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Country within the United Kingdom
Photo: Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Wales (Welsh: Cymru) has a distinctive language and culture. Most tourists in Wales are attracted to the scenic mountains, impressive coasts, magnificent national parks, imposing castles, and elements of Britain's industrial heritage.
There are several holiday resorts along the coast, but it is primarily a rural and traditional area and has the highest mountains in the United Kingdom south of Scotland.
A sparsely populated region of mountains, moorlands, forests, wide river valleys and a coastline facing the Irish Sea.
The South is by far the most urbanised area. Two-thirds of the population can be found here, especially in the eastern half. The western half, frequently referred to as West Wales, is rural and includes some stunning coastal scenery.
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Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru
Taking place in the first week of August, a Welsh-language week-long event with simultaneous translation available for the main events that is hosted by a different town each year, alternating between north and south Wales. Its history can be traced back to 1176, and its modern incarnation had been running since 1861.
Wales is noted for the high quality of its lamb, due to the luscious green grass they graze on. Often served with mint sauce and vegetables.
Lobscouse
A lamb broth.
A rich, sweet bread loaf speckled with dried fruit, similar to a fruitcake.
original spelling Welsh rabbit
A melted cheese and mustard dish, often spiced with onions, ale and herbs and served on toasted bread.
pronounced "lar-ver"
Is not, as the name implies, bread, but a purée made from seaweed (the same kind that is used in the preparation of Japanese nori). It is generally rolled into small cakes, mixed with oatmeal and served at breakfast alongside bacon rashers, though it is delicious heated and served on buttered toast. This dish is known throughout Wales but especially in the Swansea area and can be purchased raw at Swansea Market.
Due to an influx of Italians into Wales, the country has some of the best cones and tubs in Britain. The following are UK national award winners: Frank's Ice Cream in Carmarthenshire, Joe's Ice-cream in Swansea and Fecci & Sons Ice Cream in Tenby. La Belle Rouge in Aberystwyth is also very highly recommended. One of the most well-known ice cream cafes in the north west is a chain called Cadwaladers, which has since expanded to Cardiff and England.
A delicious type of griddle scone, usually containing dried fruit or sometimes jam and covered in sugar. Best eaten warm.
By plane
Cardiff Airport (CWL) is the only international airport in Wales. It is west of the city, near Rhoose.
By car
South Wales enjoys good motorway connections with the rest of the UK:
By train
The three railway companies serving Wales are Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, and Great Western Railway (GWR).
By coach
National Express operates coach services around the UK including to and from many parts of Wales.
By boat
It's possible to take several ferry routes from Ireland to Wales, the main routes are Holyhead (which is on Holy Island, linked to the island of Anglesey by a causeway, and Anglesey is linked by…
By plane
Wales is a small country and flying is not a common mode of internal transport. The only domestic route, Cardiff International Airport to Anglesey Airport ceased in 2022.
By car
It is much easier to drive from east to west across Wales (via the M4 or A55, for instance) than from north to south, due to the lack of fast roads across the sparsely-populated interior.
By train
Due to various closures in the 1960s there is no true "Welsh railway system".
By bus and coach
The First Cymru Shuttle coach service is usually quicker than the train for journeys between Swansea and Cardiff, but at peak times, the train does not get stuck in traffic!
By bike
National Cycle Route 5 follows the Wales Coast Path, National Cycle Route 8 runs from Cardiff to Holyhead and National Cycle Route 47 is also known as the Celtic Trail.
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Birmingham, West Midlands · International · BHX
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large island, home to the town with the UK's longest placename
a range of low mountains, with mining history, market towns, caves, and waterfalls
Wales's most beautiful beaches offer surfing and riding, while the peninsula's villages are picturesque
a bastion of the Welsh language thrusting into the Irish Sea
rugged cliffs and peaceful coves, home to internationally-important seabird colonies
popular mountaineering destination, with its pinnacle Mount Snowdon being the highest point in southern Britain
Articles and travel topics about Wales and United Kingdom.
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