More

    Tourist Attractions in Wales

    The most interesting tourist attractions places in Wales. Photos and a brief description.

    About Wales

    The Principality of Wales is one of the four administrative parts of Great Britain. In ancient times, the commonwealth of Celtic kingdoms was located on its territory. Architectural monuments of those times can still be found in Wales today.

    Located in the south-west of Great Britain, the principality is characterized by amazing picturesqueness and a mild, travel-friendly climate. A characteristic feature of Wales is the numerous medieval castles that appeared here in the XIII century during the establishment of English rule.

    The tiny towns and villages of Wales retain the spirit of both medieval and Victorian England. Numerous national parks and gardens open up to tourists the beauty of local nature and culture.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Wales

    Powys Castle and Garden

    The majestic dark pink Powys Castle, erected in Wales about a thousand years ago, is famous throughout England not only for its "Lady in Black" ghost, but also for its picturesque Italian-style garden. Terraces cut into the rock, hedges, moss-covered trees, an apple orchard and a tropical greenhouse make up a worthy frame of the medieval structure.

    Powys Castle and Garden
    St. David's Cathedral

    St. David's Cathedral

    The Cathedral of St. Davids was founded in 1181. The architectural appearance of the building was formed over several centuries. In the XIII century, St. David's Cathedral underwent significant destruction after an earthquake, in the middle of the XIV-th – the bishop's palace was attached to it, at the beginning of the XVI-th the Chapel of the Holy Trinity appeared.

    Bute Park

    Located on two banks of the River Taff, the city park of the capital of Wales, Cardiff, was founded in 1873 as a garden area of the local castle belonging to the Marquesses of Bute. The main attractions of the park are the ruins of a monastery, the Lit mill and the local Arboretum. The recreation area is decorated with wooden, stone and metal sculptures.

    Bute Park
    Conwy

    Conwy

    The North Wales city with a population of fifteen thousand people is rich in historical attractions. It houses the medieval castle of the same name, built at the end of the XIII century by order of Edward I, the monastery of Aberconwy, residential buildings of the XIV-XVI centuries and the smallest house in England, measuring 3.05 x 1.8 meters.

    Llandudno

    Founded at the end of the XIII century at the base of the Croydon Peninsula, the city received the status of a seaside resort in the 60s of the XIX century. This was facilitated by a significant restructuring of Llandudno, carried out by architect J. Felton. At the best resort in Wales, you can not only relax, but also visit the Museum of the city's History, as well as plunge into the fairy tale about Alice in Wonderland that came out of here.

    Llandudno
    Portmeirion Tourist Village

    Portmeirion Tourist Village

    The original Italian-style village was created by architect K. Williams-Ellison on the site of a former foundry in the 20s of the XX century. Most of the buildings in Portmeirion have an unusual, unlike anything "folly" look. They are mainly occupied by hotels, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.

    National Museum of Cardiff

    Founded in 1912, the National Museum of Cardiff is part of the larger National Museum of Wales, opened five years earlier. The museum's collections, which include exhibits of an archaeological, botanical, geological and artistic nature, are located in the building of the Central Library of Cardiff.

    National Museum of Cardiff
    Pontkisillte Aqueduct

    Pontkisillte Aqueduct

    Located in the north-east of Wales, the Pontcysyllte navigable aqueduct was built at the beginning of the XIX century by engineer T. Telford. It was no accident that Walter Scott referred to it as "the most beautiful work of art": the grandiose structure is still the longest and tallest aqueduct in the whole of Great Britain.

    Bay and beach of Russia

    The picturesque Welsh Bay of Russily and the beach of the same name located within its borders is one of the ten best holiday destinations in the world. Romantic rocks, clean water, hospitable residents and an unusual holiday house, which was once the residence of a parish priest, make a truly unforgettable vacation here.

    Bay and beach of Russia
    Anglesey Island

    Anglesey Island

    Prince William and Duchess Catherine's favorite vacation spot is located near the northwest coast of Wales. Anglesey is connected to the mainland by two bridges. The first people on the island settled nine thousand years ago. Traces of their stay in the form of stone monuments are still found on Anglesey today.

    Cardiff Castle

    Built about two thousand years ago on the site of ruins left over from an ancient Roman fortress, the castle has long been used for urban needs – at first as a fort, then as a judicial institution. Over time, Cardiff passed into the use of the Marquesses of Bute. Today the castle houses a historical and archaeological museum.

    Cardiff Castle
    The path along the Shaft-Offa

    The path along the Shaft-Offa

    The two hundred and seventy—kilometer trail running along the Offa shaft, which has been the conditional border between Wales and England for about a thousand years, is an excellent entertainment for tourists who love hiking. It takes an average of eleven days to overcome it. The route runs through the picturesque Ural landscapes.

    Saint Fagans National Historical Museum

    Opened in 1948 on the territory of St. Fagans Castle, the Cardiff Open-air Museum introduces tourists to the cultural and architectural history of Wales from the time of the ancient Celts to the present day. Here you can see round Celtic houses and medieval chapels, the building of the classic English post office and the most ordinary pigsty.

    Saint Fagans National Historical Museum
    Cape Great Orme

    Cape Great Orme

    The cape of Great Orme rises above the town of Llandudno. You can climb it by tram departing from the outskirts of the city; go down by cable car or on foot. The cape of Great Orme offers a picturesque view of the city embankment and the bay. On the hills there is a Museum of local lore and an open-air museum formed on the basis of ancient mines.

    Snowdonia National Park

    One hundred lakes, ninety mountain peaks, a huge number of beaches and moorlands located in the north of Wales make up one huge Snowdonia National Park. The remains of Roman fortifications and medieval castles attract lovers of antiquity, mountain ranges and lakes – fans of active recreation.

    Snowdonia National Park
    Cardiff Bay

    Cardiff Bay

    Until the Second World War, Cardiff Bay was used exclusively for industrial purposes – for the export of coal mined in the South Valley. In 1999, it was modernized and turned into an entertainment area surrounded by a twelve-kilometer embankment with shopping complexes, bars and restaurants. Water sports can be enjoyed in the waters of Cardiff Bay.

    Brecon Beacons National Park

    The Brecon Beacons is a unique national park that includes not only natural, but also architectural attractions of Wales. On its territory, located on four mountain ranges, there are mountain rivers and waterfalls, forest valleys and heaths, tiny towns and ancient villages, relics of the Bronze Age and Celtic menhirs.

    Brecon Beacons National Park
    Carnarvon Castle

    Carnarvon Castle

    Built at the end of the XIII century by order of Edward I, the castle was conceived as a symbol of English rule over Wales. Massive walls, built in the shape of an irregular figure of eight, and polygonal towers were topped with statues of eagles and contained multicolored stripes. Only the external parts of Carnarvon have survived to this day, only the foundation remains of the internal components.

    Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

    Located in the west of Wales, the National Park was opened in 1952. Today, on its territory, covered with wooded estuaries and rocky cliffs, there are several independent national and marine reserves. The beaches of the Pembrokeshire Coast are annually awarded the most prestigious awards as the cleanest and most suitable for recreation.

    Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
    Bodnant Garden

    Bodnant Garden

    The family residence of Lord Aberconway was surrounded by a gorgeous garden back in 1875. Since 1949, the blooming area has been protected by the National Trust. The upper part of the Bodnat has the appearance of Italian terraces, the lower part consists of intricate paths and thickets of exotic and European fruit and berry plants and flowers.