BESPOKE TRAVEL WALES

Cymru, the Welsh name for the country, is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north, St George’s Channel to the west and the Bristol Channel to the south.  Wales has its own language and its capital is Cardiff.  Wales has a population of 3 million people and the Welsh language is the oldest in Britain. The Welsh love their folklore and the Mabinogion is a collection of Welsh traditional stories which features dragons, giants, enchanted trees and plenty of heroes.

The Welsh national sport is rugby and for much of the last century, they have dominated the game. After many battles to maintain independence, Wales was annexed by the English in the thirteenth century and politically united with England under the Tudor monarchs. The deepest cave in Britain is in Wales and Wales has a long and proud history of coal mining, where many famous colliery choirs were started. Indeed, the Welsh are passionate singers and from Tom Jones, Catherine Jenkins and Charlotte Church to the famous battle scenes in Zulu this always comes across as a key part of their national character. Wales has also produced many famous actors like Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins who have also benefited from their wonderful deep Welsh voices.

Wales is well known for its hills and mountains, with the highest mountain, Mount Snowden, located in the northwest of the country. The Clwyd, Conwy, Taff, and Usk are some of the famous rivers found in Wales. The weather in Wales is mild and damp and there is a lot of rain! The Welsh are descendants of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, known as Celts and nearly a quarter of the population can speak Welsh, which they really try to preserve. You will see a lot of signposts in Welsh which can be confusing but they are proud of their heritage. It has a population of three million people and they like to say that there are nearly three times as many sheep as there are people!

There are five regions in Wales: the North West, which is home to stunning Snowdonia National Park, the North East, Mid Wales, the South West and the South East where equally beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is found along with the capital and all the heavy industry in cities like Port Talbot. The rural areas are the prettiest and the Pembrokeshire coastline has miles & miles of empty beaches. Tenby is a lovely coastal town to use as a base and from here you can explore Pembrokeshire and take in lovely historical places like St David’s, with its famous cathedral.

Saint David was a Welsh Bishop during the 6th century. He was later made a saint and became the Patron Saint of Wales. On St. David’s Day, people in Wales celebrate the life of their patron saint, just like Scots celebrate St Andrews day and the English celebrate St Georges day.  Wales has five main areas of outstanding natural beauty – Clwydian Range, Llyn Peninsula, Wye Valley, Gower Peninsula and the Isle of Anglesey. There are three national parks in Wales – Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire Coast. They are all popular for camping, walking and climbing holidays. The daffodil is Wales’ national flower and the leek is also a national symbol. If you love castles, Wales is a wonderful place to visit and there are over six hundred to choose from. Famous Welsh castles include Harlech, Powis, Caernarfon, Cardiff, Pembroke, Caerphilly, and Chirk.  There is plenty of culture to indulge in and we can also put together an exciting itinerary for those who enjoy a little bit of adventure.

HRH Prince Charles is the current Prince of Wales. The title is given to the eldest son of the sovereign (king or queen) and he is the person who will succeed to the British throne. Prince Charles was given the title in 1958 when he was just ten years old and he is the 21st Prince of Wales, since King Edward I gave the title to his son.

Wales is not as well known to LTR guests as other parts of Britain and some people are put off by its remoteness from London but the roads are greatly improved and there are some excellent trains to Cardiff. You can also fly into Liverpool or Manchester and access Wales from the North. There is a lot to see and stunning countryside to enjoy. There are a few nice country house hotels which we can recommend and the people are very welcoming.  There are a few wonderful gardens to explore.  Like everywhere, the food has greatly improved and we can provide an English speaking driver/guide to help you navigate the Welsh roads and unintelligible signposts!  Whatever it is you would like to see or do, our team of destination experts can arrange everything for you.

What is Wales most well known for?

There are many things that Wales is famous for.  There is of course Snowdon which is the highest mountain in the UK outside Scotland, standing at 1,085 metres above sea level and situated in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park.  The Welsh people are amongst the friendliest nation in the world and offer a warm welcome to visitors as well as being well known for their rugby prowess.  Wales has a rugged coastline with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world to visit.

What percentage of the Welsh people speak the Celtic Welsh language?

Almost 20% of Welsh people can speak the Welsh language and nearly 15% of them can read or write the language.  This percentage is increasing due to school children between 4 and 15 learning it in school in order to keep the language alive.  Driving through Wales all the road signs are in English and Welsh which adds to the feeling of having crossed over the border into Wales.

Are there many castles in Wales to stay in?

There are probably fewer castles in Wales than the rest of the UK that are available to rent for exclusive use.  However, there are some beautiful country houses available to rent throughout the country as well as some lovely boutique hotels that provide a great base for exploring all that Wales has to offer.  Why not give us a call on + 44 (0) 1835 824642 or email info@ltrcastles.com to find out more.