Awesome experiences in Wales
Adventures

21 awesome experiences in Wales you must do!

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There are so many unique experiences in Wales that it’s hard to know where to begin? This ruggedly beautiful Celtic country has a diverse range of extraordinary activities and things to do and see.

Whether you love outdoor activities, wildlife, magnificent architecture or dramatic scenery, there is something for everyone in Wales.

Choose from biking, hiking, zip-lining, coasteering, pottery classes, stargazing and more when you visit wonderful Wales. Check out our list of awesome experiences in Wales and get inspired to have an incredible Wales adventure.

unique adventures Wales
Whether you love outdoor activities, wildlife, magnificent architecture or dramatic scenery, there is something for everyone in Wales!

Zip Wire over a Welsh quarry

This has to be one of the best adventure activities in Wales! Soar over a quarry on the ‘Titan zip lines‘, which are located in the former mining town, Blaenau Ffestiniog.

These thrilling zip lines are the first 4 person zip line in Europe, so you can experience incredible views with your loved ones 385m above sea level.

Photos and head cam hire is available at the Titan Zip lines if you want to get some awesome adventures shots for your Instagram.

Get your adrenaline hit coasteering in Pembrokeshire

One of the must-do outdoor activities in Wales is Coasteering. Get your heart racing as you scramble your way across the dramatic Welsh coastline

This adrenaline-pumping activity will push you out of your comfort zone as you leap off cliffs, climb over rocks and plunge into frothy pools.

One of the best places for coasteering in Wales is Pembrokeshire, this gorgeous part of Wales has 86 miles of ruggedly beautiful coastline to explore.

Book your coasteering experience with outdoor specialists Big Blue Adventures and explore the coast safely.

Go Mountain Biking in the Elan Valley

Spend a day biking through the awe-inspiring scenery of the Elan Valley with Mountain Bike Wales. Let Phil and Polly guide you through rugged landscapes and rocky trails.

Mountain Biking in the Elan Valley

Bike through rivers, over hills and along bridleways as you traverse some pretty epic landscapes. Grab a GoPro and make sure to get some snaps and footage of your thrilling bike journey through some of the most isolated parts of Wales.

Watch a Red Kite Feeding in Bwlch Nant yr Arian

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre became a red kite feeding station in the ’90s to protect the small number of red kites in the area.

The red kites are still fed by the lake to this day at 2 pm in winter (GMT) and at 3 pm in summer. You can see up to 150 kites diving for the food, it is fantastic to watch.

Follow the Barcud Trail around the lake to find the bird hide that overlooks the feeding ara. This is the best spot to watch the feeding and try and get some photos of the swooping red kites.

Take a scenic tram on the Great Orme

The Great Orme is an extremely photogenic limestone headland above the town of Llandudno in North Wales. It is a great spot for hiking, photography and picnics.

Surely the best way to discover the Great Orme is to ride all the way up to the top on Britain’s only cable-hauled street Tramway.

The Tramway climbs 1500m high the the Great Orme Country Park and beautiful Nature Reserve. It’s a lovely way to slowly appreciate the scenic surruondings.

Great Orme tram ride

Go trampolining in underground slate caverns

Only in Wales would you have a former mine turned into an underground trampoline and subterranean playground.

In the historic mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, they have transformed a huge network of Victorian mining caverns into ‘Bounce Below’.

Here you can jump on massive bouncy nets across two levels in a neon-lit, 180ft deep, cathedral-sized cavern.

The muted neon lights only add to the surreal atmosphere of trampolining in a gigantic caver. It really is a unique experience in Wales and definitely one not to be missed.

Bounce below

Discover a tiny, tidal church in Anglesey

If you love visiting sacred places in Wales, why not head to St Cwyfan’s, a tiny, Grade II*-listed island church in Anglesey? It’s situated upon a circular stone-walled island that’s only accessible at low tide and is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in Wales.

You can also book a cycling tour and Bike around the beautiful isle of Anglesey on a spectacular cycling tour experience. You’ll cycle through rural lanes and visit serene churches surrounded by the sea on a trip with Explore Churches and Green Lane Bike Tours

On this ride, you will cross wildlife-rich reclaimed wetlands, follow the track of an old road through sand dunes and cross a pack horse bridge.

You’ll also visit Llangadwaladr to see a commemoration to a 7th century King of Gwynedd, ride on to Aberffraw, the ancient court site of the Princes of Gwynedd, where St Beuno’s has stood since the 7th century. Finish your spiritual biking journey with a Welsh afternoon tea at Riverside Arts & Crafts cafe.

Learn to surf in the Gower

One of the best beaches for surfing in Wales is the Gower area. One of my favourite surfing spots in the Gower is the sandy beaches of Llangennith. It’s a picturesque surfing spot in wales, with consistent waves that rival Newquay in Cornwall.

If you are new to wave riding why not book a surf-lesson with Big Blue Adventures? These guys are the outdoor specialist in Wales and offer a range of surf lesson options.

The surf lessons take place at either Rhossili Bay or Llangennith Beach and are around 2 hours long, including all equipment, experienced instructor and training on the beach.

surfing in Wales

Star Gazing at Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park

If the conditions are right in the Cambrian Mountains area, there are some incredible stargazing opportunities as the Elan Valley.

Here you will find world-class stargazing and a range of astrophotography events and workshops run by expert Astronomers from Dark Sky Wales.

Star Gazing at Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park

In 2015, the Elan Valley Estate achieved International Dark Sky Park status and attracts many astronomers and astrophotographers from all over the UK and beyond.

If you fancy a late-night looking at the stars, there are several sites you can visit including Claerwen car park, Craig Goch, Teifi Pools and Pont Ar Elan.

Star Gazing at Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park

Summit Pumlumon, the most secret mountain in Wales

Unlike other tourist-heavy, hiking hotspots, there are no queues, crowds or litter at Pumlumon Fawr, the most secret mountain in Wales.

It’s a mountain in the Cambrian Mountains region that has escaped the attention of day-trippers and selfies seekers. They tend to familiar peaks of Snowdon and Pen y Fan In Brecon, for those coveted Instagram shots.

This might be because Pumlumon is definitely not a ‘have a go’ kind of mountain. There’s no marked trails, cafes, toilets, massive tour groups, or gift shops here. It’s truly the last wilderness in Wales.

There are 5 main hiking trails for Pumlumon that vary in distance and ascent. If you climb Pumlumon from the northern side of the mountain, you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular scenery.

The panoramic views from the summit of Pumlumon Fawr are nothing short of utterly extraordinary. You can see as far as Cadair Idris, Snowdon and Aran Fawddwy to the north.

The full sweep of Cardigan Bay can also be seen, from Pen Llŷn in the north, right down to Pembrokeshire in the south. It’s definitely one of the best hikes in Wales, if you love remote and wild trails.

Go inside Pen y Garreg Dam

The magnificent dams, reservoirs and 73-mile aqueduct of the Elan Valley were built a hundred years ago to supply water to Birmingham.

Today you can explore the Elan Valley estate to marvel at the natural beauty and impressive engineering. You can even go inside one of the dams on one of their popular Dam open days.

Venture inside the Pen y Garreg Dam and up to the central tower. You’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the dam wall which makes for some incredible photos.

Elan valley dam open day

Enter the Bog Snorkelling Championship in Llanwrtyd Wells

The good people of Llanwrtyd Wells invented the unusual event ‘bog snorkelling championships’. At this weird and wonderful event, people compete to swim lengths in a peat bog, without using conventional swimming strokes, in the shortest time possible.

Llanwrtyd Wells bog snorkelling

Only in Wales would someone look at a peat bog and think “I bet you could snorkel in that.” We are an innovation nation, I’ll give us that.

This wacky event takes place every August in Llanwrtyd Wells and Competitors must wear snorkels and flippers and complete the course without using traditional swimming strokes.

If you have a good sense of humour and tolerance for the absurd, it is definitely one of the most unusual activities in Wales to be involved in.

bog snorkelling

Discover the surreal tourist village of Portmeirion

Portmeirion was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and was the filming location of the British television series ‘The Prisoner’. This whimsical and enchanting tourist village in Gwynedd is a little slice of Italy in North Wales.

With its enchanting, pastel-coloured buildings, charming fountains and manicured gardens, it’s a total photographer’s dream.

This is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in Wales. Wander around this little corner of weirdness in Wales and explore the Villages little shops, cafes and quirks.

Go on an underground mine tour

Adventure into the dark, underground caverns of mid-Wales’ ancient metal mines with Mid Wales mine adventure.This special tour gives you an insight into life as a miner, working underground in the Cambrian Mountains.

Be guided by an expert through the underground caverns where surviving equipment and artefacts are frozen in time, reminding us of the dark and dangerous work of silver mining.

This extraordinary activity in Wales involves wading through water-filled passages and adventuring through dark, ancient caverns. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

Cycle the Wales Coast Path

One of the best way to see 870-mile long Wales Coast Path is to cycle sections of it. The picturesque coast path is the world’s first uninterrupted route along a country’s coast.

You can bring your own bike or hire a bike in one of the towns, country parks or outdoor activity providers along the way.

Our favourite place to cycle on the Wales Coastal path is the section between Llanelli and Pembrey Country Park. The cycleway is well maintained and is a brilliant cycle route for families and couples exploring Pembrokeshire.

Wales coast path cycling

Learn pottery at Penrhiw Pottery

Looking for unique arts and crafts workshop in Wales? Check out Penrhiw Pottery for a creative day out. Here, all pottery is expertly hand thrown and hand glazed by Dave and Anouska in their impressive studio in Ystumtuen.

There’s a number of classes and workshops available to get you throwing on the wheel with confidence. I certainly found what I lacked in skill, I made up for in enthusiasm.

Dave and Anouska are on hand to provide excellent guidance and support so that you can create a lovely, but a wonky pot of your very own.

If your attempt at ceramics isn’t quite up to scratch, there are several beautiful pieces for sale. The teapots, in particular, are a wonderful gift.

Go on a food safari in Cardiff

Cardiff Tasting Tour is a delicious way of discovering the capital of Wales, Cardiff. Think Welsh food is boring? Think again. on this fun and informative tour, you can enjoy the very best of Welsh drinks and food through a range of tastings including cockles, meats and Welsh cheeses

On this foodie walking tour, you’ll also learn about the heritage and history of Cardiff. Your guide will take you around its beautiful parks, majestic buildings and famous landmarks as you eat your way around the city.

Ride the Vale of Rheidol steam train

Looking for a unique journey in Wales, hop aboard the retro Vale of Rheidol steam train. Drive to Aberystwyth to catch the afternoon train to Devils Bridge and enjoy a steam train experience through Welsh woodlands, fields and meadows.

Journey across the Rheidol Valley in a beautifully restored steam train and enjoy a retro rail adventure. The track seems to follow the contours of the countryside and takes you through some remarkable scenery at a leisurely pace.

Listen to the soothing sounds of a powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive working hard to climb 700ft (200m) during the 12 miles from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge.

When you reach Devil’s Bridge, be sure to stop for coffee and a steaming bowl of Cawl at the quirky, Two Hoots Cafe.

Pilgrimage walk on Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Take a guided walk on the last stretch of an ancient pilgrimage route on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Book a Pembrokeshire pilgrimage experience with Explore Churches and discover coastal views, Celtic chapels and crosses.

It’s a 6 mile meditative walk runs from Solva to St David’s that includes unique features such as St Non’s Chapel, with its holy well and Celtic cross.

This historic route was as important as the Camino de Santiago in medieval times. It’s now becoming a popular pilgrimage route once again for those seeking a ‘Celtic Camino’ in Wales.

This tour is organised and managed by Guided Pilgrimage, a not for profit travel company providing a range of Celtic pilgrimage experiences in West Wales. 

Learn to cook Welsh cuisine

Learn to cook a range of traditional Welsh dishes in a converted cowshed at the innovative Y Sied. This modern-looking kitchen and coffee shop is the home to the Pumpkin Patch’ cookery and gardening school.

You can book a bespoke private cookery workshop with the owner and local chef Lisa Fearne. Why not request to learn some traditional Welsh dishes in your workshop? You can then bring a taste of Wales back home with you!

In this 3-hour cookery workshop, you can sharpen your cooking skills and learn how to cook Welsh specialities such as roast lamb, cawl and rarebit.

y siad cooking class

Welsh tea and tour of ancient St Asaph Cathedral

Uncover hidden history and stories at 700-year-old St Asaph Cathedral, said to be the smallest, ancient cathedral in Britain.

Book a tea and tour of St Asaph Cathedral experience with Explore Churches and marvel at its magnificent architecture. Here you’ll find medieval carvings, clerestory windows and ornate stained glass.

The Cathedral is a living working place of worship with a range of services throughout the week. The William Morgan bible is also located here, said to be the first bible to be translated into Welsh.

Finish the tour with homemade cakes and locally roasted coffee from the church’s on-site ‘Translators’ Tearoom’.

What do you think of our list of awesome experiences in Wales? Are there any big bucket list items you are looking to tick off when you visit Wales? Let us know in the comments below.

DISCLAIMER – This post was written in collaboration with the National Churches Trust.

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