About Wales

 

 

Wales is a beautiful and often overlooked part of the United Kingdom. The country I grew up in is located on Britains west Coast about three or so hours from London.

Wales is a characterised by a wealth of history, nestled among green mountains, deep Valleys, bustling towns  - some agricultural, and others former mining or industrial towns that have turned to tourism in the more recent years. Wales is famous for its plethora of Castles, having Welsh  - its own unique language, Rugby, Males Voice choirs and having many a town where you will stuggle to pronounce the name.

Of course, aside from the good old fashioned feel Wales presents - there are many towns where you feel as though you have stepped back in time - Wales is also developing to meet the demands of the 21st century. Cities such as Cardiff, the Capital, offer all the amenities you will find in any large city throughout the world, with excellent shopping, entertainment, sports , Universities - but few other cities could also offer you a Castle on their doorstep too!

And so we begin with this guide that looks at the places to see, the things to get and even a touch of Welsh to get you on your way!

Cardiff

We begin at the capital - Cardiff. The name Cardiff derives from the Welsh word - Caerdydd. The name and its meaning cannot be clealrly defined but the term "Caer' means castle , unsurprising as the City boasts not just one but two Castles - the First, Cardiff Castle stands in the City Center - and is actually a collection of different Castles from different era's, all characterised by unique architecture. It's history dates back over 2000 years.

 

This picture taken from a recent trip , shows just one of many areas of the Castle which is remarkably well preserved. The castle is as amazing on the inside, as it is on the outside. In 1866 the interior was transformed by a local architect - Mr. William Burges, and features opulant murals with real gold detail, carvings , stained glass windows and themed areas such as the gardens, designed with a Mediterranean feel. Many of these areas are open to the public for a minimal fee of about twelve US dollars.

Another must visit area of the city is Cardiff Bay - this is an area that has seen remarkable development over recent years. Once famous for being the largest port exporting coal in the world, it now has now become the biggest waterfront development in Europe, offering upcale housing , resturants, entertainment and  a host of watersports. A boat tour is perhaps the best way to take in the views and learn the history of this remarkable development.

Another idea for all the sporting buffs out there is to catch a game of rugby - the national sport of Wales, at the Millennium Stadium - constructed in  1999, in preparation for the Rugby world Cup. This stadium which has a capactity of over 74000 people , also has a retractable roof. It is currently used for many major sporting events such as the FA Cup (the major football (soccer) end of season tournament) and many international games due to Wembly stadium - the usual venue for such everts  - being under reconstruction.

A short trip from Cardiff - you can step back in time - at the Museum of Welsh Life - otherwise know as St. Fagans. Unique as this museum is open air - allowing you to explore the culture, history and lifestyle of the Welsh. Initially you can wander around in doors and see tools, farming and househild pieces from centuries ago, but the real fun is when you leave the rows of glass cases filled with various artifacts and start exploing the over 40 buildings on the grounds. We have always liked the Celtic Village - showing just how people lived in this era - you can wander in the little houses, furnished and many have a real fire burning in the middle of the house as it would have been during the celtic period. Beds, chairs, bat tubs and kitchen areas are set up as it in keeping with the period. You can wander about and eat scones made with a centuries old recipe while you enjoy the step back in time. Some of the areas such as the Celtic village were constructed for the Museum but most of the buildings are the real thing - authentic architecture from around wales, recontructed at the museum site.

The Gower

This is probably my favorite area to discuss - as it is one of the most beautiful anywhere in the World.

The Gower Peninsula is a coastline that stretches out over more than 70 square mile, and was the first area in the United Kingdom to earn the title "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". It is a mixture of breathtaking coastline  - wonderful beaches, small little viallges and farm / rural land.

Oxwich Bay was always a favorite growing up. A beautiful beach of over 2.5 miles, it offers watersports, great swimming and wonderful little rocky areas which form tide pools - kids can climb among the rocks retriving starfish, and other sealife. There is an abundance of accomodation in the area - particularly quaint little bed and breakfast type places. Oxwich also offers you another chance to see and explore a 'Castle' - on land that overlooks the Gower Peninsula, this is actually a house built in the tudor period to resemble a castle - debate remains as to whether this site may have actually been home to the real thing.

Rhossili

  

The village of Rhossili is situated on the tip of the Peninsula. It consisits of dramatic, breathtaking views of the ocean (it was a chilly November day when my Ocean scene pic was taken so this does not do the area justice!), and craggy farmland as illustrated by the little farmhouse which is situated on the tip of the cliff, surrounded by many grazing sheep. The beach here is over three miles long and is known for attracting surfers year  round. Drenched in history, remains dating back to the Iron Age have been found in this area. A little coffee shop is nestled at the top of the cliff offering homemade cakes and pastries.

Mumbles

 

 

A beautiful seaside Village with plenty to keep the whole family happy! Situated about 5 miles from another South Wales City - Swansea, this village is usually packed with tourists, locals and students - the latter possibly attracted to what has become locally known as the "Mumbles Mile" - a collection of pubs spanning  approximately a mile - students from places such as the local colleges and Univeristies like to make it a goal to start at one end and work their way along having a drink at each stop! Of course there is a lot more to this village than that - a pier constuced in 1898 is a popular place to visit - you and walk along the pier or make use of the local arcades, resturants and the stretch of walkway that takes you from the village center of shops to the tip fo the coastline. There is also a great beach with a view out to the Mumbles lighthouse.

 

St Davids

 

 

This holds the title as the smallest City  Britain - with less than 2000 residents . I am not too sure of the requirements these days, but originally a city had to boast a catherdral and a Univerisity to hold such a title! The city lies entirely in a National Park (an area protected by the Goverment in order to protect the natural beauty and unique features in holds!). The City has lots of little winding street and old buildings; enjoy  a traditional pub lunch by an open log fire before heading down to the Cathedral picutred above. This picture was taken on a lovely Winter day - you can gasp at the beauty of the cathedral before heading down to its doors past old but preserved graves. This Cathedral dates back to the 1100's but is in remarkable shape due to many later refurbishments. The Cathedral is fabulous and serene inside - this one stands apart due to the tombs of many Past Bishops that lie inside the cathedral walls. It is said that the bones of St. David - the patron saint of Wales, are located at the Cathedral.

 

The Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains.

 

 

Located in Mid Wales , this is a 512 square mile National Park, and more than half of this park is 1000 foot above sea level and is known for attracting hikers; though it also has a lot to offer those looking for spectacular scenery or a walk as opposed to a hike. Usually green, the picture above was taken in April just as the snow had melted leaving the landscape a bit dreary - another picture that does not do the area justice I am afraid! This park also contains waterfalls including the Henrhyd waterfall - this drops over 90 feet giving it the title the tallest waterfall located in the South Wales area. Caves are also another feature of this park which is also known for unique wildlife and fawna.

The Towns of Wales.

 

There are many unique towns in Wales. Pictured above is the Coastline of the small former industrial town of Llanelli. Once known for a thriving steel industry, the town fell into somewhat of a decline before a developing tourism industry took hold. Besides a beautiful coastline  - this town has also constructed a signature gold course, waterfront park and wonderful shopping. However, besides the typical big name chains you cna also take a step back in time to the old fashioned indoor market where you can purchase hot welshcakes and cockles (a shellfish) freshly picked.

 

There goes our guide to some of the places you can visit...but what can you buy that is truely Welsh??

Shopping

Foods

Wales boasts some food that you will be hard pressed to find anyhere else.

Cawl

One of the most traditional is Cawl, a hearty stew  - though the ingredients may vary , leeks and potatoes form the base along with meat - typically lamb or stewing steak. This is very much a cold weather dish and very filling!

Cockles and lava bread.

 

Cockles are a shellfish almost like mini clams, growing up, it was typical for the men to get up early and head to the shores to pick the cockles. They would be boiled then eated either warm or cold with vinegar  - or maybe picked. A common Welsh dish is cockles and lava bread - not a bread...and having nothing to do with lava either, this is essentially seaweed. This has an aquired taste as it is hard to get past the taste of the sea!!

Welshcakes

These are like the English Scones only flat as they are cooked on a hotplate and not in an oven to rise. A crumbly cake, it typically contains raisins and currents but more recently I have seen them made with chocolate and coconut - not tradtional but it tastes pretty good. Great served with a cup of hot tea!

Foods you can take home.

You can find many tradtional foods prepared in Wales, such as Honey and other preserves, alcohols such as Whiskey and Vodka and even confectionary such as Chocolate. There are other things you must try while there such as the great farm produced cheeses and meats that may differ significantly from what you are used to. With such a Wealth of argiculture, it is common to get foods fresh of the farm or fish right out of the ocean at local restuarants.

Other Welsh items.

There are of course the usual touristy things but I would steer clear of much of this as it is often cheaply made and produced. There are other examples of unique pieces you could only find in wales however. One such example of this can be found in the little Fishing Village of Tenby. In the summer you can take a boat trip  from Tenby to the nearby Caldey Island - a holy Island Inhabited by Cisterican Monks - a silent order who make a variety of handmade products that you would not find anywhere else - try their own chocolate, the range of perfumes and colognes made often from flowers grown on the island, bath and beauty products and books they have penned.

 

The Language

Yes Wales has its own language - Welsh, of Celtic roots and many of the towns are names in Welsh or will have the Welsh spelling next to the Engligh word. However, you will not need a knowledge of Welsh to get by as the primary language spoken here is still English. The language saw a decline in the number of speakers over the ages but now there is a revivial and many especially the children of Wales are being encouraged to learn the language.

 

Here are a few words for those who want to try it out:

• Hello - helo
• Good Morning - Bore Da
• Good afternoon - prynhawn da
• Good evening - Noswaith da
• Good Night - Nos dda
• How are you? shw mae
• what is your name? beth ydy dy enw di?
• Please - Os gwelwch yn dda (yes folks 4 words for please!!)
• Thank you - diolch
• Its cold - Mae'n oer
• Its hot - Mae'n boeth (you never know, you might get a hot day!)
• goodbye - hwyl!

I hope that helps a little.

Summary

When one thinks of taking trips to the UK  - England and London usually come to mind. I hope however, that this guide has allowed you to see some of the many treasures that wales has to offer - from unparalled coastline, to friendly unique towns , rich history, castle upon castle, green mountains and Valleys, big cities, small villages,shopping, unique dining and people that are welcoming to all guests. Wales has something for everyone and is well worth a visit!