"Croeso i Gymru" - "Welcome to Wales" in Welsh - is how visitors to Wales
will be greeted by the placard marking the border, located to the west of England.
Despite the fact that Wales is often blended into memory as one entity with
the rest of Britain, it is distinctly unique in landscape, culture and tradition.
The Welsh take great pride in their country's history and independence.
The allure and appeal of Wales lies equally as much in its cities, towns and
villages, as it does in its diverse countryside and landscape. Wales is surrounded
by approximately 965 kilometres (600 miles) of coastline, with the sea bordering
on three sides. Rolling pastures, rugged shoreline and mountain regions characterize
the geography overall.
HISTORY
Wales derives many aspects of its history and culture from Celtic traditions.
It is generally considered to be one of the oldest countries in the world, with
evidence of habitation dating back nearly 200,000 years. The European Celts
began to arrive in Wales in approximately 600 B.C. By the fifth century elements
of Christianity became apparent, likely due to the influence from Irish Christian
missionaries. Among these missionaries was a monk named Dewi who later became
known as David, the patron saint of Wales (the first of March is St. David's
Day - a day for the Welsh population to remember their roots and cultural identity
- often people will wear leeks or daffodils to honour the memory of St. David).
Much of Wales's history is based around fighting to retain the country's independence.
Between the fifth and eleventh centuries Wales was continually invaded and pressured
by Anglo-Saxons. This history of constant struggling against invaders left Wales
with more castles per square mile than any other European country. In the eighth
century the King of the neighboring Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Mercia, Offa, constructed
a dyke in order to identify the boundary between Mercia and Wales. Offa's
Dyke still exists today and is highly acclaimed as one of Wales's best
walks.
Viking invasions continued throughout the ninth and tenth centuries with efforts
to unify the various Welsh kingdoms that had developed. In the thirteenth century,
the first attempt to make Wales an independent state was made by Llywelyn the
Last, who was also the first person to be recognised as the "Prince of Wales."
This independent glory lasted only a short time, until the title "Prince of
Wales" was given to an Englishman (King Edward's eldest son) in 1302. Various
other attempts were made to resist English rule over the centuries. However,
acts of parliament between 1536 and 1543 unified Wales with England.
In 1730, the arrival of the Industrial Revolution brought life and a new identity
to Wales. The country was transformed into a resource centre with its primary
production of coal, copper, slate and tin for major industrial centres. Finally,
Wales was experiencing prosperous economic times. This prosperity gradually
ceased until the collapse of the coal industry in the 1980s, which left the
country with widespread unemployment and hardship that still exists today.
CULTURE
The arts, music and literature are all very important aspects of Welsh culture.
Wales has also produced some very talented poets, musicians and actors. The
poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) was born and raised in Swansea,
Wales. Dylan Thomas wrote various popular literary works including "Under Milk
Wood," "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" and "Fern Hill." Monuments and
memorabilia can be found throughout Swansea, particularly at the Dylan
Thomas Centre, reminding locals and visitors of his impact on the literary
community and Welsh culture.
| Love Spoon Symbolism |
| Celtic Knot |
Everlasting Love |
| Double Spoon |
Side by side forever |
| Flowers |
Love and affection |
| Vines, trees and leaves |
Our love is growing |
| Bell |
Marriage |
| Anchor |
You can count on me |
| One heart |
My heart is yours |
| Two Hearts |
We feel the same about each other |
|
Other cultural figures native to Wales include Tom Jones (a persistently popular
pop singer), Sir Anthony Hopkins (considered to be one of the greatest actors
of his time - his most highly acknowledged role among fans is Hannibal Lector
in "Silence of the Lambs," 1991, and "Hannibal," 2001), Sir Richard Burton (starred
in dozens of motion pictures and was well known in the world of celebrity gossip
for his love affairs and two marriages to Elizabeth Taylor), Catherine Zeta
Jones (a rapidly rising star renowned for her beauty and acting versatility)
and Charlotte Church (a soprano whose career began at a very early age and is
now quickly gaining international stardom).
Love spoons are a signature cultural item in Wales. These carved wooden spoons
feature uniquely designed handles, which symbolize different sentiments dating
back to the seventeenth century. They were originally given to women to mark
the beginning of courtship. At the Museum
of Welsh Life at St Fagans it is possible to observe craftspeople carving
the spoons.
LANGUAGE
The Welsh language is a key distinguishing factor that sets Wales apart from
England. It is surprising that Welsh, one of Europe's oldest languages, is still
in existence today. Its use has slowly decreased: approximately 80% of the population
spoke Welsh in the beginning of the nineteenth century, and today only 20% of
the population speaks the language as a native tongue. The majority of the Welsh-speaking
population lives on the Island of Anglesey and on the Llyn Peninsula,
which were two of the more isolated areas in northwest Wales until recent times.
The main reason for the decrease in its use is ease of communication. Tourism
and media communications, as well as other uses, are much more manageable in
English.
Welsh is a very complicated language and seemingly unpronounceable to non-native
speakers. Many words include double d's (pronounced 'th' as in 'this'), double
l's (which is not easily pronounced within the parameters of the English language),
and several other unique letter combinations.
CLIMATE
The United Kingdom,
on the whole, is well known for its rainy weather. Wales is unfortunately no
exception to this. It is the rainiest of the United Kingdom's four countries.
Wales experiences an average annual rainfall of 1,350 milimetres (approximately
53 inches). The months of May through August are typically the driest and warmest
months. Overall the climate in Wales is temperate; that it, it is never too
hot or cold with average winter temperatures at 5° C (41° F) and average summer
temperatures around 16° C (61° F). The coastal areas tend to be slightly warmer
in the summertime. Medium weight clothing and waterproof gear are always appropriate
items to pack, even in summer. In the winter it is always advisable to bring
wool sweaters and other warm items, in addition to waterproof clothing. It is
necessary in the winter to wear several layers of clothing as the damp, chilly
air can be very cold - this way travellers can remove or add layers as temperature
and comfort level dictate.
TRANSPORTATION
Wales has an International Airport located in its capital city, Cardiff.
The Cardiff
International Airport is mainly used for holiday charter flights, although
there are several scheduled flights as well. Some of Wales's international air
traffic comes through Amsterdam; however, the airports in London,
Manchester
and Birmingham,
England, as well as Glasgow
and Edinburgh,
Scotland are also convenient
connecting points for international air traffic to Wales. Many visitors will
travel from one of these international airports to Wales via train, motorcoach
or rental car.
Rail travel is the most convenient and time efficient way to get around Wales
and travel to other parts of the United Kingdom. Virgin
Trains offers extensive services throughout the United Kingdom: Trains
departing from various stations in London
travel to North and Central Wales, including towns such as Llandudno,
Bangor,
Holyhead
and Aberystwyth.
Valley
Lines provides transportation to and from Cardiff, and also serves several
locations in between, such as Aberdare, Merthyr
Tydfil, and Rhymney. First
Great Western offers rail service to Cardiff in two hours from London's
Paddington Station. Central
Trains and First
North Western connect Birmingham,
York
and Newcastle,
England with South Wales. Rail travel can get expensive - it is wise to invest
in a Railcard, which generally entitles the user to a 33% discount on most fares
in the United Kingdom. Rail Passes may be purchased overseas or in the United
Kingdom depending on the type. Inquire locally for further information and up-to-date
prices.
National
Express coach offers limited connections in Wales, as well as travelling
throughout the United Kingdom and to many other European destinations. In addition
to National Express, approximately 70 private bus lines operate with short and
long distance trips throughout the country. Local public transportation services
are available in Cardiff with Cardiff
Bus. Local buses also offer transportation services that connect many
rural communities to larger towns and cities.
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
Wales is home to a great variety of attractions with everything from monastic
ruins and majestic castles to expansive parks and gardens. Some of the greatest
attractions the country has to offer do not require an admission fee or retain
a specific address. The countryside is an attraction in itself and often exploring
small towns and villages will reveal a great deal of Welsh culture.
Cardiff
Cardiff is Wales's capital city, as well as its largest. As with most large
urban centres, Cardiff is a busy commercial centre, surrounded by many sights
and activities
for visitors to enjoy. Because the city centre area is very concentrated, it
is easy to see many of the city's attractions
on foot.
One of the greatest highlights of the city is Cardiff
Castle. Cardiff Castle stands out amongst the shops and scenery that
surround it. It is the centerpiece of the city. Often criticized and not considered
to be a "true" castle because of its more recent construction and ornate Victorian
Gothic furnishings, Cardiff Castle is indeed authentic. There is evidence that
the site was occupied by the Romans as early as the first century. The more
recent architecture was designed by William Burgess in the 1800s.
Millennium
Stadium is also one of Cardiff's main attractions, located in the western
portion of the city. The building was redesigned and renovated to accommodate
the Rugby World Cup, which the city hosted in 1999. Millennium Stadium is now
a state-of-the-art sports centre that can accommodate up to 72,500 spectators.
It features a retractable roof and a range of facilities.
Llandudno
Llandudno offers a Welsh experience different from any other. It is a charming
and traditional British resort town on its own peninsula surrounded by two beaches
(the North Shore and the West Shore) in between the Great and Little Ormes.
The Ormes, twin limestone headlands that stretch out into the sea, are a magnificent
part of Wales's geography and are also excellent for climbing. The town itself
has maintained much of its Victorian architecture and elegance from the era
of the same name, although many modern attractions have become more prevalent
over the years. Llandudno features an ocean-front promenade, as well as an impressive
pier that extends 670 metres (732 yards) into the sea. Elegant hotels border
the promenade and traditional "Punch and Judy" shows are featured along the
beach often (a mobile puppet show that features the beloved character Mr. Punch;
the show and script originated in sixteenth century Italy). The Great
Orme Tramway is based in this area, which takes visitors up to the summit
and offers a beautiful panoramic view of the town and its beaches.
Portmeirion
Built on a peninsula on the coast of northwest Wales between the years of 1925
and 1975, Portmeirion
is a small village that was built primarily for tourism and also to prove a
point that architecture could be provoking and appealing. With Mediterranean
style architecture and scenery, the village was built according to a vision
held by one of Wales's leading architects of that time, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis.
Portmeirion features a central piazza, which is encircled by 50 buildings, as
well as beaches and lush gardens. Portmeirion was also the filming location
of the cult-TV series "The Prisoner" in the 1960s. A small admission fee is
charged to enter the village.
Llanfair PG
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch or LlanfairPG,
the town's abbreviated name, holds the record for the longest place name in
Britain. The name is 58 letters in total. Visitors love to come to the little
town with the big name to have a picture taken beside the name plaque at the
train station and also print off a very long train ticket that features the
town's name in its entirety. As one could easily guess, the name was actually
conceived in the nineteenth century for the very purpose of drawing in tourists.
Snowdonia National Park
While Wales is home to three national parks - Brecon
Beacons National Park, Snowdonia
National Park and Pembrokeshire
Coast National Park - Snowdonia is one of the most popular destinations
in the country. Mount Snowdon, in northwest Wales, is the centerpiece of the
park and also the tallest mountain in Wales and England towering over the countryside
at 1085 metres (nearly 3,560 feet). The mountain is an impressive sight in both
scenery and proportion. The park itself was established in 1951 and is one of
the largest National Parks in Britain, second only to England's
Lake District.
Much more than a National Park, Snowdonia is a worthwhile area for several
reasons. The park plays host to dozens of recreational opportunities: walking,
hiking, climbing, pony trekking, whitewater rafting and many others. The view
from the summit of Mount Snowdon, whether it is reached by riding the Snowdon
Mountain Railway or by climbing, is spectacular. The mountain overlooks the
landscape of flowing rivers and small mountain villages. Approximately 500,000
people reach the summit each year.
Castles
Towering medieval castles are commonplace in many towns and cities throughout
Wales. Some are more elaborate than others, both inside and out, some are kept
today as they were nearly one thousand years ago, while some are left in ruins.
All however, add to the beauty of the landscape and offer a glimpse into the
history and culture of Wales.
Some of the more popular castles are located in the larger towns and cities.
Caernarfon
Castle is located on the Menai Strait and is considered to be the most
famous castle in Wales. It stands tall and proud along the water. Beaumaris
Castle is situated on the Island of Anglesey. Although it was never
completed, it boasts a symmetrical design and is the most technically perfect
castle in Britain. Also in Northern Wales, overlooking Tremadog Bay, Harlech
Castle has been dubbed the "castle of lost causes" and is well know
for its power and strength. Conwy
Castle is a daunting, medieval castle that boasts stunning views with
Mount Snowdon behind in the horizon. Pembroke
Castle is situated in southern Wales in Pembroke.
A 23-metre tower stands on the grounds, which visitors can climb up and experience
a spectacular view of the surrounding area.
Caernarfon, Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech Castles are all listed as UNESCO World
Heritage Sites and are of particular interest.
Miniature Railways
More than a dozen narrow gauge railroads and miniature steam trains are in
operation throughout Wales for touring. Often referred to as the "Great Little
Trains of Wales," they are ideal for an authentic "Welsh" experience, as well
as an excellent way to see the beautiful countryside scenery that Wales has
to offer. The tours are family-oriented and enjoyable for all ages.
The trains themselves are a legacy of the slate industry that was once a prosperous
contributor to the country's economy. Most miniature railways originally served
to transport Welsh slate from the quarries to the sea. Each railway has a unique
history that makes it distinctly different from the others.
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Ffestiniog
Railway and Porthmadog
Photo courtesy of Dave Newbould |
Miniature Rail tours are offered throughout the country, particularly in many
popular locations and along scenic routes. Llanberis
Lake Railway tours through Snowdonia National Park and past Llanberis
Lake. The Ffestiniog
Railway also tours through Snowdonia National Park, between Porthmadog
and Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Welsh
Highland Railway, also out of Porthmadog, offers an experience similar
to that of the 1920s and includes a stop at the railway workshops. The Vale
of Rheidol departs from Aberystwyth and travels through the valley past
a variety of sights to Devil's Bridge. The Rheilffordd
Talyllyn Railway line runs through Fathew Valley from Twyyn and along
the Cardigan Bay Coast to Nant Gwernol. Brecon
Mountain Railway offers miniature rail tours through Brecon Beacons
National Park between Pant Station and Pontsicill. The Welshpool
and Llanfair Light Railway passes through the beauty of the Banwy Valley
from Welshpool
to Llanfair
Caereinion.
Eisteddfod
Eisteddfod is an annual festival that defines the culture of Wales. There are
two separate celebrations of Eisteddfod: The National
Eisteddfod and the International
Eisteddfod. The National Eisteddfod takes place in a different location
each year in early August, alternating from South Wales one year to North Wales
the next. The National Eisteddfod is a celebration of musical, dance and poetic
talent that dates back as far as 1176, and operated much like a modern day folk
festival. Many traditions have been held over the years including the awarding
of the best poet and musician with a chair at the Lord's table (the festival
was originally held by Lord Rhys).
The International Eisteddfod is similar to the National Eisteddfod, however
it runs on a much larger scale. Hundreds of thousands of guests attend and approximately
6,500 competitors participate each year, representing nearly 50 countries. The
International Eisteddfod takes place in Llangollen
along the banks of the River Dee in July, usually mid-month. This festival has
seen participants such as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and others. Be
sure to arrange accommodations well in advance when planning to attend the International
Eisteddfod.
