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Are you planning a trip to Wales this year and need some recommendations for places to visit? With lush greenery, dramatic landscapes, and an exciting array of visitor attractions, there’s plenty of sights to discover and explore.
In no particular order, here are our top 15 Welsh visitor attractions...
#1 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is the Llechwedd Caverns which have been transformed into a fun trampoline playground named Bounce Below. Enter via an old mine train and uncover a staggering maze of giant nets with three separate trampoline heights. As well as jumping for joy, you can travel down the industrial-sized slide, crawl through a tunnel and descend a spiral staircase deep into the caves. Find out more.
#2 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is The Bug Farm is a quirky research and visitor centre, consisting of a Tropical Bug Zoo, Bug Museum, British Bug House, Insect Farming Exhibition, Farm Trails, and Walled Garden. With a strong focus on wildlife conservation and sustainable farming, you can discover the wonders of bugs and what they do for us. The site is also home to the UK’s first edible insect restaurant. Read more here. Image credit: The Pembrokeshire Herald.
3. Zip World
#3 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is Zip World. Situated in the heart of Snowdonia Zip World is home to Velocity 2, the world’s fastest, and Europe’s longest, zip line! Its four parallel lines span 1.5km over the crystal-clear waters of Penrhyn Quarry Lake. Discover more here.
4. Culver Hole
#4 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is hidden away in a rocky cleft; the ancient Culver Hole cave. Truly a sight to behold, its unique structure has been sealed behind a 60ft stone wall, with distinct mismatched windows. This unusual cave is thought to have been built in the 13th or 14th Century as a dovecote, and now comes with its own fascinating collection of smuggling stories. Find out more here. Image credit: National Trust.
#5 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is on the northern coast of Anglesey, where you can uncover this disused Victorian brickworks. From chimneys and kilns to old workshops and rusted machinery, this ghostly ruin is something of a hidden gem. Although the brickworks closed in the first half of the 20th Century, much of the site remains standing today – making for a fun and memorable day out. Read more here.
#6 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is the stunning collection of caverns that has been Wales’ best kept secret for over 315 million years. The 3 distinct caves of Dan-yr-Ogof, Cathedral Cove and Bone Cave each offer a unique and fascinating underground experience – explore pretty passageways, enormous caverns, 40 feet high waterfalls and more history than you can sink your teeth into during your day at the caves. Read more.
7. Royal Welsh Show At #7 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is The Royal Welsh Show. A staple in the British agricultural calendar that takes place at the start of July each year. Held at a spectacular showground in Llanelwedd, you can enjoy an exciting four days of livestock competitions, forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food, and drink. Each day sees a 12-hour programme consisting of exciting entertainment, attractions and displays. Discover more here.
8. Skomer Island
#8 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is the unique Skomer Island; one of the world’s most important habitats for nesting seabirds. Situated just off the Pembrokeshire coast, Skomer Island is most famous for its puffins, which make up the largest puffin breeding colony in southern Britain – as well as Manx shearwaters, birds of prey, Atlantic grey seals, and fantastic flora. The puffins can be seen from April-August each year. Find out more.
9. Dolphin Spotting at Cardigan Bay
Stretching over 15 miles, Cardigan is the largest bay in Britain, and is home to a rich variety of wildlife. Discover the largest resident population of bottlenose dolphins in Europe, as well as harbour porpoise, Atlantic grey seals, and brilliant birdlife. Dolphins reside at Cardigan Bay from June – September and are best seen by boat or from the Mwnt cliffs. Read more.
10. Penderyn Distillery
#10 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is the eclectic Penderyn Distillery that produces award-winning single malt whiskies and spirits at the foot of the Brecon Beacons. They have achieved an enviable reputation for their range of whiskies that are “as pure and precious as Welsh gold”. The distillery hosts tours 7 days a week, as well as masterclasses at the weekend, at its vibrant visitor centre. Find out more here.
11. Falconry Experience Wales #11 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is Falconry Experience Wales, where you can gain a fascinating insight into the world of Birds of Prey. Barry & Luce offer various experiences and can also tailor experiences specifically to individuals or groups. Their beautiful birds are all captive bred, representing stunning species from all around the world – ensuring for a rich relationship between falconer and bird. Discover more here.
12. Hay Festival #12 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is the Hay Festival which takes place each spring (around May/June time) and is one of the world’s biggest and best literary festivals, bringing readers and writers together as well as famous faces to share a love of literature and arts in the border town of Hay-on-Wye. Over 100,000 visitors flock to the festival’s 11-day programme, meeting and engaging with the greatest writers, poets, philosophers, historians, scientists, comedians, and musicians out there. Read more.
13. Elan Valley #13 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is Elan Valley Reservoirs and Dams that consists of six impressive dams, originally built to supply fresh water to Birmingham. The area attracts walkers, hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers to discover its rocky crags and waterways; as well as budding stargazers. As an International Dark Sky Park, you can see glittering stars, vibrant planets and twinkling constellations on a clear night. Discover more here. Image credit: National Geographic.
14. Snowdonia National Park
#14 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is Snowdonia National Park. Home to the biggest mountain in Wales, as well as some of the most spectacular landscapes in the whole of the UK. With its boulder-filled summits, marvelous mountain ranges and mystical lakes, Snowdonia is a popular destination for walkers, climbers, and mountain bikers alike. Highlights include Llanberis Pass and the 3560-foot Mount Snowdon. Discover more here.
15. Brecon Beacons #15 on our best visitor attractions in Wales list is this impressive South Wales mountain range. A popular activity and holiday spot, the Brecon Beacons is an excellent walking, mountain biking and horse riding trails attracting visitors from near and afar. Discover dense forests, wonderful waterfalls, peaceful reservoirs and South Wales’ highest mountain, Pen y Fan, during your fun-filled day out at the Brecon Beacons. Find out more.