Car Hire Wales - Mini guide to Wales

Rugged mountain terrain, vast moorlands, magical castles, stunning natural scenery, superb beaches and warm, friendly atmosphere explain Wales’ appeal as a tourist destination.

Located in the populous southern region, the Welsh capital of Cardiff features a magnificent castle and some excellent museums. Nearby are more stunning castles, namely Castell, Caerphilly and St Fagans, as well as the enthralling Museum of Welsh Life. West along the coast lie the spectacular Gower Peninsula, which boasts beautiful beaches and castles, Carmarthenshire, with its scenic Llandeilo road that winds through some of Wales’ most magnificent countryside, and the magnificent cathedral at St David’s.

In the same region, perched precariously atop the soaring Black Mountain, is the imposing Carreg Cennen, the most impressive of Welsh castles, while Wales’ extreme southwest is dominated by the breathtaking Prembrokeshire Coast National Park. To Cardiff’s east, past the ruins of Tintern Abbey, are Newport and the remnants of the country’s once-important coal mining industry. Northward lies the remote, mountainous Brecon Beacons National Park with its soaring peak of Pen-y-Fan.

The relatively isolated northern region of Wales has become more and more popular in recent years, due to the attractions of its enthralling towns such as Conwy and Caernarfon (dramatic castles), Bodelwyddan (National Portrait Gallery), St Asaph (charming tiny cathedral) and Holywell (miracle waters). The main town of the region is Bangor, which is the ideal base for exploring the magnificent untouched wilderness area of the Snowdonia National Park. The park features sheer cliffs, high waterfalls and towering mountains, as well as some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Britain.

All of Wales’ main cities, towns and resorts feature quality accommodation, excellent restaurants and a varied nightlife scene. Opportunities for recreation abound, with the beach resorts of Llandudno in the north and Tenby in the south offering relaxing sunbathing and swimming along their strips of white sandy beaches.

Across the Menai Strait from Bangor lies the Isle of Anglesey, perhaps the most ‘Welsh’ part of Wales, featuring fabulous Beaumaris Castle and sprinkled with ancient historic sites and picturesque beaches. The island also has the fastest links to Dublin via its well-organized and frequent catamaran and ferry services.

While Cardiff’s international airport serves flights from several European cities, a more convenient access point is London’s Heathrow International Airport, which has much wider flight availability. From Heathrow there is a myriad of frequent and reliable transportation options to Wales, notably by train out of London Paddington station.