Flint Castle, UK by Shirley Pickford

Instead of giving you the usual, Welsh tourist staples, we thought we’d spice things up a little and tell you about a few fixtures you may not have heard about before.

1. It is home to a World Heritage Site 

Considered one of the most innovative examples of engineering in its time, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is 18 kilometres long and connects the Chester and Mersey estuary to the Severn and Midlands canal network.

Conceived during the Industrial Revolution by architectural pioneer, Thomas Telford, the Aqueduct is made entirely out of cast and wrought iron. The overall effect is a colossal masterpiece, and has inspired other projects internationally.

2. Ruthin Gaol once housed “The Welsh Houdini”

Just before the beginnings of World War One, a scamp called ‘John Jones’, but better known as ‘Coch Bach y Bala,’ was born in Merionethshire. He later gained the title of the ‘Welsh Houdini’ after springing jail in a variety of ingenious ways.

Convicted of petty crimes such as minor theft and loitering with intent, Coch Bach slipped through the fingers of his jailers time and time again. It was thought that there wasn’t a cell that could hold this slight man. Ruthin Gaol, one of the prisons where Coch Bach was incarcerated, is open for visitation between April and October.

3. It’s Official: Coed Llandegla’s Bacon Butties are the Best

Llandegla Mountain Bike Centre is officially the best place in Wales for a fantastic bacon butty, according to BMW Good Food Ride. So if your tastes run to outdoor activities and pork sandwiches, this is a great place to spend your day.

For those who aren’t bike-friendly, the forestry includes great walking routes, away from the muddy tracks. The centre is open throughout the year, and even on Sundays!

4. William Shakespeare wrote about Flint Castle

Fans of Shakespeare, or anyone who read Richard ll at school, will be familiar with this castle. This monument was built in 1277 and took 3,000 men nine years to build. It’s now open for visitation between 10 am and 4 pm, daily.

5. The National Eisteddfod Attracts up to 160,000 People Every Year

As Wales’ leading festival, the National Eisteddfod is a major event in the Welsh calendar, attracting around 160,000 visitors over the space of eight days. The Eisteddfod celebrates Welsh culture, Welsh language and everything in between that makes the country great.

The festival features all aspects of culture and performance, including dance, music and the visual arts and allows anyone interested in Wales the opportunity to learn more about Welsh culture. The festival changes venue every year, switching between North and South Wales, so that different Welsh communities are given the chance to host the event. This year’s Eisteddfod takes place in Glamorgan, in the South, however, Eisteddfod 2013 will be held in Denbighshire in North Wales.

This guest article was written by Francesca, a blogger from the UK who enjoys sharing her knowledge about the best places to visit in the UK. She writes on behalf of North Wales Borderlands who can provide information and advice on Tourism around North Wales – visit their website for more details.

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