Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Introduction
Welcome to the Wales Coast Path the longest continuous coastal path around a country. The following pages will enable you to wind your way through 870 miles of stunning coastal landscape - from the outskirts of Chester in the north to Chepstow in the south east. Your exploration will take you from the mouth of the River Dee, along the north Wales coast with its seaside towns, over the Menai Strait onto the Isle of Anglesey, from the Lln Peninsula down the majestic sweep of Cardigan Bay, through Britains only coastal National Park in Pembrokeshire, along miles of golden sand, via Gower with its stunning scenery, along the waterfront of Cardiff Bay and Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, to the market town of Chepstow. In this media pack you will find: About the Wales Coast Path information on the paths development, the partners, details on the 2012 launch and general information. The Coast Path Explored recommendations on the top five short and long walks in each area (and details on guided walks and walking festivals). What to do a range of activities and places to visit along the way. Worlds best destination for 2012, Lonely Planet www.lonelyplanet.com/europe/travel-tips-and-articles/76854
Contacts
For further detail or information not contained within this media pack please contact: Quadrant Media & Communications Rhiannon Jenkins, Rhiannon.jenkins@quadrant.co, 02920 694888 Countryside Council for Wales: Helen Evans, PR Manager, h.evans@ccw.gov.uk, 01248 387377 or 07717 225589 Bran Devey, PR Officer, bran.devey@ccw.gov.uk, 02920 772403 or 07747 767443 Welsh Government Department for Environment and Sustainable Development DeshWebCorrespondence@Wales.GSI.gov.uk English 0300 060 3300 / 0845 010 3300 Welsh 0300 060 4400 / 0845 010 4400 Cont.../
Visit Wales Beverley Jenkins, Media and Promotions Manager, Beverley.jenkins2@wales.gsi.gov.uk, 029 2047 5212 Local Authorities & National Parks: Bridgend County Borough Council, Mike Evans, MIOH, mike.evans@bridgend.gov.uk, 01656 815213 Cardiff Council, Helen Witham / Danni Janssens, hwitham@cardiff.gov.uk/, djanssens@cardiff.gov.uk, 029 2087 3656 / 029 2087 2409 Carmarthenshire County Council, Huw Parsons, HLParsons@carmarthenshire.gov.uk, 01269 590289 ext. 3289 Ceredigion County Council, Ann Eleri Jones, anneleri.jones@ceredigion.gov.uk, 01970 633062 Conwy County Borough Council, Gwen Roberts, gwen.roberts@conwy.gov.uk, 01492 575945 Denbighshire County Council, Garry Davies, garry.davies@denbighshire.gov.uk, 01745 356197 Flintshire County Council, Barbara Milne, barbara.milne@flintshire.gov.uk, 01352 702111 Gwynedd County Council, Rhys Gwyn Roberts, rhysgwynroberts@gwynedd.gov.uk, 01286 679259 Isle of Anglesey County Council, Michael P Thomas / Rosie Frankland, mptpl@anglesey.gov.uk / RJFHT@anglesey.gov.uk, 01248 752492 Monmouthshire County Council, Helen Howlett, helenhowlett@monmouthshire.gov.uk, 01633 644825 Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Emma Wilcox / Sylvia Griffiths, e.wilcox@npt.gov.uk/ s.griffiths@npt.gov.uk, 01639 686079 Newport City Council, Kath McCarthy, kath.mccarthy@newport.gov.uk, 01633 233424 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Janet OToole, janetoto@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk, 01646 624823 Snowdonia National Park, Alun Gruffydd, Alun.Gruffydd@eryri-npa.gov.uk, 01766 772623 Swansea (City and County of), Chris Dale, chris.dale@swansea.gov.uk, 01792 635750 Vale of Glamorgan Council, Claire Evans, chevans@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk, 01446 704868
History of Development
Since 2007 the Welsh Government has invested in improving public access to the Welsh coast through its Coastal Access Improvement Programme (CAIP). The 870 miles of coast path will link with Offas Dyke Path National Trail to create a 1030 mile continuous walking route around the whole of Wales. The Wales Coast Path has been developed by the Welsh Government in partnership with the Countryside Council for Wales, sixteen local authorities and two National Parks. In addition to funding from the Welsh Government and the coastal local authorities of approximately 2 million per year, the European Regional Development Fund has allocated nearly 4 million over four years in support of the project. Improvements to the quality and alignment of the route will continue during 2012 and 2013 to ensure that the path follows the Welsh coastline as close as it is safe and practical. Over time, the Wales Coast Path is expected to lead to the creation of circular coastal routes as links to the inland towns and villages are improved. The idea was developed out of a desire to build on the economic success of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail and the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path both of which are major contributors to the visitor economy of Wales. While the coast path is important for the Welsh economy, it is also seen as an important initiative in encouraging both locals and visitors to discover and enjoy Wales outdoor spaces and the health and welfare benefits it can provide. The whole path will be accessible to walkers and, where practical, some sections will also be suitable for cyclists, families with pushchairs, people with restricted mobility and horse riders. The Path has been split into eight geographical areas: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary Flintshire County Council, Denbighshire County Council and Conwy County Borough Council Isle of Anglesey Isle of Anglesey County Council
Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd Gwynedd Council and Snowdonia National Park Authority Ceredigion Powys County Council and Ceredigion County Council Pembrokeshire Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Carmarthenshire Carmarthenshire County Council Gower & Swansea Bay City & County of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary Bridgend County Borough Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cardiff Council, Newport City Council and Monmouthshire County Council
Our Partners
Official Wales Coast Path partners are: Welsh Government European Regional Development Fund Countryside Council for Wales Flintshire County Council Denbighshire County Council Conwy County Borough Council Isle of Anglesey County Council Gwynedd Council Snowdonia National Park Authority Powys County Council Ceredigion County Council Pembrokeshire County Council Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Carmarthenshire County Council City & County of Swansea Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Bridgend County Borough Council
Vale of Glamorgan Council Cardiff Council Newport City Council Monmouthshire County Council Ramblers Cymru
Thank you to all the teams involved with the delivery of this project on the ground and for the ongoing support from all the partners. A very grateful acknowledgement is also given to all the landowners and volunteers along the Wales Coast Path for their support of this project. The Wales Coast Path would not have been possible without their involvement.
General Information
How to know when you are on the right path? The Wales Coast Path travels the length of the Welsh coastline. Along the way you will encounter new stretches as well as established routes, for example, the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail. To help you find your way, we have created a distinctive waymarker. These can be seen along the whole of the Wales Coast Path and will, at times, sit alongside other route waymarkers. Keep this in sight and you shouldnt stray far from the path.
What is open now: The official launch of the Wales Coast Path is planned for 5th May 2012. While development is still underway on some stretches, you can get out there right now and enjoy most of its features - there are some well established paths and even a National Trail which can be explored. The map, at the end of this section, outlines which areas have already been officially opened and are promoted. The map also shows the areas which are not yet opened or promoted although there are existing rights of access along many stretches. Getting to and around the Wales Coast Path: There are many transport links which enable you to link walks or reduce the length of walks by taking a local bus or train. Here are some useful links: All Wales www.traveline-cymru.info/ www.visitwales.co.uk/about-wales-guide-to-wales-culture-people-and-language/travelgetting-to-and-from-wales/ www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/PlanyourJourney/
North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary Flintshire www.flintshire.gov.uk/wps/portal/english/services?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/Web+Conte nt/Flintshire/English/Services/100011/Bus+services Denbighshire www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en-gb/DNAP-7RUDGD Conwy www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=9235&doc=29008 Isle of Anglesey www.anglesey.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/public-transport/101813.article www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/getting_to_the_path-116.aspx Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd www.gwynedd.gov.uk/bwsgwynedd Ceredigion Powys www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=110&L=0 Ceredigion www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/transport.html www.tourism.ceredigion.gov.uk/saesneg/travel.htm www.tourism.ceredigion.gov.uk/walkcardiganbay/pdfs/Cab%20a%20Bag%20Leaflet%202607-11.pdf Pembrokeshire www.pembrokeshiregreenways.co.uk Carmarthenshire www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/english/transport/buses/pages/home.aspx Gower & Swansea Bay City & County of Swansea www.visitswanseabay.com/gettingaround baytrans.org.uk/ Neath Port Talbot www.npt.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=3462 South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary Bridgend www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/tourism/documents/marketing/001793.hcsp www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/south_west_wales/assets/pdfs/journey_planning/maps/bridgend .pdf Vale of Glamorgan www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/enjoying/visit_the_vale/information/how_to_get_here.aspx www.cardiffbus.com/english/pdfs/maps/barrypenarth.pdf
Places to Stay Wales and its coastline is brimming with fabulous places to stay. From traditional coastal cottages through to converted romantic lighthouses. To find places to stay, we recommend using Visit Wales accommodation finder. www.visitwales.co.uk/holiday-accommodation-in-wales/wales-holiday-accommodationsearch-cottages-b-and-b-hotels/
Safety A coastal walk should always be a safe and enjoyable experience. It is worth considering the following points particularly if you are new to walking, or you intend to explore the longer and more remote walks. Stay on the path and away from cliff edges. Wear boots and warm, waterproof clothing. Take extra care in windy and/or wet conditions. Always supervise children and dogs. Leave gates and property as you find them. Remember that mobile signal can be patchy in some coastal destinations so let someone know where you are heading and when you are due to arrive. Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home.
Social networking Link up with us on Facebook and Twitter for news and stories about the Wales Coast Path. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wales-Coast-Path/140486052706861 http://twitter.com/#!/WalesCoastPath
NATIONAL NATURE RESERVES (11) www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/protecting-our-landscape/special-landscapes-sites/protected-landscapes/national-nature-reserves.aspx NAME LOCATION Newborough Warren & Ynys Llanddwyn Isle of Anglesey Morfa Harlech Gwynedd Morfa Dyffryn Gwynedd Dyfi Gwynedd & Ceredigion Stackpole Pembrokeshire Whiteford Swansea Gower Coast Swansea Oxwich Swansea Kenfig Pool & Dunes Bridgend Merthyr Mawr Warren Bridgend Newport Wetlands Newport SITES ON THE REGISTER OF HISTORIC LANDSCAPES (23) www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/protecting-our-landscape/historic-landscapes.aspx NAME LOCATION Creuddyn & Conwy Conwy North Arllechwedd Conwy, Gwynedd Amlwch & Parys Mountain Isle of Anglesey Penmon Isle of Anglesey Ogwen Valley Gwynedd Dinorwig Gwynedd Lln & Bardsey Island Gwynedd Aberglaslyn Gwynedd Ardudwy Gwynedd Mawddach Gwynedd Dysynni Valley Gwynedd Lower Teifi Valley Ceredigion Newport & Carningli Pembrokeshire Pen Caer: Garn Fawr and Strumble Head Pembrokeshire St Davids Peninsula and Ramsey Island Pembrokeshire Milford Haven Waterway Pembrokeshire Stackpole Warren Pembrokeshire Manorbier Pembrokeshire Taf & Tywi Estuary Carmarthenshire Gower Swansea Merthyr Mawr and Kenfig Margam Burrows Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan Gwent Levels Cardiff, Newport, Monmouthshire Lower Wye Valley Monmouthshire
Conwy Mountain 3 miles Conwy Mountain stands proud to the west of Conwy and is served by a good network of paths. In summer the hill turns purple with bell heather. The summit has fine views and is the site of an Iron Age hill fort. www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=501&doc=1724&Language=1 Llanfairfechan to Morfa Madryn 3 miles this circular walk takes you along the Llanfairfechan promenade towards the Local Nature Reserve of Morfa Madryn. This is a great spot to watch for oystercatchers, curlew and other wildfowl and waders. www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=501&doc=1734&Language=1 Five long coastal walks Dee Estuary and Greenfield Valley 6.2 miles a wander through Greenfield Valley with views across to the English coast before joining the coast path along the Dee Estuary. walks.walkingworld.com/walk/The-Greenfield-Valley-and-the-Dee-Estuary-.aspx Llanfairfechan to Dwygyfylchi 7 miles a walk in the foothills of the Carneddau mountains with stunning views across Snowdonia to the Great Orme and over the Menai Strait towards Anglesey. www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=1504&doc=1272&Language=1 Rhyl to Mostyn 11.2 miles from the waterfront at Rhyl walk the coast into Prestatyn and its three beaches Ffrith, Barkby and Central with stunning views as far as Anglesey and Snowdonia. The village of Mostyn sits on the Dee Estuary down which the massive wings for the Airbus A380 travel by barge having been manufactured at Broughton. www.rhyl-prestatyn.co.uk/english/beaches_guide.asp# Great Orme Circular 13.8 miles a route around the Great Orme with fantastic views across the whole of the North Wales coastline. Takes in the ruin of Deganwy Castle. www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk/home.php?/walk_details;id=158 Rhyl Circular 14.3 miles start at the Sea Life Centre in Rhyl and walk along the coast towards Prestatyn. You turn inland to pass near Meliden and towards the waterfalls near Dyserth. You return to the coast and Rhyl via the bank of the Afon Clwyd. www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk/home.php?/walk_details;id=159
Isle of Anglesey
The Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Mn) is waiting for you to discover its riches. World class geology and picturesque beaches are found along this glorious coastline. The island is linked to the mainland by the stunning Menai Suspension Bridge built in 1826 by Thomas Telford. Five short coastal walks St Beuno 1.75 miles a short walk which takes in the village of Aberffraw, St Beunos Church, the pretty Ffraw estuary and some of the coast path. St Beuno was believed to have special healing powers and was known to set powerful curses. You can extend the walk to take in St Cwyfan church, built on a tiny island that can only be reached at low tide. (This longer walk is about 4 miles.) http://walkingnorthwales.co.uk/pdfs/CircularWalksAberffrawStBeunoandStCwyfan_103.pdf Llyn Maelog and Traeth Llydan 2.25 miles a circular walk near the village of Rhosneigr. The first section takes you along a fully accessible boardwalk to a viewing platform at the
edge of the lake; fringed with reeds and a haven for birds. The walk continues around the lake. www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/circular_walks_on_angleseys_coast-104.aspx Llaneilian and Parys Mountain 3 miles a delightful walk taking in the spectacular north coast. It includes some steep climbs which are rewarded by magnificent views along the coast over Point Lynas and across to Parys Mountain. www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/walks_amlwch_and_llaneilian-130.aspx Ynys Cybi 4 miles a moderately challenging circular walk starting in the Breakwater Country Park in Holyhead. The route heads over the mountain and along the coastal path to the iconic South Stack, following a well defined path around the other side of the mountain and back to the park. www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk/pdfs/CircularWalksHolyheadStCybi_52.pdf St Gallgo 4 miles a circular walk from the village of Moelfre following the coast to Traeth Lligwy, passing by the memorial to those lost in the Royal Charter disaster on 26 October 1859. The path then heads inland, where short detours allow you to explore ancient monuments such as the Lligwy burial chamber or Din Lligwy enclosed hut groups dating to Roman times. www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk/pdfs/CircularWalksMoelfreStCadogandStGallgo_69.pdf Five long coastal walks St Seiriol 6 miles a circular walk from the centre of Llangoed, through fields and tracks to Penmon Point, overlooking Ynys Seiriol, or Puffin Island. This is the most easterly point on Anglesey. On your return you will pass Penmon Priory and St Seiriols holy well. http://Walkingnorthwales.co.uk/pdfs/CircularWalksLlangoedStCawrdafStlestynandStSeiriol _123.pdf Cemaes to Amlwch Port 7.5 miles leaving Cemaes the path immediately joins the rocky cliff-tops and takes you on a breathtaking journey past Llanbadrig Church, Porth Llanlleiana and Porth Cynfor to arrive at the spectacular bay of Porthwen. Low rocky cliffs then lead you to Amlwch Port. www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/cemaes_-_amlwch_port-165.aspx Pentraeth and Red Wharf Bay a circular walk which begins in the centre of Pentraeth village. The path heads down a pretty wooded track to the beach of Red Wharf Bay (so named after the colour of its sand). Continue through the coniferous Pentraeth forest, offering an elevated view of the bay watch out for the resident red squirrels. www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/circular_walks_on_angleseys_coast-104.aspx Four Mile Bridge to Treaddur 9 miles the path begins along the shore then heads inland and passes through woodland. It soon follows a beautiful and diverse stretch of coastline with rocky inlets, sandy coves and striking cliffs before reaching the coastal village of Treaddur Bay. www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/four_mile_bridge_-_treaddur-173.aspx Llyn Rhos Ddu to Aberffraw 13 miles passing through a National Nature Reserve, youll enjoy walking among dunes, conifer forest and along huge expanses of beach leading to the delightful island of Llanddwyn. The final stretch of the walk is a mix of farmland and dunes. www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/llyn_rhos_ddu_-_aberffraw-171.aspx
Pen-ychain to Criccieth 6.5 miles from the headland at Pen-ychain you walk along the shoreline before turning inland towards Llanystumdwy where in woodland outside the village you will find the grave of David Lloyd George - before returning to the coast. www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?doc=25903&Language=1 Porth Orion to Aberdaron 6.8 miles as you walk toward Aberdaron you will see Bardsey Island, once a destination for pilgrims. According to legend three visits to Bardsey was equivalent to one visit to Rome. www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?doc=25903&Language=1
Ceredigion
From the dunes of Ynyslas in the north to the historic market town of Cardigan in the south, the majestic sweep of Cardigan Bay affords the walker glimpses of dolphins and porpoise, seals and a host of marine birds. Explore the Ceredigion Heritage Coast with its picturesque seaside towns and villages and stunning beaches. Five short coastal walks Aberystwyth to Clarach 1.7 miles - this short section of the coast path passes over Constitution Hill which offers extensive views of Cardigan Bay and Aberystwyth as well as a cafe and the worlds largest camera obscura. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/sect7.html Aberporth to Tresaith 2 miles this cliff top route stretches from the eastern end of Aberporth Bay and affords spectacular views of the Ceredigion coastline and Cardigan Bay. The Aberporth half of this walk is wheelchair friendly. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/pdf/aberporth.pdf www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/pdf/tresaith-aberporth.pdf New Quay to Cwm Tydu 4 miles this route follows a section of the Heritage Coast and links National Trust land at Birds Rock, Cwm Soden and Cwm Tydu. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/pdf/newquay-cwmtydu.pdf Mwnt to Aberporth 5 miles a remote section of coast path positioned along the tops of cliffs and coastal slopes and below the fringe of agricultural land. The tranquility and isolation of this section induces a feeling of separation from the pace of modern life. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/sect1.html Llangrannog to Cwm Tydu - 5.5 miles - arguably the most spectacular part of the Ceredigion Coast Path, this section is Heritage Coast and includes the iconic Ynys Lochtyn. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/sect3.html Five long coastal walks Llanon to Llanrhystud 5.8 a circular walk that takes in shingle beach, wooded lanes, open vistas of mountain and coast and Iron Age hill forts. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/pdf/llanon.pdf Aberystwyth Railway Station to Borth Railway Station - 6 miles this is an interesting and challenging section of Heritage Coast with several big climbs. The walk links up the railway stations so that you can let the train take the strain on your return leg. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/sect7.html
New Quay to Aberaeron 6.5 miles the preferred start to this walk is along the beach at New Quay, but at high tide you may have to follow the road. Part of the path runs inland, but most of it offers spectacular cliff top views. Aberaeron is regarded as one of the most attractive towns in Wales with a square of elegant Regency-style buildings. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/sect4.html Cwm Tydu circular 6.9 miles a spectacular and lovely route (best walked anti-clockwise) that highlights the glorious coastline and countryside. The walk offers stunning views of Ynys Lochtyn before heading inland through a beautiful wooded cwm before returning back to the coast. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/sect3.html www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/maps/urdd-tydu_eng.pdf Aberystwyth to Llanrhystud 10.6 miles with no settlements between these locations and with few feeder paths, this is one of the least walked sections of the Ceredigion Coast Path. Despite its challenges, it is rewarding. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/sect6.html
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is home to the gorgeous Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and wildlife rich islands. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail passes through some of Britains most spectacular and breathtaking scenery, including 58 beaches and 14 harbours and the UKs smallest city - St Davids. Five short coastal walks Abereiddi to Blue Lagoon 300 yards a wheelchair accessible walk which leads to a stunning view over the Blue Lagoon a deep, flooded quarry. www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/Files/files/Walk%20PDF/wheelchair_walks/english/abereid di_bluelagoon.pdf Ceibwr to Pwll y wrach under 1 mile Ceibwr Bay was once a busy port serving Moylegrove. Pwll y wrach the witches cauldron is one of the most striking geological features on this stretch of coast a collapsed cave, formed where the sea has picked out soft, crumbling shale and sandstone along a fault line. www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/Files/files/Walk%20PDF/gentle_strolls/english/ceibwr_pwll ywrach.pdf Solva under 1 mile this walk contains some steep gradients. The rocks at the mouth of Solva harbour make this one of the safest anchorages between Milford Haven and Fishguard. The pretty town is divided into Upper and Lower Solva. www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/Files/files/Walk%20PDF/short_walks/english/solva.pdf Deer Park to Marloes 3-4 miles explore the Deer Park with its views across the Jack Sound to Skomer Island and continue along this dramatic coast. A small extension to this coast path walk will take you to the strikingly beautiful Marloes beach. www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/Files/files/Walk%20PDF/gentle_strolls/english/deerpark_ marloes.pdf Tenby 4.6 miles take in this bustling, pretty seaside town and its nearby countryside. There are great views out to Caldey Island, home to a religious community since the sixth century. www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/Files/files/Walk%20PDF/half_day_walks/english/tenby.pdf
Five long coastal walks Martins Haven to Dale 10 miles fairly easy walking on the level, with the occasional short climb. A walk of contrasts starting with rugged headland and great coastal views and ending in the wooded shelter of the Milford Haven waterway. nt.pcnpa.org.uk/website/sitefiles/nat_trail.asp?usrSection=9 Broad Haven South to Skrinkle Haven 11 miles this section typifies why this coastline is worthy of National Park status. It contains the National Trusts Barafundle beach (voted one of the top ten beaches in the world) and the Lily Ponds at Bosherston. An undulating path but you are never far from a beach, village pub or toilet. nt.pcnpa.org.uk/website/sitefiles/nat_trail.asp?usrSection=14 Newport to Fishguard 12 miles some of the hills on this walk are steep, but much of the walk is across cliff top with great views out to sea. nt.pcnpa.org.uk/website/sitefiles/nat_trail.asp?usrSection=2 Whitesands to Solva 13 miles from the golden sands of Whitesands Bay this walk passes close to St Davids Britains smallest city and ends in the pretty harbour village of Solva. Porpoise can be seen in the waters between the mainland and Ramsey Island so its worth stopping for a break along this stretch. nt.pcnpa.org.uk/website/sitefiles/nat_trail.asp?usrSection=6 Skrinkle to Amroth 14 miles this is a busy section of the path owing to the wonderful beaches and visitor amenities in the Tenby area. It offers superb views of Caldey Island and, on a clear day, across to Exmoor. nt.pcnpa.org.uk/website/sitefiles/nat_trail.asp?usrSection=15
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthen Bay is a coastline of great contrasts and takes in a range of habitats including fresh water marshes, salt marshes, sand dunes, pine forests and coastal commons all supporting a spectacular array of flora and fauna. Set within the bay is Pembrey Country Park 500 acres of landscaped woods and parkland leading down to the little harbour of Burry Port. Five short coastal walks Pendine to Morfa Bychan under 1 mile from the small resort of Pendine, over limestone cliffs, to the valley of Morfa Bychan. Great sea views west to Pembrokeshire and across to Gower. www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/activities/walks_pdfs/Pendine-Amroth.pdf St Anthonys Well to Llansteffan under 1 mile this section of the path skirts the old red sandstone cliffs and passes below the Anglo-Norman Llansteffan Castle, overlooking the River Tywi. www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/activities/walks_pdfs/Llansteffan.pdf Wharley Point to St Anthonys Well about 1 mile this walk offers superb views on each side of Carmarthen Bay and beyond. The path skirts the top of wooded and scrub-covered cliffs. www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/activities/walks_pdfs/Llansteffan.pdf
Ferryside to Pengay under 1 mile this walk will take you over high ground and gives good views of the vast Pembrey Forest, inland from Cefn Sidan beach. www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/activities/walks_pdfs/Ferryside.pdf Kidwelly Quay 1 mile circular walk the quay is a popular spot for birdwatchers, from where you have excellent views of the town. The adjacent Kymers Canal is one of the earliest in Wales. www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/activities/walks_pdfs/Pembrey.pdf Five long coastal walks Marros Coast 4 miles - the hidden gem of the Carmarthenshire coast, this beach is only accessible by strenuous walking. Low tide exposes the beachs secret a submerged `forest` of tree trunks preserved in a layer of peat. www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/activities/walks_pdfs/Pendine-Amroth.pdf Coygen to Delacourse 5 miles a walk around the flatlands of the Ginst area and northwards to the attractive township of Laugharne, with an option to add a `loop` past Dylan Thomas` Boathouse and his `heron-priested shore`. www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/activities/walks_pdfs/Laugharne.pdf Kidwelly Quay to Pembrey 6 miles - an estuary-edge walk alongside the Gwendraeth which makes use of the Banc y Lord seawall into Pembrey Forest, a nature reserve managed by the Forestry Commission. Planted on sand dunes, it is mostly a Corsican pine forest, but with deciduous trees growing in parts. www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/activities/walks_pdfs/Pembrey.pdf Trefenty to Llansteffan 7.5 miles - south of Trefenty Farm is an ancient ruined church, where there are medieval graves reputed to be of pilgrims. It is certainly worth visiting these carved gravestones depicting people at rest, but modern research suggest that they are actually of local medieval landowners. www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/activities/walks_pdfs/Llansteffan.pdf Burry Port to Loughor 7.5 miles - this section follows the Millennium Coastal Park along the edge of Llanelli, a town built on coal working and export, copper smelting and, most famously, tinplate manufacture.
Walking by bus to Llanmadoc 2 miles this is one of the areas Walking by bus routes. Take the bus to Llanmadoc and enjoy the serene beauty of north Gower. Highlights include Whiteford Burrows National Nature Reserve and the medieval church at Llanmadoc. Excellent for bird and wildlife watchers with views over the Loughor estuary. www.visitswanseabay.com/walkingbybus Penmaen to Three Cliffs Bay 2.5 miles a relatively easy walk with open stretches of sandy beaches and great views of Three Cliffs Bay, a spot noted for its beauty. There are a few rock scrambles if you wish to take them. visitswanseabay.com/penmaentothreecliffs Rhossili to Mewslade Bay 3 miles a picturesque walk at the western edge of the Gower Peninsula, chosen by the Ramblers' Association as one of their 'Top 10 Coastal Walking Routes' in the UK. visitswanseabay.com/rhossilitomewslade A promenade along Swansea Bay 3-4 miles Walk along Swansea Bays famous promenade (site of the worlds first passenger railway) with views across the bay to Mumbles Head. Once in Mumbles, reward yourself with an ice cream while you explore the area. If the lifeboat station is open it is worth popping in to find out more about the vital and heroic role the RNLI has played in saving lives at sea here and throughout the country. www.visitswanseabay.com/promwalk Five long coastal walks Oxwich Point 4.5 miles this path will take you through woodland and across open cliffs with the 16th Century Oxwich Castle and 13th Century St Illtyds Church as highlights along the way. www.swansea.gov.uk/oxwichpoint RSPB Rhossili Coastal Trail 6 miles - an exhilarating walk in one of the most spectacular areas in Wales. The path passes a mix of dramatic cliffs, beautiful beach, undulating upland and wild seascape ensuring exciting views of a wide variety of birdlife throughout the year. www.visitswanseabay.com/rspbrhossili Port Eynon to Rhossili 7 miles this path follows a stretch of coast rich in wildlife with a spectacular and varied landscape. It passes through National Trust land, much of which is remote, rugged and wild. www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=37183 Margam Abbey to Baglan - 7 miles to enjoy the best views of the coast, this route takes you along historic sea cliffs which overlook Port Talbot. This walk offers great views of the Bristol Channel with a superb opportunity to view how industry sits within this coastal setting. Explore interesting relics along the way including the ruins of Church of Mary. www.npt.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=7665 Llanrhidian to Cheriton & return 8 miles the path follows gently undulating landscape, close to sea level for most of the way. There is a steep slope at Bovehill and high tides can sometimes submerge parts of the path. www.swansea.gov.uk/llanrhidiantocheriton
(where Roald Dahl was christened) and iconic buildings such as the world renowned Wales Millennium Centre. www.visitcardiff.com/things-to-do/cardiff-bay-trail-p143731 Gwent Levels Circular Walk 7.5 miles an exhilarating, mostly level walk on hard surface paths around Newport Wetlands Reserve, a nationally important haven for wildlife and a National Nature Reserve. www.bbc.co.uk/wales/nature/sites/walking/pages/se_gwent_levels.shtml Merthyr Mawr to Kenfig 11.5 miles explore this section of the coast path which takes in Porthcawl and its harbour, sandy beaches, the Grand Pavilion, Locks Common, Rest Bay and the Kenfig National Nature Reserve. http://www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/protecting-our-landscape/historiclandscapes/merthyr-mawr--kenfig-margam.aspx Glamorgan Heritage Coast 14 miles this follows the Glamorgan Heritage Coast from Newton Burrows to Gileston. The walk offers great views of spectacular and dramatic coastline. www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/tourism/documents/marketing/002274.hcsp
Guided Walks
There is a wide variety of guided walks along the whole length of the Wales Coast Path. The Ramblers Association organise a comprehensive programme of walks of varying degrees of difficulty and many other organisations provide guided walks around the country. Ramblers Cymru You can find Ramblers groups all along the coastline (as well as inland). To find out more about walking in Wales or to find a local group for the section you would like to explore, visit: www.ramblers.co.uk/wales Other walking sites www.denbighshirecountryside.org.uk/lets_walk/ www.angleseywalkingholidays.com www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk/home.php?/walking_operators www.dragontrails.com www.twmstreks.com www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/default.asp?PID=87 www.visitswanseabay.com/walking www.gowersociety.org.uk www.mumblesinfo.org.uk www.bridgendramblers.co.uk www.valeways.org.uk/page.php?page=2&lang=1 www.walkinginmonmouthshire.org/
Walking Festivals
Anglesey Walking Festival www.angleseywalkingfestival.com Conwy Walking Week www.conwy.gov.uk/section.asp?cat=2427
Prestatyn Walking Festival prestatynwalkingfestival.co.uk/ Snowdonia Walking Festival www.walesairambulance.com/index.php?nav=walking Barmouth Festival of Walking www.barmouthwalkingfestival.co.uk Cardigan Festival of Walking www.visitcardigan.com/cardigan-festivals-and-events.php Llanelli Festival of Walks www.llanelliramblers.org.uk Gower Walking Festival www.mumblesinfo.org.uk/gowerwalkingfestival Bridgend Walking Festival www.bridgendreach.org.uk/walking-festival/ Monmouthshire Walking Festival www.walkinginmonmouthshire.org/
What to Do
In addition to the vast range of walking opportunities outlined in the Coast Path Explored section, there are so many other things to see and do along the Coast Path. Dip your toe in and find out why this is such a fantastic outdoor destination and just how easy it is to fit the coast path in to your daily life or your holiday planning. Here 14 activities are explored and we have identified the top 10 ideas for each: Family Fun Wildlife Arts & Crafts Sports Lovers Eating & Drinking Beach Lovers Culture Horse Riding Escapism Quirky Cycling Heritage Adrenalin Seekers Famous Names
Family Fun
The coast of Wales is an ideal place for families, with a huge range of activities, amusements, castles, nature trails and wildlife reserves, country parks and places to picnic, boat trips to see dolphins and seals, funfairs and adventure centres all on or close to the Wales Coast Path. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: Along the North Wales coast, resorts host many family activities: traditional Punch & Judy in Llandudno; tramways and cable cars on the Great Orme; the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay; Harlequin Puppet Theatre in Rhos-on-Sea; and Conwy Castle, a World Heritage Site. Families could spend most of the day enjoying all the pleasures of Rhyl Sun Centre, a leisure Mecca with pools, high thrill water slides, tropical storms and waves, a rooftop monorail. Rhyls attractions also include a sea aquarium and funfair. www.llandudnoattractions.com www.welshmountainzoo.org www.conwy.gov.uk www.attractionsnorthwales.co.uk www.rhylsuncentre.co.uk
Isle of Anglesey: Plas Newydd, run by the National Trust, has a programme of family friendly events which makes this a fantastic destination to seek out on family holidays. Or you could try out the orienteering trail at Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead. beta.nationaltrust.org.uk/plas-newydd/ www.visitanglesey.co.uk/swtan-97.aspx Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: Explore the Mediterranean-style village of Portmeirion in Gwynedd which was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975. In the 1960s it was the setting for the cult television show The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan. www.portmeirion-village.com/content.php?nID=6;lID=1 Ceredigion: Cardigan Bay has the UKs largest resident population of bottle nosed dolphins, and you can visit them on organised wildlife boat trips. Also, try crabbing along the harbourside in Aberaeron. www.tourism.ceredigion.gov.uk/saesneg/attractions.htm www.cardiganbaysac.org.uk/?page_id=72 Pembrokeshire: A year round family friendly activity programme is offered by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. Crabbing and evening bat walks are among the most popular activities. www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/default.asp?PID=417 Carmarthenshire: Cycle or walk (and even canoe in the summer) around the wetlands centre near Llanelli. Try and spot some of the 600 species of birds you can find here there are flamingos and it is even home to a water vole city. www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/llanelli Gower & Swansea Bay: Join in some high energy fun at the LC, Swanseas exciting leisure centre and water park. Or get high tech and hands on at the National Waterfront Museum. Or perhaps, squeeze in a visit to Plantasia, an exotic indoor tropical haven with insects, reptiles, fish and monkeys, and an exciting events programme. www.visitswanseabay.com/attractions South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: Coney Beach Funfair is a family attraction at Porthcawl, contrasted with wildlife walks at Kenfig Nature Reserve, and paddle steamer trips from Porthcawl to Ilfracombe aboard the Waverley. www.visitbridgend.com
Techniquest science centre in Cardiff Bay has more than 130 interactive exhibits for ages ranging from 8 to 80! On the Cardiff Bay Barrage, there is a 1100 sq metre concrete skate plaza. www.visitcardiff.com Step back to the Middle Ages with medieval re-enactments at Chepstow Castle, with period costumes, tours of historic buildings, and demonstrations by the Black Rock Lave Net Fishermen, who use traditional Welsh methods of catching salmon in the Severn Estuary. cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/chepstow-castle/?lang=en www.blackrocklavenets.co.uk/ For more recommendations, visit: www.visitwales.co.uk/uk-family-holidays/.
Beach Lovers
Along the 870 miles of Wales Coast Path are some of the most picturesque and unspoilt beaches in the whole of Britain. In 2011, Keep Wales Tidy awarded the coveted Blue Flag to 42 Welsh beaches, based on their clean water, litter-free shoreline, visitor amenities and safety. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: Talacre Beach on the tip of the Dee Estuary is lapped by the clean waters of the Irish Sea, with extensive views. It is popular, with easy parking. On the beach is Point of Ayr lighthouse, built in 1776, but disused since 1884. The area of dunes around the beach is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). www.discoverflintshire.com The coastal resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn boast six miles of safe sandy, Blue Flag beaches, with plenty of family entertainment to go with them. www.rhyl-prestatyn.co.uk Long stretches of sandy beach highlight the North Wales coast at Kinmel Bay, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Morfa Conwy, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan. The small town of Rhos-onSea, between Llandudno and Colwyn Bay, has a quaint beach front, while at Pensarn the long shingle beach has cafes and an amusement arcade nearby. www.conwy.gov.uk Isle of Anglesey: Island living means you are never far from a beach and you are certainly spoilt for choice on Anglesey. Why not explore the Llanddwyn beach with its romantic associations. www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/beaches-975.aspx www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/sites/walks/pages/newborough.shtml
Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: Rugged mountains sweep down to the sea, giving way to wide beaches and sheltered coves along the 189 miles of Wales Coast Path in Gwynedd, North Wales. Tywyn is one of Wales finest beaches, with 4.5 miles of golden sand. At the other end of the scale is the fishing village of Porthdinllaen with its sheltered crescent of sand. Aberdaron, Aberdyfi and Barmouth also have popular beaches. www.visitsnowdonia.info/beaches Ceredigion: A wildly beautiful coastline with a diverse landscape which includes sweeping, award winning sandy beaches, dunes and rock pools, with abundant wildlife. Why not try Llangrannog Beach, home to Carreg Bica legend has it that this rock used to be a giants tooth. www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/beaches/pages/llangranog.shtml Pembrokeshire: Renowned for its beaches more than 50 and many of them award-winning. Whether in busy resorts or remote and peaceful bays within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, there is something for everyone from families to wave hungry surfers. Barafundle on the National Trusts Stackpole Estate regularly hits the headlines as it is often thought to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. www.enjoypcnpa.or.uk Carmarthenshire: Home to one of the longest unbroken stretches of golden sand on the Wales Coast Path. The beautiful beaches of Marros, Pendine and Cefn Sidan stretch for nearly seven miles and have good access, the latter from Pembrey Country Park. www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk Gower & Swansea Bay: Swansea has no less than five Blue Flag and four Green Coast award beaches. Beaches range from pretty sandy bays through to seemingly endless sandy shorelines. Port Eynon Bay was voted best British beach in 2011. www.visitswanseabay.com/beaches South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: The Glamorgan Heritage Coast has good sandy beaches. Among the most popular along this coast are Southerndown, Ogmore, Newton, Trecco Bay, Rest Bay with its rock pools, Pink Bay and Sker, popular for paddling and fishing. Whitmore Bay at Barry Island is also popular and is great for a traditional seaside experience. www.bridgendbites.com www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/enjoying/visit_the_vale/our_coastline.aspx www.visitthevale.com For more recommendations, visit www.visitwales.co.uk/regions-of-wales/coast-walescoastline-beaches-and-islands/.
Cycling
There are cycling opportunities in many locations on the Coast Path and great links from the path inland where you can explore some of the finest coastal scenery in Europe. Whether youre competitive or just cycling for leisure and healthy enjoyment, there is something for everyone. The Wales Coast Path incorporates parts of the National Cycle Network, and in many places inter-connects with established Sustrans cycle routes, leading away from the coast and into the countryside of Wales. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: Along the North Wales coast at Conwy, the cycle path from Penrhyn Bay to Kinmel Bay is easy and traffic free, with cafes along the way. www.conwy.gov.uk Isle of Anglesey: Lon Las Cefni intersects with the Wales Coast Path at Newborough Forest and Malltraeth. www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: Family-friendly cycle routes abound along the coast, often linking into paths which open up the interior and world-class mountain biking trails. Lon Eifion (12 miles) from Caernarfon to Bryncir provides incredible views of Lln Peninsula, Anglesey, and the surrounding mountains of Snowdonia. Lon Las Menai (4 miles) runs parallel with the Menai Strait between Caernarfon and Y Felinheli, and the Mawddach Trail (9 miles) runs from Dolgellau to Barmouth. www.sustrans.org.uk www.visitsnowdonia.info/cycling Ceredigion: There is a short, pleasant route (under 2 miles) through the Aeron Valley linking the coastal town of Aberaeron with the National Trust property at Llanerchaeron. Alternatively, for a more challenging route, you could try the 21 mile Ystwyth Trail which heads inland from Aberystwyth. www.ceredigion.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=981 www.tourism.ceredigion.gov.uk/saesneg/ystwythtrail2.htm Pembrokeshire: For family cycling head towards the Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran, near Cardigan, and bring binoculars for bird watching! The Cardi Bach traffic-free cycle route starts from Cardigan Bridge, and winds its way through a nature reserve. You can continue on to the castle at Cilgerran. www.cyclepembrokeshire.com/content.asp?id=135 www.sustrans.org.uk
Carmarthenshire: Along the route of the Wales Coast Path west into Carmarthenshire, cyclists and walkers share the 12 mile award-winning Millennium Coastal Path, linking Llanelli and Pembrey Country Park. This forms part of the Celtic Trail, a network of dedicated cycle routes in the National Cycle Network, crossing West, South and Mid Wales. www.millenniumcoastalpark.com www.sustrans.org.uk Gower & Swansea Bay: Swansea is the gateway to the Mumbles and the spectacular Gower Peninsula, the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to be designated in Britain. Much of it is open to cyclists and links to prescribed inland cycle routes on the Peninsula. In the city, a cycle path links the award-winning Maritime Quarter with Mumbles. For the more adventurous, the world class mountain bike trails in the Afan Forest Park are only a short bus ride away. www.visitswanseabay.com/biking www.afanforestpark.co.uk South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: The Vale of Glamorgan coastline is an excellent on-road cycling destination, linked to the National Cycling Network. In Bridgend, the Locks Common shared cycle track and walkway offers off-road cycling. www.visitthevale.com www.bridgendbites.com Cardiff Bay is becoming a Mecca for family bikers with its 6.2 mile cycle trail, taking in the barrage, built to create a huge freshwater lake, and waterfront with a host of family activities and places to visit. Linking to the Taff Trail, north to Brecon, there are also Bay cycle tours and bike hire. www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?id=1833&d1=0 Along the South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary, the cycle path skirts the Newport Wetlands Reserve, with its year-round visitor and educational centre, and childrens play area. www.sustrans.org.uk For more recommendations, visit: www.cycling.visitwales.com/.
Wildlife
The Welsh coast and offshore islands are famed for their wealth of wildlife. There are internationally important populations of birds and marine mammals, carpets of wild flowers in spring and some hidden secrets waiting to be discovered! Much of the coastlines habitats and wildlife is designated for its national and international importance. You can enjoy all this as you walk the Wales Coast Path.
Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: An area of contrasts The Dee Estuary is a Wetland of International Importance, with its 120,000 waterfowl and waders in the winter. Part of Pensarn Beach in Conwy is a Site of Special Scientific Interest - boasting a wealth of rare plants along its shingle bank. Gronant Dunes support Wales' only remaining colony of breeding little terns the colony is wardened day and night by Denbighshire County Council staff. The wide range of flowers on the Great Orme provides food for the clouds of butterflies that are seen in summer. The spectacular cliffs play host to large breeding colonies of seabirds. www.rspb.org.uk www.conwy.gov.uk www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk Isle of Anglesey: The rich diversity of Angleseys wildlife can be seen from the coastal path. Grey seals are common, while dolphins and porpoises are often seen offshore. Seabirds are present in large numbers at South Stack, while waders and wildfowl are common in estuaries, such as Malltraeth. Just off the coast is the uninhabited Puffin Island, a Special Protection Area because of its 750 pairs of cormorants. Choughs are often seen in the west and north of the island. Anglesey is important for its coastal heath, and its vast sand dunes on the west coast which includes Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve. Anglesey is also home to three tern species including the lovely Sandwich Tern (used on the logo for the Anglesey Coast Path). www.visitanglesey.co.uk Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: Gwynedd has many outstanding coastal wildlife habitats from the mudflats at Traeth Lafan near Bangor, to Pen Llns coastal heath and the estuary of Afon Dyfi. The grey seal is a common visitor to the beaches around Lln and they can often be seen resting on the rocks, or swimming around in secluded coves. Bottlenose and common dolphins are also seen around the Peninsula. The RSPB's Osprey Project at Glaslyn (near Porthmadog) is well worth a visit. www.gwynedd.gov.uk www.darganfodgwynedd.com Ceredigion: Cardigan Bay, a Special Area of Conservation, is a fantastic place for dolphin watching, with one of the UKs largest resident populations of bottlenose dolphin. The Dyfi estuary, dunes at Ynyslas and Cors Fochno at Borth are part of the international Dyfi Biosphere reserve. Indeed, Cors Fochno is one of the largest and finest examples of a raised peat bog in Britain. The RSPB reserve at Ynys-hir (home of BBCs Springwatch), Teifi Marshes and Eglwysfach osprey centre are all worth a visit for bird watching. www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/wildlife.html www.ceredigioncoastpath.org.uk/spotting.html
Pembrokeshire: Pembrokeshire is a wildlife haven, both on and offshore. Rare birds such as choughs, skylarks and the stonechat choose the coastal heathland to make their home. Bats and many bird species hunt along lines of twisting hedgerows, rich with wild flowers. In these protected waters, you might be fortunate enough to spot basking sharks, orcas, blue whales, blue sharks, sunfish, various jellyfish, turtles and Risso dolphins off Pembrokeshires coast. Also keep an eye out for visiting bird life - gannet, puffin, guillemot, razorbill and shearwaters, to name a few. www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk www.pembrokeshiremarinesac.org.uk/ For a great wildlife experience, without leaving the coast path, head to the Deer Park at Marloes. Sit and watch the waters in the Jack Sound race by and look out for gannets and porpoise. In September and October, this is a great place for spotting seal pups on the beaches below (but remember that these are high cliffs so caution is always advised). The island of Skomer sits the other side of the channel - home to thousands of puffin and shearwaters. If you want to see these birds close up, then you can take a boat from here over to the island (in season) and even stay overnight if you want to see the shearwaters (booking advised). www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/marloes_peninsula-3.pdf www.welshwildlife.org/skomer-skokholm/visiting-and-staying-on-skomer-and-skokholm/ Carmarthenshire: Much of the coastal path provides for sweeping views across the amphitheatre of Carmarthen Bay. It is home to two of the most expansive sand dune systems in South Wales - Pembrey and Pendine. The sandflats here, together with the mudflats of the Tywi, Taf and Gwendraeth estuaries, offer rich feeding grounds for wildfowl and waders, including oystercatcher, knot and dunlin. Carmarthen Bay is also the overwintering ground for internationally important numbers of common scoter seaduck, and for this reason was designated as the first marine Special Protection Area in the UK. www.visitcarmarthenshire.gov.uk Gower & Swansea Bay: The coastal path around the Gower Peninsula straddles a plethora of coastal habitats with their diverse wildlife. Chosen for its classic coastline and outstanding natural environment, Gower became the UKs first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956. Complex geology and the influence of past ice-ages create a wide variety of scenery in a relatively small area. It ranges from the south coast's superb carboniferous limestone scenery at Worms Head and Oxwich Bay, to the saltmarshes and dune systems in the north. In autumn through to spring, the Burry Inlet, protected as a Ramsar site for its international importance, teems with wildfowl and waders, from tiny dunlins to large shelducks. www.visitswanseabay.com/gower South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: You can take a trip to Flat Holm Island in the Bristol Channel, where you will be surrounded by seabird colonies, and other wildlife that thrives on the maritime grasslands. Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, Penarth, is a haven for local wildlife, including large flocks of waterfowl
and the Welsh Hawking Centre in Barry is also worth a visit. Kenfig National Nature Reserve is home to wild orchids, as well as insects and other wildlife while at Merthyr Mawr Warren you can explore one of the richest invertebrate habitats in Britain. www.flatholmisland.com www.visitthevale.com www.bridgendbites.com Up to 90,000 wading birds and wildfowl visit the Severn Estuary because, with one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, it has ideal over-wintering conditions. Combined with the Newport Wetlands Reserve, the area has year-round wildlife interest. www.severnestuary.net www.rspb.org.uk
Culture
From local festivals and film to theatre and opera, youre never far from a cultural encounter while on the Coast Path, which passes close to an impressive range of entertainment options both on its city and rural coastline sections. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: The historic 126-year-old Colwyn Bay Theatre, the oldest working cinema in the UK, the oldest civic theatre in Wales and the oldest working theatre in Wales, has had a recent makeover. Check out its shows and cinema screenings. www.theatrcolwyn.co.uk Isle of Anglesey: Take a trip to the Welsh lovers island, Ynys Llanddwyn, at the end of the beach near Newborough Warren, and see the ruined church of St. Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. www.anglesey-history.co.uk/places/llanddwyn/ Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: For a taste of true Welsh literature, visit Caer Gors, the childhood home of Kate Roberts, Queen of Welsh literature, at Rhosgadfan, near Caernarfon. A multimedia exhibition brings to life the world of a writer born in 1891 who went on to became one of Wales most renowned authors. www.caergors.org/downloads/flyer_saesneg.pdf www.caergors.org/index.html Let your hair down and enjoy a weekend of music at Wakestock on the Lln Peninsula. Its a wakeboarding festival so be ready to watch some superb skills on display. www.wakestock.co.uk/
Ceredigion: Be one of the 750,000 visitors a year to the Aberystwyth Arts Centre its Wales largest arts centre and offers a huge programme of drama, dance, music, visual arts, applied arts, film, new media, and community arts. Or visit Cardigans Theatr Mwldan. www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/ www.mwldan.co.uk Pembrokeshire: Visit the picturesque seaside town of Tenby in September for its thriving Arts Festival, and enjoy a programme which takes in classical music and literature, fact and fiction, poetry and jazz. www.tenbyartsfest.co.uk/ Carmarthenshire: For an intimate festival, try the one in Laugharne. Each April, audiences squeeze into tiny clubs, churches and halls with performers which have included Patti Smith, Ray Davies of the Kinks and Mick Jones of The Clash. thelaugharneweekend.com/ Gower & Swansea Bay: The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swanseas Maritime Quarter is home to a permanent exhibition about Wales most celebrated poet, and hosts literary events throughout the year, including the annual Dylan Thomas Festival during October and November. www.visitswanseabay.com/dylan www.visitswanseabay.com/dylanthomascentre South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: Built in 1932, The Grand Pavilion on Porthcawl seafront, with its full Ballroom sprung dance floor and stage, is a popular venue for everything from comedy and variety to theatre, pantomime and musicals. www.grandpavilion.co.uk/ Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay opened in 2004 and has already established its reputation as one the worlds iconic arts and cultural destinations. The vision of the centre is to be an internationally significant cultural landmark and centre for the performing arts, renowned for inspirational excellence and leadership. Or try St Donats Arts Centre, set in the grounds of a medieval castle overlooking the sea. www.wmc.org.uk www.stdonats.com For more recommendations, visit: www.visitwales.co.uk/things-to-do-in-wales/welshculture-and-heritage/.
Heritage
Wales' tumultuous past and recent industrial history is in evidence all over the country, and the Coast Path takes you right alongside some of the most fascinating buildings and places which tell their own part of the story. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: For a great castle experience, stop off in the 22 tower, walled town of Conwy. Conwy Castle was constructed by the English monarch Edward I between 1283 and 1289. It is a World Heritage Site and incomparably the most magnificent of Edward I's Welsh fortresses. You can visit the first of his Welsh castles at Flint. Or visit one of the smallest churches in Britain in the village of Rhos-on-Sea, near Colwyn Bay. St Trillos Chapel, built in the 6th Century has room for about six worshippers. It is on the site of a pre-Christian, sacred holy well, over which the altar is built. www.conwy.com Isle of Anglesey: The Coast Path passes through historic Beaumaris with its courthouse, jail and castle. Known as the most technically perfect castle in Britain, it was another in Edward Is massive building programme in North Wales and has classic proportions and perfect symmetry. cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/beaumaris-castle/?lang=en cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/beaumaris-castle/?skip=1&lang=cy Head out to South Stack Lighthouse and take the tour to find out about the impressive history of this important part of Wales maritime heritage. www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/south_stack_lighthouse-96.aspx Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: Wales is spoilt for World Heritage Sites, and youll catch three of them the magnificent castles of Caernarfon, Harlech and Criccieth - on this stretch of the Path. Or let the train take the strain and head inland from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog to explore the slate mining history of this corner of Wales. The journey itself holds many joys and youll marvel at the engineering feat it took to create this fascinating train line. www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/ www.festrail.co.uk/ Ceredigion: In an imposing setting above Aberystwyth sits the National Library of Wales, an exciting repository of information and knowledge about Wales and the world millions of books, manuscripts, archives, maps, pictures, photographs, films, music and electronic information all free to use. Or explore the National Trusts Llanerchaeron an 18th century Welsh gentry estate with a spectacular walled garden. www.llgc.org.uk/index.php?id=2 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/llanerchaeron
Pembrokeshire: Fascinating remains and evidence of different defensive systems can be discovered all along the coast path. They range between Iron Age promontory forts, Napoleonic and Elizabethan forts to remains from the First and Second World Wars. Explore what it might have been like to live in an Iron Age village at Castell Henllys and embrace your inner warrior. www.experiencepembrokeshire.com/history-archaeology/military-heritage www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/default.asp?PID=397 Carmarthenshire: Investigate Pendine Sands which was the setting for Welshman John Parry-Thomas attempt on the land speed record in March 1927. (His original speed record of 170mph was beaten by Sir Malcolm Campbell in his car Blue Bird.) While travelling at about 170 mph the drive chain on Thomas car broke causing a fatal injury. Visit the Museum of Speed in Pendine Village to see his car Babs. www.pendineonline.org/ www.llanegwad-carmarthen.co.uk/carmsspeedpendine.html Gower & Swansea Bay: The National Waterfront Museum at Swansea, housed in an original and listed waterfront warehouse linked to a new, ultra-modern slate and glass building, tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years. Also, look out for Whiteford Point Lighthouse, on the Gower Peninsula. Built in 1865, it is one of only two remaining cast-iron, wave-washed lighthouses in the world and the only one in the UK. www.visitswanseabay.com/nationalwaterfrontmuseum www.nciwormshead.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:whiteford -lighthouse&catid=49:history-locality&Itemid=78 South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: Built in 1906, the Transporter Bridge in Newport was one of only 20 similar built in the world between 1893 and 1916 and still works today. www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=transporter.homepage&contentid=cont079 241 Set in a beautiful 90 acre park, the earliest surviving part of Tredegar House, Newport, dates back to the early 1500s, and is one of the best examples of a 17th century Charles II mansion in Britain. It can all be seen through tours and the regular special events held here. www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=thingstosee.tredegarhouse For more recommendations, visit: www.visitwales.co.uk/things-to-do-in-wales/welshculture-and-heritage/.
something to suit all tastes, but these 10 suggestions will get you started and whet your appetite for more. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: The Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy offers nine temporary exhibitions a year, a lively education programme and an exhibition programme showcasing the best of contemporary Fine Art in Wales. www.rcaconwy.org/home-1.aspx Isle of Anglesey: Welsh artists Kyffin Williams and Charles F. Tunnicliffe are celebrated at Oriel Ynys Mn, an arts and heritage centre in Llangefni, Anglesey, which also houses a gallery to introduce you to the islands history. www.kyffinwilliams.info/eng/oriel_ynys_mon.html www.kyffinwilliams.info/oriel_ynys_mon.html Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: In September, follow the Helfa Gelf, an Art Trail between the studios of over 100 artists, from painters to potters, and talk to them about their creative processes. www.helfagelf.org/en/ www.helfagelf.co.uk/cy/ Ceredigion: The Teifi Valley in southern Ceredigion was once the heart of the thriving Welsh woollen industry. Take a free tour around Curlew Weavers, a traditional Welsh woollen mill at Rhydlewis. Theres a large craft shop and picnic area there too and demonstrations by appointment. www.westwales.co.uk/curlew.htm Pembrokeshire: Visit the home of an unusual Welsh treasure - a 30-metre long tapestry hanging in Fishguard Library, produced to mark the 1997 bicentenary of the last invasion of mainland Britain by a French force in February 1797. Or take a tour around Oriel y Parc, a free world-class gallery showcasing artists interpretation of landscape, taken from the vast collections of the National Museum Wales. www.visitpembrokeshire.com/content.asp?id=2578&nav=70 www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/default.asp?PID=92 Carmarthenshire: The Boathouse at Laugharne was home for the last four years of his life to Dylan Thomas. Now a heritage centre, this is where he wrote Under Milk Wood and other works. www.dylanthomasboathouse.com/
Gower & Swansea Bay: Celebrate an ancient Welsh tradition. The Lovespoon Gallery in Mumbles takes you on a love filled journey with hundreds of traditional designs. www.visitswanseabay.com/lovespoongallery The beaches of Gower are the inspiration for The Ultimate Drifter, a craft business which creates unique objects ranging from mirrors to table lamps made from salvaged driftwood. www.folksy.com/shops/UltimateDrifter South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: In the heart of Cardiff Bay sits Craft in the Bay, a gallery specialising in Welsh-made craft. Run by The Makers Guild in Wales, which has over 70 maker-members, a different craftmaker works in the gallery each day. www.makersguildinwales.org.uk/ When a wealthy resident of Penarth, near Cardiff, built a new gallery in 1888, he wanted it to open on Sundays, to attract as many people as possible. Turner House Gallery thus became known as The Sunday Gallery, and today offers a changing programme of travelling and local visual art. www.ffotogallery.org/visit/turner-house For more recommendations, visit: www.visitwales.co.uk/things-to-do-in-wales/the-arts-inwales/ or http://www.artswales.org.uk/.
Horse Riding
A fantastic way to enjoy some of the coastline and countryside of Wales is on horseback. A steady ride over bridleways, or an exhilarating canter along a tide-lapped beach the many riding and pony trekking centres on or near the coast cater for riders of all ages and abilities. The Wales Coast Path provides access to hidden corners close to the sea, forests and open land. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: Talacre Beach provides nearly 5 miles of safe riding along the sands. www.ridingwales.com/members/northwales.php Penmaenmawr in the Conwy area has an excellent horse riding beach, while at Morfa Conwy Beach there is riding and parking for horseboxes. www.ridingwales.com/members/northwales.php Isle of Anglesey: Try a beach ride with Tan y Foel Riding Centre at the south west tip of Anglesey near Newborough Forest. www.ridingwales.com
Menai, Lln and Meirionnydd: Gwynedd provides many opportunities for exhilarating beach rides against the stunning backdrop of Snowdonia. Cilan Headland on the Lln Peninsula, provides panoramic views of Hells Mouth Bay, Bardsey Island and Cardigan Bay. www.ridingwales.com Ceredigion: The Urdd Camp at Llangrannog has its very own equine centre with an indoor silicon sand riding school with viewing gallery and a two mile outdoor track. Or you can explore the area on horseback on one of the centres pony trekking holidays. http://www.urdd.org/en/llangrannog/walking-pony-trekking-and-cycling-holidays Pembrokeshire: Visit the UKs smallest city, St Davids, and ride out into the wonderful surrounding countryside on a Gypsy Vanner. Come out of season to enjoy a ride on the popular beach of Whitesands. www.stdavidstrekking.co.uk/ Carmarthenshire: The Forestry Commission has designated riding areas in Pembrey Forest, close to, and accessed from, the Wales Coast Path. Ragwen Point, west of Pendine, is another popular spot. www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk Gower & Swansea Bay: On the beautiful Gower Peninsula, beyond Swansea, nearly all beaches are accessible by bridleway, including those at Caswell Bay and Swansea Bay. Pennard and Cefn Bryn are among popular destinations. www.visitswanseabay.com/horseriding South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: Riding a horse on a wide open beach is a dream for many people. Ogmore Farm, on the Heritage Coast, makes this dream come true every day. At Bridgend, Kenfig bridleways are very popular. The Haul road, along the front of the dunes, is part bridleway with a link inland to the Kenfig National Nature Reserve visitor centre to form a circular route. www.rideonthebeach.co.uk www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/tourism/documents/marketing/002135.hcsp Blackrock to Sudbrook, and byways near Undy in Monmouthshire, allow riders to use part of the coastal path. Severnvale Equestrian Centre at Tidenham, Chepstow, and David Broome Event Centre at Crick, Chepstow, are well-established riding centres. www.severnvale-equestrian.com www.theshowground.com
Adrenalin Seekers
From abseiling to white water rafting, world-class mountain biking to paragliding, karting to wall climbing, Wales has everything to offer those seeking adventure and an adrenalin buzz. Its stunning coastline hosts a huge range of year-round outdoor activities for all ages, and there are many adventure centres, close to the Wales Coast Path, specialising in providing thrills and challenges. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: Marsh Tracks in Rhyl is a 1.3km closed circuit cycling and national standard race track for BMX bikers. This traffic-free arena has challenging jumps and bends, and is part of a local project to provide low-cost sport. Or try the increasingly popular activity of kite surfing at Kinmel Bay. www.marshtracks.co.uk www.kiteboardinglessons.co.uk Isle of Anglesey: Experience the thrill of sea fishing in the abundant waters around the Isle of Anglesey. A wide variety of fish have made their home in the wrecks close to shore so you get maximum fishing time with minimal travel. Anglesey is also popular for kayaking, surfing, coasteering, kite surfing and sea cliff climbing. www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/fishing-56.aspx www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/watersports-65.aspx Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: Against the awesome backdrop of the Snowdonia mountains, the coast of Gwynedd provides some of the best sea cliff rock climbing in the UK. The Lln Peninsula beaches have kite buggies and kite surfing. Abersoch majors in water sports, its nearby beaches at Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth), Porth Ceiriad and Porth Oer, exposed to the Atlantic swells, being ideal for surfers and body boarders. The flat water of Abersoch Bay is a favourite with water skiers and wake boarders. www.visitwales.co.uk/things-to-do-in-wales/search-activityoperators www.visitsnowdonia.info/things-to-do-10 Visit Plas Menai for some expert sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and power boating tuition in this magnificent location on the Menai Strait, overlooking Anglesey. www.plasmenai.co.uk/about-us
Ceredigion: The Ceredigion coastline majors in adrenalin sports such as canoeing, surfing, stand-up paddle surfing, blokarting and paragliding. The area abounds in adventure centres you can even learn to ski at Llangrannog. www.tourism.ceredigion.gov.uk/saesneg/attractions.htm www.urdd.org/en/llangrannog/skiing-centre Pembrokeshire: Pembrokeshire is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. Warm welcomes, great conditions and beautiful backdrops await surfers, sailors, windsurfers, kayakers, coasteerers and climbers. Try diving in the Wales Marine Nature Reserve at Skomer, the offshore islands of the Smalls or enjoy some of the finest shore diving around. www.pembrokeshireoutdoors.org.uk Carmarthenshire: Skiing is perhaps the least likely activity youd expect to find on the coast path but you can learn the skill or sharpen your moves on the artificial slopes at Pembrey you dont even need to bring your own equipment. There is also a specialist snowboarding area. www.visit.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/activities/skiing.html Gower & Swansea Bay: Gower has some great surfing beaches at Langland, Caswell and Llangennith. Surf schools operate at Caswell and Llangennith all year round. Aberavon has also become a popular surfing destination and regularly produces cleans swells suitable for beginners and more accomplished surfers. Or you can try your hand at stand up paddle boards. www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=31214 www.surfschoolwales.co.uk/ South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: The South Wales Kart Circuit is 870 meters long and is the only fully floodlit outdoor kart circuit in Wales. Or try Porthcawl for a range of high adrenalin experiences including kite surfing. www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/enjoying/visit_the_vale/things_to_do/adventure/gokarting.aspx www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/tourism/documents/marketing/002292.hcsp Cardiff International White Water is one of the attractions in the capital citys international sports village, and is not for drips. Take part in rafting, hydro speeding, kayaking and canoeing. Cardiff Bay, a freshwater lake behind the barrage, hosts a range of year-round recreational activities, such as speed thrills in rigid inflatable boats and trips to the islands in the Bristol Channel. www.ciww.com www.bayislandvoyages.org.uk Chepstow Outdoor Activity Centre offers quad-biking, paintballing, sphereing, combat lasers and 4x4 driving. Learn scuba diving at the National Diving and Activity Centre near
Chepstow, where skilled divers provide courses starting at moderate depths from training platforms in a former quarry. Explore sunken objects such as a cruiser, helicopter, light aircraft and an amphibious vehicle. www.chepstowoutdooractivities.com www.ndac.co.uk For more recommendations, visit: www.visitwales.co.uk/active/.
Sports Lovers
Apart from being a rugby nation, Wales now features Premier League football. It boasts a number of championship-class golf courses, has world-class sports arenas, hosts major international motor sport events, the Iron Man Wales triathlon, marathons, and the spectacular coastline has year-round water sports activities like yachting, powerboat and longboat racing. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: The Llandudno Sea Triathlon includes a sea swim and a challenging ride around the Great Orme with its fabulous views. Taking part or spectating, this is a great event to attend. www.xtramileevents.com/events/calendar/llandudno-sea-triathlon Isle of Anglesey: The Great Strait Raft Run is held annually on the majestic waters of the Menai Strait. The spectacular backdrop of Snowdonias mountains and the Isle of Angleseys natural beauty contribute to the uniqueness of this fun and challenging day of rafting and raising money for good causes. Starting from the old slate port of Felinheli on the mainland and finishing on Anglesey. www.greatstraitraftrun.co.uk/ Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: Golf championships are held at Nefyn, Harlech and Aberdyfi all courses which are in the top 100 in the UK. National, European and world sailing events take place at Pwllheli and Abersoch, and the Three Peaks Yacht Race at Barmouth. www.gwynedd.gov.uk Ceredigion: Along the coast of Cardigan Bay there are regattas at Aberaeron, New Quay and Tresaith; the 85 mile Celtic Challenge longboat race from Arklow in Ireland, to Aberystwyth, is the worlds longest rowing race; the Cardigan Street Bike Race; and the Aberaeron Rugby Sevens Tournament in August. www.velo-teifi.org.uk www.ceredigion.org.uk
Pembrokeshire: The Iron Man Wales triathlon, held for the first time in Pembrokeshire in September 2011, is the countys biggest ever sporting event, attracting international competitors and thousands of visitors. www.ironmanwales.com Carmarthenshire: Fishing competitions are popular on the coast in Carmarthenshire; theres land yachting at Cefn Sidan, and excellent golf at Ashburnham, Pembrey and Machynys, Llanelli. Parc y Scarlets, home to the famous Scarlets Rugby Football Club, can also be found in Llanelli. www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk www.scarlets.co.uk/ Gower & Swansea Bay: In recent years, endurance sports and multisport have found a natural home on the Gower Peninsula. If watching sport is more your thing, catch a Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium. www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=34970 www.visitswanseabay.com/fanscorner South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: The Wales Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, one of Europes biggest sports arenas, is home to the national rugby team. Cardiff Devils is an Elite League ice hockey team which plays in Cardiff Bay. Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre & Cardiff Sailing Centre is now an established water activities destination catering for canoeing, rowing and sailing. www.cardiff.gov.uk www.cardiffdevils.com www.cbwac.com Wales National Velodrome, part of the Newport International Sports Village, is one of only two nationally-recognised indoor velodromes in Britain, with a spectacularly banked, 250m cycle track used for world-class events. www.newport.gov.uk www.britishcycling.org.uk/wales The Welsh National Chepstow Race Course is a unique leisure venue for horse racing, and home to the Welsh Grand National. The Marriott St Pierre Golf Course, one of the most popular courses in Wales, has hosted major tournaments like the Dunlop Masters, Curtis Cup and Solheim Cup; Dewstow is another popular Monmouthshire golf course. www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk www.newport.gov.uk Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, an 18 hole links course, has an enviable reputation as one of the finest courses in the world. It hugs the Wales Coast Path and offers great sea views from most holes. It will host the British Seniors Open Championship in 2014. www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/tourism/documents/marketing/002290.hcsp
Escapism
In addition to the opportunities for escapism while exploring the coast path itself, you can find so many other ways to escape from the real world while you make your way round the Coast Path, that theres a danger you may never get back to it! From pampered luxury living to surviving on your own in the wild, chose your own definition of escape, and go for it. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, outside Llandudno, offers the best in country house hospitality. Set in its own parkland, you can steal away to spend time in gardens which include a rare 17th century parterre of box hedges and several follies. www.bodysgallen.com Isle of Anglesey: A private wooded driveway leads you into a world of indulgence in the refurbished and extended Tre-Ysgawen Hall on Anglesey, originally built in 1882 as a grand country house, with its fine dining and spa converted from Victorian stables. www.treysgawen-hall.co.uk Menai, Lln & Merionnydd: Get away from it all and follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims to Bardsey Island - the island of 20,000 saints - off the coast of the remote and beautiful Lln Peninsula, a place of pilgrimage since the early years of Christianity. www.bardsey.org/english/the_island/about_island.htm www.bardsey.org/cymraeg/the_island/about_island.htm Ceredigion: Try a spot of sea trout fishing on the seaward stretches of the Teifi, Aeron, Rheidol, and Ystwyth rivers. Even if nothing bites, the scenery is still wonderfully relaxing. www.tourism.ceredigion.gov.uk/saesneg/angling.htm Pembrokeshire: Be at one with the puffins and shearwaters on an overnight stay with a difference on the island of Skomer, off the Pembrokeshire Coast, a unique and protected environment cared for by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. www.welshwildlife.org/ Escape our world and explore the strange world of the rockpool. This is a fantastic way to while away the hours whether on your own or in a family group and youll always find something of interest. Low tide is the best time to explore as youll see more unusual
creatures but remember to keep an eye on tide times. You can even join guided tours if you want expert advice. enjoy.pcnpa.org.uk/new_site/default.asp?PID=20&show=map Carmarthenshire: Some of Carmarthenshires ancient ruins are so well preserved that its like escaping to another time. The medieval magic of Carreg Cennen Castle is sure to cast a spell on you when you climb up to the ruined ramparts of the late 13th century fortress and soak up the 60 mile panoramic views. Spectacular Carreg Cennen also boasts its own vaulted underground passageway which leads to a natural cave, a ghostly cavern deep beneath the fortifications, which may have been inhabited in prehistoric times. www.visit.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/culture/castles.html Gower & Swansea Bay: Steeped in history, wildlife and natural beauty Margam Park is a fabulous place to unwind. Pack yourself a lovely picnic and find a spot under a leafy glade and let the tension escape. If you get itchy feet and find yourself in need of distraction, there is plenty to choose from, including ornamental gardens, a high wire adventure trail and a rare breeds farm trail. www.margamcountrypark.co.uk/default.aspx?page=1325&lang=en-gb South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: If you want remote and romantic, try The West Usk Lighthouse near Newport, South Wales bed and breakfast in wedge-shaped rooms in a lighthouse overlooking the Bristol Channel built in 1821. westusklighthouse.co.uk/ Escape to nature at the Coed Hills Rural Artspace in the Vale of Glamorgan, one of Wales leading centres for sustainable living and the creative arts, where artists workshops, permaculture gardens, a sawmill and green woodwork facilities demonstrate ecological land use and low-impact living. www.coedhills.co.uk Go completely native with a Bridgend-based Wild Spirit Bushcraft course designed to give you the knowledge to survive in the wilderness by instilling you with ancient and fundamental skills. www.bushcraftcourses.co.uk/index.htm www.bridgendbites.com For more recommendations, visit: www.visitwales.co.uk/.
Famous Names
Artists, writers and film and TV stars have all found inspiration and stunning locations in Wales, and around the Coast Path there are many locations associated with literature, paintings and films. Follow in their footsteps.
Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: And now for something completely different... Terry Jones of Monty Python fame was born in Colwyn Bay and is now the patron of Theatr Colwyn. The north coast has also proved a popular if unusual location for Bollywood movies. www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/halloffame/showbiz/terryjones.shtml www.moviemapnorthwales.co.uk/eng/map.html Isle of Anglesey: See the world through the eyes of an artist by visiting the coast near Newborough, the inspiration for Anglesey-born artist Charles Tunnicliffe, many of whose paintings can be seen on display at Oriel Mn in Llangefni. www.attractionsnorthwales.co.uk/attractions/oriel-ynys-mon The iconic cover photo for Roxy Music's Siren album, famously featuring model Jerry Hall striking various poses, was taken directly below the bridge to South Stack, Anglesey. Worth a visit to experience the breathtaking sea views from the steep granite cliffs above the lighthouse there. www.anglesey-today.com/south-stack-lighthouse.html Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: The scenery of the Snowdonia National Park will almost certainly leave you stirred, if not shaken, as it did both Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan, who came here to film From Russia with Love (1963) and The World is Not Enough (1991). www.moviemapnorthwales.co.uk/eng/map.html www.moviemapnorthwales.co.uk/cym/map.html Ceredigion: Hollywood famously came to the edge of Wales when Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Matthew Rhys and others descended on the fishing port of New Quay, Ceredigion for the filming of The Edge of Love, the Dylan Thomas biopic. New Quay (along with Laugharne) was partly the inspiration behind the village in Under Milk Wood. www.newquay-westwales.co.uk/film.htm Pembrokeshire: Follow in the hoof prints of Hollywood main man Russell Crowe, who visited Pembrokeshire during 2009 to film the cliff top scenes for the battle at the end of the Ridley Scott epic Robin Hood at St Govans Head, and beach scenes on the nearby beach of Freshwater West. The scenes featuring Shell Cottage in the recent Harry Potter films were also shot here. Filming has taken place at the stunning Marloes Sands for Snow White and the Huntsman. www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/4461816.Pembrokeshire_gets_a_piece_of_Robin_Hood _action/
Carmarthenshire: The seven mile long beach at Pendine in Carmarthenshire has been famously used over the years for land speed trials and is forever associated with Malcolm Campbell and J.G. ParryThomas, who set the world land speed record there five times between 1924 and 1927. www.pendineonline.org/ Gower & Swansea Bay: Aberavon Seafront and Port Talbot Docks were used as the backdrop for the open air play, the Passion, with Michael Sheen in May 2011, which drew huge crowds to the area. As the locally-born writer of the hit TV series Torchwood, Swanseas Russell T Davies has had plenty of opportunity to showcase his favourite local locations. The fourth series of the drama in particular used the dramatic sweep of Rhossili Bay as one of them. www.npt.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7040 www.visitswanseabay.com/torchwood South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: One of the more unlikely people associated with Wales and one of the most intriguing locations is the actor Peter O'Toole, who came to the Merthyr Mawr sand dunes outside Bridgend to film some of the dramatic horseback scenes of the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia. www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/tourism/documents/marketing/001765.hcsp www.bridgendbites.com Oh, whats occurin? No trip to the Vale of Glamorgan these days would be complete without a peek behind the scenes in Barry Island, the location made famous by Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon, James Corden, Joanna Page et al in the hit TV show Gavin and Stacey. www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/enjoying/visit_the_vale/our_towns/barry/gavin__stacey.aspx Doctor Who? Cardiff is home to Doctor Who and Torchwood. Why not take a tour which visits some of the filming locations including where the rift cracked open! The hugely popular childrens author Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Cardiff, and went to school there until he was nine years old. He was christened at the Norwegian Church now to be seen in Cardiff Bay. www.visitcardiff.com/things-to-do/on-location/doctor-who-and-torchwood blog.visitwales.co.uk/7481/roald-dahl-fun-at-cardiff-bay-september-2011/ For more recommendations, visit: walesscreencommission.com/ or www.literaturewales.org/home/.
Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: A focal point for some of the best fresh meat and sausage that North Wales can produce is the multi award-winning Edwards of Conwy, a traditional butchers. Llandudno Smokery produces a range of smoked foods, fish, shellfish, poultry and game. The hugely popular Conwy Feast every October attracts celebrity chefs. www.conwy.gov.uk Isle of Anglesey: Ye Olde Bulls Head at Beaumaris, on the Isle of Anglesey, is an historic inn which strongly features locally-sourced produce such as salt marsh lamb, Welsh Black beef and seafood. For more delicious fresh seafood try The Lobster Pot, almost on the beach at Church Bay, and The Ship Inn at Red Wharf Bay. Or come to the island in October and sample delicious oysters at the famous festival. www.walesinstyle.com Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: Gwynedd is surrounded by sea, and this is reflected in the abundant fish and shellfish it produces, and in the flavour of its salt marsh lamb from the Mawddach, Dwyryd and Glaslyn estuaries. Menai oysters and mussels are in demand, as are Aberdaron crab and a variety of fresh fish. The Lln Peninsula is also noted for seafood. www.discovergwynedd.com Ceredigion: Sample award-winning ice cream at Llangrannog, or Aberaerons famous honey ice cream. Llywnhelyg Farm Shop at Sarnau is a treasure trove of Welsh food and drink. Ceredigion celebrates local foods with the Cardigan Bay Seafood Festival, Aberystwyth Food Festival in September and December, and regular farmers markets in this seaside town. Visit the Ship Inn at Tresaith as near as a pub can get to the sea without getting wet! www.ceredigion.gov.uk Pembrokeshire: Pembrokeshire is a natural larder. Beef and lamb, fresh vegetables and soft fruit, and awardwinning dairy products are showcased at farmers markets and food fairs. Visit during Fish Week at the end of June/early July for a true taste of the sea in the event that has become a staple part of the Pembrokeshire calendar. www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?id=4893 Carmarthenshire: Dylan Thomass Laugharne, and Llansteffan, are among some of the best places to dine in Carmarthenshire, while at Ferryside, Kidwelly and the Millennium Coastal Park at Llanelli showcase local fish and lamb. www.carmarthgenshire.gov.uk
Gower & Swansea Bay: Swansea, Mumbles and the Gower produce a miscellany of good things, including salt marsh lamb, Welsh Black beef, laverbread, fresh fish and shellfish such as hand-gathered cockles. Why not seek out some pickled samphire an award winning dish. www.swansea.gov.uk www.visitswanseabay.com South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: The Vale of Glamorgan celebrates local food and drink in its inns, traditional country pubs and restaurants. Many are dotted along the Heritage Coast at places like Llantwit Major, Aberthaw and Southerndown, while in a heritage building at the end of the Cardiff Bay Barrage at Penarth, El Puerto offers a wide range of meat and fish with a European influence. www.visitthevale.com Cardiff Bay has a cosmopolitan array of places to eat and drink, notably Mimosa Kitchen & Bar, and ffresh at the Wales Millennium Centre. Fabulous Welshcakes in Mermaid Quay lives up to its name with these much loved Welsh delicacies. www.cardiffbay.co.uk Chepstow has a number of award-winning local producers, such as Claires Kitchen (preserves), Parva Farm Vineyard (wine), Madgetts Farm, Antoinettes Bakery, Brookes Dairy and Newhall Farm Shop and Chepstow Cupcake Company. Close to the coastal path in Newport, the Chandlery Restaurant and the Waterloo Hotel & Bistro showcase local ingredients. www.madeinmonmouthshire.com For more recommendations, visit: www.visitwales.co.uk/about-wales-guide-to-walesculture-people-and-language/food/ or www.walesthetruetaste.co.uk/?lang=en.
Quirky
For a small country, Wales really packs in the weird, wonderful and different. A trip round the Coast Path will take you within easy reach of fun and quirky events and tales of love lost via Mediterranean landscapes through to a weekend that will leave you All Shook Up. Top 10 suggestions: North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary: Dive into the eight-day Conwy River Festival every August a celebration of everything boatiful with individual prizes, team prizes, series competitions and overall prizes. www.conwyriverfestival.org
Isle of Anglesey: Discover the sad story of Rex Whistler and his tale of unrequited love at Plas Newydd, a National Trust property. Dying on his first day on the First World War battlefields, the art he left behind speaks volumes about his love for the Marquis daughter and his rejection. beta.nationaltrust.org.uk/plas-newydd Menai, Lln & Meirionnydd: Portmeirion, east of Porthmadog, brings a startling splash of Italy to the coast of Wales. Designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, its one of Wales top days out. www.portmeirion-village.com/ www.portmeirion-village.com/?lID=2 Ceredigion: Every September, the lovely fishing village of Aberaeron celebrates the humble Mackerel at its Mackerel Fiesta - stalls, bands and a parade - led by a 20-foot fish. No, really! festivals-events-cardigan-bay.co.uk/mackerel-fiesta.html Pembrokeshire: August heralds the arrival of the annual Coracle Races on the River Teifi at Cilgerran in the shadow of the towns ruined castle, where local fishermen show off their salmon and seatrout fishing skills from these ancient craft. www.midwalesattractions.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=13&nearby=1&feature=5&GroupId=1&v enue=1000318&easi=true If youre thinking of Wales for Christmas, try Tenby for something a little different, and join 600 swimmers for a quick dip on Boxing Day. From its beginnings in 1970, its become the towns main festive attraction. www.tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk/ Carmarthenshire: Try a dirty weekend with a difference every September at the Festival of Mud at the National Wetlands Centre, Penclacwydd, near Llanelli. Mud sculptures, spa treatments, walks, mudhut building, welly-wanging, a tug-of-mud, mud grub, mud safari and more. Glorious. www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/inspirations/weird-and-wonderful-pastimes.html Gower & Swansea Bay: Just outside Swansea, the Mumbles Charity Raft Race takes place each year during August from Norton to Knab Rock, a fundraising event for the RNLI, and a fun day for spectators! www.visitswanseabay.com/events
South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary: Autumn brings the Big Splash spectacle in Newport, South Wales, an energetic display of large scale spectacular Motocross and BMX stunts, fireworks, high wire and a roller derby and much more. www.newport.gov.uk/newportFestival/index.cfm/whatson/224904/ Uh-huh. Sure thing. Join thousands of Elvis fans every September in the Welsh seaside town of Porthcawl for the Elvis Festival, a unique celebration of The King in the magnificent Grand Pavilion which includes The Elvies, the World's leading award Show for Elvis Tribute Artists. www.elvies.co.uk/Thefestival.php?Action=Thefestival www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/tourism/documents/marketing/001782.hcsp For more recommendations, visit: www.visitwales.co.uk/.