Close to home
South and West Wales are absolutely stunning, so of course you’d book a staycation!
South and West Wales is not only absolutely stunning, but it’s only a stone’s throw away – so of course you’d book a staycation here! But once you’ve booked your Airbnb, caravan or hotel, what’s next on the agenda when planning the holiday you’ve longed for during lockdown? Kathryn Williams takes a look...
NOW that outdoor attractions can take visitors and cafes and restaurants with outdoor space can re-open, you won’t be at a loss for things to do and, not forgetting the copious amounts of natural beauty to take advantage of.
But please remember, check individual destinations to make sure they are open or if they have given a date for re-opening.
From beaches and mountains, highoctane activities to feeding farm animals, here’s how to make your staycation memories count.
Pembrokeshire
A popular destination for holidaymakers from across South Wales and beyond, and quite rightly so, Pembrokeshire has wonderful coastline and lots of things to do while you are on your break.
Here’s a hit list to start you off if you’re planning a visit to the county.
■ Things to do Explore
You may be staying in Tenby, Saundersfoot, one of the Freshwaters, St Davids or Little Haven but you’ll be able to access the wonderful Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, one for the walkers, or even if you’re not able to walk far, you can check out these short walks.
Stackpole has a lovely walk as well as a great pub at the end of it to enjoy a well-deserved pint. Some of the beaches are unmissable, too. Of course there’s the popular Sourth Beach in Tenby but if you’re after something a bit less populated Marloes Sands and St Bride’s in the west of the county are worth a visit and so are Manorbier. Nearby you’ll find the spectacular view of the Church Doors.
Heck, you’re truly spoilt for choice beach-wise in Pembs.
And don’t forget the cracking castles and St Davids Cathedral. Pembrokeshire has a swathe of cool crumbly castles like Manorbier, Pembroke Carew, Cilgerran and more.
Take a trip to Stackpole Court, too and explore Bosherton Lakes and the beach.
Activities
Feeding farm animals, screaming on rollercoasters, whooshing down water slides, you don’t have to build sandcastles all week with loads of things to do on your doorstep.
Folly Farm is reopened on Monday with careful consideration to hygiene and distancing practices and restricted visitor numbers, but there’s still rhinos, giraffes and a whole host of cute animals to visit.
If a bit more high-adrenaline fun is your bag, Oakwood Theme Park is also reopening for the summer on July 20 and Heatherton World of Activities – with mazes, go-karts, bumper boats and more – has already re-opened. You just have to book your activity credit passes online before you visit.
And if your little dino-lovers are due a treat take them to Tenby’s Dinosaur Park – where as well as a dinosaur trail why not visit Alun the sauropod?
For those who love a splash about, Bluestone’s Blue Lagoon will be open this summer, but not until August 7.
Taking it to the next level for adrenaline activities? Then look up Preseli Adventure, who run an eco-lodge and take you on brilliant outdoor adventures such as sea kayaking, coasteering and loads more.
Where to eat
Fish and chips at the beach is definitely a must while on holiday.
Marina Fish & Chips, Fecci’s in Tenby and Something’s Cooking near Haverfordwest are must-visits, as is The Shed in Porthgain which boasts something a little more than your average cod and chips thanks to local catches.
Pub-wise, you can’t beat a pint and some pub-grub at the Stackpole Inn following a walk – it was named as the best pub in England and Wales back in 2018.
Y Gegin in Pembroke Dock is a huge, converted warehouse and sees collaborators Cwlbox (which operates on Saundersfoot beach) and Paternoster Farm serve laid back dining with other guest chefs.
Keep an eye on their Instagram for re-opening and latest news.
If you’re after something more formal, but still welcoming, The Salt Cellar in Tenby serves a modern menu in a minimalist surrounding, and on the lovely seafront.
Carmarthenshire
Favoured by Dylan Thomas and more recently the fans of Welsh drama Keeping Faith which captures the stunning landscape, Carmarthenshire has a wealth of things for tourists to see, do and eat.
■ Things to do Explore
If you like the aforementioned TV drama, Keeping Faith, you can follow a tour dedicated to the locations used such as Laugharne, Llansteffan and Pendine.
Even if you’re not a fan it’s worth visiting these places as they are stunning areas of Wales and you won’t be sorry.
Laugharne is also where Dylan Thomas set up his boathouse and writing shed, the former of which you
can snoop around then have a Welsh cake on the terrace overlooking the estuary.
Further inland Castell Carreg Cennan is a great castle to explore, and as well as the stunning views around the area, it’s a very impressive castle that dominates the skyline. You’ve also got Dinefwr Castle, Kidwelly and Llansteffan Castle which are great for exploring.
And Llyn Fan Fach is one for the walkers, too. Set in our incredible Brecon Beacons National Park, it’s easiest to park in the car park just past Llanddeusant.
Back at the coast, Cefn Sidan beach is a long, sandy expanse that has a blue flag award, it’s part of Pembrey Country Park which also has 500 acres of woodland to explore.
Activities
As mentioned above, Pembrey has acres of beach and woodland to explore, it also has crazy golf and tabogganing. You can check out their website for up-to-date re-opening details.
If a sedate stroll looking at nice flowers and plants is your thing then pop to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, which has the largest spinglespan glasshouse, didn’t you know?
Where to eat
Fine dining at Y Polyn in Capel Dewi makes it a real destination dining experience.
For something a bit more casual try Llanarthne’s Wright’s Food Emporium where the daily specials and cake choice will have you umming and ahhh-ing for ages.
In Carmarthen town centre The Warren does great seasonal and organic produce turning it into delicious meals like goat curry and courgette fritters.
Gower
A wonderful part of the country to explore and it’s closer to home than the counties of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, if you’re running short on time for your break.
The UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (since 1956), you won’t be disappointed by your break here.
■ Things to do Explore
With bays, coves and beaches galore Gower has something for everyone.
Caswell and Oxwich Bay have long, sandy beaches with parking, toilets, cafes and all the facilities you might need after a day at the beach.
From family-favourite Langland Beach you can also walk along to Caswell.
Meanwhile, further west the grand cliffs of Rhossili and Three Cliffs are just breathtakingly beautiful and are worth the walk up and down to the beach.
Smaller coves like Pobbles Bay and Mewslade Bay will take your breath away.
On the Gower Peninsula itself are Weobley and Pennard Castles.
Never underestimate the fun of exploring a castle.
And walks? Where do we start? You could try Oxwich Point, Rhossili Bay to Mewslade, we are champing at the bit to get out there.
In summer you have to have a look at the stunning sunflower field by Rhossili. Due to coronavirus the National Trust hadn’t planted any this year, but farmer and Christmas tree maestro Robert Morgan came to the rescue.
Activities
Surfing, windsurfing, boat trips, the choice is endless. Llangennith, Rhossili, Oxwich, Caswell and Langland are the main ones for a surf and Llangennith has its own surf school.
Also Gower Activity Centres provide loads of activities that will give you a good soaking in the sea like coasteering, gorge walking and canoeing – don’t worry, they do drier activities on land, too.
Where to eat
Your meal times down on Gower should be dominated by good food and stunning views.
Langland Brasserie has homemade Italian food and the best terrace over the beach, go on, treat yourself.
Over at Three Cliffs you can grab a coffee at the aptly named, Three Cliffs Coffee Shop, which now has a fancy restaurant added to their portfolio.
Down at Oxwich there’s the Oxwich Bay Hotel where you can pop for a pint after a long day at the beach or book yourself into a dinner slot at The Beach House.
At Port Eynon there’s The Coffee House who serve sumptuous cakes and good brews from their cute little pit-stop.
Brecon Beacons
Rural bliss atop a mountain or in the midst of a bustling market town, the Mid Wales and Brecon Beacons area has the best of both worlds.
Brecon, Abergavenny, Builth Wells, Hay-on-Wye, Llandrindod Wells – they all offer a great outdoor experiences, quaint town centres, lovely eating stops and cracking scenery you don’t have to travel far for.
Don’t forget to check that places are back open, or if they are going to be soon.
■ Things to do Explore
Wow, again, where to start? Obviously, a trek up Pen y Fan, Sugar Loaf, Hay Bluff can go without saying.
For a relaxing walk the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal is a good shout, and you can stretch your legs up the Skirrid, too.
If you’re further north then the Elan Valley Reservoir is a sight to behold and there’s lots of nice walks around there to, that’ll get your daily steps up.
A different kind of explore is down in Hay on Wye, or the town of books, where the Hay Literary Festival is held each year (2020’s was cancelled due to coronavirus).
With the number of bookshops bubbling around the 20-mark in recent years, you’d be hard pushed to find the more perfect staycation place for a bookworm. Individual stores are dedicated to murder books, children’s books, poetry and more, and there’s even a bookshop with a cinema inside – Richard Booth’s.
In another literary twist Baskerville Hall Hotel, yes that very same one as appeared in the famous Sherlock Holmes story, is a stone’s throw away from Hay.
Activities
You might be zonked after all the walking and reading you might potentially do around this area, but if you have some energy left there’s so much more to do.
If you love water-based action, try canoeing down the River Wye with
Wye Valley Canoes – based at Glasbury, which is near Hay on Wye.
Where to eat
Let’s start with Hay where there are lots of lovely little cafes to enjoy a cream tea or a coffee.
The Old Electric Shop adds something different to the foodie vista with some great veggie dishes and if you like more traditional, The Granary offers good tea and sarnies, no fuss.
Don’t forget to have some Shepherds Parlour ice cream especially on a hot day.
In Abergavenny The Angel Hotel is easy for great pub lunches, sophisticated afternoon teas and another level dinners.
Not far away from there, in a less formal setting is the Art Shop & Chapel, who serve easy, tasty brunches and lunches in a space ripe for creativity.
This area also has the likes of the Walnut Tree, a Michelin-starred restaurant & The Hardwick. There’s also Hills Brecon who do the most magnificent-looking burgers.
Not seen your destination?
Wales is ripe for weekend/weeklong staycations but sometimes you might just fancy a day trip.
Why not try one on this list for a day out this summer?
■ Barry Island – fairground fun, chips and Gavin & Stacey by the sea.
■ The Jurassic Coastline including Southerndown and Monknash.
■ Rhondda Heritage Park or Big Pit for some colliery history.
■ St Fagans National Museum of History – cool, old Welsh buildings.
■ Bike Park Wales if mountain biking is your thing, there’s nowhere better than Wales to do it. Just ask Pink’s husband, Carey Hart.
■ Rhondda Valleys – absorb the beautiful scenery, visit Britain’s number one high street in Treorchy and get up some mountains.
■ More castles. Caerphilly, Cardiff, Castell Coch, Cyfarthfa, Raglan. Honestly, we can’t narrow them down.
■ Visit cadw.gov.wales to keep up to date with openings and details.