10 of the best villages to visit in Wales
FROM LOVELY LANES FULL OF CHARACTER TO MESMERISING LOCATIONS, THESE WELSH VILLAGES HAVE IT ALL, WRITES JOANNE RIDOUT
WALES has myriad unique villages perfect for wandering around to admire its tapestry of buildings, enjoy eating and drinking in its local establishments, explore the surrounding area and views, and discover the local history.
There are so many villages to choose from for a visit and all can offer a wonderful journey into village life and a base for exploration.
Some are coastal, some are nestled into a rural landscape, and some are close to urban centres – but all tell a unique story and can produce the happiest of memories of a day or weekend visit.
From a colourful Italian-style coastal village to a lakeside village in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, every corner of Wales has a wonderful jigsaw of hidden hamlets and vibrant villages dotted around its landscape.
Here are 10 of some of the best villages to visit in Wales for interesting village properties and buildings, beautiful landscapes in famous locations, places to eat and drink and interesting history and monuments to discover.
There are so many more villages that could easily be added to a special villages list such as St Dogmaels, Porthgain, Port Eynon, Llangrannog and Llanberis but these tremendous 10 are a good place to start when exploring the villages of our nation.
MERTHYR MAWR, BRIDGEND COUNTY
There are plenty of perfect stone cottages for anyone who is looking for an Instagram moment as you stroll down the field and sheep-lined lane of this impossibly beautiful village.
But at certain points of the day and week Merthyr Mawr might be a busier lane than you expect, and not just from the occasional horse rider and dog walker.
Because not only is there a paid car park and basic toilet facilities at the end of the lane, there’s a warren of incredible sand dunes and a beautiful beach to explore too, as part of the Merthyr Mawr Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
If the trekking up and down sand dunes makes you hungry and thirsty, there’s the beach at one end of the area for a picnic on the seashore, or a ten minute drive back to the outskirts of Bridgend gets you to the Parc Plaza Retail Park and a choice of branded takeaways and coffee shops to refresh you. On the other side of the river valley, there’s the ruins of Ogmore Castle and the village of Ogmore-bysea which usually has council operated toilets open and coffee and cake facilities in the beach car park, although it’s worth checking before you go.
TINTERN, MONMOUTHSHIRE
As the road climbs along the hillside and then begins to drop down into the village of Tintern you get the first tantalising glimpses of the historic beast of a building that is Tintern Abbey, and it’s truly breathtaking. Rising up out of the valley floor, this majestic and magnificent historic structure dominates the local landscape. The village hugs the road that winds along the Wye Valley, with opportunities to park in a number of car parks dotted along the route.
There are abundant river and countryside walks to try in either direction along the valley or winding routes that get you climbing to get the best views above the valley, such as the ramble and climb up to Devil’s Pulpit. But there are gentler strolls around the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to enjoy too and work up an appetite, including next to the river towards the pretty village of Brockweir on the English side of the valley.
In Tintern there are tea shops, pubs and some independent shops to explore, with a collection of them found at Abbey Mill, a courtyard of shops and eateries within characterful converted mill buildings.
Travel just a mile to the north and a hidden gem of charm and history greets you at The Old Station.
This former train route is now the perfect pit stop for a light meal in the old station which can still boast its platform and signal box building as well as 10 acres of land, a children’s play area and vintage train carriages on site.
ST HILARY, VALE OF GLAMORGAN
If one of the main reasons for visiting one of Wales’ best villages is to experience a landmark pub, then The Bush Inn in St Hilary is a very strong contender, although currently closed on a Monday and Tuesday, so don’t go then. The thatch stone period property is not only a charming spot to relax and dine out, it has raised its standing in the famestakes by appearing in the awardwinning BBC Cymru Wales programme Sherlock.
But this tiny hamlet of thatched and stone cottages centred around a 14th Century grade two listed church has a number of local attractions to tempt you to the area for the day, not just for lunch.
One is the grade one listed Old Beaupre Castle owned by Cadw, a historic home that is more a medieval manor and Tudor house built by the Bassett family to show-off their wealth than an actual castle.
Although partly in ruins, there is ‘a well-preserved three-storeyed gatehouse and striking porch, decorated with columns inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece and bearing the family’s heraldic crest carved in stone.’ Check on the cadw site if the property is open before making a special journey.
There are plenty of options to continue your day in the area, with National Trust owned Dyffryn Gardens, which includes a gallery cafe with wonderful garden views if you have any space left after your hearty pub lunch at The Bush Inn.
Alternatively, wander south through the lanes to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast path or north to the characterful market town of Cowbridge for boutique shops and even more options to eat and drink.
LLANGORSE, BRECON BEACONS
This rural village sits near the bank of Llangorse lake, the largest natural lake in mid and south Wales, and is located within the glorious Brecon Beacons National Park. The lake has become a beacon itself for anyone keen on coarse fishing and watersports such as kayaking, rowing, paddle boarding and canoeing.
The lake can also boast a reconstructed ancient Crannog – a lake dwelling originally built during the Dark Ages as a palace for Brychan, the king of Brecknock, according to website Brecon Beacons.
The village is a great base for cycling and rambling the rural splendour of the area and drink in the surrounding views of mountains and valleys, woodland and waterfalls.
There’s camping and glamping, family and group holiday opportunities at Acorn Adventure and the village locality can also offer Llangorse Multi Activity Centre.
Activities on site at this centre include the chance to try rock climbing, bouldering, caving and abseiling and an outdoor multi-level
challenge course, zip-wire and on-site horse riding. There’s meals and hot drinks at The Lake Cafe to look forward to after a day out in the fresh air or an array of country pubs can be found in the area to choose from such as The Red Lion and The Castle Inn.
RHOSSILI, GOWER PENINSULA
The first place in Britain to be named an area of outstanding natural beauty in 1956, Gower Peninsula has been stunning visitors for decades.
It’s all about the beautiful beaches, spectacular rugged coastline, peaceful countryside, fresh local food and an array of outdoor activities within this 70 glorious square miles of south west wales.
And one of the most popular coastal villages for visits to this bracing and rugged Welsh coastline is Rhossili. This three-mile stretch of golden sands is backed by dunes and anchored at one end by a rocky outcrop called Worm’s Head that can only be reached for about two hours per day, so be careful you don’t get stranded when the tide starts coming in. The coast around this distinctive feature offers caves, blowholes and a natural bridge within the rock for intrepid explorers to discover and when the sunflower season starts the village is awash with fields of sunshine yellow. The village has a number of places to refill with good food and drink, including The Bay bistro and coffee shop, The Causeway and The Worms Head Hotel.
MANORBIER, PEMBROKESHIRE
The stunning sandy beach at this coastal village would be a draw to visitors on its own, from families to surfers, but this spot is super special as it can boast a fine medieval castle and a Norman church too.
Designated as a conservation area in 1997, the village may be small, but its history is vast, with the sprawling castle said to be the birthplace of Gerald of Wales. But the location has been enjoyed for many thousands of years, with artefacts found in the area dating back to Neolithic times, over 110,000 years ago.
A visit to the burial chamber called Kings Quoit on the cliff footpath completes your journey through time.
Coastal walks towards Swanlake Bay or Tenby are worth the effort, offering spectacular sea and coast views; no wonder it has been a gem that so many people keep coming back to, including George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf according to website Visit Pembrokeshire.
The Manorbier Castle Inn can offer a hearty pub lunch and homemade light meals, tea and cake can be found at the Beach Break cafe (closed Monday and Tuesday) in the heart of the village. Both are considered by most visitors to be worth walking back to the village for a bite to eat, before you collect your car from the small car park, which also has toilet facilities.
SOLVA, PEMBROKESHIRE
This thriving, coastal village might be small but it punches above its weight in a wide selection of cafes, restaurants and pubs as well as an art gallery and gift shops.
In addition, Solva Woolen Mill is only about a mile away for shopping and eating and claims to be the oldest continuously working woollen mill in Pembrokeshire.
Back to the beach and the pretty little harbour offers views of the sea stretching out down the meandering coastal inlet which provides a home for many bobbing boats.
According to website Visit Pembrokeshire, at high tide the beach is a narrow strip at the head of the inlet but at low tide the harbour is completely dry apart from a small stream that offers fishing and crabbing opportunities.
The land that is exposed at low tide reveals a large section of sand, rock pools and even caves to explore.
The appealing harbour adds to the special atmosphere of this pretty village, as does the appeal of where to eat and relax once your exploring is done, the only hardship is deciding where to park yourself for a meal.
BEDDGELERT, GWYNEDD
If you want a pretty village plus a pretty fantastic base for exploring Snowdonia National Park, then Beddgelert can easily offer both in abundance. From Snowdon on the near horizon to the north to the narrow river gorge of Aberglaslyn Pass to the south, the countryside is calling all around you.
But before you answer it with walking, climbing, cycling, going underground at the Sygun Copper Mine or trying a host of water-based activities, the village is worth a wander too. There are riverside cafes and eateries and a small number of gift, antique and craft shops to explore within the pretty stone buildings on either side of the historic bridge over the River Colwyn, with maybe the most well known the centuries-old Royal Goat Hotel.
A short walk to the statue and tombstone dedicated to Gelert the faithful hound of 13th century Llewelyn, prince of North Wales famous folklore story is a must if you visit the village, if only to remind you of learning all about the tragic tale in school.
PORTMEIRION, GWYNEDD
A visit to the Llyn Peninsula region would not be complete without a visit to the incredible village of Portmeirion. The inspirational creator of Portmeirion was genius architect Sir Clough Williams-ellis after a trip to Italy sparked his imagination to create a slice of pretty and quirky Italia in north west Wales.
After it opened in 1926 the village astounded visitors with its uniquely designed buildings with fancy features, arches, windows of all shapes and sizes, and painted in many playful colours, all clustered around a central piazza.
Some might even recognise the village from the popular, cult classic 1960s television programme The Prisoner, where the village was used extensively as the location backdrop for the 17-episode series.
The village hugs the stunning coastline and offers incredible sweeping sea views but you may be distracted for a while from the coastal vista by the winding pathways that lead through Riviera inspired houses, ornamental gardens, shops and cafes, and there’s even a lawn featuring a giant chess board.
The village is owned by a charity so not a village with houses for sale, but you can stay in one of the colourful properties and even get married at the hotel.
HAWARDEN, FLINTSHIRE
The village has a castle, but it can be argued it actually has two castles; the stately former home of British Prime Minister William Gladstone, which is not open to the public, but also the remains of an old castle site.
According to website Castles Wales, this old castle is accessed via a stone archway in the village centre and is thought to date back to the 13th Century.
The village’s location has, in the past, been a strategic settlement, but these days it is more likely to be invaded by people eager to visit the local pubs and independent shops such as the Trilby Pheasant, spend time at the thriving farm shop, and experience the local golf course.
The village can boast The Glynne Arms, the AA Welsh Pub of the Year 2019 as well as the Castle Pavilion that hosts weddings and events, both part of the Hawarden Estate that includes a farm shop and walks and a nature trail around the estate.
Places to visit include Gladstone’s Library that regularly holds events and literary festivals. The site includes a cafe and accommodation as well as meeting rooms and, of course, quiet reading rooms.