Wales Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

go 300ft underground and see the hidden world of the miner on a real underground tour

the scenery here is both beautiful and diverse - rolling countryside and valleys, wide open spaces to the wild beauty of the waterfalls and caves

with some of the most comfortable carriages on any preserved railway – standard or narrow gauge – step back in time to a more civilised age

magnificent coastal scenery and wildlife, archaeology, geology in the Special Area of Conservation along the Heritage Coast

with nature and archeological trails, fishing, sailing and children's adventure playground, there is plenty here to keep the family occupied

the best preserved blast furnace complex of its period and type in the world and is one of the most important monuments to have survived from the early part of the industrial revolution

spanning over 2,000 years of history, but largely refurbished in the 19th Century with exhibits from the Roman times to Second World War

with displays showing the development from a Norman fortification to an Elizabethan country house, a working tidal mill and family picnic areas

build dens in the woods, cook your own food at one of our campfires, play on the rope swings or use our free pond dipping kits and games for the meadow

with 70 acres of woodlands, ancient monuments, industrial and farming history and children friendly interactive displays

often used in film and TV, with seven and a half miles through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The views from the carriages are breathtaking

with a wide selection of wild animals, indoor and outdoor children's play areas and family picnic spots. There is something for everyone

this superb museum covering a multitude of perspectives from fine art to engineering and archeology to history

designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who was also responsible for Portmeirion Village, and made up of a series of 'rooms' with a mixture of yew and box privet forming the architecture of the garden, with a centuries old Holme Oak taking centre stage

you can walk across Pontcysyllte, or save your legs and take a leisurely boat ride. But there's one thing you have to take with you. A camera. The views are something else.

from underground audiovisual tours to farm tours, narrow gauge railway trips through breathtaking countryside and for the more adventurous, white water rafting

providing wonderful views down across the seabird cliffs and across the Irish Sea. In spring, guillemots, razorbills and puffins breed on the iconic cliffs

built upon the site of St David's 6th century monastery St Davids Cathedral has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for many hundreds of years

the stunning Welsh Wildlife Centre stands within the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve on the banks of the River Teifi

with a number of steam and diesel vintage locomotives and passing through the imposing Blaenavon Industrial Landscape

this is the ideal starting point for your visit to the area with traditional and video displays explaining the history of the coal mining area

With year-round colour, this garden is a hive of activity or a haven of tranquility and relaxation; this is truly a special place

retaining a true Victorian style, from snowdrops and spring blue bells to summer water lilies. A wide array of birdlife, amphibians and other animals makes this garden a wonderful experience for any nature lover

all visits include a guided tour of the House and Garden. Many interesting mature trees and shrubs. The Poison Garden is unique containing over 110 poisonous plants, including ricin and hemlock, intrigues and fascinates the visitors

mighty 13th century castle constructed not just as a military stronghold, but also as a seat of government and royal palace

travel back some 2,300 years to late prehistoric Britain on this well presented site with interactive displays and family activities

the state rooms include a 17th-century Long Gallery, grand 18th-century saloon with rich tapestries, with extensive gardens and children's play areas

with breathtaking views from the battlements and much of the connecting walls intact, the circuit walk is well worth the effort

with several trails to follow, some leading to a large lake, others through woodland areas to cascades and waterfalls

sensors and modern technology bring to life crossing the drawbridge, with the sound of the portcullis thundering down, chains rattling and the din of horses and marching soldiers

famed for the Dewstow Grottoes which lay hidden for half a century, now fully restored and surrounded by beautifully landscaped paths, decorative beds, artificial waterfalls and man made pools

the brilliance of this garden is that it works as one body, despite comprising distinct areas. All generously planted and interspersed with architectural and sculptural features making a beautiful and inspiring visit

the striking great lawn with its picturesque canal can be seen in all its glory from the upstairs of the House. Extensive Edwardian gardens with a stunning collection of intimate garden rooms. Children's play area

a large collection of servants’ portraits and carefully preserved rooms capture their lives in the early 20th century, while upstairs is a treasure trove of fine furniture, textiles and wallpapers

lots of children's attractions and activities, including mini trailer rides, pony rides and meet, greet and feed the animals

set in the breathtaking Carmarthenshire Hills, take a steam train ride or a footplate experience and act as driver, guard and signalman

a five-mile return journey alongside Lake Padarn, right in the heart of Snowdonia, stopping at Cei Llydan, a beautifully tranquil place that's ideal for a lakeside picnic

Pembrokeshire’s finest stately home. Forty acres of some of the most beautiful woodland gardens and grounds in West Wales

Meet butterflies in the Tropical Hide, visit the Lizard and Snake House, or meet the pets in the farmyard and indoor and outdoor play areas

Something of interest right through the seasons from camellias and azaleas, to the double herbaceous borders in the summer months and a wide variety of hydrangeas at the end of the season with the waterfalls of the River Cadnant close by

set on the Menai Strait with stunning views of Snowdonia, elegantly designed by James Wyatt and containing Rex Whistler's largest painting; all set in magnificent grounds

set alongside the Snowdonia National Park Authority's Study Centre, these period gardens have been extensively restored, offering a variety of colourful vistas throughout the spring, summer and autumn with stunning views across the nearby mountains

world famous garden with Italianate terraces and fine statuary. With period paintings, furniture and tapestries in the castle, including a beautiful collection of Indian treasures

up to 400 of these beautiful birds of prey gather to be fed, with general hides and specialist photographic hides, all just a few metres away from where the birds are fed

where else can you launch a hot air balloon, blast a rocket, create an electrical circuit and watch a colony of ants at work all in one day?

peaceful and secluded with a winding path down to a lake and small waterfall. Autumn is a particularly time to visit with spectacular colouring and a magnificent view looking back up from the other side of the lake

a vision of a world where we understand, value, use, enjoy and sustain plant life to create a balance of life on earth

travel in an all-weather observation coach behind a vintage steam locomotive through beautiful scenery into the Brecon Beacons

started in 1994, these gardens have matured into a wonderful array of laburnum covered pergolas, rose gardens, castellated yew topiary and even a fort and zip wire for the children

towers impressively over the northern end of the Promenade with views spanning much of the length of Wales. On the top is games room with bowling lanes, a 'frisbee golf' course and bouncy castle

an imposing ruin overlooking the river Taf dating back to Norman times

this vast 19th Century Neo-Norman creation captures the imagination with creeper-clad turrets and dramatic views of the peaks of Snowdonia

a wealth of fantastic carved animals adorn the walls and benches – scaly dragons, serpents and other strange whimsical monsters; with the carved roof painted in a glorious, flowing floral design

since 1896 visitors from around the world have travelled on Snowdon Mountain Railway offering dramatic views of the surrounding landscape

a treasure trove displaying the ordinary to the extraordinary from Swansea's past from Egyptian mummies to the earliest photographs

an oasis of peace and tranquility within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Comprising of 35 acres set in a wooded valley of ancient oak and ash, with traditional herbaceous borders, walled kitchen garden and rose garden

one of the finest gardens in Wales with on site educational programmes and extensive, abundant gardens

see Britain's marine life up close and personal, including a colourful reef , a kelp forest and an eerie shipwreck brimming with conger eels!

the most technically perfect medieval castle in Britain, that wasn't ever quite finished. with a digital trail and family picnic tables

exhibitions and displays chronicle life in the county from prehistoric times to modern, everyday life

for more than six centuries Chepstow was home to some of the wealthiest and most powerful men of the medieval and Tudor ages

commanding astonishing views over the town and across the wide sweep of Cardigan Bay, with an on-site explanatory exhibition

this is the definitive Dylan Thomas exhibition centre which includes original, handwritten manuscripts, bookshop and year round literary events

its spectacular situation, foreboding might, and great power were not sufficient to ensure the fame of this magnificent castle, Harlech is also inseparably linked with Welsh myth

with a continuing programme of exhibitions of Wales' top artists, events and festivals and a permanent exhibition of Welsh art post 1900

following the Evolution of Wales from the very beginning to the present day, from dinosaurs to car production

dating back to the twelfth century, these romantic ruins evoke earlier monastic times which came to an abrupt end during the Reformation

started life as a simple earthwork stronghold soon after the Norman Conquest, was rebuilt in stone in the later 12th and 13th centuries.

long established, private gallery highlighting the work of contemporary artists working in Wales

these copper mines discovered in 1987, represent one of the most astounding archaeological discoveries of recent time

from insects, reptiles, fish and monkeys to bananas, pineapple plants, prickly cacti and giant bamboo - it's all here

in the 13th Century this was a vast castle, little of which remains today, having commanded the lowest crossing of the river, the main east-west route in south Wales, and a good harbour.

dating from the thirteenth century and now housing a pleasant park and children's play area

popular model village, featuring many Anglesey landmarks set in beautifully landscaped gardens with water features

one of Wales' best loved museums and art galleries with three floors displaying a wide range of exhibits, exploring the local history and culture

although a building of relatively modest proportions, the Cathedral is set in a walled Close, unique in Wales

this was the permanent home of the Legio II Augusta. Visit the soldiers quarters, the vast swimming pool and amphitheatre

more than a thousand years of prayer and quiet living have made this remote and beautiful island a haven of tranquillity and peace

the remains of the castle are perched overlooking the spectacular Teifi Gorge and have inspired many artists, including Turner

including examples of Christian memorials from pre Roman times to the impressive 'Cart Wheel' crosses of the late 10th and 11th Century

according to the legend, St Winefride's Well first erupted at the spot where her would-be rapist Caradog cut off her head with his sword.

with magnificent architecture and stained glass windows. home of the first Welsh language bible translated by William Morgan

the oldest independent museum in Wales, covering the history of Tenby from geological exhibits to period costumes

wonderful views of the Taf estuary and the Gower beyond. Closely associated with Dylan Thomas, offering the stability of a permanent home, giving him a creative renaissance

a cluster of historic cottages, iconic architecture, a spa, stylish shops, award-winning restaurants, casual cafes, an Italian ice cream parlour, exotic gardens and sandy beaches