All Wales sightseeing tour photos and information

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Photos from a tour around Wales


Sections:	Introduction
	Brecon Beacons
	Snowdonia
	Pembrokeshire Coast
	People and places
	Celtic culture
	Castles
	Welsh food and drink
	Animals
	Further information / how to book
	Links

INTRODUCTION

The pictures on this page show pictures from a tour of Wales.

Most signs in Wales are
both in Welsh and English.
Welsh is shown first in
areas where most people
speak Welsh as their
first language

Roads are shared with local farmers

Stone walls line many of the roads

BRECON BEACONS

Wales is a country full of beautiful and varied landscapes. Some of the scenery you can see on the tour is shown below. Each day you will travel through one of the National Parks (these are some of the most attractive parts of Britain: special measures are taken to protect the wildlife and environment in these regions). The rivers and valleys of the Brecon Beacons National Park provide an ideal base for walking and other outdoor activities.

(c) Wales Tourist Board. All rights reserved

Pen Y Fan, Brecon Beacons

River

Reservoir in the Elan Valley

Waterfall

SNOWDONIA

To the north of Wales is the Snowdonia National Park. Here there are the highest mountains in Wales (higher than any found in England): experienced mountaineers often come to this area to attempt to climb Mount Snowdon. This used to be one of the world's main areas for producing slate (used mainly for roof tiles).

Ffestiniog Steam Railway

View of Mount Snowdon (centre)

Slate heap overhangs village

PEMBROKESHIRE COAST

On the western side of Wales is the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Here you can enjoy the beautiful cliffs and beaches.

Pembrokeshire coast

St David's Cathedral

Fishguard

PEOPLE & PLACES

There are many interesting places to stop during a tour of Wales. A few of these are shown in the pictures below. In Conwy you can go inside the smallest house in Britain (there is an entrance charge of 50p). Take a picture of yourself in front of Mount Snowdon. See the coastal town where the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas was inspired to write his best poetry.

Smallest house

Group photo on Snowdonia

Fun on the beach

Dylan Thomas

Get your passport stamped in the town with the longest name in the world, on the island called Anglesey in North Wales.

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
(the world's longest station name)
Meaning: "The church of Mary in the hollow of the white hazel
near the fierce whirlpool and the church of Tysilio by the red cave"
You can get a stamp put in your passport (see right)

You can also see Gelert's grave. Gelert was the name of the dog of a Welsh prince called Llywelyn (in the 13th century). One day Llywelyn went out hunting by himself and left his baby son and Gelert alone in his hunting lodge. When he returned, he was horrified to find that his son was missing and that Gelert's mouth was covered in blood. Llywelyn was so angry that he immediately took out his sword and killed Gelert - because he had killed his only son. But as soon as he had finished doing this, he heard his son screaming in the next room, and when he got there he saw the dead body of a wolf who had entered the lodge and tried to attack the baby. He then realised that his faithful dog had killed the wolf to protect his son. Llywelyn was so sorry for his actions that it is said that he never smiled again after this day ...

Gelert greets his master

Gelert's grave

The Royal Goat - at Caernarfon Castle

If you choose to pay to enter Caernarfon Castle, you can visit a museum for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers - a Welsh division of the British army. Look out for the Royal Goat - the mascot (symbol) used by this group of soldiers.

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CELTIC CULTURE

Wales was inhabited by Celtic tribes, and many ancient monuments can be seen. You can visit the remains of the Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber. You will see Celtic crosses in some of the towns you visit: these have provided inspiration for the designs created by many of the local craftspeople.

Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber

Celtic cross

Celtic design

CASTLES

After William the Conqueror took over England, the Norman kings tried to invade Wales, but met fierce resistance, especially in the north. King Edward the First built many castles there in an attempt to establish the power of the English over the Welsh. Two of the finest examples of these castles are at Conwy and Caernarfon.

Conwy Castle

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon is probably the most famous castle in Wales. It was built by Edward the First after he defeated the Welsh leader known as Llywelyn the Last (in 1283).

The son of the king or queen in the UK is given the title of "Prince of Wales". Prince Charles was awarded this title in a ceremony that took place on a large round platform made of slate (this comes from the nearby mountains of Snowdonia). Not all Welsh people are happy that a member of the "English" royal family is given the title of "Prince of Wales".


Caernarfon Castle from outside (left) and inside (right)		Cannon

Inside the castle is the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum. The Royal Welch Fusiliers are a Welsh regiment in the British army. As well as fighting or peacekeeping, the fusiliers also perform some ceremonial duties, led by the the mascot (symbol) of the regiment: the "Royal Goat".


Ceremonial uniform	The Royal Goat (a gift from the Queen): the symbol of the Royal Welch Fusiliers

WELSH FOOD & DRINK

Try not to leave Wales without tasting some of the local food and drink. For example, try some cawl (pictured: it is a type of stew including Welsh lamb and vegetables). You can also drink a pint of Brains (a beer brewed in South Wales). In most bakeries you can buy Welshcakes, which are best enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee. If the weather is fine, you may get the chance to try a locally made ice cream.

Cawl

Welsh beer

Welshcake

ANIMALS

In the Brecon Beacons you may have a chance to see a rare bird called a red kite. Seagulls are common in the coastal areas

Red kite in flight

Red kite

Seagull

Puffins, seals and herons can be found on the Pembrokeshire coast. Wild ducks can be seen on some of the lakes and streams.

Puffin

Seal

Wild ducks

Cattle can be seen in fields in the lower land. There are mountain sheep in most areas.

Cow	Mountain sheep

FURTHER INFORMATION

Wales Tourist Board: http://www.visitwales.com

Weather forecast for Cardiff: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=1424
Weather forecast for Conwy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=2515
Weather forecast for Fishguard: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=4284

Lonely Planet verdict: Wales "Most people come [to the Brecon Beacons National Park] with their walking boots primed and ready for action, and from the crests the views are spectacular. But the region is excellent for all manner of outdoor pursuits. This is perfect pony-trekking country ... North Wales is dominated by the mountain-scape of the Snowdonia National Park, a rich source of walking and sporting treats ... The north and west coasts feature plentiful fine sandy beaches, and mixes outstanding castle towns, such as Caernarfon and Conwy, with family resorts such as Llandudno and Barmouth ... Awe-inspiring landscapes famous for their beauty and wildlife make a visit to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park a trip you'd be mad to miss" (extracts from "Lonely Planet Great Britain - 2003 edition", used with permission)
	Lonely Planet Great Britain Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications Date: May 2007	Lonely Planet Wales Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications Date: May 2007
Other Lonely Planet publications

LINKS

Introduction to Wales: Britain/Countries/Wales
Cardiff: Travel/Tours/Wales/Cardiff
Swansea and the Gower Peninsula: Travel/Tours/Wales/Swansea
More information about travel in Wales: Travel/Tours/Wales

Home page: Home

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