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Wales by Dale Nolan

The wild and beautiful country of Wales is a land steeped in history and packed with dramatic mountain peaks, stunning coastlands and littered with ancient castles and pretty villages. This is a small and proud nation where national parks, wildlife reserves and cosmopolitan cities stand side by side with some of the most isolated and beautiful countryside to be found anywhere in Britain. Known as ‘Cymru’ in Welsh, Wales is an adventure paradise and despite its compact size, aptly fits its lauded title as the ‘Big Country’. Today, Wales has become one of the UK’s top tourist destinations and attracts visitors from across the globe.

Welsh lands have been occupied for thousands of years and remains of Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age communities can be found across the length of the country. The first written records of the Welsh were mostly tales told by the Romans as they struggled to overcome Celtic tribes. For many centuries, Wales fought back against Mercian, English and Norman aggression and colonisation. In 1282, the land was finally annexed by England and the line of Welsh kings was broken. The Normans built many great castles to control Wales and despite several rebellions, the English imposed their rule over the whole of the nation. Yet in all this time, the Welsh language and culture stood defiant and the identity of Wales remained strong. In the Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries, Wales began to rapidly industrialise and coal and iron made its capital one of the world’s most important ports. The following decades saw these industries slowly decline causing much hardship. However in 1997, a referendum for self-control led to the creation of the Welsh National Assembly in Cardiff and a welcome boost to national pride and the economy.

From a tourist point of view, the nation can be divided into North Wales, South Wales and Mid Wales and each region has its own distinct style and attractions. The largely anglicised north is characterised by impressive castles and Victorian seaside resorts; South Wales is typified by its cosmopolitan cities such as Cardiff and its stunning coastline; and the under-populated region of Mid Wales is marked by brooding hills, isolated villages and the sublime Snowdonia National Park. All three regions boast fabulous places of interest and acres upon acres of natural beauty to explore.

North Wales covers the foothills of the mountainous interior down to the Victorian splendours of the northern coastline and isolated Anglesey. This wonderful area contains one of the world’s most concentrated collections of castles, a legacy of the rich history of the region. Some of the best examples of these fortresses include elegant Caernarfon, the medieval masterpiece of Conwy and mighty Beaumaris. As well as its castles, North Wales also has a selection of Victorian resorts sprinkled across its coastline such as the faded charms of Llandudno and Rhyl complete with Victorian arcades and family entertainment.

Below North Wales rises the dramatic and mountainous interior of Mid Wales, which is packed with forests, rivers, waterfalls and quaint villages. Bordering this region is the spectacular beauty of the Snowdonia National Park, which contains Britain’s largest peak outside Scotland. Here, wonderful woodlands cling to the slopes of the park providing the opportunity to enjoy the thrills of hiking, walking, mountain- biking and water rafting against a backdrop of some of Wales’ most awe-inspiring countryside. As well as these activities, Mid Wales contains some relaxed towns and villages to enjoy such as the Italian inspired Portmeirion, pretty Betws-y-Coed and the spa towns of Llandrindod Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells – home to the wonderfully eccentric Bog Snorkelling Championships. The region is also rightly famous for its clutch of scenic railways snaking through the mountains and the borderland’s Offa’s Dyke National Trail, which passes by refreshing lakes and historic sites.

The south of Wales is home to Europe’s youngest capital, Cardiff, and Britain’s smallest city, tiny St. David’s with its stunning purple and gold cathedral. Today, Cardiff has become the cultural heartbeat of the nation and its excellent restaurants, green spaces and re-invigorated docklands make for an exciting and eye-catching change of pace from the south’s awesome national parks and fantastic wildlife reserves. The jewel of South Wales though is the stunning coastline of the Pembrokeshire National Park. This perfect stretch of coastline is arguably Britain’s most impressive and is littered with golden beaches, jagged cliffs and colourful fishing ports. Visitors to the region can explore on foot or in saddle or take to the sea to spot whales, dolphins and a multitude of nesting birds.

Wales as a whole is blessed with some of the wildest countryside and finest parkland in all of Britain and never fails to impress. From its rugged interior to its castles and popular resorts, this incredible nation has regained its confidence and boasts its own language, award winning attractions and some of the UK’s finest dining making it a premier visitor destination.