Wales Guide  |
|---|
|
| | Welsh Counties |
|---|
|
| | National Parks |
|---|
|
| | Europe Guide |
|---|
|
| | Travel Tools |
|---|
|
| | UK & Ireland Guide |
|---|
|
|
|
|
 Statue of Pan and Orangery at Powis Castle.
Attractions
Brecknockshire (Breconshire)
| Brecon Beacons National Park |
|---|
 The Brecon Beacons features diverse landscapes encompassing rolling countryside, valleys, wide open hillsides, forests, lakes, waterfalls and caves. The park hosts remarkable wildlife, including Welsh mountain ponies roaming the uplands, thriving red kites in the skies, Britain's most southerly population of red grouse, and its largest breeding colony of lesser horseshoe bats in the Usk Valley. The area boasts over 250 ancient monuments, including prehistoric and Roman sites, stone circles, burial chambers, hillforts and camps. As one of Wales' Dark Sky Reserves, it offers exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. The region's coal mining heritage is preserved at Big Pit, where visitors can venture underground with guides to explore fully preserved mines and learn about Welsh mining life up to the 1980s. The park hosts cultural events like the Green Man Festival, celebrating music, art and comedy, whilst offering culinary delights from lamb cawl to cream teas, with the Penderyn Distillery providing local spirits. |
| Abergwesyn Common |
|---|
 Stretching for 12 miles between the Nant Irfon valley and Llanwrthwl, Abergwesyn Common encompasses 16,500 acres of wilderness. The area has remained undisturbed by ploughing for at least 9,000 years, preserving a wealth of archaeological remains including 14 Bronze Age cairns. During the milder climate of the 12th and 13th centuries, the uplands became more hospitable, leading to the establishment of around 95 medieval sites, though many villages were later abandoned due to the plague and worsening climate. The area features a dramatic single-track route with a steep series of hairpins called the Devil's Staircase. Visitors can spot diverse wildlife including Red Grouse amongst the heather, Lapwing, Golden Plover and Red Kite. Along the route lies Soar y Mynydd, Wales's most remote chapel, which is recognised as a Dark Sky Discovery site. |
Other attractions
 Brecon (Aberhonddu)
Crickhowell
Llanwrtyd Wells
Montgomeryshire
| Powis Castle and Garden |
|---|
 This medieval castle and grand country house near Welshpool features some of Britain's most important formal gardens and magnificent interiors. Built by Welsh princes in the early 13th century, it was purchased by Sir Edward Herbert in 1587, whose family transformed it from a fortress into an elegant manor house. The rare surviving Baroque gardens from the 1680s showcase Italian and French influences, with clipped yews, lead statues and an orangery on the terraces. The castle houses the Clive Museum, containing one of the UK's most significant collections of Indian objects, many acquired by Robert Clive and his son Edward during their time with the East India Company in the 18th century. A unique feature is the State Bedroom, the only one in Britain retaining its original 1660s balustrade railing off the bed alcove, reflecting the elaborate etiquette of Louis XIV's court at Versailles. The castle's renowned restaurant serves traditional dishes using local ingredients, including organic Welsh black beef from nearby farms. |
Other attractions
Machynlleth
Montgomery (Trefaldwyn)
Radnorshire
| Hay-on-Wye |
|---|
 Hay-on-Wye is a charming market town renowned as the 'town of books' with over twenty bookshops and hosts the annual Hay Festival. At its heart stands the historic Hay Castle, dating back to the 12th century, which now serves as both a museum and art gallery following recent renovations. The River Wye offers excellent opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, where visitors might spot kingfishers, herons, cormorants, swans and otters, whilst the Warren provides a perfect spot for wild swimming and picnicking3. Both the Wye Valley Walk and Offa's Dyke Path pass through the town, with the latter leading to Hay Bluff, offering spectacular views over Herefordshire and the Brecon Beacons. Interestingly, in the 1960s, Richard Booth bought Hay Castle and declared the town an independent state with himself as king, making it world-famous as the town of books. The town boasts excellent restaurants and pubs, including The Cosy Cafe serving local delicacies like Welsh cakes, and The Old Black Lion, which offers traditional pub fare with an Italian twist. |
Other attractions
Llandrindod Wells
Presteigne
|
England Guide
Ireland Guide
Scotland Guide
The Brecon Beacons features diverse landscapes encompassing rolling countryside, valleys, wide open hillsides, forests, lakes, waterfalls and caves. The park hosts remarkable wildlife, including Welsh mountain ponies roaming the uplands, thriving red kites in the skies, Britain's most southerly population of red grouse, and its largest breeding colony of lesser horseshoe bats in the Usk Valley. The area boasts over 250 ancient monuments, including prehistoric and Roman sites, stone circles, burial chambers, hillforts and camps. As one of Wales' Dark Sky Reserves, it offers exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. The region's coal mining heritage is preserved at Big Pit, where visitors can venture underground with guides to explore fully preserved mines and learn about Welsh mining life up to the 1980s. The park hosts cultural events like the Green Man Festival, celebrating music, art and comedy, whilst offering culinary delights from lamb cawl to cream teas, with the Penderyn Distillery providing local spirits.
Stretching for 12 miles between the Nant Irfon valley and Llanwrthwl, Abergwesyn Common encompasses 16,500 acres of wilderness. The area has remained undisturbed by ploughing for at least 9,000 years, preserving a wealth of archaeological remains including 14 Bronze Age cairns. During the milder climate of the 12th and 13th centuries, the uplands became more hospitable, leading to the establishment of around 95 medieval sites, though many villages were later abandoned due to the plague and worsening climate. The area features a dramatic single-track route with a steep series of hairpins called the Devil's Staircase. Visitors can spot diverse wildlife including Red Grouse amongst the heather, Lapwing, Golden Plover and Red Kite. Along the route lies Soar y Mynydd, Wales's most remote chapel, which is recognised as a Dark Sky Discovery site.
Brecon (Aberhonddu)
This medieval castle and grand country house near Welshpool features some of Britain's most important formal gardens and magnificent interiors. Built by Welsh princes in the early 13th century, it was purchased by Sir Edward Herbert in 1587, whose family transformed it from a fortress into an elegant manor house. The rare surviving Baroque gardens from the 1680s showcase Italian and French influences, with clipped yews, lead statues and an orangery on the terraces. The castle houses the Clive Museum, containing one of the UK's most significant collections of Indian objects, many acquired by Robert Clive and his son Edward during their time with the East India Company in the 18th century. A unique feature is the State Bedroom, the only one in Britain retaining its original 1660s balustrade railing off the bed alcove, reflecting the elaborate etiquette of Louis XIV's court at Versailles. The castle's renowned restaurant serves traditional dishes using local ingredients, including organic Welsh black beef from nearby farms.
Hay-on-Wye is a charming market town renowned as the 'town of books' with over twenty bookshops and hosts the annual Hay Festival. At its heart stands the historic Hay Castle, dating back to the 12th century, which now serves as both a museum and art gallery following recent renovations. The River Wye offers excellent opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, where visitors might spot kingfishers, herons, cormorants, swans and otters, whilst the Warren provides a perfect spot for wild swimming and picnicking3. Both the Wye Valley Walk and Offa's Dyke Path pass through the town, with the latter leading to Hay Bluff, offering spectacular views over Herefordshire and the Brecon Beacons. Interestingly, in the 1960s, Richard Booth bought Hay Castle and declared the town an independent state with himself as king, making it world-famous as the town of books. The town boasts excellent restaurants and pubs, including The Cosy Cafe serving local delicacies like Welsh cakes, and The Old Black Lion, which offers traditional pub fare with an Italian twist.
: Moderately interesting
: Must-see in the country
: Top cities in Europe