10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Wales That You Shouldn't Miss

December 21, 2021 Ying Subia

Discover the best top things to do in Wales, United Kingdom including Plas Mawr, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Gower Peninsula, Mwnt Beach, Cader Idris, Harlech Beach, Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve, Three Cliffs Bay, Manorafon Farm Park, Kidwelly Castle.
Restaurants in Wales

1. Plas Mawr

High Street, Conwy LL32 8DE Wales +44 1492 580167 [email protected] http://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/plas-mawr
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 909 reviews

Plas Mawr

Plas Mawr, or the Great Hall, is quite simply the finest surviving Elizabethan town house anywhere in Britain. This was a golden age when fabulously wealthy merchants invested in mansions, rich fittings and lavish entertaining. Robert Wynn, third son of a local landowner, wanted a piece of the action. The house’s main frontage is discreetly hidden away in a steep narrow lane. So the High Street gatehouse only hints at the grandeur within, as you rise via a series of terraces to explore 17 impressive rooms. The displayed opening times are our general pattern. Please check the Cadw website for specific times and days, including closures. Advanced booking required.

Reviewed By Don_G_Wright - Vancouver, Canada

I’m so glad the person at the ticket counter at Conwy Castle recommended we pop over to Plas Mawr before we left the area. This is a delightful Elizabethan era townhouse that has been wonderfully restored and set up to show the life of the wealthy merchant, Robert Wynn, who built it in the 1570s. Furniture and decorations from the time tell a fascinating story, and all the painted heraldic emblems and fanciful figures are very intriguing, especially all the severed heads! They are associated with the family of his wife, Dorothy Griffin. An hour is plenty of time for a visit.

2. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Llanion Park Pembroke Dock, SA72 6DY Wales +44 1646 624800 [email protected] http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales
Excellent
90%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 187 reviews

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Reviewed By DaveThomasLeicester

One of the most stunning parts of Wales with outstanding coastal walks - all well signed and marked.

3. Gower Peninsula

Swansea Wales +44 1792 371218 http://www.explore-gower.co.uk/
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,053 reviews

Gower Peninsula

Reviewed By LucanScreed - Swansea, United Kingdom

It's the closest thing to Heaven most of us will ever get - spectacular beaches, two stunning ridge walks, along Rhossili Down, the other on Cefn Bryn, woodland, streams, 3 microbreweries, fantastic bars and restaurants, and did I mention the beaches - Three Cliffs is like nowhere else in the world. Everywhere there are views that will leave you speechless. I', a lucky bastard - I live here.

4. Mwnt Beach

Cardigan Wales http://www.discoverceredigion.co.uk/English/where/Coast/beaches/Pages/mwnt.aspx
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 914 reviews

Mwnt Beach

Reviewed By sarahmI7997WI - Bristol, United Kingdom

National Trust car park at site. Beautiful church. Lovely views from the hill climb, which isn’t actually that bad to climb!!! Quite a few steps down to the beach. If coming in rain, the footpath and steps do flood so wear wellies!!! Small cafe and shop half way down to beach with friendly staff. Beautiful sandy cove. Don’t sit near the back due to erosion. Recommended.

5. Cader Idris

Snowdonia National Park, Dolgellau Wales http://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/visiting/walking/mountain-walks/pony-path-ty-nant
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 503 reviews

Cader Idris

Reviewed By lucyharries_89 - Cardiff, United Kingdom

After reading about the different tracks you can take up to the summit, I decided to opt for the Minffordd path, and I was not disappointed! I managed to get here on the T2 bus from Dolgellau - it drops you off next to Dol Idris Car Park - just ask the driver where to jump off if you're unsure. Once you reach the car park, follow the signs to the start of the track - there is also a little cafe en route if you need any supplies, but don't rely on it too much as it wasn't open on the day that I went! The Minffordd Path itself is relatively easy to follow. After a steep initial ascent (with lot's of steps through a woodland) you reach a split in the path - a little stone bridge going right will take you up the Mynydd Moel path, which is a giant scree slope. The left will continue your journey along the Minffordd path and takes you to Llyn Cau,which is a really pretty lake, and a gorgeous spot to have a chill and recharge before continuing. After you've relaxed a bit, or just stopped for a photo opportunity, continue along the ridge, keeping the lake to your right and prepare for another steep climb towards Craig Cwm Amarch, the first peak you reach (after climbing over a stile). After taking a moment to admire the views, continue along the downward path for about 10-15 minutes and eventually the path will start ascending again - the path is pretty clearly marked until you get to this point, but then it becomes a bit difficult to follow as you begin the ascent as there is a lot of loose rock - just try and keep to the right and you'll eventually reach the trig point! From the top, you can choose to either go back the same way or choose a different descent. For anyone relying on the buses, like me, you can take the Mynydd Moel path back to the Dol Idris car park. Follow the flat ridge on the summit for a good while (it is essentially a circular route around the opposite side of Llyn Cau that you ascended). After a while you reach a stile - cross this and begin your descent down the scree slope. You eventually cross the little stone bridge that you saw on the way up, which then joins the Minffordd Path again for the final part of the descent back to the car park. Be warned, the descent down the Mynydd Moel is really tough on the knees - I thought mine were okay but this mountain proved me wrong! Overall, this was a challenging hike, but I would do it gain. The views never get tiring and, having done Snowdon 2 years previously, this was a far more spectacular walk. It really is not to be missed!

6. Harlech Beach

Snowdonia National Park, Harlech LL46 2UG Wales
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 592 reviews

Harlech Beach

Reviewed By JSHD2016 - Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

This beach is stunning and the water is quite warm in patches in the summer months. Definitely go and definitley take your golf clubs too because there is a golf course within stones throw of the beach along with camping and the steepest street in the world (according to Guiness World Book of records) just down the road plus castle. Enjoy

7. Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve

Bethesda, Bangor LL573LZ Wales +44 1248 600954 http://www.first-nature.com/waleswildlife/n-nnr-idwal.php
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 244 reviews

Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve

Reviewed By LejasLou - San Francisco, United States

If you are visiting Snowdonia/Eryri: do not miss this hike! Parking in the summer can be challenging, so it’s best to get here before 11am (9:30am if you want a spot in the paid parking lot). Many cars end up parking on the side of the road, but even that space fills quickly and can be a bit dangerous with little kids/buggies/etc. There is a stand that sells coffee and ice cream just next to the paid parking lot but pretty much all seating is outside so if the weather isn’t great, you might want to keep that in mind. The hike to the lake is a mild/moderate incline but generally well-maintained path with stone steps - for those who don’t hike much it’s absolutely do-able and fun, just take your time. Once you reach the lake, it’s mostly flat with some gentle inclines/declines. It can take anywhere from 45-90 minutes to do the entire loop from the parking lot to around the lake - the time depends on how fast you want to go. For the more more advanced hikers, this is also a gateway to more challenging hikes into Devils Kitchen and then beyond access to a range of some of the Eryri’s 3000s mountains (ie the Glyderau range). If you want to do the range, definitely start early but can be done in a day.

8. Three Cliffs Bay

Swansea SA3 2EH Wales
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 671 reviews

Three Cliffs Bay

Reviewed By DeejDeej - Istanbul, Turkey

If you park at the Gower heritage center ( a small parking fee) , they will give you a small map for a lovely walk to the beach. Passing through a woodlands, pass a castle ruins on the jills with beautiful veiws and do wn theough the sand dunes , through a small river or over stepping stones onto a beautiful beach with transparent water. In summer it feels like youre abroad.

9. Manorafon Farm Park

Manorafon Llanddulas Road Gwrych Park Estate, Abergele LL22 8ET Wales +44 1745 833237 [email protected] http://www.manorafon-farm-park.co.uk/
Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 432 reviews

Manorafon Farm Park

Oodles of fun for all the family…….Experience the thrill of the sheep race, get up close to reptiles and creepy crawlies, cuddle the rabbits, feed the goats and greet the alpacas. Or join us as we welcome an array of new baby animals throughout the year - from adorable lambs to cheeky kids, fluffy chicks and cute piglets. Then discover the indoor play barn, the exciting off-road pedal go-karts and the giant sand pit. Get into character in Tiny Town, explore the Clamber Castle or let off steam on the bouncy pillows before stopping off at the Greedy Goat Snack Hut to refuel. There’s plenty to see and even more to do. Nestled in the picturesque parkland of Gwrych Castle, close to the stunning North Wales coastline and conveniently just off the A55. Visit Manorafon Farm for a memorable and fun-packed family day out.

Reviewed By cerij202 - Llanddulas, United Kingdom

Such a well organised Farm Park, Puts anxious minds are ease, cleanliness and sanitisation stations and signage made clear, Very well planned out with social distancing and times of arrival in place makes it safe for families to visit, Wonderful care and information given from staff, Awesome Nibbles at the hungry goat, Our favourites of the day where the peddle bike/karts and the very vocal Donkey and the most Adorable Bunnies, Looking forward to returning real soon!

10. Kidwelly Castle

Castle Road Kidwelly, Carmarthen SA17 5BQ Wales +44 1554 890104 [email protected] http://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/kidwelly-castle
Excellent
67%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 625 reviews

Kidwelly Castle

Advance booking required. Kidwelly is on a par with the other great castles of Wales. We all get our moments. But if you want a truly medieval moment, catch a glimpse of Kidwelly shrouded in early morning mist. Spine-tingling stuff. So complete and well-preserved it’s a match for any of the great castles of Wales. The displayed opening times are our general pattern. Please check the Cadw website for specific times and days, including closures.

Reviewed By RachMorgan2018

Wonderful afternoon visit to Kidwelly Castle!! A very well preserved monument of Welsh history!! The staff were extremly friendly and informative!! Dogs are very welcome and the staff were kind enough to give our dog treats !! A well stocked gift shop too , containing history books and some lovely gift ideas !!

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