The Adventures of Debbie Dimples - The UK - Wales

Wales

Wales is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain. It's famous for its rugged coastline, mountainous national parks, Welsh ponies, distinctive Welsh language, Celtic culture, castles, and one of my favourite meals - the Welsh rarebit! Wales might be a small country, but it's a mighty one; after all, it is known as the land of the dragon! I've visited North Wales on several occasions in the past with an ex boyfriend. Our trips included Conwy, Portmeirion, Mount Snowdon and South Stack. I've also had past day trips to the National Trust properties of Powis Castle, Chirk Castle and Erddig Hall. In 2024, I embarked upon a short solo trip to North Wales, where I stayed in Pwllheli, and was able to visit Gwrych Castle, Abersoch and Porthdinllaen. I was also lucky enough to visit South Wales with family in 2024 too, where we stayed at Saundersfoot, and visited the colourful village of Tenby.

North Wales

North Wales is home to some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes, offering plenty of opportunity for outdoor pursuits. Llandudno, Conwy, Abersoch and Mount Snowdon are some of the most famous places to visit in North Wales.

Brook Cottage Shepherd Huts, Pwllheli

I stayed at the Brook Cottage Shepherd Huts for four nights in August 2024. The Brook Cottage Shepherd Huts are a multi-award winning boutique adults-only glamping retreat in the Llŷn Peninsula, North Wales. The Brook Cottage Shepherds Huts are overlooking a small, picturesque lake, and are perfect for a quiet getaway as a solo traveller, or for couples.

Abersoch

Abersoch is a very fashionable and popular seaside resort on the Llŷn Peninsula. It's known as Knutsford-by-the-Sea due to receiving a high volume of affluent visitors from Cheshire yearly. The area is famous for its beautiful beaches, luxury homes, surfing, bars and restaurants. There are two main beaches in Abersoch, the Abersoch Main Beach and Abersoch Harbour Beach. TheAbersoch Main Beach is a photogenic beach with a row of beach huts which line a long stretch of golden sand. The Abersoch Harbour Beach is a smaller, sheltered cove at the heart of the village.

The Potted Lobster

I couldn't go to Abersoch and not eat in the Potted Lobster! The Potted Lobster is a stylish and welcoming restaurant located in the heart of the village. The restaurant features an outdoor terrace which is perfect for summer afternoon dining.

Aqua Beach Bar at Llanbedrog Beach

The Aqua Beach Cafe is located at the end of Llanbedrog Beach, near Abersoch. I sat overlooking Llanbedrog Beach whilst enjoying some fish and chips from the Aqua Beach Cafe. Llanbedrog Beach is famous for its colourful beach huts.

Pen-Llyn Lusitano Stud and Riding Centre

The Pen-Llyn Lusitano Stud and Riding Centre is the leading Lusitano stud in the UK specialising in classical dressage lessons on highly trained schoolmasters. The riding centre also offers hacking during the summer months. I visited the riding centre for a one and a half hour mountain hack. I'm out of practice with horse riding after the very sad loss of my wonderful pony five years ago. I was more than a little nervous, however, I was looked after by a gentle giant called Pickles. It was also lovely to see the Lusitano stallions, mares and foals at the centre.

Porthdinllaen

Porthdinllaen is a small coastal village on the Llŷn Peninsula, located near the larger village of Morfa Nefyn. It's famous for its beachfront pub - the Ty Coch Inn.

South Stack

South Stack is an island situated just off Holy Island on the northwest coast of Anglesey, Wales. The island is home to a protected nature reserve which attracts an abundance of seabirds. The white lighthouse which is perched on top of the cliffs is one of the most photographed in North Wales.

Portmeirion

Portmeirion is a much-loved private village with romantic Italianate architecture, located in North Wales. The village provided the backdrop for the 1960's cult classic tv series, The Prisoner. I visited Portmeirion on a past trip to Wales.

Gwrych Castle

Gwrych Castle is an enchanting Gwrych Castle is a Grade I Listed country house in North Wales and is one of the first attempts at replicating true medieval architecture in Europe.

Conwy

The town of Conwy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Wales. It's home to a number of attractions, the most famous being Conwy Castle. I visited Conwy on a past trip to Wales.

Mount Snowdon

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) is the highest mountain in Wales and England. It's one of our most famous and recognisable landmarks in Wales. I visited Snowdon on a past trip with an ex boyfriend, where we climbed the Llanberis Path.

Erddig Hall

Erddig is a grand country house and estate just south of Wrexham, Wales. I visited Erddig Hall on one of my past visits to Wales.

Chirk Castle

Chirk Castle is a 13th century, Grade I listed castle located in Chirk, Wrexham. I visited Chirk Castle on a past visit to Wales.

Powis Castle

Powis Castle is a medieval castle, fortress and grand country house near Welshpool, in Powys, Wales. I visited Powis Castle on a past visit to Wales.

Pale Hall Hotel

Standing high above the Dee Valley with a backdrop of the beautiful Welsh hills, Pale Hall is a Victorian mansion and luxury bespoke hotel. I visited Pale Hall for cream tea and the Halloween event in October 2025.

Llangollen

What I missed out on........

Sometimes I don't always get to see and do everything I would like to, mainly due to time, weather and money constraints. If I were to take another trip to North Wales, I would like to see Conwy again. I would like to stay at the Warren and the visit Llanddwyn Beach, Zip World, Betws-y-Coed, Llandudno, and Angel Bay.

The Warren

The Warren in Abersoch, is a luxury, family friendly holiday village which consists of lodges located along Warren Beach. The Warren is one of the most exclusive resorts in Abersoch.

Llanddywn Beach

Llanddwyn Beach is a Blue Flag Beach backed by Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest on the south-western tip of Anglesey.

Zip World

Penrhyn Slate Quarry, located near Bethesda in North Wales, is home to Zip World Velocity, the fastest zip line in the world and the longest in Europe.

Llandudno

Llandudno is one of the finest traditional Victorian seaside resorts in the world. Every year, Llandudno hosts the Victorian Extravaganza, a family friendly festival which pays homage to its heritage.

Conwy

I've been lucky enough to visit Conwy in the past, however, I missed out of looking inside Conwy Castle, and seeing Britain's Smallest House. If I get to visit Conwy again, I would like to visit these attractions.

Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay)

Angel Bay on the North Wales Coast is an inlet on Little Orme's Headland which is home to a large colony of seals.

Betws-y-Coed

Betws-y-Coed is a very popular, picturesque village, known as the gateway to Snowdonia National Park.

South Wales

South Wales is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the UK. Some of the most popular areas to visit in South Wales include Tenby, Saundersfoot and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Saundersfoot

The wonderful seaside village of Saundersfoot is located on the south coast of Pembrokeshire. The village is famous for its large sandy beach.

St Brides Hotel and Spa

The St Brides Hotel and Spa is located in the prime location, on a cliff-top overlooking picturesque Saundersfoot Harbour in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The most notable feature of the hotel is the spa pool with views over the beach. We stayed at the St Brides Hotel and Spa for three nights in August 2024.

Mamgu Welshcakes Cafe

Mamgu Welshcakes Cafe is a charming little venue overlooking Saundersfoot Beach. I visited the cafe for a traditional Welsh Rarebit and some Welshcakes.

Tenby

Tenby is a colourful, enchanting village that has become one of the most popular places to visit in South Wales.

Mor

Mor is a family-run cafe and deliicates within the heart of Tenby. I visited the cafe for a milkshake to cool off after walking around the village on a hot, sunny day.

What I missed out on........

If I were to take another trip to South Wales, I would like to visit Barafundle Bay Beach and Skomer Island.

Barafundle Bay Beach

One of Pembrokeshire's most beautiful beaches, Barafundle Bay is often described as the 'Jewel in the Crown'.

Skomer Island

Skomer Island Nature Reserve is home to a famous Puffin colony, just off the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Skomer Island is one of the locations I didn't get to visit during my trip.

These are just some of the places I have visited and recommend, or would like to visit in the future. As always, there are many more wonderful places to stay at and visit which I will have missed. I welcome any recommendations.

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