Explore Wales through Photos

These are the photos I’ve taken on my journey as I explore Wales with my Nikon camera. I hope that you not only enjoy the images of Wales but get inspired to visit the area yourself. Don’t forget to take your camera.

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If you are travelling around the United Kingdom, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.

Need a Car?

If you want to book a car, you can try using one of these car rental websites, EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars, Expedia or RentalCars.

Need Accommodation?

Try using these accommodation websites to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day exploring, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.

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All prices and times were correct when this was written or updated, but please check the websites when you wish to visit.

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Explore South Wales

Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff is an exciting city to visit and a great starting point as you explore South Wales. It’s so vibrant and full of history that you’ll have to spend at least a few days exploring.

Cardiff city centre holds the history of Wales in Cardiff Castle.

A guided tour of the Victorian House is a must. Not only is the decor incredible, but the stories have to be heard to be believed.

There are also museums to visit, including the National Museum and Art Gallery. Here you can learn all about Wales from Gondwana to the modern-day.

The Cardiff Bay waterfront is the vibrant heart of the city. It is here where all the restaurants and cafes are situated as well as the Millennium Centre, National Assembly of Wales and Norwegian Church and cafe.

It is a great walk along the esplanade between all these attractions, especially on a fine day.

St. Fagan’s Museum of Natural History

St. Fagan’s Museum of Natural History is a collection of historical buildings recreated here as to how they would have been in. It is free admission, although, if you’re driving, you have to pay for the car park.

Inside the visitor centre, exhibitions show the history of Wales and you can spend 2-3 hours on the museum grounds.

If you’d like more information on places to go and sights to see in Cardiff, please visit my blog via the link here.

Outside of Cardiff, Wales

Brecon Railway

Just outside Merthyr Tydfil, you can catch the steam locomotive to Pontsticill.

When you get to Pontstcill, you have about 35 minutes for coffee, photos etc., before getting back on board for the return trip. You could spend more time here hiking and catch a later train back to Merthyr Tydfil. Be sure to take note of the times the train runs.

Brecon Beacons

If you’re into nature and walking in it, then the Brecon Beacons are just the place for you. With such a big area to explore, I decided to concentrate on the waterfalls. I wasn’t disappointed.

The Four Falls Trail is a great track, and four hours can easily be spent finding the four waterfalls here. You’ll be amazed not only by the natural beauty but how quickly time flies.

Just down the road is the turn-off for the Elidir Trail and another four waterfalls, although this is a shorter walk at around two hours. You can also start this walk from the village of Pontneddfechan and walk northwards.

These two great waterfall walks are just an hour out of Cardiff. You can also explore single falls while you explore this region known as Waterfall Way.

Blaen-y-glyn is a bit further out away from the others but still just an hour from Cardiff. An easy 20-minute walk from the car park brings you to the waterfall.

Henrhyd Falls requires a bit more fitness, but it is still an easy walk. From the car park, it’s downhill before stairs lead you to the upper track and then about 20 minutes after leaving the car you’re there.

If you’d like to know more information about this area, please click on this link which will take you to my blog on Waterfall Country Brecon Beacons.

South-West Wales

Skomer Island

One of the best days out I’ve ever done, if not the best, is taking the boat across to Skomer Island to see the puffins.

You spend a full day seeing the puffins, rabbits, seals and other birdlife, and you can get so close to the puffins you could almost touch them.

If you’d like to read more about my experience on Skomer Island, you can click on the link here.

Manorbier

One of the great coastal walks in Wales is at the village of Manorbier. Just across the road from the YHA is the car park, which has paths leading to the different tracks along the coast. You will definitely need to bring your camera to this part of Wales.

Church Doors Cove

From the car park, the first track leads to Church Doors Cove. It takes you to the 141 steps that go down to the cove.

It’s a very rocky beach until you reach the sand, and it is only accessible at low tide. The rock formations are a great place to explore, and you can even access Skrinkle Haven Beach through an opening.

Lydstep Caverns

I didn’t go all the way to the Caverns, but this coastline is a must-see. The path is steep in parts, with stairs, rocky and muddy, but well worth the effort.

At low tide, there is a sandy beach in the cove and, once again, the only time you can explore the caves along this stretch of coast.

Knowing the tide times and the weather is a must for this part of Wales if you truly want to see it at its best. It’s only 15 minutes to Tenby or Pembroke and a great place to get away from the crowds.

Explore North Wales

If you thought that South Wales was worthy of taking your camera, just wait until you explore North Wales.

Conwy

If you’re interested in reading more about Conwy and its attractions, you can click here for my blog on Visit Conwy Wales or North Wales – Mountains, Castles and Waterfalls.

Conwy Town Wall

Surrounding the old part of town, the town walls are a great way to go from the waterfront to the Castle a scenic way.

The views from the top look over the rooftops to the river beside the Castle.

Conwy Castle

A popular place to visit, Conwy Castle should also be on your list of must-dos.

Built in the 1280s, the Castle is now in ruins but is still a very large building to walk through and learn about the history of the area.

It also makes a beautiful backdrop at sunset for photography enthusiasts.

Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park

The Great Orme Country Park holds much for the walker or tram enthusiast. You can take a tram to the top, from the town, to explore the area and see the sights.

Once you’ve explored the Country Park, there is the town to enjoy, with its wide esplanade, restaurants and cafes to satisfy your hunger.

You could also go on a hunt to find the characters from Alice in Wonderland scattered about the town.

Outside of Conwy and Llandudno

Explore Wales from a Conwy base and you’ll find enough history to keep even the most fanatical history buff entertained for hours.

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle is just over a half-hour drive west of Conwy.

It is here that the Prince of Wales is invested, and it is also the home to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers museum.

Caernarfon is another town that is surrounded by a wall, and it is a charming place to stroll past shops and under umbrellas.

Beaumaris Castle

Another of Edward the First’s castles, this was his last and incomplete. It is another half-hour drive west from Conwy, just on the island of Anglesey.

Beaumaris is a charming village that is well worth the visit on its own. The castle, although incomplete, is in ruins except for one room, the Chapel, and there is an interesting film about the history of the area worth seeing.

Rhuddlan Castle

Less than a half-hour east of Conwy is Rhuddlan Castle ruins. If you enjoy walking around castle ruins and taking interesting photos, then this is the place for you.

Denbigh Castle

A 35-minute drive east away from Conwy is Denbigh Castle. These castle ruins sit high above the town on the hill affording great views over the countryside.

If you would like to read more on this area, you can read my blog on North Wales here.

Snowdonia

Snowdonia is an awe-inspiring area to explore Wales. You can walk up a mountain, see trees growing out of lakes and waterfalls aplenty, all waiting for you to explore.

Mt. Snowdon

From your base in Llanberis, you can either walk up the mountain or take the train up.

There are many tracks that go up Snowdon. I was planning to go up on the train, but as I found out the hard way, you need to book early if you want the easy way up.

Halfway up the Llanberis track, there is a cafe which is a welcome rest stop. I didn’t get to the top, but the views on a good day last forever.

Ceunant Mawr

Just behind the village of Llanberis is this impressive waterfall. Ceunant Mawr is right next to the train tracks, about a 20-minute walk up from the village (and I do mean up).

Llyn Padarn

Another great and easy walk in Llanberis is around the lake. On your way around, you not only have impressive views of the mountains, including Snowdon but also see the tree growing out of the lake.

Canolfan Tryweryn

This area is host to the National White Water Centre, and its river takes thrill-seekers down its rapids on rafts and kayaks.

There is a path that follows the river that gives you opportunities for other-worldly shots.

Rhaedr Y Graig Lwyd – Conwy Falls

There is a 10-minute walk to these falls down a steep trail that is rocky in parts. It’s a significant amount of water that comes down the chasm, releasing into this point with only a large rocky outcrop parting the way.

Swallow Falls

Two viewing points are at this very accessible waterfall. There are stairs leading to the bottom viewpoint where this photo below was taken from.

I hope that this blog has inspired you to explore Wales for yourself.

Whenever you get out and explore Wales, you won’t be disappointed by all that can be seen in this small country and will probably be back to explore Wales again and again.

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Links

If you’d like to read more about my travels in the UK, click on the countries following links; England, Scotland and Wales.

If you want to check out UK passes and what you should get for where then read my blog on Explore the UK with Passes.

If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art.

Or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.

Travel Resources

• Flights, Accommodation & Car Hire – You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Hopper and WayAway, which has 5% cashback.
• Car Hire – Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
• Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe – Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and train travel in the UK and Europe.
• Travel Insurance – is your number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master and Insubuy are invaluable in keeping you insured during your travels.
• Attractions – buy before you leave home with these great sites, Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
• House Sitting – is a great way to save on accommodation and Trusted Housesitters has house sits all around the world for you to try.
• Photo Editing – is a great way to bring your photos to life and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
• Visa Applications – apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
• Sim cards – Try Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).

If you want more tips, try my Travel Links and Resource page.

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