With as much History as there is in Wales, there are a few Museums around Wales
- National Museum of Wales – In Cardiff City Centre, the National Museum of Wales owns over 7,000,000 items and is also home to the Wales National Heart Gallery.
- Cardiff Museum – Also in Cardiff City Centre, this smaller Museum tells the history of Cardiff from the Iron Age up to modern day
St Fagan’s National Museum of History – Regularly voted as one of Wales’ best days out, it is most famous for its Historic Buildings. A collection of buildings from all over Wales, rebuilt in the grounds of an Elizabethan Manor House - Big Pit National Coal Mine Museum – A former Coal mine on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog converted to a Museum about coal mining in Wales
- Rhondda Heritage Park – Another former Coal mine turned museum
- Blaenavon Ironworks – Former Ironworks on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blaenavon
- Cyfarthfa Castle – Tells the Industrial History of Merthyr Tydfil and mining, iron works, and civil unrest in the area
- National Waterfront Museum – In Swansea, near the waterfront, the museum holds regularly changing exhibitions and events
- Dylan Thomas Centre- Tells the story of the life of Dylan Thomas, arguably Wales’ most famous author and poet
- National Roman Legion Museum – In Caerleon and tells the history of the Romans in the town, and the archaeological digs to uncover some of the best preserved Roman Remains in the world
South Wales is the populous and industrial part of Wales. Around 2/3 of the entire population of Wales live in South Wales, with 1/3 living within an hours drive of the Capital. As such, the biggest Cities and Towns in Wales are in South Wales. They include;
Cardiff – The Capital of Wales, and the most populated City
Swansea – Wales’ 2nd largest City
Newport – Wales’ 3rd largest City
Barry – Former Dock Town, that overtook Cardiff to become the largest Coal Exporting Port in the world
Caerphilly – Home to the largest Castle in Wales
Pontypridd – Largest town in the Rhondda Valley, once the heart of coal mining activity in the country
Port Talbot – Birth Place of Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins & Michael Sheen
Monmouth – Home to the only surviving Medieval Gated Bridge in the UK
Chepstow – Home to the oldest Stone Castle in the UK
Caerleon – Home to some of the best preserved Roman Remains in the world
With over 640 Castles, Wales has more Castles per square mile. There are 20 within 15 miles of Cardiff City Centre alone. They range from being so complete, they could be lived in today, to almost completely ruined, with little left. There are also a number of Cathedrals, Abbey’s and Priory’s scatted around Wales too. These are some of the best Castles, Abbey’s, Priories & Cathedrals that can be visited in South Wales.
- Cardiff Castle – In the heart of the Welsh Capital, and built on the remains of a 2000 year old Roman Fort. One of the best Castles in Wales
- Chepstow Castle – The oldest Stone Castle in the UK, which has the oldest still operational doors in Europe
- Raglan Castle – A unique and pretty Castle, also one of the best Castles in Wales
- Castell Coch – Fairytale Castle nestled in the hills to the north of Cardiff, overlooking the city
- Caerphilly Castle – The largest Castle in Wales, and 2nd largest in the UK
- Tintern Abbey – Romantic Ruins of 13th Century Abbey, considered to be a masterpiece of Gothic Architecture, and arguably the best Abbey in Wales
- Llanthony Priory – Ruins of a small 12th Century Abbey, thought to be one of Wales’ Greatest Medieval Buildings in the shadow of The Black Mountains
- Neath Abbey – Impressive Ruins of a large Abbey near Swansea
- Llandaff Cathedral – Impressive 12th Century Cathedral in the Welsh Capital.
- Castell Dryslwyn – Native Castle built by Lord Rhys, perched on the top of a hill on the banks of The River Towy with beautiful views across the valley
- Kidwelly Castle – Minor Castle in Wales, but used as a filming location for “Monty Python and The Holy Grail”
- Tretower Court & Castle – Located in the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog
Compared to the Mountains of North Wales, the mountains in South Wales are smaller, and more gentle. That doesn’t make the scenery any less spectacular. These are some of the most scenic parts of South Wales, and some of the best view points
- Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) – Wales 2nd largest National Park and where the biggest mountains in South Wales can be found
- The Gower AONB – The first AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in the UK
- Wye Valley AONB – On the border with England and famous for its woods, greenery and “tree tunnels” along the River Wye
- Rhigos Mountain – One of the tallest mountains in Wales, south of Bannau Brycheiniog, with spectacular views across Bannau Brycheiniog
- Gospel Pass – Wales’ Highest Road, with views across Bannau Brycheiniog and up into Mid Wales.
- Black Mountain Quarries – Near the highest peak in the western part of Bannau Brycheiniog, and amazing views across towards West Wales
- Vale of Glamorgan Coast – Dramatic cliff top views along the Bristol Channel. Particularly points along it include Llantwit Major Beach, Nash point, Southerndown & Ogmore-by-Sea
- Bracelet Bay -In The Mumbles, on the edge of The Gower, offers views across Swansea Bay, and out across the Bristol Channel
- Worms Head, Rhossili Bay – Some of the most scenic and beautiful views in South Wales
- King Arthurs Stone – On the summit of the 2nd highest peak on the Gower, offers breath taking views in all directions across The Gower
There are a number of Parks and Gardens across South Wales that have been carefully curated and looked after
- Bute Park – Located behind Cardiff Castle and is a mixture of flower beds, and open spaces
- Dyffryn Gardens – Grade I Listed Gardens on the outskirts of Cardiff
- Cyfarthfa Castle & Park – Manicured Gardens in the Grounds of a 19th Century Castle
- Margam Castle & Park – Large Park and Grounds with a number of Gardens in the grounds of an 18th Century Manor House
- Penllegaer Valley Woods – Woods & Gardens, with Lakes and Waterfalls near Swansea
Whilst there aren’t many steam railways in South Wales, there are a couple. As well as these, there are also numerous miniature steam railways around South Wales that only run on certain days of the year, usually Bank Holidays or specific occasions
- Brecon Mountain Railway – Runs from Merthyr Tydfil through Bannau Brycheiniog and back to Merthyr Tydfil
- Blaenavon Heritage Railways – A mixture of Steam and Heritage Diesel Trains run on this line
There are many places across South Wales that you can sample Welsh Cuisine. Whether its a freshly baked Welsh Cake in Cardiff Market or sampling Welsh Whisky in Penderyn. These are just some of the places in Wales you can go to try our cuisine
Penderyn Whisky – Wales First Whisky Distillery for over 100 years in Bannau Brycheiniog
The Welsh House – Cardiff City Centre restaurant serving Welsh dishes, made with local Welsh ingredients
Llanerch Vineyard – Vineyard and Restaurant serving Welsh dishes on the outskirts of Cardiff
Hensol Distillery – Gin Distillery near Llanerch Vineyard
White Castle Vineyard – Award winning Vineyard on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog
Bakestones – Freshly made Welsh Cakes in Cardiff Market
The International Welsh Rarebit Centre – Serving different kinds of Welsh Rarebit (Welsh Cheese on Toast) in Bannau Brycheiniog
Joes Ice Cream – Welsh Ice cream, making Welsh Ice Cream for over 100 years, with branches across South Wales
The Welsh Cake Shop – Assorted flavours of Welsh Cake from plain, to fruit, to chocolate chip, to coconut and many more in Pontypridd
- The Gower – Wild Horses roam free on the Gower and most often spotted around Rhossili Bay and Gowerton
- Sheep Dog Experience – Learn how to control a sheep dog from a real shepherd, and have a go at rounding up the sheep yourself
- Alpaca My Boots – Take a treck through the Brecon Beacons, accompanied by Alpacas
- Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary – Sanctuary for rescued Primates and other animals