With its magnificent castles and gorgeous coastlines, Wales truly is a special country. There are many picturesque beauty spots to explore, including rolling Welsh hills, gorgeous mountain ranges and beautiful beaches. But perhaps the prettiest parts of Wales are its towns and villages. Here are some of the best.
Beddgelert
Beddgelert is a beautiful village in the heart of Snowdonia, in north west Wales. The village stands in a valley at the confluence of River Glaslyn and River Colwyn, and is bordered by dramatic mountain landscapes, which make it a popular tourist destination.
Beddgelert.
Within 3 miles of Beddgelert there are six routes up to the summit of Mount Snowdon. And for those seeking adventure, the world’s fastest zip wire, ‘Zip World Velocity’ is located just nearby. With numerous nearby inland lakes, Beddgelert is also a great destination for watersport enthusiasts.
Llangynidr
Found in the Brecon Beacons, Llangynidr is another stunning Welsh village. Located on the south bank of the River Usk, Llangynidr is found near to Blaen-y-Glyn waterfall (sometimes referred to as Caerfanell Falls), which are a dramatic cluster of picturesque Welsh waterfalls. Tretower Castle is another popular nearby attraction. Built during the Norman conquest of the ancient kingdom of Brycheiniog, it is motte and bailey castle of important historical significance, which is small but evocative and well-worth a visit.
Portmeirion
Portmeirion is a much-celebrated private village in North Wales. Inspired by the multi-coloured, impressive facades of Portofino in Italy, the village has to be seen to be believed. Architect Clough Williams-Ellis acquired the site in 1925 and began developing it into a complex Italianate village.
Italian inspired ornate buildings in Portmeirion, Wales.
The village is perhaps best known for cult 1960s television series, The Prisoner. Portmeirion’s proximity to the boundaries of the beautiful Snowdonia National Park make it very popular with walking enthusiasts. In fact 200,000 people visit the village every year.
Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye (often abbreviated to Hay) is a small market town best known for its literature festival, which occurs every summer, and former American President Bill Clinton described as “the Woodstock of the mind”. There are over 30 bookshops in Hay, which give it a unique, quaint feel. And being positioned at the edge of the Brecon Beacons, visitors can feel immersed in the uninterrupted views of the national park.
Tintern
Tintern is a quiet hamlet located 4 miles north of Chepstow. The village is home to the Cistercian abbey of Tintern, which was founded on 9th May 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow, and is today considered to be one of the most important historical sites in Wales. The village of Tintern is quiet and peaceful, positioned enviably on the banks of the River Wye in the heart of the Wye Valley. Tintern has many wonderful nearby walks. One of its best begins along the banks of the River Wye, before progressing onwards to ancient Offa's Dyke (Welsh: Clawdd Offa) – a large earthwork (an artificial bank of soil), which runs along the English-Welsh border for 177 miles.