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Are you planning a trip to Wales this year and need some recommendations for places to visit? With lush greenery, dramatic landscapes, and an exciting array of visitor attractions, there’s plenty of sights to discover and explore...
1) Elan Valley Reservoirs & Dams, Rhayader
Image Credits: Bottom right image from Karl McCarthy
45 minutes drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions
Coming in at number 1 in our list of top 10 places to visit in Wales, Elan Valley is a true hiker’s and photographer’s delight; a stunning collection of man-made lakes, dating back to the early 20th Century. The dams, reservoirs and 73-mile aqueduct were built over a hundred years ago to supply clean water to the city of Birmingham; a truly epic work of engineering set within an area of outstanding beauty. The dams and reservoirs offer ample opportunities for walking and exploring; as well as providing much-needed protection to ancient species of flora and fauna.
2) Rhayader to Aberystwyth via the Mountain Road
Image Credits: First three images of the route from Discover Ceridigion and the bottom right image of Aberystwyth seafront from Visit Mid Wales
3 hour round drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions Do make sure to take the old mountain road through Cwmystwyth and not the new road through Llangurig which is less twisty, but nowhere near as breath-taking to look at!
This is one of our personal favourite places to visit in wales. The Aberystwyth Mountain Road is an incredibly picturesque route, no matter the time of year, that requires you to take it down a gear as you twist and turn through the Cambrian Mountains and take in what looks like a place forgotten in time. The stunning route heads straight past the northernmost point of the Elan Valley, twisting through the Cambrian mountains, following the B4574 from Cwmystwyth to Devil’s Bridge, before heading to Aberystwyth via the A4120. Pull up on the seafront at Aberystwyth for a fish and chip lunch before heading back.
If you fancy making a whole day of it, visit Elan Valley Reseviors and Dams (previous place) or Gigrin Red Kite Feeding Station (next place) along the way. Then you can tick off several of the top 10 places to visit in Wales in just one day!
3) Gigrin Red Kite Feeding Station at Rhayader
Image Credits: Right image by Steven Weekly
40 minute drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions
Gigrin Red Kite Feeding Station is set upon a 160-acre family farm, inviting hundreds (yes you read that right, hundreds) of stunning Red Kites to come and feed at their centre each and every day. The station boasts several hides, allowing you to watch the wonderful Red Kites as they go about their business. There are also specialist photographic points for keen photographers and artists to enjoy. The Red Kite Centre overlooks both the Wye and Elan Valleys, and is just half a mile away from the pretty market town of Rhayader. The site also features a coffee shop, picnic site and farm trail. This made it onto our list of top 10 places to visit in Wales as it is really quite a spectacle and certainly not something you can see in many places across the whole of the UK!
4) Small Breeds Farm Park in Kington
Image Credits: Small Breeds Farm Park
20 minute drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions
Now, we're cheating with this one a little, as it is just over the border in Herefordhsire, England but it's just a stone's throw away and certainly worth a mention. Pygmy goats, tiny sheep, big sheep, donkeys and miniature horses and a collection of over 30 species of owls as well as many ducks and other waterfowl can be seen at the farm park. A 'hands on' experience is actively encouraged and you can even purchase food to feed the animals with as you make your way around. The best bit? This farm park is not just for kids, as it is very mindful to create an experience that adults will love just as much. This had to be on the top 10 places to visit in Wales for all the animal lovers out there!
5) Bounce Below at Zip World in Llechwedd
Image Credits: Zip World
2.5 hour drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions
Pure quirk got this attraction onto our list of top 10 things to do in Wales. The Llechwedd Caverns of Zip World, have been transformed into a fun trampoline playground named Bounce Below. Enter via an old mine train and uncover a staggering maze of giant nets with three separate trampoline heights, an industrial-sized slide, tunnel and spiral staircase taking you deep into the caves. There are lots of other activities at this site too including underground golf, Titan and Big Red Zip line, caverns, quarry tour and deep mine tour.
6) The National Showcaves of Wales
Image Credits: Dan-yr-Ogof Caves
1.25 hour drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions
The stunning collection of caverns that has been Wales’ best kept secret for over 315 million years. The 3 distinct caves of Dan-yr-Ogof, Cathedral Cove and Bone Cave each offer a unique and fascinating underground experience – explore pretty passageways, enormous caverns, 40 feet high waterfalls and more history than you can sink your teeth into during your day at the caves.
7) Skomer Island, to meet the Puffins
3 hour drive (+ a boat trip) from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions
These guys had to be included in our top 10 places to visit in Wales - just look how cute they are! And you will find up to 42,500 of these chaps between April - July on the unique Skomer Island; one of the world’s most important habitats for nesting seabirds. Situated just off the Pembrokeshire coast, Skomer Island is most famous for its puffins, which make up the largest puffin breeding colony in southern Britain – as well as Manx shearwaters, birds of prey, Atlantic grey seals, and fantastic flora. The puffins can be seen from April-August each year.
8) Royal Welsh Agricultural Show
Image Credits: Royal Welsh Agricultural Society
30 minute drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions
Described as "The pinnacle event in the British agricultural calendar", we couldn't complete our list of top 10 places to visit in Wales without the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show. This 4 day event takes place in July of each year and is held at a spectacular showground in Llanelwedd, next door to Builth Wells. Each day sees a 12-hour programme consisting of livestock competitions, forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food, and drink. exciting entertainment, attractions and displays.
9) Dolphin spotting at Cardigan Bay
2.25 hour drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions
Stretching over 15 miles, Cardigan is the largest bay in Britain, and is home to a rich variety of wildlife. Discover the largest resident population of bottlenose dolphins in Europe, as well as harbour porpoise, Atlantic grey seals, and brilliant birdlife. Dolphins reside at Cardigan Bay from June – September and are best seen by boat or from the Mwnt cliffs.
10) Zip World in Penrhyn
Image Credits: Zip World
3 hour drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions
Situated in the heart of Snowdonia Zip World is home to Velocity 2, the world’s fastest, and Europe’s longest, zip line! Its four parallel lines span 1.5km over the crystal-clear waters of Penrhyn Quarry Lake. There are lots of other activities at this site too including quarry carts, quarry tour and ariel explorer.
Need a base to explore Wales?
Swop city lights for starry nights & get away from daily chaos to peace and quiet at Hush Hush Glamping. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Wales - without having to hike anywhere or compromise on home comforts!
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