Aled & Hope
Explore Wales
St. Fagans National Museum of History
We cannot recommend St Fagan's enough. It's hard to explain what it is. It's technically a museum, but it's an open air park. Buildings and structures from throughout Wales and Welsh history have been carefully deconstructed and reconstructed here, from Celtic huts to Tudor cottages, and WWII pubs. It really is a one-stop shop for learning about Welsh culture and history. Museums in Wales are generally free too! St Fagan's has free entry, and parking is the only charge for those driving.
Cardiff Castle
Wales' capital city of Cardiff is built around Cardiff Castle. We recommend you spend a day in this great, walkable city. The castle itself in particular is well worth the entry fee.
Curado Bar, Cardiff
Tapas and wine. Hope's favourite place for a casual meal in Cardiff.
Tiny Rebel Brewery, Cardiff
A staple of Wales. Tiny Rebel beer is sold all over the world, but the brewery bar in Cardiff is its true home, across the street from the Principality Stadium. If you're looking for a more traditional pub, you really can't go wrong in Cardiff. There are several on every street and they all get two thumbs up from Aled.
The National Museum, Cardiff
Museums in Wales are free! This one is definitely worth the short stroll from the city centre.
Cardiff Bay
A short drive/train (or a fairly long walk) away from the city centre is the bay, which is great for bars, restaurants and particularly the Wales Millennium Centre theatre. The bay is small and you would only need to be here for a breakfast or an evening meal, not all day.
Castell Coch
Welsh for "Red Castle", this fairytale tower is a great spot to visit, and only a short drive from Cardiff. A woodland walk and on-site cafe make Castell Coch a perfect destination for a casual afternoon.
Caerphilly Castle
From Cardiff, Aled showed Hope Caerphilly Castle. This 13th century castle is largest castle in Wales and the second-largest castle in the UK second only to the King's home, Windsor Castle. This is a 30-minute drive north of Cardiff and only a 7-minute drive north of the wedding venue. Caerphilly is famous for its Caerphilly cheese. Don't leave without trying some!
Pen y Fan
Take a hike! This 3-hour round-trip hike is a must for those who enjoy the outdoors, and is a great way of seeing the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. This is an hour away from New House.
Penderyn Distillery
Drive through the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park to the original Penderyn Whisky Distillery. This was a highlight of Hope's first trip to Wales and has become a personal favourite Whisky for Hope's mum Julie! They also make lovely gins, rums, vodka, and a cream liqueur. If you're thinking of travelling to Swansea in West Wales and/or Llandudno in North Wales, there are Penderyn Distillery tours there too.
Big Pit National Coal Museum
This coalmine-turned-museum features real former miners sharing their stories. Travel 90 metres in the ‘cage’ to pit bottom with your guide, or stay aboveground where the team will guide you through 300 million years of Welsh history. Hope insisted on including Big Pit in our recommendations.
Hay-on-Wye
This English-border town in Wales is famous for being "the town of books". An historical market town, Hay-on-Wye has so many old and rare book shops that some only cater specifically to niche genres. This is a great town to stop for lunch or a walk if you're on your way to North Wales.
Margam Country Park
Deer, a manor house, lush gardens, abbey ruins. Margam Park is a beautiful stop on your way to West Wales.
Mumbles Beach, Swansea
Mumbles beach and pier is just outside the city of Swansea, and includes the lavish homes of some of Wales' biggest celebrities including Bonnie Tyler and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Worm's Head
Worm's Head is a headland in Rhossili, on the westerly end of the Gower Peninsula. It's a rugged, craggy hike and can only be done at low tide. The tides are extreme in Wales, so please make sure you check the tide schedule before planning your trip to Worm's Head. It takes roughly 3 hours to the furthest point and back.
National Botanic Garden of Wales
Now in Aled's neck of the woods, the National Botanic Gardens of Wales is near Carmarthen, in West Wales, and has become one of Hope's favourite places to go for a long walk. We really recommend it, especially in July.
Skomer Island
We stayed in Pembroke before visiting Skomer Island. The puffins on Skomer Island tend to leave in mid-July, however, so we would only recommend a trip to Skomer before our wedding, rather than after. Booking is required. Pembroke itself is a nice small town too and if you still haven't had your fill of castles at this point, Pembroke Castle is a great one.
Tenby
This colourful seaside town is a great example of what Welsh tourism has to offer. Fish and chips, boat trips, pubs. The world's your oyster!
St David's Cathedral
The smallest city in Britain is only a city due to its cathedral. But what a cathedral it is! Named after the Patron Saint of Wales, St David's is a stunning quaint old town on the seaside, and worth seeing if you're willing to travel to South Wales' west coast.
Aberaeron
One of Aled's favourites. Another colourful seaside town, Aberaeron is famous for its fish and chips and its ice cream. Try Hive Honey Ice Cream! There's also an abundance of pubs, restaurants and independent craft shops.
Baravin, Aberystwyth
Hope's mum Julie called Baravin's pizza "the best pizza I've ever had." Hope called her fish and chips here "spectacular". The local beers and fantastic cocktails here are exceptional too. Whether you're planning on staying in Aberystwyth or just passing through, book yourself a table at Baravin for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Hope wants to mention that the "beautiful" Welsh actor, Taron Egerton (Kingsman, Rocketman), is from Aberystwyth. This is apparently reason enough to visit the seaside university town.
Zipline Inside Slate Mine Caverns
Aled, Hope and Hope's mum Julie have all done this and really recommend it. Zipline through an underground Victorian slate mine; leaping, climbing and traversing along an iconic former active quarry. Zip World's "Caverns" is an experience like none other.
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
Summer is the perfect time to climb Wales' highest peak. Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is a 1,085 metre (3,560 feet) mountain in North Wales' Eryri National Park. Hike one of its six recommended routes, or take it easy by getting a ticket for the mountain rail service. That's right, a train will take you most of the way to the top and back.
The World's Fastest Zipline
"Velocity", Zip World's base in Penrhyn Quarry allows you to soar at over 100mph, making it the world’s fastest zip line. Adrenaline meets heritage at the stunning Penrhyn Quarry. And if your whole party don't fancy the speed, this Zip World location offers four other activities too. Aled's dad did this for his 60th birthday. Are you more chicken than a pensioner?
Llandudno
This Victorian pier town is where Lewis Carroll is said to have written Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The seaside promenade and the tram up to the Great Orme will make you feel like you've travelled back in time. See the wild mountain goats on your way to the impressive neolithic mine atop the Orme. Llandudno holds a very special place in Aled's heart, with his father hailing from nearby Colwyn Bay. Check out the Penderyn Distillery here if you don't visit its Swansea or Brecon locations.
Conwy Castle
Another of Wales' most impressive castles, Conwy Castle is a must-see for anyone travelling to North Wales.
The Turf, Wrexham
Aled wouldn't personally recommend Wrexham. There's nothing here. Football won't be in season. Maybe have a pint at the Turf if you want, but seriously, don't go out of your way.