Wales
Also known as ‘The Land of Song’, Wales has large variety of attractions, with multiple castles to explore such as the Caernarfon Castle in the North to the Harlech, below in the west. Explore the countries views from its mountains in Snowdonia where the famous Mount Snowdon lies or from one of its beautiful coastlines such as one of Aberdyfi’s sandy beaches.
Wales captured in beautiful watercolour
Snowdonia
Is a region in northwest Wales concentrated around the mountains and glacial landforms of massive Snowdonia National Park. The park's historic Snowdon Mountain Railway climbs to the summit of Wales's highest mountain, Mount Snowdon, offering views across the sea to Ireland. The park is also home to an extensive network of trails, over 100 lakes and craggy peaks like Cader Idris and Tryfan.
Caernarfon Castle
A brute of a fortress. Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. For sheer scale and architectural drama Caernarfon stands alone. Caernarfon Castle was a project of phenomenal expense and scale, Edward I spent a vast amount of money on building Caernarfon Castle. Records at his time show an expenditure of £22,000 – a huge sum, considering that the daily wage for a skilled craftsman back then would have been about 3 pence per day.
Devil's Bridge Falls
Is set of waterfalls in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and 12 miles from the seaside town of Aberystwyth. These unique waterfalls have attracted many thousands of visitors since the 18th century, including William Wordsworth who wrote about the “Torrent at the Devil’s Bridge”. Today, the Falls Nature Trail provides a unique opportunity to see this great natural feature in the Rheidol Gorge.
Harlech Castle
Harlech Castle, located in Harlech, Gwynedd, Wales, is a medieval fortification, constructed atop a spur of rock close to the Irish Sea with the rugged peaks of Snowdonia as a backdrop. It was built by Edward I during his invasion of Wales between 1282 and 1289 at the relatively modest cost of £8,190.
Conwy Castle
Is by any standards one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe." Conwy along with Harlech is probably the most impressive of all the Welsh castles. Both were designed by Edward I's master castle builder James of St. George, and while Harlech has a more storied past, Conwy's eight massive towers and high curtain wall are more impressive than those at Harlech. Today thanks to restored spiral staircases in its great towers you can walk a complete circuit around the battlements of Conwy Castle.
Aberdyfi
Is a thriving little harbour resort set within the Snowdonia National Park, where the river Dyfi meets the blue waters of Cardigan Bay. Pastel-coloured terraces front the large sandy beach and quaint old harbour. Aberdyfi has watersports galore - sailing, sailboarding, rowing, canoeing, fishing and boat trips. In the summer, there are yachting regattas, sailboarding competitions, rowing regattas and other watersports events along with family entertainment on its award-winning beaches.
Tywyn
Is in the heart of Cardigan Bay and is a picture book Victorian resort town. Brought to life by the railway in the late 19th century, Tywyn has been a popular holiday destination ever since. One compelling reason for its enduring appeal is the long stretch of sandy coastline and sand dunes which give the town its name, Tywyn literally means 'beach' or 'sand-dune'. The coastline is famed for its sunsets which can be enjoyed from the charming Victorian promenade that parallels the beach.
The Great Orme
Is a limestone headland on the north coast of Wales, north-west of the town of Llandudno. Referred to as Cyngreawdr Fynydd by the 12th-century poet Gwalchmai ap Meilyr, its English name is thought that the name came from the Norse for sea serpent or 'Urm' - sailors approaching the headland described its shape as like a huge serpent rising from the sea!
Portmeirion
Situated on a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery, the Italian Riviera meets rural Wales with a riot of colour and architectural styles at Portmeirion Village. Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion Village is well known as the location for the 1960s cult TV series The Prisoner. It comprises a cluster of colour-washed buildings around a central piazza, scenic surroundings and extensive woodlands, two hotels, historic cottages, gift shops, spa & award winning restaurants.
Betws-y-coed
Betws-y-coed is a village and community in the Conwy valley in Conwy County Borough, Wales, located in the historic county of Caernarfonshire, right on the boundary with Denbighshire, in the Gwydir Forest. Set in a beautiful valley in the Snowdonia Forest Park, it is ideal for outdoor activity holidays. Numerous Craft and outdoor activity shops are in the village with the popular Swallow Falls nearby.
Bodnant Gardens
Think of any style of garden you can imagine - Bodnant Garden has it all. Founded in 1874 and developed by five generations of one family, it was gifted to the National Trust in 1949. The garden spans 80 acres of hillside and includes formal Italianate terraces, informal shrub borders stocked with plants from around the world, The Dell, a gorge garden, a number of notable trees and a waterfall.
