Brecon Beacons, Wales, UK by Nigel Swales

This region of the UK has an abundance of beautiful countryside, stunning coastal paths and soft, sandy beaches. There are also many interesting castles and historical sites waiting to be explored.  South Wales has long been a popular choice for families on holiday in the UK. There are many great holiday caravan parks and campsites to choose from in the region and they are always popular places during the summer months.

Reasons to Take a Family Holiday in South Wales

Why do so many families come to South Wales every year for a getaway? There are many reasons why this part of the world is so popular with families on holiday. Here are some of the reasons why South Wales is such a great family getaway destination:

• Amroth Castle is located in South Wales. This unique and beautiful historical 18th century house was constructed on the site of an original Norman fortress and makes a very interesting and educational day trip for kids of all ages.

• South Wales has many opportunities for active holidays, such as hiking, swimming and more. If you have kids who love to explore the outdoors they will have a great time here.

• South Wales does not have a high crime rate, so it is a very safe place to bring your children on a holiday.

• As it is only a short drive or train ride away from anywhere else in Britain, you will not have to take a plane to get to your holiday destination which saves you time and money. Also, sometimes flying with young children can be stressful so staying in South Wales will let you avoid this.

• This region is home to the Brecon Beacons national park which covers a third of the area and contains the highest mountain south of Snowdonia; Pen y Fan. This is a beautiful place to show your children the wonders of nature and take some impressive family photographs.

• With so many holiday caravan parks and camping sites in South Wales, there is a lot of selection and your family will be sure to find somewhere that suits your needs and budget. Camping can be a lot cheaper than staying in a hotel as well as being a fun and memorable holiday experience.

• All of the national museums within Wales are free to visit and great fun for families. Your kids might enjoy visiting the National Museum in Cardiff, the National Waterfront Museum or the National Roman Legion Museum.

• Cardiff, Swansea and Newport offer a good selection of high quality restaurants so that your family will have plenty of choice when it comes to where to eat.

• Every summer plenty of family-friendly festivals take place in South Wales, such as the Cardiff Festival. These events include live music, food, entertainment and children’s activities and are great fun for kids of all ages.

• The big sandy beaches of the West Shore are the ideal place for a classic British seaside experience. Your kids will love making sandcastles and swimming while you relax in the sunshine.

These are just a few of the reasons why South Wales is such a popular destination for family getaway. Why not consider booking a trip this summer with your kids?

South Wales is an ideal place to take the family on a holiday and here are the reasons why so many people love Kiln Park Camping.

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Go Hiking in Snowdonia National Park

If you’re an outdoor lover, you’ll want to spend a day or two hiking in Snowdonia National Park. The park is located on the western shore of Great Britain. It covers more than 800 acres that will thrill with its breathtaking beauty. Snowdonia boasts the highest peak in Great Britain. It also has the biggest lake and is the largest national park as well. Welsh is spoken by a vast number of local people, so it will be a great opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture.

Snowdonia National Park / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Christopher Owen Jones

You’ll Want to See Swansea

Swansea is the name of a city and county on the southwest coast of Wales. A trip to Swansea will include the scenic Gower Peninsula and the Lliw Uplands. The area was a huge copper producing site in its heyday, and earned the nickname, ‘Copperopolis.’ Swansea has a distinct cultural heritage that is evident in the local dialect, which can be hard to understand at first.

Visit the City of Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital and largest city in Wales. It has numerous attractions that you’ll want to visit, such as St. Fagans National History Museum. This museum is still referred to locally as ‘The Museum of Welsh Life.’ It is comprised of 100 acres of parkland filled with restored, rescued, and authentically furnished buildings from Welsh history. Other must see sights in Cardiff are Bute Park, the Millennium Stadium, and the National Museum and Art Gallery.

Take a Walk in Brecon Beacons National Park

The Brecon Beacons National Park is in the midst of the Brecon Beacons Mountains, in South Wales. There are a number of events in the park which are highlighted by ‘walks’ in the area. They are based on a number of things, including the botanical aspect of the region, as well as the heritage. As you might expect from an area rich in history, there are numerous historical sites to visit within park boundaries.

Brecon Beacons National Park / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by P – A – S – T

See the Welsh Mountain Zoo

In North Wales, at the far northern reaches of Snowdonia National Park, is the town of Colwyn Bay. The peaks above town are home to the Welsh Mountain Zoo. The zoo has panoramic views of the town and bay that lie below. The scenery is beautiful, as are the gardens within the zoo, which is home to many endangered species of Great Britain. The Welsh Mountain Zoo also houses animals from throughout the world.

Enjoy Family Fun at the Rhyl Sun Centre

When you get tired of being a tourist, you can take some time out to enjoy yourself at a family-friendly venue in North Wales called the Rhyl Sun Centre. It is a huge water complex that includes water rides and slides of various heights and difficulties. There is something for every member of the family. You can spend the entire day there enjoying the water, and then relax while you eat or shop at the Trading Post.

Indulge Yourself at the Portmeirion Village and Gardens

The Portmeirion Village and Gardens are located on a private peninsula near Porthmadog, off the Snowdonia coast. It is a beautiful place filled with beaches, gardens, shops, restaurants, and hotels that cater to fun-loving tourists. It is open all year so you can visit anytime you’d like to. There are woodland walkways for you to enjoy before your return to your room for an evening of dinner and entertainment.

Enjoy the History of the Caerphilly Castle Town Center

Caerphilly Castle is located in the center of town in the village of Caerphilly in South Wales. It spans nearly 30 acres and is a prime example of the architectural marvels of medieval times. The history of the area dates back to the Romans, and has numerous sights of historical interest. The Town Center is a place where you can enjoy the sights of the castle while you visit shops, eat at local restaurants, and soak in the local culture.

Caerphilly Castle / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Robert Payne

Stop at Beaumaris Castle

The Beaumaris Castle is located on the Isle of Anglesey off the northern coast of Wales. It was built by Kind Edward I as one of the ‘Iron Ring’ of castles in North Wales that were intended to put his stamp of ownership on the area. Despite his plans, the castle was never finished. It remains an impressive site to visit. In fact, it is regarded by some as the finest example of Edwardian castles ever built.

Tweedsmill Factory Outlet

No trip to Wales would be complete without a stop for pure shopping pleasure. There may be no better place to do that than the Tweedsmill Factory Outlet, located in the Vale of Clwyd in the northeastern part of Wales. This huge shopping center has become a tourist attraction in its own right, and you won’t be sorry you stopped by to purchase souvenirs for your friends at home.

Guest post from Casey Lynch. Casey writes about home insurance for HomeInsurance.org.

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The Nant Llech is a small and peaceful river that meanders its way to the edges of Farewell Rock. It is here that the waters of the river make the 27-meter plunge over the edge of the rock face.

Henrhyd Falls, Wales, UK by Dave Mack

The Henrhyd Falls are very well-known; not just in the UK, but throughout the world as well. Up until just recently, the area was a popular destination for those who lived in the UK and just wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of inner city life. However, since the falls appeared at the end of the recently released film, The Dark Knight Rises, more and more visitors from all over the world have made the trek down into the gorge.

To get to the Henrhyd Falls, you will need to park your car and take a steep hike down into the very deep gorge lined with oak and ash trees. There is a small bridge at the bottom which will take you to the opposite side of the Nant Llech. From here, special care must be taken as the path narrows and becomes uneven.

There is only one way down into the gorge and one way out so special care must be taken when choosing to make your way down to see the Henrhyd Falls. The path will take you down to the base of the waterfall and if you continue to follow it, the path will take you behind the falls.

The area that Henrhyd Falls is located in is aptly dubbed the Wales Waterfall Country as there are countless falls that can be found throughout the Brecon Beacons National Park. For someone who is planning on visiting the Henrhyd Waterfall, make sure that you bring the proper footwear for the trek down into the gorge.

Take your time and make sure to check out the many other spectacular water falls that can be found throughout the area before you leave.

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The mountain is composed of Old Red Sandstone which dates back to the Devonian Era. The summit peaks are also composed of sandstone, but are much more resilient to erosion than the Old Red variety. As the glaciers in the area receded following the last ice age, the twin peaks of Pen y Fan and Corn Du were formed.

Pen y Fan, Wales, UK by Dave.Dunford

On the side of the mountain slopes along the path that leads from the Storey Arms to the summit of Pen y Fan, you will find an obelisk which was constructed and dedicated in memory of a five year old child who had died on the spot back in August of 1900. The child was the son of a coal miner from Rhondda who was on his way to visit his grandparents who lived near the Cwm Llwch Farmhouse. For twenty nine days the locals searched for the missing child before discovering his body where the memorial obelisk stands today.

Those who visit the mountains may also see military recruits along the paths leading to the top of Pen y Fan. Carrying a standard duffle, rifle plus food rations, those who want to join the UK Special Forces must pass the rigorous test that has become known over the years as the Fan Dance.

In similar fashion to the military training endurance test, a series of annual races are conducted along the same route in the middle of January and July each year. Racers start just south of Cwm Llwch and proceeds up to Pen y Fan as well as Corn Du. The current record for the 5.6 kilometer long race is only 30 minutes. On the same day as the summer race, the Brecon Beacons National Park also holds its annual sixteen kilometer Fan y Big Horseshoe Race.

Those who travel to the peak of Pen y Fan will be rewarded with some of the most awe-inspiring views of the region. It is said that when the day is clear, one can see even the Bristol Channel as well as the islands in the channel, Flat Holm and Steep Holm. You can also see the Swansea Bay, Cardigan Bay, and the Carmarthen Bay from the summit. The peak is the highest in South Wales and as such, you can see the far off Black Mountains, Cambrian Mountains as well as most of Mid and South Wales.

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