Emma Way recommends some fun and unusual experiences to travel around Wales and do – all at a cheap cost for those that are penny-pinching. (All of us, right?)
PORTMEIRION VILLAGE
Nestled into the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, Portmeirion is a small, tightly grouped idyllic village, its architecture inspired by the architectural styles of Mediterranean piazzas. Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, the Welsh architect envisioned his build years before he built the popular tourist destination. The village is also the filming location of the 1960s cult TV series The Prisoner. Once you actually get there, wandering around its colourful houses makes for a cheap – free, in fact – daytime travel experience in Wales.
Portmeirion, Snowdonia. Open: daily. Info: here
KITE FEEDING AT GIGRIN FARM
A family-run working farm spanning 160 acres, now famous for red kite feeding, Gigrin Farm is located in Rhayader. Visitors can observe daily wild red kite feedings through general hides as well as specifically tailored photographic hides, all of which are located just metres away from the red kites. Dogs are also permitted in most hides, which are curved around the field.
Gigrin Farm, Rhayader. Open: daily during school holidays; feeding times: 3pm on the last Sunday of each month until Oct. Tickets: £8. Info: here
GREAT ORME COPPER MINES
Located in Llandudno, these copper mines date back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age. A tour of Wales’ Great Orme Mines is a cheap, educational travel trip to explore two levels of the mines, accessed by slopes and staircases. Dogs are also welcome on site, although wheelchairs and pushchairs aren’t suitable for the tour.
Great Orme Mines, Llandudno. Open: daily, 9.30am-4.30pm. Tickets: £6-£9. Info: here
THE UK’S NUMBER 1 BAKED BEAN MUSEUM OF EXCELLENCE
Whether you’re a Heinz or a Branston, The Baked Bean Museum Of Excellence – in Port Talbot and run by local microcelebrity Captain Beany – is one of those niche museums you only come across from going down a Google wormhole. The museum is a world first, being the only visual haricot bean museum on the entire planet.
Flint House, Sandfields, Port Talbot. Admission: free. Info: here
WORMS HEAD
A tidal island described as a headland in the shape of a worm’s head, the island off Swansea isn’t exactly an easy stroll but provides a beautiful coastal walk on a day when the tide is low. Worms Head provides views of Rhossili, and plenty of seals can be seen relaxing on the rocks below.
Rhossili, Swansea. Open: check crossing times before travel (2.5 hours either side). Info: nciwormshead.org.uk / National Trust site
PONTCYSYLLTE AQUEDUCT WORLD HERITAGE SITE
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is an engineering feat which carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee valley in north Wales. It is also the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain. Both Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Llangollen canal are fully open for visitors, as is the on-site Trevor Basin Visitor Centre.
River Dee Valley, Clwyd. Open: 11am-3pm Mon-Thurs. Tickets: £6-£10. Info: here
GEOCACHING IN THE BRECON BEACONS
Geocaching is a fun way to discover places you wouldn’t normally on your usual traditional trail. The equivalent to a Brecon Beacons treasure hunt sees 180 geocaches hidden across the Brecon Beacons National Park. These different locations will take you to hidden significances and amazing views.
Brecon Beacons, Brecon. Open: daily. Info: here
words EMMA WAY
