Wales Vacations

Hay Festival in Hay-on -Wye (The Town of Books) is a world renowned literary event that promotes itself as a catalyst for change. Well-known writers from around the world, discuss and share stories, and posit theories on the state of the world. Nobel prizewinners, novelists, scientists, politicians and historians and environmentalists come together to share the latest thinking in the arts and sciences and conduct debates on current affairs, politics and social issues. Former president Bill Clinton once called the festival the ‘Woodstock of the mind’. It has a reputation for fostering intellectual discourse. The festival president is Stephen Fry.

Dylan Thomas, poet and writer, had his childhood home in Swansea and had a deep connection to his homeland. Roald Dahl, the author of many beloved children’s stories, was born in Cardiff. One could pick up Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with a different perspective and just about read it as a Welsh industrial novel.

The village of Portmeirion is situated on the north-west coast of Wales and is famous for being a miniature replica of a picturesque Italian village. It is located on a promontory next to the beautiful 70-acre Gwylt Gardens. Many rare species are planted here including monkey puzzle trees, pines, magnolias, camellias, giant redwoods, and ginkgo bilobas, and dozens of varieties of rhododendrons. There is a mix of very fine and Instagrammable manicured gardens and many wild areas to explore. Forest bathing here is a true pleasure.

The Royal Welsh Show is a large agricultural show held in July, in Llanelwedd, Powys, central Wales. It’s been an event since 1904 and was granted Royal status by Queen Elizabeth II in 1963. The show isn’t simply an agriculture show, it showcases Welsh music, food, and culture and is attended by more than 200,000 people each year.

It’s easy to get to Wales from London by air, train or bus, or to rent a car for an intimate drive through the range of pristine natural landscapes on the way.

Some say it’s possible to experience all four seasons in a day when you’re in Wales, no matter the time of year. So it’s best to dress in warm clothes, layers, with a good rain jacket and an umbrella. So, a light sweater might be useful year round, even in summer.

That said, it’s hard to go wrong in picking a time of year to visit, especially if you dress for the cold, and don’t mind a brisk day. If those things are true for you, then the castles of Wales will not disappoint. 

Parts of Cardiff Castle in the capital are so old they date from 50AD when it was a Roman fort.

The larger structure that now strands around that fort was built by Norman invaders in the 11th century to support their expansion. The Normans had settled in Normandy but were initially vikings – pagan barbarian pirates from Denmark, Norway, and Iceland.

Conwy Castle on the north coast of Wales was built between 1283 and 1289 by Edward I during his conquest of Wales. Views from the battlements look out over the mountains and the sea, and it’s considered an impressive example of military architecture with eight massive towers and high curtain walls. 

Pembroke Castle, another medieval castle in the west, was the original family seat of the Earldom of Pembroke. Its walls are 6 metres thick -- they must have been expecting catapults and trebuchets to hurl heavy rocks or missiles. Eventually, beginning in the 14th century, heavier artillery and gunpowder would devastated castle walls. This forced architects to begin building forts and castles with more moats, ditches, and earth ramparts that could more easily absorb the energy of a cannon.

There are dramatic and awesome long hikes you can do in Wales, and some of them will have you walking atop mountains with sea views for long stretches of time. A popular one is the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Hikers can walk part of or the whole 300 kilometre trail over several days.

You could start in the village of St. Dogmaels with stunning views of Cardigan Bay and sup at the Ferry Inn, then tent or stay at the inn. The next day hike 17 kilometres from Newport to Abercastle, stay at a B&B and dine at a 240 year old pub, the Ship Inn, for delicious traditional pub fare. On day 3, look over the cliffs and walk on the beaches of St. David’s Peninsula. The wafts of wild herbs and flowers and expansive views will give you endorphins for days.

Wales is one of three countries to have a dragon on its flag. The others are Bhutan and Malta. Its national Day is St. David’s Day on March 1, and its main languages are Welsh and English. Daffodils and leeks are national symbols in Wales.

The harp, triple harp, crwth (bowed string), and pibgorn (wooden hornpipe) are centuries old Welsh musical instruments. Traditional and modern Welsh musicians sing mournful songs of longing for home, tragic events, mining disasters, and tales of lost love and there are lots of joyful dance tunes and jigs too. The famous song ‘Men of Harlech’ celebrates the defense of Harlech Castle during the War of the Roses.

National Eisteddfod, a huge festival occurs every year in Llangollen, central Wales, celebrating music and poetry. Singers and musicians of the world converge to celebrate together in what is the biggest of many annual music, literature and performance festivals across the nation.

Cider and beer are popular and there are some great cideries and breweries across the country. 

Gwynt y Ddraig Cidery is in Pontypridd, South Wales and uses a variety of apple types to make their cider. Their Black Dragon is a popular kind. Hallets Real Cider prides itself on traditional methods and recipes, and their ‘Heartbreaker’ cider, made with Red Love apples, and featuring a deep red colour, is gaining in popularity. Ty Gwyn Cider, in Monmouthshire, follows an artisanal approach to their cider and uses locally grown apples and sustainable methods to produce its fine beverage.

Tiny Rebel Brewery in Newport, South Wales, creates award winning beer, including Cwtch, that’s won several awards, including CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain. Crafty Devil Brewing in Cardiff produces IPAs and stouts with hilarious names and labels – Helles Bells and Headshrinker are two. Purple Moose has a very Welsh beer called Cwrw Eryri (Snowdon Ale), named after Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. Purple Moose has long been an advocate for the Welsh language and cultural heritage.

No matter where you consume your beer or cider, there is sure to be good Welsh food nearby.

Cawl, a hearty soup, made with tender chunks of beef or lamb, leeks, is a staple and symbol of Welsh heritage. Rarebit, or caws pobi in Welsh, is a simple sandwich made from a creamy cheese sauce mixed with an ale or stout and a bit of mustard and Worcestershire sauce. The sauce is poured over toasted bread slices and grilled – delicious. And another traditional Welsh dish is Glamorgan Sausage. It’s a vegetarian sausage made with Caerphilly cheese and leeks and coated in breadcrumbs. The flavours are blended well and the breadcrumbs provide a good crunch. A long draught of cider or beer is very welcome alongside each of these Welsh recipes.

Also, Pendeyn is a Welsh single malt whiskey, and Merlyn is a popular cream liqueur – a magical creation from the land of legends - some say Bailey’s tastes like skimmed milk, in comparison.