Top 10…Attractions
1) St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff
Situated just 4 miles from Cardiff City Centre, in the picturesque village of St Fagans is Wales' most popular tourist attraction. The National History Museum is situated in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, an impressive 16th century manor house. The museum is in the open air and the exhibits consist of historical buildings from around Wales. Moved from their original location and painstakingly re-built brick by brick on site by skilled craftsmen, the buildings tell the history of Wales, its people and its culture. A series of demonstrations by traditional craftsmen and a calendar of events mean that there is always something going on.
2) Caerphilly CastleStanding proudly in the quiet market town of Caerphilly is one of Europe's biggest castles. Caerphilly Castle was built in the 13th century by the Norman Lord, Gilbert de Clare. The castle was defended by a deep moat designed to ward of attackers. Thankfully, they're a lot more welcoming today and have even built a bridge to stop you getting your feet wet on your way in. The remains of the castle are impressive whilst the Great Hall still holds many formal functions today. The castle's claim to fame is that its South East tower leans at a greater angle than its more famous counterpart in Pisa.
3) Cyfarthfa Castle
Thanks to its huge ironworks Merthyr Tydfil was once the biggest and most important towns in Wales. As a legacy of this industry came Cyfarthfa Castle, the grand home of the local Iron Baron William Crawshay. Today Cyfarthfa Castle is home to a museum telling the fascinating story of the town.
4) Tintern AbbeyStanding on the banks of the River Wye in the pretty village of Tintern, it's hard to imagine a more tranquil setting for one our biggest historical attractions. Tintern Abbey was built in the 12th century by an order of Cistercian monks who lived in the Abbey for 400 years. Latterly the Abbey attracted the attention of celebrated poets and artists such as Wordsworth and Turner. These days the remains are remarkably intact and are popular with visitors to this corner of Wales.
5) Caerleon
The small town of Caerleon was once one of the most important settlements in the Roman Empire. Isca, as it was known then, was one of only three permanent fortresses in Roman Britain. Today visitors can wander around the most complete amphitheatre in Britain, the baths and the only Roman Legionary barracks still on view anywhere in Europe. Alternatively pop in to the excellent National Roman Legion Museum to find out more.
6) Blaenavon World Heritage Site/Big Pit National Coal MuseumThe valleys town of Blaenavon was once at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution. Its coal and iron powered the world and in recognition of this it was given World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 2000. Its ironworks are some of the best preserved in Europe whilst the row of preserved ironworkers cottages give a glimpse of what life was like at the time. However, the jewel in the town's crown is the Big Pit National Coal Museum, until 1980 a real working coal mine. Today it is one of the best museums in the country. Don your helmet and lamp and take the lift 300ft to the bottom of the shaft to see what life was like for the men and boys who worked in the mines. You'll be guided by a real ex-miner, so as well as seeing what the conditions were like, you'll get to hear first hand tales of what went on underground.
7) Cardiff Castle
In the heart of the city centre, Cardiff Castle is one of the capital's best known landmarks. There's been a fort of some description on the site since 55AD. It was later occupied by the Romans and Normans before it was taken over by the third Marquess of Bute who transformed it into his palatial home. Guided tours of the apartments are available daily for visitors to marvel at the extravagant decoration of the castle. For a truly memorable experience book yourself in to one of the Castle's traditional Welsh banquets which are held in the atmospheric cellars of the castle. Enjoy some of the finest local food and drink whilst enjoying some traditional Welsh singing and dancing.
8) Rhondda Heritage ParkRhondda Heritage Park provides a cultural voyage into the South Wales Valleys mining community; visitors are taken on a unique experience of life in the Rhondda in the heyday of Welsh Coal providing a real sense of Wales, Welsh heritage and culture. The Black Gold tour takes visitors throughout the colliery site including the Winding House, lamp room, an ‘underground’ experience and a simulation ride. A multimedia exhibition tells the story of the Rhondda Valleys, the history of Lewis Merthyr Colliery, the Tynewydd mining disaster and of important figures in South Wales coal mining history.
9) Llancaiach FawrLlancaiach Fawr Manor near Caerphilly is a 16th century manor house and makes for a great family day out. Take a tour of the house and meet the servants who will tell you tales of what life was like for them back in 1645. Amongst the characters you may meet are chamber maids, cooks and grooms. If you're lucky you may even get to meet the Lord of the Manor himself, Colonel Pritchard. Llancaiach Fawr is also reputed to be the most haunted house in Wales, and many strange goings on have been reported there.
10) Tredegar House Tredegar House is one of the finest stately homes in Wales is set in 90 acres of parkland just outside the city of Newport. It was the ancestral home of the wealthy Morgan Family. Most of the house dates from the 1670s although the earliest surviving part of the building dates back to the early 1500's. Tours are available throughout the year, where you'll get to see both sides of the house to see what life was like for the masters and how the servants below stairs lived and worked.
For details of all South Wales attractions, visit Southern Wales
