A year ago it was Scotland and this time Wales made it to our list of autumn wonders. You already know that if you followed our October trip to Wales or checked our previous posts from the country . Amazing landscapes, fascinating nature, friendly people and this melancholic, a bit magical vibe. For us, autumn is a perfect time to visit Great Britain. But I have the feeling that green Spring should be equally beautiful! Wales has lots of places to see and discover and many of them will work as good for adults and for kids.
We’ve spent 8 days in Wales and we still have the impression that we haven’t seen it all and additional 3 (or maybe 5 days) should be a good idea. But we manages to see plenty of cool places and so we made a list of things to do you have to take with you if you ever come around! As you may know, Wales is located in the south-western part of Great Britain, by the Irish Sea and Cardiff (Welsh capital) is located approx. 240 km from London. So you can go for a cheap flight from Poland to London and then rent a car to get to Wales and see all the beautiful places at your own pace. I already wrote more about getting there HERE.
Start your road trip with… TENBY!
20 THINGS you should do in Wales!
1) RELAX ON THE BEACH IN TENBY!
Tenby is the first place we visit on our trip and we love it immediately. A few kilometres of a sandy beach, medieval walls, charming streets and a fort on St. Catherine’s Island right by the water which is going to be a must on your trip if you’re coming with a little warrior.
2) FIND THE BIGGEST MEDUSA ON THE BEACH
When we arrived at our first checkpoint and went for a walk on the beach in Saudnersfoot on Saturday’s morning we were shocked to find huge medusas on the beach! Not the size of a palm or two but huge flat circles which Maks didn’t even want to approach since he was scared that they would attack him! You have to admit that they look like creatures from space!
3) VISIT THE SMALLEST TOWN IN GREAT BRITAIN!
Being in Wales you just have to visit the smallest ‘town’ with city status in whole Great Britain. St. David’s is inhabited by almost 2000 people, has several streets and is the smallest town both in terms of area and the number of inhabitants. Still, it has quite a lot to offer! On one hand, there’s an impressive cathedral (Cathedral St. David’s), which looks like taken from some medieval scenery and on the other you can admire incredible, wild cliffs and walk the beautiful route by the shore (a part of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park) as soon as you drive a bit from the city centre. The park was established in 1952 and covers pretty much the whole western coast of Wales. It is the only national park established in Great Britain thanks to amazing and picturesque coastline. It’s one of the three national parks in Wales along with Breacon Beacons and Snowdonia.
4) EAT FISH & CHIPS!
What can I say, every time we visit Great Britain, we HAVE to eat fish & chips. That’s what we did in Ireland (especially in a particularly fishy Howth), that’s what we did in Scotland and in Wales too. The picture you see may not be too perfect but it was the first fish & chips we had in Wales. It was 10 pm, we were after a long plane trip and then 250 km by car, but finally we got to our destination! A must! Thick chips, vinegar and if you like it (I don’t!) mashed peas. A classic! Usually after a few days we get quite tired of fish & chips, but after arrival we eat it pretty much every day! And you have to do it too if you get to Wales or other parts of the US! ๐
5) SEE THE KINGDOM OF BATS IN CAREW CASTLE AND VISIT THE OLD MILL
Ever since Maks grew bigger and more independent, visiting castles became a must for us! Nothing feeds your imagination better than old castle walls, princesses and knights. On our way North to the next checkpoint in Llandrindod Wells from Saudersfoot we visited Carew Castle. A castle with 2000 years of history and a nearby mill are parts of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Maks loved the fact that nobody can enter the south-western tower since it’s inhabited by… bats. The poster in front of it read that they’re offered a comfortable accommodation and a 4* restaurant. Humans and dogs not allowed. It’s worth taking a walk from the castle to an old mill where you can not only see how it works but also your children can relax – there are tables with paper and colouring books on every floor.
If you want to see more castles, it’s not going to be difficult in Wales – there’s more than 600 of them here! We also visited Carreg Cennen Castle near Llandeilo which provides beautiful views.
6) VISIT THE HARDWICK FOR LUNCH
When you get bored of fish & chips and eager to try something more sophisticated, be sure to visit The Hardwick near Abergavenny. It was definitely one of the best lunches we had in Wales and what’s more important, everything was delicious! Both the meat and veg courses (delicious baked pumpkin!) and Maks’ pasta. The place was nice and cosy, the service was proper and the dessert were really good!
7) FOLLOW THE SHEEP WITH YOUR KIDS!
I love Welsh and Scottish landscapes with sheep passing lazily! There’s so much peace in it that you feel like you’re chilling too while you walk or drive. They are such a charming addition to Welsh landscapes!!
8) TAKE A LONG WALK TO LLYN Y FAN FACH LAKE
A trip to Llyn y Fan Fach lake located in the Breacon Beacons National Park was definitely one of the most beautiful moments in Wales. I don’t know how it is there in spring or summer, but in autumn we were there almost alone. Incredible views, peace, quiet, time to talk and reflect, time just for us. A walk with Maks from the parking lot to the lake may have taken more than an hour but the track was so beautiful that it was well worth it. Lynn y Fan Fach is one of the two lakes located on one mountain massif. If you have more time and strength in your legs, you may go the other lake – Llyn y Fan Fawr.
9) ELAN VALLEY BY BIKE
The lake and a walk around it was inspiring but the bike trip through Elan Valley is my absolute favourite memory! I wouldn’t expect such attractions in the second part of October in Wales! The views were absolutely breath-taking!
You can see our whole Elan Valley trip along with a ton of pictures HERE! A place you really need to see!:) And if you’re reading this and you’re somewhere near in the UK, put it on your weekend to do list. Our friends in Bristol already did it! ๐
10) EAT SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH SALMON FOR BREAKFAST
Another must after fish & chips! And another one that we eat until we can’t get more of it and need to replace it with something else. We learned to eat such breakfasts during our stay in Howth in Ireland and then we enjoyed them in Scotland and finally in Wales we started our stay this way. A perfect start of the day, especially combined with a beautiful view of the beach or the shore, like in St. Brides Spa Hotel in Saundersfoot. Oh, I got carried away! ๐ Sometimes, we makes such breakfasts at home just to remind us of the time spent there. It’s easy and fast! Try it! ๐
11)SPEND THE EVENING AND THE MORNING IN ABERAERON
Aberaeron is a Welsh seaside resort located near Aberystwyth, called the ‘gem of Cargidan Bay’. Colourful houses, completely different compared to other Welsh towns, boats lazily drifting in the bay, tiny streets. Another place where time seems to have stopped and after 9 pm it gets so quiet and deserted that you can hear your own thoughts. I love that atmosphere. It’s worth staying for the night because Abaraeron looks as charming in the morning and in the evening. You can have a walk down the beach and then obviously stuff yourself with local fish and seafood which tastes amazingly good!
12) EAT OYSTERS AND CALAMARI IN HARBOURMASTER HOTEL!
Harbourmaster Hotel restaurant is my absolute no. 1 when it comes to places we visited in Wales. We had dinner there and lunch the next day. Perfect fish, great oysters which ลukasz loved and amazing, soft calamari in crispy batter which even Maks enjoyed. Add a nice interior and cosy atmosphere and you’ll get a perfect place to warm yourself up after a cold autumn walk in Aberaeron. And for dessert, you have to try their perfect sticky toffee pudding.
13) EAT SCONES WITH JAM AND CREAM FOR TEA
I’ve always been tempted by British scones but it was in Wales where I started indulging myself with them. Know that? For me they’re a bit ‘bunnish’ in texture but it’s not a problem at all. Served with a layer of thick cream and strawberry jam they’re perfect for breakfast, tea or a recharge while you’re sightseeing.
14)TAKE A TRAIN RIDE FROM FFESTINIOG TO PORTHMADOG
Sightseeing with an old train is a great way of travelling if you’re coming with a child. We try to make use of it as often as it’s possible. For Maks, that’s always much more fun than travelling by car, especially on curvy roads which often make him feel unwell on the road. And for us it’s a faster way of travelling than walking with a 4-year-old. In Wales we took a train on Ffestiniog – Minffordd – Porthmadog route which allowed us to see the landscapes of Snowdonia, another Welsh national par. The train has been operating since 1836 when it used to carry shipmen from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog where they loaded them on ships and transported all over the world. Since 1865 it has been carrying passengers too! The train has its own vibe and provides beautiful views! We left on Minffordd station but you can go even further to Porthmadog (in that case the trip will take approx. 1.5 hours). All information regarding the train can be foundHERE.
15)SEE HOW THE WELSH TOUGHEN THEIR CHILDREN!
Yup. That’s a picture from October. Beach in Tenby. I’m wearing a beanie, a winter jacket and a scarf. Maks too. Even Lukasz zipped up his jacket. Our friend are wearing gloves. And suddenly we see her. A little girl with bare legs and an ice cream in her hand. And her mother… wearing a jacket and boots! I know that you shouldn’t overheat your child but the British never cease to amaze me!
16)GO BACK IN TIME IN PORTMEIRION
Portmeirion is quite an unusual place compared to the rest of Wales. We didn’t expect something like that! In these melancholic and magical Wales with stone and raw houses, suddenly… fancy colourful little buildings, columns, balconies, palms and you suddenly feel like you’ve somehow travelled to the South of Italy or France. The history of Portmeirion is as fascinating and unusual as the place is. The whole village which was indeed inspired by Italian style was built in 1925-1976 by an architect who bought this land. ‘The city’ was created from scratch according to his own, very detailed plan. He must have been really determined because the last house was built when the crazy architect was 93!
Nowadays Portmeirion looks a bit like a scenery from a movie that does not go too well with the raw landscaped of Wales. You can rent the colourful houses, there’s also a beautifully located hotel with a terrace by the water in Portmeirion. A perfect place for an afternoon scone with jam!
17) EAT STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING LIKE YOU DON’T CARE!
Does that really need an explanation??? Sticky toffee pudding is another meal that I have to get enough of while in Great Britain. I fell in love with it when we visited The Pudding Club an absolutely amazing place in English Cotswolds! Sticky toffee can be found in a lot of places in Wales so I couldn’t resist and had it 2 or 3 times! Incredibly sweet, very toffee, perfect with vanilla ice cream.
18)SEE THE SHIPS AND CONWY CASTLE
Conwy was our last stop on the road from Wales to the airport in Liverpool (Conwy is approx. 90 km from there). It is known for quite a picturesque port and a 13th century castle which is located in the centre of the city contrary to most of the other castles we have see and you get an impression that it sticks out from between regular houses. We got lucky during our visit since there was a street festival in Conwy when we arrived where you could buy fried calamari, mussels or local cheese (even sticky toffee pudding flavour!!!) on stands lining up throughout the city.
19) TAKE A PICTURE OF THE LONGEST NAME IN THE WORLD
Let me paste it in since I won’t be attempting to pronounce it – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. They say there’s no other city with name as long as this little town on Anglesey island in Wales. There’s nothing interesting in the city itself but many people come there just to take a picture with this amazing name comprised from 58 letters!! Imagine addressing holiday postcards!! Translated from Welsh the name means (warning, long too!) – The church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool by St. Tysilio’s of the red cave.
20) CHECK OUT ISLE OF ANGLESEY
You have to make up for us which we regret! When we arrived on Aglesey in the end of our trip, the weather got so bad that we had to turn back! It’s a pity since Anglesey is the northernmost region of Wales. The island is connected with land with bridges, mainly Menai Suspension Bridge which you can see in the picture which has been there since 1826! You can stop in Beaumaris from where you can take a cruise to Puffin Island where you can admire seals and other inhabitants of nearby rocks and islands! I guess it’s these cruises I regret the most but they cancelled them due to the weather. Maybe next time?? ๐
After Scotland and Ireland, Wales is yet another fascinating region of Great Britain. It can amaze you that’s for sure! So if you’re bored of popular holiday destinations, here’s your little guide! ๐ And that’s how our trip looked more or less… More or less since I didn’t put a pin in all of the places we visited or stayed in since the latter were often a bit off the track. Anyway, you get the picture ๐ If you have any detailed questions, you know where to find us ๐
*We visited Wales and ate fish&chips thanks to VISIT BRITAIN
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