation museums that is great for hands-on history and a sense of cultural identity. www.museumwales.ac.uk
5. Wales Coastal Path, walk a section, such as the stretch through rural Ceredigion, for fresh coastal air and closeness to nature. www.walescoastpath.gov.uk
St Brides Hotel is a stunning contemporary destination spa hotel, located on a cliff top overlooking Saundersfoot Harbour and Carmarthenshire Bay, easily reachable from the Coastal Path.
6. Big Pit National Coal Museum – Don a hard hat and follow in the footsteps of generations of miners at the in Blaenavon. (And find out why the mine shaft has become the perfect place to mature cheese.) https://museum.wales/bigpit
7. Pembrokeshire National Park – See the Puffins at Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire coast, the largest colony in southern Britain. Visit in spring to see the bluebells and pink campion in full bloom. www.visitpembrokeshire.com
Ideal for coastal walks, Warpool Court in St Davids is located inside Pembrokeshire National Park and boasts unforgettable sea views. Lockley Lodge Vistors Centre opposite Skomer Island is less than an hour’s drive away.
8. Harlech Castle – Sing ‘Men of Harlech’ from the battlements of the town’s famous medieval castle, the English fort captured by Welsh leader Owain Glyn Dwr. http://cadw.gov.wales
An hour and 15 minutes away by car, Harlech makes a lovely day trip from seaside Trefeddian Hotel.
And a few honourable mentions for something completely different!
Jump for joy on the network of subterranean trampolines, suspended in the depths of the Llechwedd Slate Caverns near Blaenau Ffestiniog. www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk
Cross the Menai Straits to Angelsey to take a selfie with the sign for the Welsh town that claims Europe’s longest place name – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
Catch the World Bog Snorkelling Championship in Llanwrtyd Wells, the swimming race through the stinking black waters of a peat bog that’s held each August. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-41067925
Sample some local delicacies, such as bara brith (fruit bread) or a bowl of cawl (lamb stew), from one of the many farmers’ markets. www.visitwales.com/things-to-do/attractions/food-and-drink