The Principality of Wales is one of the four administrative regions 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.
Located in the south-west of Great Britain, the principality is characterized by amazing picturesque and mild, travel-friendly climate. A characteristic feature of Wales is the numerous medieval castles that appeared here in the 13th century during the establishment of English rule.
Tiny towns and villages in Wales retain the spirit of both medieval and Victorian England. Numerous national parks and gardens provide tourists with the beauty of local nature and culture.
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What to see in Wales?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.
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 ghost "Lady in Black", but also for its picturesque garden, laid out in the Italian style. Terraces carved into the rock, hedges, moss-covered trees, an apple orchard and a tropical greenhouse make up a worthy setting for a medieval building.
Cathedral of st david
St. Davids Cathedral was founded in 1181. The architectural appearance of the building has been formed over several centuries. In the 13th century, the Cathedral of St. David underwent significant destruction after an earthquake, in the middle of the 14th - an episcopal palace was added to it, at the beginning of the 16th the Chapel of the Holy Trinity appeared.
Park Bute
Located on the two banks of the Tuff River, the city park of the capital of Wales - Cardiff was founded in 1873 as the garden area of the local castle, owned by the Marquis of Bute. The main attractions of the park are the ruins of the male monastery, the Lit mill and the local Arboretum. The recreation area is decorated with wood, stone and metal sculptures.
Conwy
The North Welsh city of fifteen thousand people is rich in historical sites. It houses the eponymous medieval castle, built at the end of the 13th century by order of Edward I, the Aberkonui monastery, residential buildings of the 14th-16th centuries and the smallest house in England, measuring 3.05 x 1.8 meters.
Llandudno
Founded at the end of the 13th century at the base of the Craidin Peninsula, the city received the status of a seaside resort in the 60s of the 19th century. This was facilitated by the significant reconstruction of Llandudno, carried out by the architect J. Felton. In the best resort in Wales, you can not only relax, but also visit the Museum of the History of the City, as well as plunge into the fairy tale about "Alice in Wonderland" that came out from here.
Tourist Village Portmeirion
The original Italian-style village was created by the architect K. Williams-Ellis on the site of a former foundry in the 1920s. Most of the buildings in Portmeirion have an unusual, unlike anything else "folly" look. They are mainly located hotels, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.
National Museum of Cardiff
Founded in 1912, the Cardiff National Museum is part of the larger National Museum for Wales, which opened five years earlier. Museum collections, which include archaeological, botanical, geological and artistic artifacts, are located in the building of the Cardiff Central Library.
Pontkisillte aqueduct
Located in northeast Wales, the Pontkisillte navigable aqueduct was built in the early 19th century by engineer T. Telford. It was not by chance that Walter Scott referred to it as "the finest work of art": the grandiose structure is still the longest and tallest aqueduct in the whole of Great Britain.
Rossili Bay and Beach
The picturesque Welsh Rossili Bay and the beach of the same name located within its borders is one of the ten best holiday destinations in the world. Romantic cliffs, clear water, hospitable residents and an unusual holiday house, which was once the residence of the parish priest, make your stay here truly unforgettable.
Island of Anglesey
The favorite vacation spot of Prince William and Duchess Catherine is located off the northwest coast of Wales. Anglesey is connected to the mainland by two bridges. The first people settled on the island nine thousand years ago. Traces of their presence in the form of stone monuments are still found on Anglesey today.
Cardiff Castle
Built about two thousand years ago on the site of the ruins left over from an ancient Roman fortress, the castle was used for a long time for city needs - at first as a fort, then as a judicial institution. Over time, Cardiff was taken over by the Marquis of Bute. Today, the castle houses a historical and archaeological museum.
Vala Offa trail
The two hundred and seventy kilometer trail that runs along the Offa Wall, which has been the conditional border between Wales and England for about a thousand years, is a great entertainment for tourists who love walking. It takes an average of eleven days to overcome it. The route takes you through picturesque Welsh landscapes.
Saint Fagans National History Museum
Opened in 1948 on the grounds of St Fagans Castle, the Cardiff Open Air Museum introduces tourists to the cultural and architectural history of Wales from the days 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 common pigsty.
Cape Great Orme
Cape Great Orme rises above the town of Llandudno. You can climb it by tram leaving from the outskirts of the city; go down - by cable car or on foot. Cape Great Orme offers a picturesque view of the city embankment and the bay. On the hills there is the Museum of Local Lore and the 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. Remains of Roman fortifications and medieval castles attract lovers of antiquity here, mountain ranges and lakes - fans of active recreation.
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 12-kilometer promenade with shopping malls, bars and restaurants. Water sports are available in the waters of Cardiff Harbor.
Brecon Beacons National Park
"Brecon Lighthouses" is a unique national park that includes not only natural, but also architectural sights of Wales. On its territory, located on four mountain ranges, there are mountain rivers and waterfalls, forest valleys and moorlands, tiny cities and ancient villages, relics of the Bronze Age and Celtic menhirs.
Carnarvon Castle
Erected at the end of the 13th century by order of Edward I, the castle was conceived as a symbol of English rule over Wales. Massive walls lined up in the shape of an irregular figure eight and polygonal towers were crowned with statues of eagles and contained multicolored stripes. Only the outer parts of Carnarvon have survived to this day, only the foundation remained from the inner 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. Pembrokeshire Costa's beaches are annually honored with the most prestigious awards for being the cleanest and most relaxed.
Bodnant Garden
The family residence of Lord Aberconway was surrounded by a gorgeous garden back in 1875. The blooming area has been protected by the National Trust since 1949. The upper part of Bodnat looks like Italian terraces, the lower one consists of intricate paths and thickets of exotic and European fruit and berry plants and flowers.
