The best places to visit in South Wales

South Wales is a place that is unlike any other. It’s a special and rugged little gem. Many people say the same thing about Wales, it feels like home. Read on for the best places to visit in South Wales and see if you can be tempted to visit.

Mumbles

Just on the edge of The Gower is a cute little town. I’d like to say it’s a beachside town, but with one of the largest tides in Europe the tide is often out. Mumbles is full of cute little cottages, pubs and boutique stores. People often stay here to explore the Gower Peninsula on day trips.

Bracelet Bay

Just a 10-15 minute walk over the headland you’ll find Bracelet Bay. There is a small eatery called The Lighthouse overlooking Mumbles lighthouse. It’s a great place to have a drink and admire the views. If you’re lucky, you might spot a dolphin. You can walk over to the lighthouse in low tide.

Langland Bay

From Bracelet Bay you can either walk one hour around the beautiful headland to Langland Bay or drive. The beach is rocky here and you’ll find some cafes and places to eat. It’s a picturesque bay with cute beach houses and the impressive Langland Bay Mannor in the background. The Mannor was originally built as a holiday home and is based on Scottish architecture, so it gives off a Scottish Highland vibe.

Nature lovers tip: You can often spot sea lions while walking on this stretch of coast.

Caswell Bay

If you walk a further hour around the coast (worth it for the beautiful coastal views) you’ll reach Caswell Bay, which is well loved by surfers. The tides move in really fast on this beach, so be careful not to get trapped on the rocks to your left. Always pay attention to the tides. Caswell Bay is a sandy beach. The cafe here has a fire and big glass windows so it’s enjoyable to visit, even in bad weather.

Rhossili

Further along the coast away from Caswell Bay you’ll find Rhossili. It’s a huge and beautiful beach popular with paragliders. There are a multitude of hikes you can do in the area, from walking along to worms head or trampling over the hills that overlook Rhossili. There is a great little pub by the car park with fantastic views. I always stop here for fish and chips.

Insider Tip: Catch the bus to Port Enyon and walk the coastal route to Rhossili.

Three Cliffs Bay

Three Cliffs Bay is an impressive and windy place to enjoy the Gower Coastline from. There are a number of walks in the area and a nice little coffee shop that serves great jacket potatoes.

Cheese lovers tip: The shop in the car park sells smoked cheddar cheese from Snowdon Cheese Company. It’s actually one of my favourite cheeses in the world. I buy it whenever I see it. You can thank me later.

The Brecon Beacons

Inland from The Gower, passed Swansea city and along country roads you’ll find the Brecon Beacons. Peny Fan is a popular hike here. There are a few ways to reach the top of this mountain. I prefer the more popular route, because it’s less steep at the top and no scrambling is required.

Cardigan

Cardigan is a small town along the Pembrokeshire coastline. The bay is home to Europes largest population of dolphins. If you stay in the Cliff Hotel & Spa, which is outside of the town, there are coastal walks just outside the hotel grounds that will give you a good chance of spotting a pod of dolphins playing in the bay.

Saundersfoot

An old mining town along the Pembrokeshire coastline. The town is a delightful seaside village with a sandy beach, lots of little pubs and places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. There is a hike from the village where you can reach the old railway tracks that were used in it’s old mining days.

Splurge Tip: The St Brides Spa Hotel has a heated hydropool pool overlooking the town and surrounding countryside. It’s the perfect place to recharge.

Driving tip: If you’re driving, pay very close attention to the speed limit, because Wales has a lower speed limit compared to England in urban areas.