Bank Holiday breaks in Wales

Published July 24, 2022 by Carsten

Discover 11 charming must-see places

If you're looking for somewhere to explore a wealth of different scenery within the space of a short Bank Holiday break, Wales is a perfect choice. It's a vibrant and welcoming country of magnificent mountains, beautiful beaches, clifftops and countryside. You'll never be stuck for something to do!

This country on the western edge of Britain is part of the UK and offers plenty of reasons to holiday, especially when you're looking for a last-minute break and a holiday cottage over the August Bank Holiday breaks.

Places to see and things to do in Wales

Explore the wonders of Wales

Wales boasts an incredible variety of natural wonders and friendly people. And if you like to explore history, culture and scenery that seems to have been plucked right out of a Tolkien novel, then Wales is the perfect destination for a bank holiday getaway.

Wales is a small country when you look at it in the bigger picture, but this is something which works to its advantage. Culture, history and landscapes collide to make something that feels both unique and very much like a condensed version of England, Scotland and Ireland all rolled into one.

There are so many great places in Wales to visit during a bank holiday weekend, but we want to help you find the best one for you.

Here is a list of 11 must-see places for August Bank Holidays:

The Brecon Beacons National Park

Discover your wild side

The Brecon Beacons National Park is located in southern Wales and covers more than 500 square miles (>1,300 km). It reaches from Llandeilo in the west to Hay-on-Wye in the northeast and Pontypool in the southeast.

The Brecon Beacons is one of the most spectacular parts of Wales, and it's a fantastic place to take a walk in the crisp, fresh air. There's not only a lot going on here "above ground", but also underground: The park is also home to some amazing caves, including the beautiful Ogof Ffynnon Ddu (or OFD for short and translated as "Cave of the Black Spring").

The Brecon Beacons National Park is a popular place in Wales for outdoor activities like walking, climbing and mountain biking. You can also visit some of the local towns and villages such as Crickhowell or Llangammarch Wells which are both great places to stop off for lunch or dinner while exploring this beautiful area.

Snowdonia National Park

These hills are just plain beautiful

Snowdonia National Park is an amazing destination in Wales, with beautiful scenery, rolling hills and lots of walking trails.

Take your pick from the short walks that start from each car park or head off on an epic hike through one of the many woodland areas; there’s something for everyone here!

Snowdonia is home to some of Britain's most iconic mountains - Snowdon (or Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) itself at 3,560 feet (1,085 metres) above sea level. If you're feeling adventurous there are plenty of hiking trails that will take you up the peaks of Snowdonia National Park. There is also a rack railway huffin' and puffin' up and down the steep mountainside from Llanberis up to the Summit station.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Go Where Adventure Lives

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is the UK's only coastal National Park. It stretches 186 miles along Cardigan Bay in West Wales, from St Dogmaels in the north to Pembroke Dock in the south, including many of the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches in Britain, among them 10 Blue Flag beaches.

Gower Peninsula (South Wales)

Exploring Wales, one beach at a time

The beautiful Gower Peninsula is the most westerly area of mainland Britain. It is one of the most accessible areas in Wales, only 15 miles from the capital city of Cardiff, with many attractions within easy reach.

The Gower Peninsula has miles of top-rated sandy beaches and dunes, some of them backed by sandstone cliffs. Among the 30 beaches, the award-winning Rhossilli beach sticks out for being one of the world's Top10 beaches in 2014 (TripAdvisor’s Traveller Choice Beaches Awards.

The peninsula is a haven for wildlife, including red kites and little owls. The unusual flora includes orchids such as the bee orchid and marsh marigolds. There are also plenty of places to see birds and other animals in their natural habitat - including seals at Oxwich Bay and dolphins at Three Cliffs Bay.

Anglesey Coastal Path (North Wales)

The Ultimate Coastline Adventure

The Anglesey Coastal Path offers an opportunity to explore the beautiful coastline of North Wales. Its 12 sections run for 130 miles around the island.

The path's starting point is at St Cybi's Church, Holyhead and you will walk past some of the most stunning scenery in Britain, including beaches, cliffs, lighthouses and secluded coves. It also passes by Penmon Priory, a monastery dating back to the 6th century and a great place to visit if you’re looking for something more than just a walk in nature.

Wye Valley & Forest of Dean

Deep river valleys and castle ruins

The Wye Valley, a National Park and "Area of Outstanding National Beauty" (AONB), is located in southeast Wales.

The River Wye has carved out a deep, meandering valley over the centuries and there are many beautiful walks through the hills and woods that surround it. The picturesque area is also home to some of Britain’s most famous castles, including Chepstow, Tintern Abbey and Monmouth.

You can also consider walking, biking, climbing, horse riding, canoeing and camping. Or you can star gaze or do both at the same time.

The Forest of Dean has also been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) because of its unique landscape and wildlife. It is home to hundreds of species including bats, badgers and wild boars as well as rare plants such as wild daffodils which grow only here in Britain. There are plenty of walks, trails and miles of tracks for all abilities and ambitions. Perfect place to unwind

Caernarfon Castle (North Wales)

It's Time To Be A King or Queen

If you’ve ever fancied yourself a knight in shining armour, or a damsel in distress, then you’ll love the medieval ambience of the two castles in North Wales – Caernarfon and Penrhyn.

A moody and atmospheric building with a rich history, Caernarfon Castle dates back to 1088 when Norman ruler William the Conqueror commissioned it as part of his ‘iron ring’ of fortresses across North Wales.

Impressive and symmetrical, this UNESCO World Heritage site is hugely popular with visitors during the summer months, and offers guided tours, fun-themed events such as jousting competitions and has an on-site café.

Hay-on-Wye Festival

Join in the Book Lovers Festival

The "Hay Festival" is the place to be if books and food are your bag. It is a well-attended book lovers festival and takes place in Hay upon Wye (the ‘Hay’ part of the Festival's full title), a small town in Powys, mid-Wales.

The festival began as a single meeting of friends to celebrate their shared interest in books and writing with readings from their work.

Since then it has grown into one of the largest literary events in Europe and has become a focal point for debate on issues affecting our society today. The festival is famous for its range of events: author talks, panel discussions and debates as well as workshops and performances.

Wales Coast Path

Experience the Longest Walking Trail in the world

The UK and Ireland's longest walking trail is a must-do for any outdoor enthusiast. The Wales Coast Path stretches 870 miles along the Welsh coast, from Chepstow to Queensferry and includes some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

The coast path is one of Europe's longest continuous walking trails. It stretches from the mouth of the River Dee at Queensferry through North Wales down to Chepstow in Monmouthshire.

The trail follows the entire coastline of Wales so you can choose any part that takes your fancy - whether it's a walk along the beach or through a forested path.

The Wales Coast Path is divided into sections, which makes it easier to tackle if you're looking to walk a smaller section at a time.

Start your journey at one of our favourite holiday cottages in Wales near Bristol, or head further west to our stunning holiday cottages near Aberystwyth for an activity-packed break.

The best food festivals to visit in Wales

Wales dishes up some top food

Food festivals are always a great reason to visit somewhere new and exciting, especially when they're free! Each one has its unique theme, but they all aim to celebrate local produce through delicious food stalls, cookery demonstrations and workshops, live music and entertainment. It's also a great way to meet like-minded people who share your passion for good food!

If you love food then you'll find plenty of food festivals taking place all over Wales. If you're lucky, then the festivals will be held during the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Here is a Top10 of fantastic food festivals in Wales:

The Big Cheese, Caerphilly / July

The Big Cheese is a celebration of cheese and dairy products from all over the world, with over 200 stalls selling everything from cheese to ice cream and cream teas. There'll be live entertainment too, including cookery demonstrations, children's entertainment and live music on stage.

Bite, Cardiff / July

Bite is a food festival that showcases the very best of Welsh produce including cheese, meat and seafood as well as street food traders from across the UK. There will also be lots of workshops for children and adults alike so your little ones can learn how to cook too!

Cardigan River and Food Festival / August

Cardigan River & Food Festival takes place every year along its beautiful banks where you'll find stalls selling fresh fish dishes along with other local produce. Try to catch this fun event during your August Bank Holiday Break.

Newtown Food Festival /September

The Newtown Food Festival in Wales is a great event for foodies. Held in September, it features Welsh food and drinks, accompanied by music by local artists and all within a beautiful natural setting.

Conwy Honey Fair /September

The Conwy Honey Fair has medieval origins and dates back to the 14th century, so it is one of the oldest food festivals in Britain! It is held every year on the 13th of September and moved to a Monday when the 13th fall on a Sunday. You can find honey, honey-related products and crafts at this event.

Abergavenny Food Festival /September

Abergavenny Food Festival is "the biggest event in the UK’s foodie calendar", says visitwales.com. Of course, it's all about Welsh food there in the centre of Abergavenny, including the castle grounds, which makes for perfectly impressive scenery to enjoy Welsh cuisine.

Mold Food and Drink Festival /September

The Mold Food and Drink Festival offers visitors the chance to taste a variety of foods from the town and its surrounding areas. Visitors can learn how to cook or simply enjoy some tasty treats.

Narberth Food Festival /September

The Narberth Food Festival has built up a reputation as one of Britain’s friendliest foodie events. It's a celebration of Welsh food, drink and hospitality.

Neath Food and Drink Festival /October

A 3-day event, Neath Food and Drink Festival attracts visitors since 2009 and hosts well over 70 exhibitors. Most of the food served comes from local Welsh producers.

Gwledd Conwy Feast /October

Welsh food festivals highlight the finest local produce. Gweldd Conwy Feast is a great example of this tradition. Set against the majestic backdrop of Conwy's UNESCO World Heritage Site fortress, the ancient streets of this beautiful North Wales town transform into a groaning buffet of Welsh delights. This seaside location draws plenty of seafood fans to try some delicious local mussels.

Travel to Wales

If you are planning a trip to Wales, you should know how to get there

Airports

Visitors to Wales can fly to Cardiff Airport (CWL), which offers direct flights to many European cities (Amsterdam (Schiphol), Paris (Orly), Dublin and Edinburgh), and several direct connections to popular holiday destinations in the Mediterranean. Cardiff Airport is home to carriers like KLM, Ryanair, TUI Airways, Vueling Airlines and Wizz Air UK.

Rail

Wales is served from all over the UK by frequent direct train services. London St Pancras International is the hub from which many European cities, including Paris, Lille and Amsterdam are linked.

Ferries

Getting to Wales by sea is easy, and Ireland and Wales have excellent regular daily ferry services from Dublin and Rosslare to the main Welsh ports of Holyhead, Pembroke and Fishguard.

Check out Travelling to and around Wales for a short overview with travel information and a list of various options.

Wales: Weather and climate

2021 average temperatures

Wales' weather is generally cloudy, wet, and windy but mild. Upland areas can experience harsh weather, but coastal areas enjoy more favourable conditions. East Wales is more sheltered from bad weather than other areas in Wales.

More great UK Bank Holiday breaks

Explore more of Wales