We have outlined a number of interesting attractions and places to visit for visitors to South Wales and surrounding areas, these include:
Cardiff Castle was built by the third Marquess of Bute on medieval foundations within a Norman wall. Located in the city centre Cardiff Castle still sits on top of a small hill and provides views over Cardiff. Cardiff Castle's rooms are extravagantly themed with astrological and biblical themes found everywhere. The 15th century Great Hall is the oldest room in the castle, the Winter Smoking Room, located in the Clock Tower, is themed to time with its decor that represents the seasons of the year and the days of the week. The Arab room is adorned with gold, sandalwood and parrots. Whilst the nursery decorations are a representation of fairy tales and nursery rhymes.
The Cardiff Summer Festival is held around July/August time and is among the biggest free festivals in Europe and hailed as one of the best too. The festival presents a programme that ensures plenty of spectacular events for the whole family, attracting around half a million visitors to Cardiff. The Cardiff Festival is held annually usually during the last two weeks of July and the first week of August. The festival consists of the Welsh Proms, the Celtic Food and Drink Festival and a range of theatre, arts, music and comedy events that take place at a range of venues around the city.
One of the main highlights for many visitors is the Big Weekend. During the festival the city of Cardiff turns in to a party city and creates a wonderful street party atmosphere. The grand finale is a free music festival located on the lawns in the Civic Centre. There is much to see and do at the festival and it is best to check dates and details on the festival website.
The Brecon Beacons National Park caters for visitors with a variety of interests whether it is activity enthusiasts or those that like to take it easy with a rather gentle stroll. Visitors after the thrills and spills of mountain challenges and activities will be equally at home here as those wanting to enjoy the clear fresh air at a rather more leisurely pace. This spectacular area can be explored by a range of methods that include walking, by bike or horse.
The Brecon Beacons landscape makes the park an outdoor enthusiasts dream and mountain biking, caving, gliding, sailing and climbing are all catered for here. Add to that golf and fishing and it is easy to see why the park is so popular. The landscape is inspiring with the stunning mountain ranges, plentiful wildlife and renowned geology, the parks covers an area of some 520 square miles. In 2005, the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority was awarded membership of European Geopark Network and given UNESCO Global Geopark recognition for the Fforest Fawr Geopark, as recognition of its geological importance.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is located on the south west coast of Wales, it was first designated a national park back in 1952. It is one of 3 national parks in Wales the others being Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, thus far it is the only coastal national park in the UK. The scenery in the park is spectacular, visitors can enjoy beautiful sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, hills, estuaries and wildlife. Visitors can discover iron age hill forts, castles, churches and a number of charming towns and villages each with its own character. Wildlife enthusiasts can find rare birds and mammals in the park with a range of habitats. The park is popular among outdoor enthusiasts with cycling, surfing, rock climbing, kayaking along with rock pooling and fishing for those after more relaxing activities.
Oakwood Theme Park is located a few miles from the town of Narberth in Pembrokeshire. There are plenty of attractions here with roller coasters such as Speed and Vertigo for adrenaline fuelled fun, family fun at Pirate Ship and Waterfall and relaxed fun at mini-golf and the boating lake. Facilities at the park include free parking, shop for gifts and mementos and a number of eateries offering a choice of both hot and cold foods and drinks. A day out at Oakwood offers plenty of fun, thrills and excitement for the whole family.
The Butetown History and Arts Centre is located in Cardiff Bay, it features exhibitions about Tiger Bay, Cardiff Bay and the multi-cultural UK. The exhibits extensively draw upon image and sound to engage with visitors to the exhibitions. The Centre also publishes books and runs an educational programme. The centre is used as a venue for poetry, music and other cultural events too.
Wales Millennium Centre is one of the leading arts venues in Wales and beyond, it is located within close proximity of the city centre and Cardiff Bay. The centre has gained a fine reputation and is considered to be among the finest arts venues and has an international reputation, it also hosts many corporate sporting events and exhibitions among others things. There are two theatres, a number of function rooms, galleries, shops and restaurants here. Among the entertainment provided here includes some big name west end shows and daily foyer performances that are free and much more.
Attic Gallery is a long established private gallery in Wales. Founded back in 1962, it aimed to highlight the work of contemporary artists working in Wales. Attic Gallery is located in the Old Maritime Quarter of Swansea and displays works of some of Wales's best artists. The gallery has a policy to actively seek out and encourage new and emerging artistic talent. There you will find a full exhibition programme of individual and mixed shows with a changing display of new paintings, sculptures and graphics. Artists with displays at the gallery include John Brunsdon and Glenys Cour and many others.
Oxwich Bay located on the Gower peninsular is a stunning beach, blessed with white sand that stretches for the full length of the bay. Oxwich Bay Beach has received critical acclaim as one of the best beaches in the UK, a visit to this location will confirm why. It has some wonderful unspoilt scenery with an abundance of natural beauty on show, the beach is also popular with not only bathers but jet skis and boats. The surroundings are beautiful presenting plenty of opportunity to explore the area further. Visitors after a great beach that combines wonderful surroundings need to look no further.
Whitesands Bay is located in St Brides Bay close to the city of St Davids in Pembrokeshire. The beach is famous as being one of the finest surfing beaches in the UK with great waves, attracting many surfers, water sports enthusiasts and holiday makers. The blue flag beach is one of the finest sandy beaches in the UK, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path passes along the bay offering walkers some stunning natural coastal scenery.
It is recommended that prior to visiting the South Wales; visitors do their research and ensure any sights and attractions they plan on visiting are actually open on the days you intend on coming. The transport is also worth checking as maintenance and engineering works can mean a restricted service on public transport and the road network.
South Wales is a scenic region making it a popular holiday and short breaks destination. The region along with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Beacon Brecons National Park have plenty to offer visitors with a mix of charming historic town and villages including plenty of picturesque locations, a scenic coastline with a number of seaside resorts and mountain landscapes to enjoy. South Wales includes a large number of historic attractions, museums, historic houses, parks and gardens with attractions to enjoy for the entire family. South Wales’s attractions ensure visitors can enjoy a short break, weekend away or a longer stay here.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
