Why & Where You Should Staycation In Wales
Visit Wales
FOR INCREDIBLE BEACHES:
Gower Peninsula
If your idea of the perfect staycation involves lazy days at the beach followed by fish and chips, the Gower Peninsula is one of the most beautiful and dramatic parts of Wales – its coastline and beaches have been compared to the Caribbean thanks to their clear waters and golden sand. The area is also famous for water sports, particularly at Oxwich Bay where you can try windsurfing, paddleboarding, coasteering, kayaking, sailing and more. One of the most famous spots is the rocky Worm’s Head which snakes into Rhossili Bay and regularly makes it onto lists of the world’s best beaches. Comprising nearly 5km of beach and towering cliffs, it’s particularly popular during the warmer months. There’s a steep walk down to the beach but the views are worth the effort. Other great beaches in the surrounding area include Caswell and Langland, and pretty Pobbles Bay, tucked away behind the famous Three Cliffs Bay. Visitors can also try mountain biking, hiking and horse riding along the beach.
For some of the best foodie spots, head to the Michelin-starred Beach House headed up by chef Hywel Griffith. With views of Oxwich Bay, it specialises in fine dining that celebrates the best of Welsh seafood and produce. Book a table outside to dine on the deck. For excellent fish and chips, Captains Table towards Swansea is a favourite among locals with its flaky fish and chunky chip-shop chips. Meanwhile, King's Head in Llangennith is worth a visit for its hearty pub classics.
Where To Stay
For Beach Access: Jacob Cottage
If you want to be within walking distance of a beach, this modern home is near Three Cliffs Bay. Ideal for couples, there’s a double bedroom upstairs (plus a sofa bed in the living room), as well as an open plan kitchen/diner. Guests can dine al fresco and use the pizza oven in the outdoor kitchen.
From £100 per night.
Visit Airbnb.co.uk
For Beautiful Views: The Rhossili Bay Secret
There aren’t many boutique hotels near Swansea, but you’ll find an abundance of lovely holiday homes. For a luxury trip, The Rhossili Bay Secret is a group of four cabins, each with space for two adults and two children. With beautiful views of Landimore – a small hamlet along the north coast – rooms are bright and light, with freestanding baths in en-suites and hot tubs out on the deck.
From £170 per night.
Visit Airbnb.co.uk
Visit Wales
FOR AN ADVENTURE HOLIDAY:
Pembrokeshire
With nearly 300km of coastline and over 50 beaches, Pembrokeshire is a vast county with a lot to offer. You could easily spend a couple of weeks visiting its hidden coves and bays, but a long weekend is enough time to take in the highlights, from pretty seaside towns to the UK’s only coastal national park. For an adventure holiday, there are countless activities to try. Responsible Travel offers a six-day itinerary of coasteering, kayaking, surfing, orienteering challenges and trips to the beach. All activities and accommodation are included.
If you’d rather plan your own itinerary, start with a visit to Ceibwr for water sports – Adventure Beyond is a reputable company which offers lessons and expeditions in the area. Spend some time walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to see Blue Lagoon, then stop off for lunch at The Shed Bistro in Porthgain, which serves delicious fish and chips and other seafood dishes in its casual restaurant. Skomer Island is also worth a visit. At one of the world’s most important sites for seabirds, visitors can spot puffins from May to July and look out for dolphins, seals and porpoises in the summer. Don’t miss Tenby, one of the county’s prettiest seaside towns with its pastel-coloured houses and beautiful beaches, or Bosherston Lakes at Stackpole Estate, a National Trust nature reserve.
Visit Wales
Where To Stay
For An Outdoorsy Experience: Fforest Farm
One of the loveliest options in this list, Fforest Farm is one of the best places to stay in Wales. Spread over 200 acres, the farm is near the town of Cardigan with several accommodation options for guests who want to stay on the farm, near the sea or in town – choose between the cosy farmhouse, eco pods with woodburning stoves, bell tents with outdoor kitchens, and family lofts. There’s also a cedar-barrel sauna, giant tipis for watching films, nature-inspired workshops and an excellent pub, Y Bwthyn, which serves local ales and pub classics made with local produce.
From £150 per night.
Visit ColdAtNight.co.uk
Heather Birnie
For Boutique Rooms: The Grove
Pembrokeshire is home to some of Wales’s best hotels, including The Grove, which is tucked away in the Narberth hills. Rooms in the main house have modern country interiors, while a number of cottages with equally cosy features are dotted around the estate. Here, the food is a real highlight – Fernery restaurant holds 4 AA rosettes thanks to its sustainable approach to fine dining, while the brasserie is a little more relaxed for long lunches and Sunday roasts.
From £250 per night.
Visit GroveNarberth.co.uk
FOR A CAMPING TRIP:
Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons National Park covers 520 square miles of south and mid-Wales. If you’re looking for a remote adventure, this national park has it all. It’s one of the best national parks in the UK for outdoor activities such as water sports, horse riding, rock climbing and caving. Thousands of visitors pitch up each year for camping holidays under the stars – the Brecon Beacons is renowned for its night skies as an International Dark Sky Reserve. While camping, make the most of the vast number of walking routes to choose from. If you’re up for a challenge, the Route of the Romans is a great option. The 27-mile walk takes around two days to complete and is best tackled over the course of a weekend to appreciate the Roman cobbles and beautiful views of Pen y Fan.
VISIT WALES
Where To Stay
For Camping Out: Brecon Beacons Wild Camping
This campsite was made for families, but groups and couples can also make use of the facilities on site – and there’s plenty of space to spread out. Bring your own tent or hire one of the bell tents which sleep four. Guests can visit nearby natural caves, gardens, waterways and castles, and the site is conveniently located for Hay festival and Green Man festival.
Pitching costs £7.50 per night; bell tents start from £50.
Visit BreconBeaconsWildCamping.co.uk
For Glamping: Mynydd Wagon, Wales
If you’d rather have some home comforts, Kip Hideaways has a range of properties in this part of Wales. Mynydd Wagon, once a 1950s circus showman’s wagon, has been transformed into a holiday hut with modern interiors. Amid beautiful views out to the Black Mountains, guests can enjoy river swims, picnics and long evenings by the firepit in the summer. There’s no wi-fi, so expect to be off grid during your stay.
From £110 per night.
Visit KipHideaways.com
Carreg Cennen
FOR BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE:
Portmeirion
This unique village could easily be mistaken for an Italian coastal town, with its waterfront hub and colourful cliffside buildings. Designed by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925, this ‘seaside utopia’ took nearly 50 years to complete. Today, the village is open to tourists during the day, and there’s plenty to see and do. Walk around the Central Piazza with its riviera-inspired houses and landscaped gardens before walking along the quayside and heading to Battery Square. Stop here for coffee and refreshments, and snaps of more colourful buildings. Other highlights include The Gwyllt, an Edwardian wild garden full of exotic plants, and Castell Deudraeth on the Portmeirion estate which has some interesting gothic features. The village is also famous for its pottery and steam train station which has regular trains to Snowdonia.
VISIT WALES
VISIT WALES
Where To Stay
For La Dolce Vita: The Hotel Portmeirion
This four-star hotel overlooks the beaches of the Dwyryd Estuary in Snowdonia. One of the few places to stay within the village, the hotel is surrounded by 70 acres of gardens, with 14 rooms in the main hotel and 32 in the village. Guests can relax in the spa or heated outdoor pool from spring onwards. There’s also a lively restaurant and bar.
Visit Portmeirion.wales
For Group Trips: Porthmadog Apartment
This modern apartment is just a ten-minute drive from Portmeirion. With one double and one twin room, the newly renovated property is ideal for a group or small family looking to explore north Wales. There’s a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living room, as well as a modern bathroom with a rainfall shower. The apartment is also dog friendly.
Visit Airbnb.co.uk
For more information, try VisitWales.com
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.