10 Places to Visit in Wales
These are scary times indeed; as we stay indoors to protect ourselves and those around us due to this horrid Covid-19, let’s keep ourselves busy so we don’t lose our mind!!! Let’s try to be positive and plan what to do once this is all over.
These are the 10 places I recommend for you to visit in Wales once this is all over:-
Llanddwyn Island, Angelsey
Llanddwyn Island is the place to be if you fancy exploring with or without children, ideal for dogs too. Don’t forget to take a picnic, this Island is located via Newborough Warren beach, a 30 minute walk, you will not be disappointed.
Remember to check on the Llanddwyn Island tide times before visiting.
2. Elan Valley Reservoirs, Rhayader
Elan Valley, part of Cambrian Mountains, stretches 72 square miles with historic buildings, breathtaking landscapes and thriving wildlife. Extraordinary Victorian Engineering, there are 6 Dams in Elan Valley all completely different, stunning to look at with ever changing scenery.
This place is great for a simple stroll, again with or without children, ideal for dogs too, cycling, bird watching, fishing (check with visitor centre), or even a safari. Don’t be afraid to check this place in winter on a rainy day as you will be able see the natural waterfall when the reservoir is full and the dam is in full spate with water pouring over the Caban Coch Dam wall. Also, handy to note, The Elan Valley is an International Dark Sky Park (Silver Tier).
Make sure you visit the Elan Valley Visitor Centre first to get a map and ask any questions you may have, alternatively you may visit their website.
3. Whitesands Beach, Pembrokeshire
2 miles away from popular town, St Davids, this Blue Flag beach, as you can see, is famous for its sunsets. There are lots to do here, this beach is popular with surfers, divers, swimmers, kayakers and not forgetting great for sandcastle builders.
There can be lifeguards present, check here when. There is a shop, cafe and you can even hire out surf boards for the day. The beach is accessible to wheel chair users as there is a slipway providing easy access onto the sand.
I highly recommend to wait for the sunset.
4. Martin’s Haven, The Deer Park Walk, Pembrokeshire
A 30 minute walk around the end of the Marloes Peninsula, here you can enjoy stunning coastal scenery. there are no deers to see as suggested in the name, however, there are lots of wildlife to see, especially seals (with their pups in autumn), wildflowers and birds. The sea views are spectacular and you can see most of Pembrokeshire's islands from here.
For more information about the route, visit.
5. Lower Blaen y Glyn Waterfall Walk, Talybont Forest
Within Waterfall Country, need I say anymore. An absolutely stunning walk with lots of mini-waterfalls, woodland and ideal places for picnics on the way before you see the main Blaen y Glyn Waterfall.
Hint: make sure you have your walking boots on and spare clothing in your car as at one point I got too close and fell in… It’s ok to laugh, luckily my hearing aid or camera was not damaged.
6. Llyn y Fan Fach, Brecon Beacons National Park
Taken from the Independent: “Often described as one of the most magical and breathtaking sights in all of Wales, Llyn y Fan Fach (“Lake of the Small Beacon Hill”), is a dammed lake in the western border of the Black Mountain – part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.”
This is a beautiful place for hiking, picnic, (sunbathing?), and even great for bird spotting; you can occaisonaly find kestrels, red kites, buzzards and carrion crows.
It is quite a trek from the car park to the lake approximately 5km and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk to Llyn y Fan Fawr, there and back is an extra 13km. You can find out more about this route here.
Make sure to find out about the legend connected to it.
7. Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly
I believe this is one of the few Castles, which has stunning views on all sides, however as a caveat I have not visited all 600 castles in Wales, so go easy on me here…
This Castle has so much history and is a great fun day out to explore especially if you have children. I recommend to go at sunrise, where it will be calm and you will see the wonderful wildlife in action.
8. Pen-y-Pass, Snowdonia National Park
There are stunning views here, if you are going to walk, make sure you go early to get parking as this is the start of the ‘Miners Track’ route to Snowdonia, 8 mile walk there and back.
However the drive around here is mesmerising. In all directions, within a few miles you have castles, lakes, quaint towns, even the famous Dinorwig Power Station and ‘Lone Tree’ at Llyn Padarn. Make sure you do your research, and you will not regret this drive one bit.
9. Llandudno
North Wales, Llandudno is a great holiday destination, a Victorian seaside resort this place has a rich history, which can even be tracked back as far as the Bronze Age!!
This place is like an island and a photographer’s dream, you have sunrise on one end, Llandudno Pier and sunset on the Llandudno West Shore.
There is lots to do at Llandudno and do not forget to visit the Great Orme, which you can visit by Tram. The beach as well as the Pier has won awards and I simply cannot recommend this place highly enough, especially if you have children.
10. South Stack Lighthouse, Angelsey
Great for Sunset Photography, overlooking the Irish Sea, the historic Lighthouse a tiny islet off Anglesey (2-3 miles West of Holyhead) at the north west tip of Wales. Visitors can explore the island and tour the lighthouse, which can be reached via a descent of 400 steps down the steep mainland cliffs then at the bottom via a bridge.
When I visited I was lucky to capture an acrobat attempting to walk across a high wire as per the photograph below.