Planning a UK holiday this year? Wales could be the perfect destination for satisfying your sense of adventure. Here are just five ways to make the most of your Wales trip.
Hike through Snowdonia
Snowdonia National Park contains some of the country’s most impressive natural scenery including mountains, lakes, valleys and even glaciers. Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and is one of the top attractions in the park – many people hike it as a challenge, although there is a train that also runs to the peak. Cadair Idris is the second most popular mountain featuring an iconic crater shape, whilst Conwy Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls.
Explore a castle
You’ll find castles dotted all over Wales, often surrounded by incredible settings. One of the most impressive is Caernarfon Castle situated on the mouth of the River Seiont – each heir to the throne receives this castle from which the title ‘the prince of Wales’ comes from. Pembroke castle meanwhile is one of the oldest in Wales with construction thought to have started in 1093 – despite its age it is remarkably well preserved.
See the city sights
Whilst in Wales, it’s worth taking a trip to the country’s two biggest cities Swansea and Cardiff. Swansea has a more traditional Welsh feel to it. You can stay in a Swansea b&b, take a tour of the waterfront, visit the museums and grab a beer in the local pubs. Cardiff by contrast has a more buzzing capital feel to it. Some of its sights include the Cardiff Bay Water Feature, Cardiff Castle and the City Hall. There are plenty of restaurants and bars in Cardiff, along with some great shopping opportunities.
Ride one of the scenic railways
If you’re a fan of old steam trains, you’ll find plenty still operating across Wales. On top of the already mentioned Snowdon Mountain Railway, there’s the equally scenic Ffestiniog Railway and the Bala Lake Railway. These railways are the perfect opportunity to take in the impressive natural sights of Wales, whilst getting the fun experience of riding a steam train. Conwy Valley Railway Museum is also a hotspot for tourists and a great place to learn about the railroad past of Wales.
Try some watersports
Those looking for an active holiday can also enjoy the large range of watersports on offer in wales. There are many kayaking opportunities across the country in which you can take guided paddle tours of the rivers whilst playing games along the way. You can even head to Llangollen and try out white water rafting if you fancy a real adrenaline rush. There are also plenty of surf spots in Wales, some of the most popular being Caswell Bay near Mumbles and Newgale. Wales also has an artificial wave pool in Conwy Valley called Surf Snowdonia – the world’s first of its kind.