Essential Information when Visiting Wales
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Location
Visiting Wales is something that every lover of the outdoors and nature needs to do at least once or twice in their lifetime.
The mountains, the waterfalls and the greenery invoke calm.
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and is bordered by England to the east and the Irish Sea to the north and west.
Known also as Cymru in Welsh, the capital and main commercial and financial centre of Wales is Cardiff.
Wales has only three national parks.
However, they cover over one-fifth of the total land of Wales, and each is unique in its beauty, from sandy beaches to rugged mountains.
The most famous perhaps is Snowdonia National Park which covers over 800 square miles of diverse and stunning landscapes, and is home to the tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon.
For more information to plan your visit, check out Visit Wales website HERE
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Wales is determined by what you are planning to do when you arrive.
For most, the best time to visit is from April to June, when the temperatures are warmer. It is worth remembering that Wales, like its English counterpart, gets a lot of rain.
But, during spring, the flowers are in bloom, and it’s beautifully green, which does go some way in making up for the wet weather.
The shoulder season (September to October and April to June) is a great time to visit Wales to avoid crowds and get cheaper accommodation.
If you seek a beach holiday, the Pembrokeshire Coast in the summer could be the perfect place to visit and be as warm as anywhere in Britain.
But always keep in mind the weather is unpredictable, so pack waterproofs and shorts and everything in between.
Mid-May, the two weeks we spent in Snowdonia National Park were a mix of torrential rainfall, freezing temperatures early in the day, and glorious sunshine. Just be prepared.
Getting Around
Wales is perfect for lovers of nature and the great outdoors and has many scenic travel routes in both North & South Wales.
Many of these are best explored on foot from the mountains of Snowdonia to the Wales Coast Path.
But if you are planning on an adventure of Discovery across Wales, the best way to travel through the more rural and rugged areas is by car.
Car or Campervan
Travelling around North and South Wales by Car is relatively straightforward and includes some highly picturesque routes that will have you pulling over to take photographs every few miles. So, travel is pleasant but can be slow!
Both North and Wales have well-developed road networks. However, Wales is well known for its narrow single-track roads and blind corners throughout the more rural locations. Coupled with being stuck behind slow-moving sheep, temperamental weather and the need to keep taking photographs, it can be a long journey at any time of day.
However, it is positively glorious, and we have had some of the most stunning drives through Snowdonia and whilst they can take time, they are also magnificent.
Train
Travelling Wales by train is an increasingly viable option– often enhanced by picturesque views of mountain ranges and gloriously sandy beaches.
But, whilst the network is extensive along the coasts, travel can be slow. Indeed, even more so in the more rural mountainous areas. However, one could pair train travel with bus travel to get you that little further inward toward the mountains if you so choose.
Coach or bus
Buses regularly travel through all areas in Wales, and whilst services can be limited on weekends and bank holidays, it is doable with some planning.
Currency
Wales uses the Pound Sterling, which is the currency used throughout the United Kingdom.
Plug sockets
In Wales, the power plugs and sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the typical frequency is 50 Hz.
Language
English is the most widely spoken language in Wales, but you will likely hear many other languages due to its diverse and multicultural communities.
The national language of Wales is the Welsh language, a Celtic language spoken by around 20% of the Welsh population.
Some basic yet useful phrases
Hello – Helo
Goodbye – Hwyl fawr
Please – Os gwelwch yn dda
Thank you – Diolch
Yes – ye
No – na
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