11 amazing reasons you should visit South Wales

Often overlooked in favour of the mountains of Snowdonia or Pembrokeshire beaches, South Wales is actually a great holiday destination. Whether you’re into hiking, history or a well-rounded city break, below are some of my favourite attractions in the area. Think of them as 11 amazing reasons you should visit South Wales:

Zip World

Let’s start with a bang shall we? Or rather with a WHOOSH! as you fly over the Tower Colliery on the world fastest seated zipline, and then speed down the mountain in the Tower Coaster. It’s fun for all ages, if you’re brave enough! Book your experience here.

Pen y Fan

Impossible to mention South Wales without the Brecon Beacons, and in particular its most famous one; Pen y Fan. At 886 metres above sea level its the highest peak in South Wales but is easy enough to climb for the whole family. Just remember it gets super windy up there, regardless of the weather at the bottom. So bring a wind breaker and wear sensible shoes!

Good Day Out walks

I don’t know about you but spending a day walking the hills, accompanied by a pig or tiny donkey is my idea of a good day out. Well lucky for us all because the company Good Day Out organises exactly this. Choose between different experiences and enjoy the company of some seriously cute animals in a seriously stunning setting. It’s all ethical and part of the proceeds go to charity, so you can be sure you’re in good hands.

The Big Pit

South Wales was primarily a coal mining area. At one point it was the biggest exporter of coal in the entire world. In some ways the locals are still reeling from the closure of the mines in the 80s, and also from the many mining disasters further back. You can learn all about the history of this industry in the Big Pit National Coal Museum. Here, tours take you underground to experience what it would have been like for the brave men who once worked there. Entry to the museum is free, but on site parking and the underground tour are chargeable.

St Fagans

Even if museums are not normally your thing, there are a few exceptions that I believe everyone will enjoy. One of these is St Fagan’s National Museum of History. It’s an open air site where over 40 original buildings from different historical periods have been re-erected to immerse you in Welsh life and culture. Meet a Welsh lady in traditional dress, watch demonstrations of crafts and farming, and scoff your face with welsh snacks such as bara brith and welshcakes! It’s like having a time machine that can take you through all the ages and better yet, it’s free to enter.

Rhosilli/Three Cliffs Bay

Although West Wales has the reputation for the best beaches in the country. But my favourite beach can actually be found in South Wale; on the tip of the Gower Peninsula. Rhosilli is one of those beaches which takes your breath away the first time you see it, and its seemingly endless stretch of sand means that it never feels crowded. It’s an excellent place to watch the sunset as well, with Worms Head in the distance. If you fancy something a bit smaller, Three Cliffs Bay on the other side of the Gower, is like a fun size version of Rhosilli, with the same golden sands and inviting waters.

Cardiff

Although I worked here for 3 years, Cardiff is actually one of my favourite cities in the UK. It’s got a big city vibe, but with everything in walking distance. Some excellent restaurants, wild night life and the best rugby stadium in the world are just some of the attractions here; it’s also got a very cool castle, a beautiful theatre in Cardiff Bay, and is a great shopping destination. I’ll have to do a separate post with a guide to Cardiff but for now, take my word for it and go!

Caerphilly Castle

Wales is famous for its castles, and one of my favourites can be found in the little town of Caerphilly. And this one has its own dragon. Surrounded by a moat and boasting a leaning tower even wonkier than Pisa, the main attraction here for kids (and for me!) is Dewi the Dragon who can sometimes be seen in the castle grounds. Guys, he even blows smoke out of his nose.

Showcaves Centre for Wales

Now that you’ve been down the mine shaft in the Big Pit, it’s time to venture underground once again at the Showcaves Centre for Wales. Discovered back in 1912 and now with over 16km of explored passageways, this natural wonder can be seen on a fascinating tour of the caves. There is also a dinosaur park here, which should keep the kids happy, and a reconstruction of an Iron Age farm.

Waterfalls

The south west corner of Brecon is often referred to as Waterfall Country, because of the high concentration of – you guessed it – waterfalls. There’s around 13 in total, but the most popular are the 4 waterfalls hike, and Henrhyd Falls, which doubled as the Bat Cave in The Dark Knight Rises.

Food

A more general point, but South Wales has some excellent pubs and restaurants (too many to list here so I’ll do a separate post about it) and plenty of opportunities to sample traditional Welsh food. In the Brecon Beacons you can visit The International Welsh Rarebit Centre for a dish which is so much more than cheese on toast. Or try some super fresh welshcakes in Cardiff Bay’s Fabulous Welshcakes (these will make you forget all about the bland powdery supermarket versions!) It’s also worth seeking out Glamorgan sausages, Welsh cawl, laverbread and bara brith for the full Welsh culinary experience – just talking about this is making me hungry.

So there you have it; 11 reasons you should visit South Wales. If you’re already planning your trip, keep an eye out on future posts from this area.