Wales

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This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out.
It now excludes places and things of interest in the North of England, including Yorkshire.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
Places to visit in England’s East Midlands are currently being moved to ABAB’s Places.

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PENTRE IFAN

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.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
South east of Newport on a (very) minor road between the A487 and B4329.
County
Pembrokeshire
Post Code
SA41 3TZ
Main Historic Period
Prehistory
Link to featured article
Primary Management
Cadw
PICTON CASTLE

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

Region/Nation
Location/Address
The Rhos
Haverfordwest
County
Pembrokeshire
Post Code
SA62 4AS
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Carew Castle, Pembroke Castle, Llawhaden Castle
Primary Management
Independent – Historic Houses member
PLAS BRONDANW

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

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Llanfrothen
County
Gwynedd
Post Code
LL48 6SW
Main Historic Period
Edwardian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Snowdon, Portmeirion
Primary Management
Independent – Historic Houses member
PONTCYSYLLTE AQUEDUCT

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.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Station Rd
Trevor Basin
Wrexham
County
Clwyd
Post Code
LL20 7TG
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Tip/Nearby
Chirk Castle
Primary Management
Other
PORTMEIRION

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...

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Minffordd
Penrhyndeudraeth
County
Gwynedd
Post Code
LL48 6ET
Main Historic Period
Modern
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Porthmadog, Snowdonia
Primary Management
Independent
RAGLAN CASTLE

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.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Castle Road
Raglan
County
Monmouthshire
Post Code
NP15 2BT
Main Historic Period
Tudor
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Monmouth Castle
Primary Management
Cadw
SNOWDONIA

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.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
National Park Office
Penrhyndeudraeth
County
Gwynedd
Post Code
LL48 6LF
Main Historic Period
N/A
Link to featured article
Primary Management
National Park
St DAVID’S HEAD

St David's Head, or St David's Peninsula, is a dramatic coastal headland where can be found the site of St Patrick's Chapel, the remains of an Iron Age settlement and defensive wall (Warriors' Dyke), field systems and a Neolithic tomb (Arthur's Quoit). Also renowned for its flora and fauna, including dolphins, seals and peregrine falcons. Take the coastal path heading north from the car park.

The car park can get full at peak times; buses are available from St Davids, 2 miles away.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Park at Whitesands Bay
End of B4583
County
Pembrokeshire
Post Code
SA62 6PS
Main Historic Period
Prehistory
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
St Davids
Primary Management
National Trust
St DAVIDS BISHOP’S PALACE

The ruins of the grand palace of the bishops of St Davids sit next to the Cathedral - the latter still very much in use. The palace dates from the 13th century though it is largely the work of Bishop Henry de Gower (1328-47). Even now, it is impressive, with decorative chequered stonework, carved faces staring down at you from the past and a grand banqueting hall. The rose window in the east gable is a peach. It must have been hard, being a bishop.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
St Davids
County
Pembrokeshire
Post Code
SA62 6PE
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Tip/Nearby
St Davids Cathedral, St David's Head
Primary Management
Cadw
St DAVIDS CATHEDRAL

St Davids Cathedral (usually missing an apostrophe) sits at the bottom of a small hill beneath Britain's smallest city. Next to it are the ruins of the Bishop's Palace. St David, the Patron Saint of Wales, founded a monastery on the site in the 6th century, though this was raided and plundered by Vikings several times. The present cathedral, a trifle austere, dates from 1181. The highlight is probably the Shrine of St David. It is also the burial place of Edmund Tudor, father of King Henry VII, and of the 12th century monk, Gerald of Wales, medieval travel-writer.  The location is gorgeous and the entire complex is one of the most significant historical Christian sites in Britain.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
The Pebbles, St Davids, Haverfordwest
County
Pembrokeshire
Post Code
SA62 6RD
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Primary Management
Church authorities

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

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