Wales is a hidden gem for the discerning traveller – understated yet unforgettable, where timeless landscapes meet world-class heritage and quiet luxury. This is a place where you can sip champagne in a centuries-old castle, take in sweeping coastal views from a private clifftop retreat and dine on locally sourced cuisine in Michelin-calibre restaurants. Keep scrolling to discover the top six unique things to do in Wales.
Wales offers the rare luxury of living history – with over 600 castles, many of which are beautifully preserved or reinvented as boutique stays. For a regal experience, Caer Rhun Hall or Castell Deudraeth offer opulent rooms and fine dining set against sweeping landscapes. Among the finest to explore is Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with dramatic battlements and royal legacy. Arrive early for a private tour or book a local guide to uncover the layered history hidden within the stonework. You’ll leave feeling less like a tourist and more like a noble guest of the past.
Yes, you can hike it, but for a more refined ascent, take the Snowdon Mountain Railway in first class, where plush seats and panoramic windows turn the journey into a meditative glide through the ethereal landscapes of Eryri (Snowdonia). At the summit, indulge in a light lunch with Champagne at the Hafod Eryri café (the highest in Britain), while gazing out across a horizon that stretches as far as Ireland on clear days. Even the air here feels rarefied – clean, crisp and touched with legend. Whether you descend on foot with a private guide or return by rail, it’s a moment of stillness and scale that few destinations can rival.
Forget typical thrill-seeking; Wales offers elegance and adventure. Head to Adventure Parc Snowdonia, nestled in the Conwy Valley, for private surfing lessons in a stunning man-made lagoon surrounded by mountains. For a bespoke experience, arrange a curated itinerary including underground zip-lining in Slate Caverns, gourmet lakeside lunches and spa treatments in luxurious lodges. There’s a wild heart to Wales, but it’s one that appreciates silk robes as much as hiking boots. It’s adrenaline, elevated.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of Europe’s most breathtaking seaside walks, and with a private guide and tailored itinerary, it becomes your personal gateway to untouched beauty. Think clifftop picnics with artisan cheese and sparkling wine, sea safaris to hidden coves and luxury lodgings at places like Roch Castle or Twr y Felin, a former windmill turned art hotel. Spend your days exploring golden beaches and your evenings sipping local gin by a roaring fire. This is coastal Wales as few ever see it: serene and secluded.
Welsh cuisine is having its renaissance and it’s every bit worthy of the spotlight. From fine dining at Ynyshir, a two-Michelin-starred culinary haven in Mid Wales, to intimate farm-to-table experiences at countryside estates, food here is deeply connected to place and season. Start your morning with hand-griddled Welsh cakes from a boutique bakery, enjoy seafood platters overlooking Cardigan Bay and toast your evening with a dram of Penderyn single malt. Markets in places like Abergavenny and Hay-on-Wye offer gourmet delicacies with a distinctly local twist – perfect for those who love their luxury with a personal, earthy touch.
Wales’ capital, Cardiff, offers refined culture in a beautifully compact package. Explore Cardiff Castle on a private architectural tour, then stroll to the Wales Millennium Centre, a hub of opera, ballet and world-class performance wrapped in copper and poetry. Stay at the elegant Parkgate Hotel or the St. David’s Hotel & Spa, where sweeping bay views meet impeccable service. Between boutique shopping, museum browsing and gourmet dining, Cardiff balances sophistication with an inviting warmth that never feels pretentious.
If you have any questions about any of our cottages or if you’d like some help with your booking, you are very welcome to get in touch with us.
We are always happy to help and go out of our way to tailor your perfect UK holiday.
Pudleston, Herefordshire
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