Here is a list of 8 places in Wales that you seriously need to visit in 2016.
1. The Fairy Glen, Conwy
Located only a short distance from Beaver bridge, a combination of rapids and cascades on the Conwy river are chanelled into a narrow ravine presenting an impressive and dramatic scene. Wooded banks and rock walls clothed with vegetation add to the charm. The appropriately named Fairy Glen is a protected wildlife site and has a large population of rare ferns and lichens for visitors to enjoy. But who cares about ferns when you have a site this beautiful to take in?
Cost: 50p per person, and the money goes towards the good cause of maintaining the footpaths.
Location: Betws-y-Coed
2. Dan-Yr-Ogof, Powys
Translated into English, its name means “under the cave”, and that’s exactly what you’re getting with a trip to Dan Yr Ogof National Showcaves. There’s also a load of life-size plastic dinosaurs scattered around the place, so keep your eyes peeled.
Cost: Adults £14.00, children (ages 3-16) £9.50, children aged 2 and under go free.
Location: Abercrave
3. Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire
Chepstow boasts the oldest castle doors in Europe. All wood and all of 800 years old. Until 1962 these doors hung in the main gateway, but are now in safe keeping in the on-site exhibition. Chepstow Castle wouldn’t look out of place in an episode of Game of Thrones. Hey HBO, come film some scenes in Wales.
Cost: It’s £4.50 for adults and £3.40 for senior citizens, students, and children under 16.
Location: Chepstow, as you probably guessed.
4. Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire
Cost: £21 for adults and £7 for children will buy you a boat trip and landing on the island.
Location: Off the southwest coast of Pembrokeshire.
An island populated entirely by puffins sounds like something from a children’s book, but Skomer Island is just that. The island even has its own unique species of vole. Do you have your own unique species of vole?
5. Llandudno North Shore, Conwy
Llandudno is Wales’s largest resort, uniquely situated between the Great Orme and Little Orme with two award-winning beaches, Llandudno North Shore Beach and the quieter, sand duned West Shore Beach. Llandudno has kept its Victorian and Edwardian elegance and splendour, despite its modern attractions.
Spend some time having fun on the 2,295-foot-long Victorian pier, or simply relax on the beach – the choice is yours.
Cost: Free
Location: Llandudno
6. Castell Coch, Cardiff
This Disney-esque revival castle was rebuilt in the 19th century – a whole 500 years after its destruction.
Cost: If you’re a basic adult it’s £5.50, but if you’re a senior citizen, student, or child under 16 it’s £4.10.
Location: Overlooking the village of Tongwynlais.
7. Elegug Stacks, Pembrokeshire
A true natural beauty. Elegug is the Welsh word for guillemot, the species of birds that can be regularly seen on the rocks. And “stacks”? Well…because the rocks look like they’ve been stacked there, I guess.
Cost: Free
Location: Off the Pembrokeshire coast.
8. Llanrwst, Conwy
Located between Betws-y-Coed and Llandudno, Llanrwst is a historic market town in the Conwy Valley and has a lot to offer both visitors and local residents.
Home to the flowering 15th-century cottage Ty Hwnt i’r Bont (House Beyond the Bridge), this small Welsh town is like a postcard come to life. Just think of all the Instagram opportunities.
Cost: Free
Location: On the northeastern edge of Snowdonia.