Sleeps up to 4
The Manor is a Grade Ii listed building located on a sweeping bay. It captures spectacular views of the rugged coastline. Apartment 26 has every luxury you would expect from a venue such as this. more info...
? Wales Tourist BoardSouth Wales Cottages: Wild, rugged coast, green valleys and majestic mountains make South Wales a beautiful place to explore whether you're looking for an outdoor adventure, a quiet trip to the coast, or a driving tour of the interior. If you're planning a trip to South Wales, the cottages for rent on www.selfcateringhols.com might be just what you're looking for.
Read our mini guide to South Wales
Home to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, and to most of the population, South Wales is the industrial centre of the principality of Wales. An apartment in bustling Cardiff puts you in the centre of the artistic and cultural boom Cardiff has seen over the past decade. Yet just as appealing are the small towns of the Welsh countryside, like St. David's, a tiny town with a beautiful 12th-century cathedral, and towns like Fishguard and Brecon.
Geographically, there is great variety in South Wales. The region encompasses wild coast, grassy hills, rural valleys and the modern capital city. In the far south, the Pembrokeshire coast is lined with wide beaches, rugged cliffs and quaint coastal towns, while to the west are the grassy knobs of the Brecon Beacons National Park, a peaceful place that draws walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The Welsh language, spoken by about 20 percent of the population (less in South Wales) is perhaps the most visible aspect of the unique regional culture of Wales, though regional dishes, local festivals and traditions like "eisteddfod" form part too.
PROPERTIES FOR SOUTH WALES ...
Sleeps up to 6
This cottage apartment is the first floor of the old estates stables and is located within the old farmyard. The Estate is located in glorious Carmarthenshire Countryside, close to the Black Mountain. Ideal for visiting the Brecon National Park, National Botanic Gardens and Aberglasney. more info...
? Wales Tourist BoardAs in the rest of the U.K., it's often cloudy and damp, the price you pay for the lush, green countryside. Any time of year can be good for a trip to Wales, but keep in mind that summer brings crowds and wintertime brings snow that may block some mountain highways. Mild spring and early autumn are good times to enjoy the countryside.
? Wales Tourist BoardA few flights (mostly charters used by tourists) come in and out of Cardiff's international airport, but the most popular ways to get here are by rail or by highway. A train from London gets to the Welsh capital in less than two hours, and driving from London takes about three hours (count on a little more if you take one of the many buses). Out and about in Wales, there are some excellent train routes, though most people tackle the winding, country roads by car. Ferries are an option too.
? Wales Tourist BoardWalking, cycling and boating are all popular ways to get to know Wales. The large Brecon Beacons National park, not far from Cardiff, has an expansive web of trails, though hiking among the mountains here can be a real challenge. For something less strenuous, try hiking or cycling a section of the long-distance Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
To get out on the water (which can be more than a little nippy!) head to the south-west coast, where there are some good surfing beaches. Calmer beaches are on the eastern coast; places like Barry Island (just 10 miles from Cardiff) are great for families. For boating, Cardiff Bay is the place to be. The Gower Peninsula is another place to go for spectacular coastal scenery.
Cultural activities abound too. You can visit castles in the Usk and Wye valleys, have a look at Tintern Abbey, and go to an "eisteddfod"-- a festival centred around a music and poetry contest. In the capital, Cardiff, you can visit the ostentatious Cardiff Castle or stop at one of the city's museums. Book lovers will want to visit Hay-on-Wye, a town considered the world capital of used books.
