Find places to visit in Britain by name, location, type of attraction, or other keyword.
This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out.
It now excludes places and things of interest in North East England.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
Tap/Click ‘find listings’ for a detailed search – or just have a browse.
Snowdonia National Park in North Wales was one of Britain’s first, established in 1951. It is a place of mountains, covering 840 square miles (2176 square kilometres). Snowdonia is known as Eryri in Welsh, a name that can be translated as “the place of the eagles”. There are actually nine mountain ranges, caves, lakes, rivers and forests. Like other National Parks in Britain, this is serious walking and climbing country and needs to be treated with respect.
The area is stacked with historic sites as well as world-famous places like the gardens at Bodnant and Sir Clough Williams-Ellis’ fantasy village, Portmeirion. Snowdonia National Park also boasts no fewer than seven narrow-gauge railways: the Ffestiniog, Welsh Highland, Llyn Padarn, Talyllyn, Bala Lake, Fairbourne and, finally, the Snowdon Mountain Railway which will take you almost to the summit of Britain’s second highest mountain, Snowdon, at 3560 feet (1085 metres).
The principal settlements in Snowdonia National Park are Aberdyfi, Dolgellau, Trawsfynydd and Beddgelert.
The picture is of Castell-y-Gwynt (Castle of the Winds) a rock formation near the summit of Glyder Fach.
Penrhyndeudraeth
Though it still manages to look formidable, Raglan is a picturesque castle, built with an eye to comfort and fashion - and built by a Welshman, William Herbert. It began life relatively recently, for a castle, in the 1430s, was besieged and captured by Parliamentary forces in 1646 and then 'slighted' to prevent further defensive use. Set in parkland and once surrounded by gardens, its features include a separate keep surrounded by a moat and a stunning oriel window.
Raglan
Portmeirion is a fantasy village in North Wales created by architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925-1976. It has no other purpose than as a place of enjoyment, where you can just wander about, have something to eat, attend an event, or stay. There is an Italian feel to the village, which has mostly been constructed from scratch but which also includes structures moved from other locations. It was made famous as the setting for the 1960s TV series, 'The Prisoner'.
Note - dogs are not welcome at Portmeirion, except guide dogs. Children are allowed in, though...
Penrhyndeudraeth
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is the longest aqueduct in Britain, the highest navigable aqueduct in the world and a World Heritage Site. It was designed by Thomas Telford (1757-1834) and carries the Llangollen Canal 126 feet (38 m) over the valley of the River Dee. The Aqueduct was built between 1795 and 1805 is 1,008 yards (307 m) long and just 12 feet (3.6 m) wide. You can walk across on a path alongside the canal (the advice is not to look down), or take a boat.
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is considered one of the outstanding examples of the innovations brought about by the Industrial Revolution in Britain and has been described as a masterpiece of creative genius.
Trevor Basin
Wrexham
Plas Brondanw was the family home of Clough Williams-Ellis, creator of Portmeirion. The house was built by John ap Hywel in about 1550, and Clough Williams-Ellis inherited it in a run-down state in 1908. The gardens are highly regarded and open to the public with tours and events normally taking place throughout the open season.
Image: Historic Houses
Picton Castle was built in 1280 and has been owned by the Philipps family since 1491. It is now run by a charitable trust. Despite looking like a medieval castle, with towers and gatehouse, in the 18th century it was transformed into a stately home. The interior includes elegant room with magnificent fireplaces and good artwork, including a controversial ‘Picton Renoir’.
The 40-acre gardens are said to include one of the best plant collections in Wales and feature many rare species, with woodland walks and trails, as well as a walled garden with pond and herb garden. Other attractions include The Welsh Owl Garden, an adventure playground, the Lumsden Collection of Antique & Vintage Lawnmowers and the Mansion of Mystery Escape Rooms – two unique interactive adventure games for teams of two to six players.
Image credit: Historic Houses
Haverfordwest
Remains of a communal tomb constructed maybe around 3,500 BC. The remaining stones form a doorway with a capstone on top some 17 feet (5.1 metres) long and weighing an estimated 16 tonnes. It is thought the original structure would have been about 120 feet (36 metres) long. Bits of pottery and worked flint have been found on site, but no human remains have been found.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park covers an area of 240 square miles (621 kilometres) along a 260 mile (418 kilometres) coastline in South-West Wales. It was established in 1952 and the highest point is Foel Cwmcerwyn at 1758 feet (536 metres).
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is unique in that it is predominantly, but not exclusively, coastal. But, in addition to high rugged cliffs and broad, sandy, beaches, it does include woodland and inland hills. Along the 186 mile (299 kilometres) long Pembrokeshire Coast Path you will spot seals, dolphins and basking sharks, as well as seabirds. There are prehistoric tombs, Iron Age hill forts, numerous castles and Britain’s smallest city, St Davids. The park includes a marine nature reserve, 6 national nature reserves and 75 Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Principal settlements include St Davids and Tenby.
Llanion Park
Pembroke Dock
The Old Bell Museum is a local history museum situated in what was a 16th century inn. It is run by volunteers – so not open all hours – but it is extremely good. There are exhibitions about the first Montgomery Castle, Hen Domen (including one of the best models of a reconstructed motte and bailey castle that I have ever seen), the later, stone, Montgomery Castle, the Battle of Montgomery in the Civil War – and, of course, life in Montgomery. It is one of the best local museums you will ever visit.
Montgomery
Mwnt is a stretch of coastline, a beach, a hill, a church. A few miles north of Cardigan on the Wales Coast Path, there is a sheltered sandy cove, popular with families and one of the best places in Ceredigion to spot dolphins, porpoises and seals. There are easy steps to the beach, a café and toilets at the top and a National Trust car park (pay and display). Overlooking the beach is the remains of an old lime kiln, but the main feature is the hill, Foel y Mwnt, that towers over the area and which gives it its name: mwnt means ‘mount’. There are great views over Cardigan Bay from the top, if you have the legs and head to clamber up it.
In the shelter of the hill is the tiny whitewashed Church of the Holy Cross. It could be named for a cross that once stood on Foel y Mwnt and there may well have been a church on the site since early Christian times. The present building dates from the 14th century, when it served pilgrims travelling to St Davids or Strata Florida, as well as local sailors. It has a 13th century font made of stone from the Preseli Hills.
As a final note, Mwnt was raided by Flemings in 1155. A bloody battle ensued, in which the invaders came off worse. The event is still commemorated.
If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch.