Wales

Wales, or Cymru, is renowned for its wonderful rolling hills stretching for miles, its famous male-voice choir tradition, Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales which is a popular ascent for amateur and more professional climbers, rugged sea cliffs and wide beach stretches. There are so many things to visit whilst in the country; from Norman castles to ancient standing stones, and tiny harbours to modern power plants such as the famous Denorwig. Powys and Camelot are only some of the interesting towns to visit in Wales and hotels Conway north wales will provide a good touring base for the area. The new millenium stadium Cardiff is also well worth a visit.

History

Wales has a rich cultural heritage which is evident in its many attractions which span the ages. When England was invaded by the Saxons the current inhabitants fled to Wales to escape the destruction of their villages and families. They carried their Celtic language with them which was unaffected by the subsequent invasions which created the English language. Whilst the majority of Wales is now fully English speaking, you can still hear the original Welsh language spoken in certain areas and there is even a Welsh-only radio station. Hotels Conway north wales will provide a good location for touring the area. There are so many castles to visit in Wales, both big and small, and all have their own story dating back thousands of years. Castles of particular interest include Caernarfon Castle and architecture which is a remarkable site due to its large size and dominating status, Harlech Castle, Caerphilly Castle, Cardiff Castle and Powis Castle. Other castles of interest include Chepstow - Britain's first stone built castle, and Raglan - one of Britain's last stone built castles, although some say it should be called a palace rather than a castle due to its vast towers, decorative flourishes, courts and state apartments. Caernarfon castle and architecture is a must see whilst in the area and its history is of great interest. Caernarfon Castle in North Wales was one of King Edward I's castles and many argue it was the finest. Its eight octagonal turrets mark the castle's strength along with the five solid oak doors and six portcullises that protected the heart of the castle. Tours are available throughout the year to see Caernarfon castle and architecture.

Conwy Castle, further north and very different to Caernarfon Castle, is built on an outcrop of rock and its shape reflects the difficult positioning of the castle. It took 1,500 men four years to complete the castle and the turreted bridge which crosses the estuary upon which the castle stands received the Europa Nostra Award for heritage. Penrhyn Castle, in Bangor, is a neo-Norman stately home overlooking the North Wales coast whilst Beaumaris is an example of immense strength in a castle despite it only taking a year to build with 2,600 men working on it. Aberystwyth was one of Edward I's first castles in Wales and now stands as a magnificent site above a seaside promenade although it is in ruins and Cardiff Castle is extremely popular with both visitors and locals and is listed in the top ten of Wales' most popular paid attractions. The Castle has also played host to pop events such as a Stereophonics concert and the Tom Jones 2001 summer concert.

Although Plas Newyd is not a castle but a stately home it really is a must-see as a beautiful mansion, within a beautiful gardened setting. Built by the famous architect James Wyatt the mansion sits on the banks of the Menai Strait. In the 1930s, artist Rex Whistler painted a 58ft mural on one long wall of the dining room. The mansion also contains a military museum housing, bizarrely, one of the first artificial legs ever to be made - as used by the First Marquess of Anglesey who lost his own leg during the Battle of Waterloo. Alongside the many castles, including Caernarfon castle and architecture, are other sites of great historical significance, including Powys and Camelot and prehistoric megalithic stone circles, museums of Welsh life, Abbeys such as that of Tintern and something of historical significance for the future is Denorwig; a man made power station which relies on nature. The power station acts as a huge battery for the entire country and works alongside the national grid to regulate the power needed for the country.

In years gone by Wales was the major producer of most of the world's coal and slate. These days the valleys are green again but the heritage of the mines can still be seen and experienced in one of many 'living history' museums, such as Big Pit. Until 1980, Big Pit was a fully functioning coal mine. As the industry faded out in Wales, the Pit was closed and is now functioning as the Big Pit Mining Museum. Visitors to the pit can view the workshops, blacksmith's shop and winding engine house, at the surface of the mine or take a trip in the pit cage down the 300ft to the pit bottom for a conducted tour of the underground pit areas by ex-miners of the pit. Powys and Camelot are interesting towns to visit and are, like many of the towns in Wales, full of interesting shops and surprises.

Walking

Snowdonia, in North West Wales, is the obvious place to go if you want to walk the popular routes in Wales. There are, however, many alternatives that take you through hills and valleys, and open spaces and forests. Areas of particular interest are Welshpool and the border areas around Welshpool, The Clwydian range in the North of Wales, the Elan Valley Lakes in the centre of Wales, and the Gower Peninsula in the South. An area not to be missed is the famous Brecon Beacons National Park. The park occupies 519 square miles from the Wales/England border all the way to Llandeilo. The terrain is varied, taking in wide open spaces as well as grassy slopes and flat-topped summits, with the highest summit being Pen-y-fan at 2,907ft. Hotels Conway north wales will leave you well placed to visit the entire country and tackle some of the many easy and more difficult climbs.

Family Attractions

There are a wealth of things to do in Wales for all the family. Anglesey Sea Zoo, on the banks of the Menai Strait, has won awards for its underwater recreation of the coast around Anglesey. The Zoo has many features, including a hollow underwater window which allows visitors to look into a 'Big Fish Forest', a simulation of crashing waves, and a shipwreck which can be explored below deck. King Arthur's Labyrinth is a highly popular attraction which allows visitors to take a boat trip along a subterranean river to the underground world where King Arthur's myths and legends come to life. A stark contrast to this, but only a few miles to the south is the Centre for Alternative Technology which shows how we can make the best use of the earth's natural resources.

Other family attractions of interest are the Dan-yr-Ogof showcaves, said to be the largest complex of showcaves in Europe, the Welsh Wildlife centre and Techniquest which teaches kids all about science and technology. Located near Cardiff, Techniquest is an interactive science museum with about 160 exhibits which explain science in a fun and entertaining way whilst at the same time being highly educational. The new millenium stadium cardiff is also an interesting and significant place to visit whilst in the country. There really is a whole host of things to do during your time in Wales to suite all age groups and tastes. The castles, particularly Caernarfon castle and architecture really are a must see along with, for the more sporty types, the new millenium stadium cardiff, and Powys and Camelot.

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