Wales is rich with history and offers many important historic sites to explore while in Wales. Below is a list of some of Wales’s most beloved landmarks and sights.
Beaumaris Castle was constructed by a 13th-century Welsh prince as an impressive medieval fortress, making it one of the most advanced fortifications at that time. Thanks to its clever construction techniques and strategic placement, it remains one of the finest examples.
Llanberis Castle
One of Wales’s finest castles, it stands atop Snowdon’s Llanberis Pass at its base. Believed to have been constructed between 1250-1350 by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great), predating Norman conquest of Wales by some decades. It would have stood as a beacon demonstrating Llywelyn as an influential prince to anyone within sight.
The main tower stands as one of the finest examples of Welsh round tower architecture, and was inspired by English examples like William Marshal’s grand circular keep at Pembroke Castle from 1200-01. By copying their style, Llywelyn sought to promote himself among their ranks and assert control over areas outside their jurisdiction – thus associating his name with their prestige.
Turner visited the castle during the 18th century as part of his extensive travels across Britain to sketch castles and historic sites before painting them back at his studio in London. His portrait now appears on the new polymer PS20 note.
St Fagans National Museum of Wales
St Fagans is one of Wales’s most beloved historical sites and holds a special place in people’s hearts. An open-air museum, it recounts Wales’ history through various buildings from across its diverse regions.
At this site are over 40 historic buildings, such as houses, farmsteads, churches, shops and pubs spanning four centuries of Welsh life. Some notable structures here include circular Celtic homes, the mud-built Nantwallter cottage and Esgair Moel Woollen Mill.
St Fagans Museum boasts not only buildings but also gardens and orchards that are essential components of Welsh life, helping preserve plant varieties while providing food sources to local communities. Furthermore, these spaces serve to educate the public on sustainable farming practices. Furthermore, film crews regularly come here for period movies and television series shoots!
Castell Coch
The castle is open for visitors and receives approximately 30,000 guests annually, who enjoy tours through Victorian staterooms and medieval towers.
Castell Coch is a fairytale castle designed by William Burges for the third Marquess of Bute and constructed on top of an ancient medieval fort that had been destroyed during a native Welsh uprising of 1314.
The castle has long been recognized for its combination of medieval aura and romantic Victorian design, rendering it one of Wales’s most striking landmarks. Voted one of Wales’s most stunning places on a regular basis, its spectacular vision of an imaginary medieval world remains iconic while remaining authentic with features like a circular tower keep. Constructed using rough sandstone rubble from which its medieval name – Castrum Rubuem or “red castle,” has earned it thousands of visitors every year; administered now by Cadw (an agency under Welsh Government management).
Tinkinswood Burial Chamber
Tinkinswood was constructed during the Neolithic, around 6,000 years ago. Its massive capstone is so heavy it may have required 200 people to lift and move it; additionally, this site is interesting due to what it doesn’t contain: grave goods.
This Neolithic tomb is part of the larger St Lythans Burial Chamber long barrow. Other parts were excavated in 1914 but now lay hidden below a field; one large slab-lined cist can be found within its cairn on the northern side, though most likely secondary; only bones from pig, ox and sheep were discovered during original excavation.
Historic Wales is a website that makes exploring Welsh heritage easy by clicking on locations on a map and accessing one of Historic Wales’ databases. An invaluable tool for professional heritage managers as well as enthusiasts interested in Welsh history.
