Wales’ 2020 big summer ‘to-do’ list
Eager to get out in our beautiful country again? Well, here are 35 brilliant ideas for you. Karen Price reports...
NO-ONE could have predicted how we would have spent much of the first half of 2020 – locked down at home as the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Many big summer gigs and festivals have been cancelled. But now that lockdown is easing, tourist attractions, pubs, restaurants, shops and holiday accommodation are reopening meaning we can finally look forward to some kind of normality this summer.
And while most of us may be forgoing our overseas holidays this year, there’s plenty to do at home in Wales as we make the most of its glorious landscape.
Here we take a look at some of the places and adventures that should be on your list during the weeks ahead...
There’s nothing more refreshing than taking a hike near waterfalls during the warm summer months and the ones in the Neath Valley, including the main falls at Aberdulais Tin Works, are truly spectacular.
Nothing quite says summer like fish and chips by the sea at Barry Island and luckily there are many places now open again so you can enjoy a takeaway on the beach. While you’re there you can also look out for some of the places where TV favourite Gavin & Stacey was filmed.
We’ve all been enjoying local walks during lockdown but now that the five-mile travel restriction is lifted we can go further afield.
Flex your muscles along this route which follows the eighth-century Offa’s Dyke for 177 miles from Chepstow to Prestatyn.
The entire coastline of Wales is covered by the Wales Coast Path – so there’s no excuse not to get out and see it. Visit the Wales Coast Path website and plan your route.
A perfect crescent of golden sand, overlooked by a craggy cliff with views around Cardigan Bay and a beautiful white chapel on the hillside.
Stand back, breathe in the glorious vista and enjoy.
The Pembrokeshire theme park has rides to suit all ages – and it reopened for visitors on Monday.
There’s a visitor charter on the Oakwood Park website with details on how the park is keeping visitors safe following the pandemic, including information on sanitising stations, social-distancing measures (which means some rides may not be in operation) and going contactless when it comes to payments.
While traditionally the park has held After Dark nights and firework displays during the summer, the events calendar is being reviewed for 2020.
Visit www.oakwoodthemepark. co.uk
Just be careful of the curse – if you spend a night on there, you’ll go mad (allegedly).
The narrow tidal island, joined by a causeway to a promontory on the south side of Rhossili Bay, forms the westernmost point of the Gower Peninsula.
Pizza Tipi in Cardigan has been a must-do on many people’s lists during the summer months.
While the restaurant is currently closed (at time of publishing this article) due to Covid-19 measures, takeaways are still available on Fridays and
Saturdays from 5pm to 8pm.
So order yourself one of their stonebaked handmade pizzas and enjoy it in the great outdoors.
Visit pizzatipi.co.uk
Beautiful golden sands, turquoise waters... does it get any better?
The Pembrokeshire beach is consistently winning awards and voted one of the best, so if you’ve never been then you need to find out why it’s so good.