Introduction
Welcome to South Wales
South Wales is home to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Swansea and the Brecon Beacons, making it a popular destination with walkers and nature lovers. Whether it's relaxing by the seaside, exploring local history or roaming the countryside, there are plenty of ways to unwind in South Wales.
Map
YHA hostels in South Wales
YHA Brecon Beacons
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Garden/grounds
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Free parking on premises
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Licensed bar
YHA Brecon Beacons Danywenallt
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Garden/grounds
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Contactless payments
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Mountain view
YHA Broad Haven
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WiFi
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Garden/grounds
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Games
YHA Gower
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WiFi
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Self-catering kitchen
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Sole use available
YHA Manorbier
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WiFi
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Free parking on premises
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Restaurant
YHA Port Eynon
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WiFi
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Self-catering kitchen
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Cycle store
YHA Pwll Deri
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Self-catering kitchen
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Free parking on premises
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Cycle store
YHA St Davids
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Free parking on premises
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Self-catering kitchen
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Cycle store
Video of Pembrokeshire
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Things to do in South Wales
Five free things to do in South Wales
St Davids Cathedral
This picturesque cathedral began life as a monastic community around the 6th century, and is now the centrepiece of Britain's smallest city. Be sure to hear the local legend of the talking footbridge!
Whitesands Bay
This award-winning sandy beach is a great place to kick back and enjoy the seaside, and is considered the best surfing beach in Pembrokeshire.
Carn Llidi
This Bronze age tomb on top of a rocky outcrop offers spectacular views over the bay. A great and educational destination for a day's walk.
St Non's Chapel and Well
A ruined chapel, which may have been built over an Iron Age place of worship and has now become a Grade II listed site. According to local superstition, the well has healing properties.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
This famous coastal path is great for hikers and whichever way you ramble you'll be guaranteed some amazing sea views.
There's nowhere in the world quite like South Wales
Home to some of the UK's most beautiful coastline, Wales' capital city and the Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales is a magical spot for a UK break. The Pembrokeshire coast is a haven for families, walkers and adventurers, with its award-winning, unspoilt beaches providing a stunning setting in which you can make lasting memories.
Walkers and mountain bikers will love exploring the rugged landscapes of the Brecon Beacons, with trails aplenty amidst the heather-clad hills, caves and waterfalls of the area. If city breaks are more your thing, take a trip to Cardiff, with spectacular shopping, entertainment and museums available to enjoy, as well as history and high-class sporting activity.
Things to do
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park Visitor Centre
Visit Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park Visitor Centre where a team of friendly and knowledgeable information officers are on hand all year round to help you make the most of your...
Brecon Cathedral
Because of its location it's thought that the Norman Priory might have been built on the site of an older, possibly Celtic, church.
Brecon Mountain Railway
Travel in an all-weather observation coach behind a vintage steam locomotive through beautiful scenery into the Brecon Beacons. The journey takes you into the Brecon Beacons National Park, through...
Cardigan town
Discover a vibrant culture, ideally located to explore the fabulous land and seascapes of the Teifi Valley and Cardigan Bay. Visit the Visit Cardigan website
Chepstow Museum
Explore the rich and varied past of this ancient town, once an important port and market centre.
Climbing in Gower
Climb and scramble to your hearts content and enjoy the spectacular views from this beautiful part of the country. Check out the UK Climbing website for routes
Dryad Bushcraft
Dryad Bushcraft is dedicated to providing the highest standard of Wilderness Bushcraft training. As well as teaching traditional skills and crafts we also have our finger on the pulse with regards to...
Inspire2Adventure
Exciting adventure in the forest - try Inspire2Adventure's Guided Open Canoe Expeditions, Gorge Scrambling Experience, Rock climbing and Abseiling and more!
Machination Visitor Centre
The only permanent exhibition of contemporary Automata in the UK. The interactive models move with a variety of fascinating mechanisms.
Manorbier Castle
In a splendid setting overlooking a beautiful unspoilt beach, families will love to explore Manorbier Castle. Visit the Castle website
Monmouth Canoe Hire
Just downstream from a small set of rapids, marking the start of a beautiful section of the Wye, there's 100 miles of canoe-able river.
Nantyffin Cider Mill Inn
At the foot of the Black Mountains, on the A40 between Crickhowell and Brecon, is this award winning Inn. Visit the Inn website
National Showcaves Centre for Wales
Visit the largest show caves in Western Europe with breathtaking limestone formations built up over thousands of years. Explore the Dan-yr-Ogof cave. Walk behind the 40ft waterfall in the Cathedral...
National Wetlands Centre Wales
Set in a 450 acre mosaic of lakes, pool and lagoons created on the scenic Burry Inlet, home hundreds of wild and resident species.
Oxwich Castle
Remains of a mock-fortified manor house, with evidence of sumptuous accommodation, built during the prosperous 16th century. Visit the website
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
With over 950km of footpaths, walking is an ideal way to appreciate the spectacular scenery, wildlife and history of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path twists and...
Pembrokeshire Islands
Enjoy a boat ride to one of the best seabird and and seal experiences or visit Britain's largest undisturbed prehistoric Iron Age Settlement.
Pentre Ifan Chambered Tomb
Pentre Ifan takes us back to Neolithic times. This splendid burial chamber has a huge 5m capstone poised on three uprights. The capstone appears to be delicately placed but has remained in place for...
Perrygrove Railway
See the Forest of Dean in style with a train ride through the woods. Look out for the family-friendly Treetop Adventure play area on your journey. Visit the website
Picton Castle
A stunning stately home, Picton Castle has 40 acres of some of the most beautiful woodland gardens and grounds in West Wales. Visit Picton Castle's website
Ramsey Island Boat Tours
Take a trip to this lovely island to discover mighty cliffs, fascinating bird life and seals. Don't forget your picnic! Visit the website
Royal Regiment of Wales
The collection has artefacts from around the world that reflect the history and character of a 300 year old regiment.
St Davids Peninsular
A ruggedly beautiful coastline and heather moorland steeped in Celtic history. Keep an eye open for the Prehistoric archaeology.
St. Fagan's National History Museum
Get a taste of Welsh culture at this open-air museum of life in Wales, chronicling the history, lifestyle and architecture of local people. This living museum is free to visit and you can spend all...
Swansea Bay and area
Discover Swansea, the seaside resort of Mumbles and the Gower Peninsula. Don't miss the enchanting Afan and Vale of Neath. Visit the website
Swansea Market
Explore the largest indoor market in Wales and sample the local delights like cockles, lavabread and bacon. Visit the Market website
The Waterfront Museum
The National Waterfront Museum at Swansea tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years. Visit the website
Walking and Rambling in Gower
Get back to nature and stride out on foot to explore the beauty of this part of the country. Whether it be walking routes or off the beaten track, you’re sure to enjoy wandering around and taking in...
Walking and Rambling in Llangattock
High up in Brecon Beacons, right on the Cambrian Way, you can walk from the bunkhouse door and take your choice from a variety of routes. There are different levels of walking in the area from the...
Watersports in Gower
This lovely area is great for water sports, so whatever mode of water transport takes your fancy, take the plunge and enjoy some fun on, or in, the water!
View some of our popular South Wales blog posts
Brecon Beacon walks
For big climbs, vast views and unspoilt wilderness, try this two-day hostel-to-hostel walk in the Brecon Beacons. Nothing quite prepares you for the drama of the Brecon Beacons...
National treasures and hidden gems
Our guide to unmissable England and Wales. From world-famous attractions to the less obvious, we’ve compiled a list of must-visit landmarks, landscapes and locations. And we have accommodation available a stone’s throw from all of them...
Alternative walking spots in England and Wales
There tend to be good reasons why honeypot walking locations are so popular: they might be the highest, or the easiest to get to, or the most obviously beautiful. But with popularity comes crowds. Every summer...