Wales does not have one big attraction to begin with, such as Edinburgh in Scotland or London in England. It is a potpourri of many different attractions – gorgeous countryside, hills and dales, historic castles, and waterfalls. The hotels are small, B&Bs are cosy and Airbnbs are comfortable. Breakfasts are wholesome and warm scones and cakes await you at little roadside eateries. 

We roamed around in our car taking in the many lovely sights, never having to drive too far to the next beautiful spot. In our usual style, we skipped the big cities and drove through pristine countrysides and smaller roads. Here’s our route map:

Route Map of Wales, UK

Here are the highlights of our trip: 

Chepstow Castle

Chepstow Castle, Wales, UK
Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire, Wales

This Norman castle, above the banks of Wye river in Southeast Wales, was built as a series of terraces instead of the usual concentric circles that you see in other castles, a very unusual construction. 

Raglan castle

Raglan Castle, Wales, UK

 

 This grand Welsh castle changed over centuries from a fortified castle to a Tudor manor-house, but sadly today it is a vast ruin.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Pontcysyllte aqueduct, Wales, UK
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Vale of Llangollen, Wales

This 19th century aqueduct, a UNESCO world heritage site, transported not just water, but boats!  It is the keystone of a canal built in the 19th century without any locks.  The aqueduct spans the river Dee with a set of 19 arches made with local sandstone, cast iron and wrought iron.  You can walk along the edge of the iron trough that holds the canal waters, far above the river.

Conwy Castle

View of three bridges from Conwy Castle, North Wales

Soaring curtain walls and eight huge round towers gives this castle a daunting appearance. A hike to the top reveals a stunning all-round view of distant mountains and a cluster of three bridges – the road bridge, rail bridge and the Conwy suspension bridge!

Copper Kingdom

Copper Kingdom at Amlwch, Anglesey, Wales, UK

An off-the-beaten-track location at Amlwch fishing harbour on the north coast of Anglesey! It had once been the largest copper mine in the world. We enjoyed a unique tour around this place taking in the stories of the copper industry.

South Stack Lighthouse

South Stack Lighthouse at Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales

Situated off the northwest coast of Holy Island in Anglesey, it was originally built to warn ships of the hazardous rocks below.  Adventurous hikers may climb down 400 steps on the steep cliffs to reach the lighthouse. The waves crashing on the granite cliffs can rise to about 60 metres! Spectacular views!

Read more at Isle of Anglesey

Beaumaris Castle

Beaumaris castle and moat in Anglesey, Wales, UK
Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey, Wales

A traditional, but unfinished, 13th century castle complete with a moat – great views to be had from the top of the castle.

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle, North-west Wales, UK

 

Once the mightiest of King Edward-I’s “Iron Ring” castles, it is now in ruins but a still a good place to walk around in the corridors and rooms. There is a large military museum, too.

Devil’s Bridge and Falls

Devil's Bridge, the three bridges in Wales, UK
Rickety stairs and steep slopes leading to the Devil's falls, Wales, UK

Have you ever seen three bridges stacked one above the other to span a deep gorge? We climbed down the rickety stairs into the gorge to see a waterfall at the bottom and look up at the three bridges high above.  The first of the three bridges is nearly a thousand years old.  There is an interesting story behind the name, and a visit to the charming cafe will get you the story, plus warm scones and Welsh cakes.

Cenarth Falls

Cenarth falls, West Wales, UK
Cenarch bridge, River Teifi, Wales

The Teifi river cascades down hard rock to generate a series of waterfalls at the quaint village of Cenarth, located between Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn.  A 17th century stone bridge across the river provides great views. A gentle walk along the riverbank took us closer to the falls.

Read more at Cenarth Falls

St Davids Cathedral

St Davids cathedral, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
St Davids cathedral, Western Wales, UK

At the westernmost tip of Wales, we found this 12th century Norman cathedral that has evolved over the ages. The small coastal village and the unspoiled countryside offer good opportunities for walking and hiking.

Aberdulais Falls and Tin Works

Aberdulais falls near Neath, Wales, UK
Aberdulais water wheel at Neath, Wales, UK

An amazing “double bill” – beautiful falls, and the remnants of a medieval Tinworks powered by the falls.  There is a lot of history to be savored in the ‘museum-cum-exhibition.’

Read more at Aberdulais Falls

Merthyr Tydfil

Talybont Turbine and Reservoir in Brecon Beacons, Wales

Like many other places in Wales, it is hard to figure out how to pronounce this name, but whichever way you say it, this is one of the most historically fascinating and beautiful regions of Wales.  We enjoyed driving around here and Brecon Beacons and ended up at the impressive Talybont Turbine and reservoir.

The Brecon Mountain railway

We took a ride in a heritage narrow gauge steam railway that chugs its leisurely path through the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Brecon Mountain Railway, Wales, UK

Here are some more pictures to inspire you!

Snowdonia mountains in Wales, UK
Snowdonia roadside in Wales, UK
Sheep on Welsh countryside
Driving through Welsh mountain roads
Gorgeous colors of the sea at Solva, South-west Wales
River Dee and Llangollen Railway station, Wales

Frankly, we didn’t quite know what to expect when we started on our 10-day tour of Wales, with little planning by way of itinerary and accommodation bookings.  But it was one of our most charming leisurely drives, and we left wishing we could stay longer and vowing to return!

Pin for Wales in UK
Wales, UK

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