Wales Holiday - Visiting a Land of History

By Jim T Thomas

If you are staying in a guest house in Wales there are many attractions and historical places you should make a point of visiting. Harlech Castle is one such place. The castle sits on a hill and gazes out across land and sea to give you a stunning view. This breathtakingly classic castle will take you right back to the time of King Edward 1st and his rule in the 13th century.

Beumaris Castle is another great place to visit. This castle is an unfinished masterpiece as money and supplies ran out during construction. Regardless, it is an amazing spectacle and some consider it the best of all the great Edwardian castles in Wales. The Aberdulais Falls is a beautiful, picturesque gorge at the bottom of the Dulais River near Neath. It played an important role in the early industrialisation of the Welsh valleys and is one of the oldest industrial sites in Britain. Rug Chapel is another excellent place worth visiting if you are staying at a guest house in Wales. It is a lovely little religious site that is a rare example of a hardly altered private chapel from the 17th century. It is filled with amazing carvings and elaborate roof decorations.

Llangar Church is worth visiting as it is a perfect example of a rustic parish church, with 15th century wall paintings, 17th century figure of death, old beams, box pews and a pulpit and minstrels gallery. Valle Crucis Abbey is an array of fascinating ruins located in the green fields beneath Llangollen's steep-sided mountains. The Abbey has fared well over the centuries and many of the original features remain. Criccieth Castle is another castle worth visiting with an intriguing history. Built by the Welsh it was then captured by the English and then gained back by the Welsh again. It suffered fire from the Welsh leader Owain Gly Dwr in 1404 but still remains standing today.

If you want to experience some Welsh history visit Anglesey as it has a wealth of historic monuments and sites. It includes standing stones, an array of burial chambers, hillforts and fortlets. The Roman Fortress Baths in Caerleon were built around AD 85 and this is one of the most complete remains of any baths in Britain. This site includes fortress baths, an amphitheatre, barracks and a fortress. Castell Coch is a late nineteenth century castle that is lavishly decorated and furnished in the Victorian Gothic style and is reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

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A Great Day Out at Llys-Y-Fran Country Park and Reservoir

By Sam K. Ward

There a wide variety of things to do for the whole family at Llys-y-Fran Park and it has long been one of Pembrokeshire's favourite days out with lots of activities from fishing and boating to cycling and horse riding.

Llys-y-Fran is set within the rolling hills and countryside of Pembrokeshire, West Wales UK and is operated by Welsh water and the reservoir features a 100 foot high dam that supplies the nearby town of Haverfordwest with most of its water supply.

Here are just some of the activities on offer:

Walking- From a short stroll to a long 6 ramble around the reservoirs circumference there are plenty of stopping points to admire the countryside. Dogs are welcome but should be kept on a lead.

Information Points - There is a main information point at the restaurant and many others situated around the park to tell you the stories behind the dam's construction, the reservoir and the abundance of wildlife you will see at Llys-y-Fran.

Fishing - Fishermen and Anglers are very welcome at the reservoir from enthusiasts to beginners. It has one of the finest trout fisheries in the region and all the equipment you need can be hired at the Llys-y-Fran shop will stop. Tuition is also available on site but you must have a rod license which is available from a post office. Anglers can thank fish by fly ledger one or even than hire a boat and fly fish.

Cycling - Bring your bike with you (a small charge applies) or hire a bike and helmet from the shop and cycle around the dam and reservoir. The track is undulating in places and demanding in others, so if you wish to bring an off-road cycle please feel free to do so.

Adventure Playground - The playground caters for children of all ages. There is also a playground for much smaller children next to the restaurant.

Sailing and Rowing Boats - Rowing boats are sometimes available for hire with life jackets included. There is also a launching facility if you wish to bring your own sailing boat, windsurfer or canoe, however, you must have proof of third party liability insurance before a permit for this type of activity can be issued.

Restaurant And Gift Shop - Llys-y-Fran boasts a fine restaurants and tearooms with lovely views overlooking the reservoir and a sun patio where you can sit and just relax if you just want to enjoy the spectacular views of the 100ft dam and the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Special Events - Occasionally there are special events at Llys-y-Fran such as the speed hill climb, a fast paced race by classic cars up the steep incline of the dam. Entry is usually free.

All in all, Llys-y-Fran country Park and Reservoir offers a great day out in the heart of Pembrokeshire and they are open 365 days a year from eight in the morning till dusk.

If you are looking for accommodation, then B&B Pembrokeshire is only 3 miles from Llys-y-Fran.

Sam K. Ward. is an freelance article writer and has an interest in travel and accommodation in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. If you would like to know more about accommodation near Llys-y-Fran country Park and Reservoir, visit Forlan Bed and Breakfast Pembrokeshire.

Aberystwyth Mid Wales - Top 6 Places to Visit

By Jackie Wiles

If you are visiting Aberystwyth this year you should make time to visit some of the local attractions. There are far too many places to visit in Aberystwyth to list here but The Vale of Rheidol Railway, Aberystwyth Castle, The Electric cliff railway, Clarach Bay, Y Consti Restaurant & The Camera Obscura are among the top 6 family attractions that should not be missed.

Vale of Rheidol Railway

This is such a wonderful experience that our family have been twice on this spectacular steam engine ride through the Welsh countryside. This beautiful steam railway line was built in 1902 to transport lead from the Rheidol Valley mines to Aberystwyth harbour. This little steam engine railway line takes the most wonderful scenic route through the Rheidol Valley during an 11 ¾ mile journey.

At the end of the journey is Devil's Bridge which is another spectacular attraction in its own right. The train stops for one hour allowing you to view Devils Bridge before taking you back to Aberystwyth. Devils Bridge consists of three bridges on top of each other over the Rheidol River. Legend has it that the lower Bridge was built by the devil to allow a woman to collect a lost cow. In return for building the bridge the Devil made a condition that he would collect the soul of the next living creature to cross the bridge. Consequently, the Devil fully expected to collect the soul of this woman in return for her cow. However, the woman outwitted the devil by sending a dog across the bridge before her.

You can also visit the Mynach Falls where the Mynach River drops 300 feet to meet the Rheidol River producing a spectacular waterfall. There is a small café for refreshments and a gift shop. Trains leave from the terminus next to the mainline railway station in Aberystwyth. Rheidol Valley Railway was British rails last steam railway line before being sold in 1989. It is now operated & maintained by the Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust which is a registered charity.

Aberystwyth Castle

Aberystwyth Castle was once ranked among one of the greatest castles in Wales and no trip to Aberystwyth would be complete without a visit to this iconic building. Aberystwyth, Flint, Rhuddlan and Builth castles were all built by King Edward 1 during the 13th century in order to control and rule over the Welsh. However Aberystwyth Castle is now a collection of ruins but it is still a very imposing group of buildings which are well worth a visit.

The remains consist of the inner and middle walls but the outer wall is now gone. Its current state of ruin is, in part, because it was blown up in 1649 and then its stone was used as material for other buildings. However there is still plenty to see and plenty of history left to explore. Inside the castle walls is the Bardic Circle consisting of 13 stones erected during the 1916 Eisteddfod. Each stone represents one of the pre-1974 counties of Wales. A very beautiful and imposing war memorial was erected in 1919 and the panoramic views of Aberystwyth Bay from the memorial are breathtaking.

It is a great family outing as the parents can look around the castle while the children can be kept occupied with the children's playground, picnic areas, putting green and crazy golf course. You can then take a walk along the beautiful Victorian promenade from the Castle. At the end of the promenade is Constitutional Hill where you will find the famous Electric Cliff Railway tucked into the mountain.

Electric cliff railway

A trip up the electric railway to the top of Constitutional Hill should be at the top of your list of things to do when visiting Aberystwyth. It is the longest electrical cliff railway in the UK and has been running since 1896. The railway was designed by the liberal peer George Croydon Marks and was originally operated through a water balance system which was changed to electric in 1921.

The electric Railway takes the quaint wooden railway carriages to the top of Constitutional Hill at 4 mph. This may seem slow, but you would not want to go any quicker or you would not be able to appreciate the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding sea and countryside. Children and adults alike enjoy the slow climb up to Constitutional Hill.

As you approach the top of Constitutional Hill, if the weather is clear, you can see 26 mountain peaks across the length of Wales. When you get to the top of Constitutional Hill it has one of the most spectacular natural viewpoints I have ever seen. Miles and miles of beautiful natural unspoiled coastline and natural cliff top footpaths. You can look back down and see Aberystwyth Castle in all its glory pointing out to sea and on the other side you can look down into the beautiful Clarach Bay beach.

Clarach Bay

Clarach beach has been awarded the Marine Conservation's highest award for water quality and is a popular site for fishing. It also has the coveted Green Coast Award for rural beaches. This award is designed to recognize those beaches with European Blue Flag water quality whose management reflects their rural, unspoilt nature. The criteria are intended to ensure that such beaches can receive recognition without the need for inappropriate development which would spoil their natural beauty and risk damage to wildlife. Clarach Bay Beach is a natural unspoiled shingle beach. It is a wonderful explorer's beach for children filled with rock pools, caves to explore and mountain walks.

You can take the mountain cliff path from the beach and walk for miles across the footpath to the small seaside village of Borth. Along the way there are some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the coastline and it is extremely peaceful walk. There are no nearby houses or roads so there is no traffic noise, just the sound of the sheep, the birds and the sea. You can also take the mountain footpath in the other direction and walk up to the top of Constitutional Hill.

Y Consti Restaurant

In April 2005 the famous Y Consti restaurant opened right at the top of constitutional Hill. Y Consti restaurant is a replica of the original summerhouse tea rooms Café and the building was funded by a European objective 1 grant. The restaurant has breathtaking panoramic views of the sea and cliff tops.

Camera Obscura

The Camera Obscura is situated next to the Y Consti restaurant and is the recreation of a popular Victorian attraction. It was opened in 1985 and is now becoming quite a prominent tourist attraction. Camera Obscura is the Latin term for veiled chamber. It is an optical device that was used by the Victorians for making detailed drawings or as in this case for entertainment. It is one of the Victorian phenomenon's that led up to the invention of the camera. Light passes through a lens in the roof of the camera obscura which is then projected onto a large white surface within the room. The outside scene is perfectly reproduced in colour upside down. In the Victorian era images from camera obscuras were also projected onto paper, which when traced produced highly accurate drawings.

Aberystwyth's Camera Obscura is the largest in the world and it is possible to see clearly 1000 square miles of sea and coastline through its massive 14 inch lens. Our children took great delight in spying on people in Aberystwyth and being able to see what they were doing as clearly as if they were standing next to them. If you are lucky you might be able to look out to sea and spot a few dolphins.

There were also many other activities for children on Constitutional Hill including ball games, Frisbee, and a beautiful gift shop. If you are feeling energetic you can take a walk along the beautiful coastal path down into Clarach Bay. If you don't feel able to climb back up to Constitutional Hill you can take the bus back into Aberystwyth.

After visiting Y Consti Restaurant and the Camera Obscure you can take the Electric Cliff Railway back down into Aberystwyth town. You never have to wait very long for a train as they leave every few minutes seven days week in the peak season. Even during the winter season the Electric Railway is open five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday.

These are just a few of many of the attractions for tourists in Aberystwyth. However, staying in a hotel or bed & breakfast can be a little expensive so my advice would be to stay in one of the many caravan sites on the outskirts of the town. There are two caravan parks right next to Clarach Bay and both are just a few minutes walk from the beach. Glan Y Mor Caravan Park is an excellent site but if you don't fancy staying in a caravan you can also rent Chalets at Clarach Bay holiday Village for a very reasonable rate. Both caravan parks are very well maintained, cheaper and, I think, much better than staying in a hotel as you have direct access to the award winning Clarach Bay Beach from your caravan or chalet.

You can walk along the scenic cliff path up to constitutional Hill from Clarach Bay Beach and visit the Y Consti restaurant and the Camera Obscura and then go down into Aberystwyth via the Electric Cliff Railway enjoying the beautiful scenery as you descend down into Aberystwyth Town. There is so much to do and see in Aberystwyth one visit is never enough.

Do you have a favourite tourist attraction in Aberystwyth? If so please leave your comments for others to see.

Author Jackie Wiles. To see more places to visit in Aberystwyth or book a Chalet on Clarach Bay Holiday Village please visit Clarach Bay Holiday Village Aberystwyth to book a caravan holiday on Glan Y Mor Caravan Park please visit Glan Y Mor Caravan Park.

Snowdonia Makes an Ideal Destination for Winter Activity Breaks

By Dipika Patel

Whether you love horse riding, hiking or fishing - or perhaps all three - you may want to make Snowdonia your next destination for winter weekend activity holidays. The national park, which is the second largest in England and Wales, measures some 823 square miles, meaning that if you're keen to experience the great outdoors on UK short breaks there is hardly any better place to do so.

Snowdonia is located in the north-west of Wales and while it is certainly a great destination in the summer, UK holidays here in the winter are sure to be equally exciting and there will be a wide variety of activities for you to take part in. Indeed, taking weekend activity beaks here can be a good idea if you are into your watersports. There are over 100 lakes in the national park that measure more than an acre in size, the largest of which is Llyn Tegid that is four miles long and in places three-quarters of a mile wide.

Also known as Bala Lake, Llyn Tegid can be the perfect spot to indulge in a spot of coarse fishing. Cast a line here to catch a variety of species, ranging from pike and perch to grayling. However, you may want to keep an eye out for the rare gwyniad. This species is protected and is believed to have been imprisoned in the lake some 10,000 years ago during Britain's last ice age. As such, you may find that a spot of fishing here allows you an insight into what life was like thousands of years ago.

But if you're not into fishing, do not worry, there are still plenty of activities that you can take part in while on a short break in Snowdonia. With so many lakes you may want to take a boat or kayak and head out on to the open water, doing so can certainly be a great way of getting some fresh air! However, a trip to Snowdonia does not entirely have to be spent by the water. Why not explore the national park by two wheels? With a variety of traffic-free cycle paths, you are bound to find travelling around by bicycle a pleasure.

You can head along the Mawddach Trail, which stretches for nine miles from Morfa Mawddach to Dolgellau. There are also a number of forestry cycling trails, which are particularly well-suited for mountain bikes. As you go along these paths during your winter activity break, you may be able to gaze in wonder at the frost-covered ground and trees that are bare of leaves.

Horse-riding and geocoaching are just some of the other pursuits you can try your hand at while on a visit to Snowdonia.

One item you should be sure to take with you on a trip to Wales is a pair of good-quality walking boots. Snowdonia is full of paths and trails and as the park's vast scale takes in environments ranging from coastal areas and rivers to forests and valleys, you can be confident that going for a walk will give you the opportunity to take in some splendid sights.

But if you're looking to learn something while you walk, check out the Bwrlwm Eryr audio trail. This six-mile path goes from Llanuwchllyn to Llanycil and as you walk along it you can find out more about local folklore and the region's residents. These include Owen Morgan Edwards, a 19th century editor and educator who was keen to foster pride in Welsh language and local traditions.

Alternatively, why not take the trail between Aberdyfi and Gwelfor? As you walk along this route, you will be able to see some fantastic sights, with the route ending by the coast. There are paths and trails suitable for people of all ages, however, if you're looking for something a little more strenuous during your activity break then you may want to consider tackling Mount Snowdon.

At 1,085 tall, the mountain is the highest peak in Wales and England. So if you're seeking a challenge while in Snowdonia, scaling the mountain - which is known as Yr Wyddfa in Welsh - could be the perfect activity. There are several paths leading to Snowdon's summit, so you will find plenty of ways to approach the mountain. The national park offers so many things to do in the winter, you may want to make it an activity holidays destination for many years to come.

For weekend activity breaks look no further than Wales. The country is perfect for both weekend activity holidays and UK short breaks. By going on UK holidays to Snowdonia, you will find that Wales is the perfect best place to enjoy the great outdoors.

The Best Holiday Regions in Wales

By Tom Sangers


One of the best parts about living in the UK is the variety of amazing locations within a small area. There are so many areas that you can visit or plan a holiday to. And, the great thing is you might not have to travel very far. Chances are one of these great get-a-away spots could be right in your backyard. One of my favorite spots to visit is Wales. There are so many great holiday regions to choose from. The following are a list of some of my favorites:

·        Pembrokeshire is just like London, only completely different. It should be on your first stop of places to visit in Wales. This region is home to the most beautiful and award winning beaches. It also has incredible national parks. And, the area has a total of 186 miles of coastal trails. You do not want to miss this place.

·        The Isle of Anglesey: This is a great area to visit if you are looking for some peace and quiet. The area offers amazing coastline beauty. You can also participate in its festivals - Jazz, Leisure, Boat, Beer, Viking, And Oyster,


·        Llandudno and Clowyn Bay: This is a scenic Victorian seaside resort. You can have tea or visit the 4000-year-old mines. It is also home to Britain's oldest cable car.

·        Rhyl and Prestatyn: These are amazing beach resorts. There is not much to do here but relax on the beach and enjoy its beauty.

·        North Wales Borderlands: This area is homes to the world's tallest canal boat crossing and some picturesque countryside.

·        Snowdonia Mountains and Coast: People here speak Welsh. This area is absolutely breathtaking.

·        Ceredigion/Cardigan Bay:  This region is home to the Devil's Bridge. The Bridge spans the Mynach. You will love the bridge and the beautiful area.

·        Mid Wales and Brecon Beacons: This land is home to the unusual. You will only find four pubs. However, you will find 18 bookshops. So, if you are a bookworm, it may be the place for you to visit.

·        Carmarthenshire: It is known as the Garden of Wales. It has beautiful flowerbeds and forests.

·        Swansea Bay: This is Wale's waterfront city. The great thing about the city is you have access to great shops in a ten-minute walk. There are also great sites to city.

·        Glamorgan Heritage Coast: A beautiful coastline of ancient cliffs. There are also areas where you can lay by the sea.

·        South Wales Valley: This is where rail transport was invented. It is also home to the second biggest castle in Europe.

·        Cardiff: This place has 149 pubs, bars and nightclubs, shops, theatres, restaurants and so much more you will never have time to fit it all in.

·        Wye Valley and Vale of Usk: Here you will find the most castles per square foot in all of Britain.

This article was written by Toms Sangers on behalf of Celtic Haven who provide Luxury Cottages Wales perfect for a Short Cottage Break in Wales.