Hi! We are Ali and Amy, also known as The MahoJos and we live on a farm in South Wales. On our farm, we have a Motorhome Aire where we host campervans and motorhomes for a 1 or 2 night stop over. One thing we often get asked from the people that stay with us is “Where should we visit?”. So we’ve put together a list of our must see places in Wales to give you some inspiration.
The Capital city of Wales
We are about 15 miles north of Cardiff which is an amazing city to visit for different reasons. For one, there’s a castle in the City Centre which is right next door to a beautiful park. Secondly, it’s got a brilliant range of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. If you’re a fan of sport then there’s also the Principality Stadium which has great stadium tours. Cardiff doesn’t have the built up feeling of some major cities in the UK and is a pleasure to stroll around. One of the best places in Cardiff to visit for free is the National Museum which has something for everyone (except on Mondays when its closed). Find out more about Cardiff here and also check out Cardiff Bay, about 1 mile from the city centre.
For the Animal Lovers
There are some amazing Red Kite centres to visit in Wales, most of which are in Central Wales. Just Google Red Kite feeding station and take your pick. If you’re a fan of sea life then Pembrokeshire in West Wales is the place to head for. Here you can take a trip for Whale, Porpoise and Dolphin spotting. Not to be missed! Following on from the sea theme, the Isle of Anglesey is famous for its wide range of sea birds. At South Stack Cliffs you can see Puffins in the Spring months.
For the Dark Sky Lovers
Wales has some great dark sky spots including Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park which is an official International Dark Sky Reserve. You’ll find other places all over Wales so if you fancy a night under the stars (assuming it’s not raining) then check out this Visit Wales page.
Get on your Bike or Hike
We’ve travelled along many of Wales’ most beautiful cycling and hiking routes and there is so much variety. For the best cycling routes in Wales check out the Sustrans website. Many of these routes double up as great walking routes too. No trip to Wales is complete without a hike up a mountain. In South Wales, we recommend a hike up Pen Y Fan. Parking is best at Storey Arms Car Park (free but no loos) or at the Pont Ar Daf car park (loos but not free). Apart from Pen Y Fan, some other popular mountains include Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Cadair Idris. Our advice before any mountain challenge is always check the weather before, and on the day of your trip. We’ve been caught out with quick changing conditions so its always good to check the Met Office website.
Wales with a difference
Not far from us is the Royal Mint which has a 1,100 year history of minting coins. Book your tickets for this in advance as it’s very popular. A bit further down the road is the St Fagans National Museum of History which is an amazing indoor and outdoor celebration of Welsh culture and life. Entry is free but parking is £6 – still an absolute bargain.
We highly recommend trying the traditional food of Welsh Rarebit. No, it’s not just posh cheese on toast, its so much more than that! Our favourite place for this little treat is on the outskirts of Brecon at the International Welsh Rarebit Centre. It’s a stunning little eatery which is well worth a pit stop at; check their listing for opening days / times.
Fancy a trip to a UNESCO World Heritage site whilst you’re here? Head to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near Llangollen for a boat trip / walk across the 18-arch stone spectacle. If you’ve tried to pronounce that then you might as well head for Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (llan-vire-pooll-gwin-gill-gore-ger-ih-queern-drorb-ooll-llandy-silio-gore-gore-goch). You’ll find the place with the very long name on Anglesey and it’s great for a photo opportunity.
King or Queen of the Castle
Did you know that there are 427 castles in Wales? You probably won’t get time to visit all of them but if you want to give it a crack then head to the Cadw website for a very long list.
The Wales Coast Path
Heading to the coast anywhere in Wales is a great shout for fresh air and fresh views. The 870 mile Wales Coast Path route hugs the southerly, westerly and northerly coastline and makes for some great day trips. Check it out for some coastal inspiration and look into the Gower Peninsula (West Wales) and the Llŷn Peninsula – both stunning.
Want to know more?
If you’ve got any more questions about Wales or suggested places to visit, connect with us on Facebook or Instagram as we’d love to hear from you!