One of the things I love most about the UK is how fast you can travel to a new country! In just a 2-hour train ride from London, you will find yourself in Wales. Yes, Wales is a separate country and one of four that make up the UK. The other three are England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. We were able to spend the weekend in Wales and enjoyed every minute of it! Here are just a few places we got to explore.
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Cardiff
The capital city of Wales is a great place to start. Being a coastal town, it was one of the most relaxing cities to walk around in. Start your day at Cardiff Castle – explore the castle grounds and almost learn 2,000 years’ worth of the castle’s history!
Next, enjoy a picnic lunch, right behind the Castle in Bute Park. Walk along the river Taff, stop by the Summerhouse Café, and try to spot the Gorsedd Stone Circle.
If you are in the mood for shopping, head to the City Centre. Spend the afternoon getting lost in the many, many shops! If the weather turns south, head into the mall, where there are plenty more shops to explore!
Sam and I stopped in the mall to grab some dinner when we saw a sign for Tree Top Adventure golf! Not able to resist the opportunity, rode the elevator to the third floor and played two rounds of put-put golf! Never would I have thought we would be playing mini golf in a mall in Wales.
North Wales
Wanting to explore outside the city for a bit, we booked a bus tour for the south of Wales. I love taking bus tours, sometimes it can be hit or miss with the people who share the ride with you, but I love listening to the tour guide’s stories and tidbits about the location.
Caerphilly Castle
Our first stop was Caerphilly Castle – known to be one of the largest castles in the UK (next to Windsor Castle) and boasts to have a tower that leans more than the Tower of Pisa! Due to the castle being closed for cleaning, we got special access and were the only ones exploring the castle! Here are a few facts about the castle: it has never been overtaken, the island and lakes are man-made, and it only took 2 years to build (in the 12th century!).
Brecon Beacons National Park
Next, we drove north of Cardiff, to one of the three national parks in Wales – Brecon Beacons National Park. Here we drove through beautiful mountain ranges and stopped at gorgeous overlooks! One of my favorite things we saw was the free-ranging sheep and wild horses! Some were a bit shy, but others did not seem to mind how close we got and even nudged us for some snacks or extra scratches.
Brecon Town
After soaking in the beauty of the B
Walk Through Brecon Beacons
Due to our tummies being full from lunch, our tour guide gave us the opportunity to walk through the Brecon Beacons once more. It was a short walk but with some incredible views of the mountains.
Libanus Visitor Center
At the end of our walk was the Libanus Visitor Center. Here, you have the option of doing some souvenir shopping, resting in one of their lawn chairs, or having some lovely afternoon tea. From the terrace, there are good views of the two highest peaks in the Brecon Beacons, Pen y Fan and, Corn Du!
Maen Llia
Our last stop of the day was an ancient standing stone. There are many of these stones all throughout the UK – Stonehenge is one of the more popular ones or Clava Cairns in Scotland. Many believe these stones were used as markers or used to measure time. They also could have been used for ancient pagan rituals, what do you guys think?
Things to Know
Now that you know Wales is an exciting and beautiful destination, it needs to be added to your list! Here are a few helpful guidelines if you are already planning your trip to Wales!
When to Go
Spring/Fall
Spring and Fall can be a beautiful time to visit Wales. However, Spring can be on the rainy side (just like many other UK destinations). So be sure to pack a light rain jacket and your favorite pair of rain boots!
Summer
We visited Wales in mid-July and the weather was stunning! Highs of 70s (20s C) and we never had a rainy day! But the good weather also attracts crowds. Be sure to book activities in advance and get to places early!
Winter
It can get chilly in Wales during the winter, low of 40 (6 C) and snowfall does occur. So, if you plan to go, pack a warm hat and coat!
How to Get There
We traveled by train from Paddington Station to Cardiff Central. It was super easy to book our ticket and at an affordable price! There are day trips you can take from London, however, it is a longer drive, so it might be a rushed trip.
If you are traveling from England to Wales, you do not have to pass through border control or have your passport stamped again. It is much like passing through states in the US.
Where to Stay
We booked an Airbnb for our short stay. It was a perfect walking distance from the train station and City Center. Airbnb is super cheap in Wales, but if you don’t feel comfortable there are many hotel options available.
Where to Eat
Cardiff is known for its amazing seafood! Head to the City Center and pick your choice of fast food, pub, or sit-down restaurant. We went to a restaurant called The Meeting Place, it was the most amazing BBQ place! From burgers to ribs, this place will leave you stuffed!
We enjoyed every minute of our short trip to Wales! Believe it or not, there is still so much more to explore in a county that is around the same size as New Jersey! I am in love with the UK and hope to be back soon!
Thank you for reading! Until the next destination!
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
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