St David's Day takes place on Sunday 1 March 2020 and it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate all things Welsh, including some of the country's most beautiful locations and hidden gems, which are well worth a visit.

As Wales celebrates its Year of Outdoors, discover Wales' breathtaking landscapes or visit Britain's smallest city – the former home of St David himself – and its wild off shore islands, brimming with wildlife.

The land of castles 

There are more than 600 castles in Wales, which is more per square mile than anywhere else in the world. These mighty strongholds and atmospheric ruins each have their own story to tell from the country's fascinating heritage.

For fairy tale turrets, head north of Cardiff to 19th century Castell Coch, which bursts through the lush greenery of Fforest Fawr. St Fagans National Museum of History is only a couple of miles away, showcasing unique, recreated buildings from different points in Wales' history.

In North Wales, Harlech Castle saw the longest siege in British history from 1461-1468. It still stands today, safeguarding beautiful Cardigan Bay. Hikers or cyclists that like a challenge might want to take on the 'World's Steepest Street' nearby, which recently took the official title for a road in New Zealand. Opulent neo-Norman Penrhyn Castle is only an hour away at Bangor and still boasts a one-tonne slate bed originally made for Queen Victoria.

For more information, visit: www.visitwales.com 

Walk this Wales

The first country to offer a dedicated footpath along its shores, the unique Wales Coast Path is 870 miles (1,400 km) of varied and beautiful landscape and waters that stretch to the distant horizon.

Walkers will come across the UK's largest pod of dolphins at Cardigan Bay; opportunities to sail with the experts at Abersoch; independent eateries and distilleries including In the Welsh Wind, run by self-proclaimed 'mavericks' as well as world-class unspoilt beaches.

Wanderers can dip in wherever they please including Pembrokeshire, the UK's only coastal national park in the south. Others might consider the Gower Peninsula, famed as the UK's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - Rhossili Bay is considered 'the best beach in the UK' by TripAdvisor. Nearby campsite Three Cliffs Bay looks out on to rolling sand dunes, limestone cliffs and salt marshes for those intent on making the most of the coastal path's amazing panoramas and sunsets.

For more information, visit www.walescoastpath.gov.uk 

The Wales Way

Last month, National Geographic named The Wales Way, the new national touring route of Wales, one of the best travel experiences for 2020.
The combined 420 miles is made up of three distinctly different routes across the country, which all promise their own insight into Welsh culture, heritage and its natural beauty.

Experience The Coastal Way and enjoy watersports at Pembrokeshire, the charming Italiante village of Portmeirion or attempt the short, steep walk in Barmouth that leads to Dinas Oleu - the National Trust's first acquisition.

The Cambrian Way weaves through both the dramatic Snowdonia National Park and breathtaking Brecon Beacons whereas The North Wales Way – which follows Colwyn Bay and ends in Holyhead - promises no fewer than eight of the world's most magnificent castles.

These unique routes, winding through mountainscapes, lush forests and along a seemingly endless coast, are enough to summon all motorists, cyclists and campervan-owners to the open road, with plenty of great reasons to pull over and explore.

For more information, visit www.visitwales.com 

Wild watersports

The very first of its kind in the world, Adventure Parc Snowdonia includes an inland surf lagoon, set in the picture-perfect Conwy Valley in North Wales. Add a two-metre wave peeling over the surface and you have a surfers' dream! Adventurers can always dry off afterwards and take on the parc's 'Adrenaline Indoors' for climbing walls, indoor bouldering and a soft play zone.

Only 20 miles away in the stunning and sheltered Menai Straits, is the UK's first efoil school and one of the only places to experience efoiling in Europe. Opening only a few weeks ago, Foilride is a one-of-a-kind electric hydrafoil surfboard adventure and has to be seen to be believed. It's described by riders as flying above the water, on a uniquely silent and smooth journey.

For more information, please visit: www.adventureparcsnowdonia.com and www.ribride.co.uk 

Stunning Skomer Island

Just off the coast of Pembrokeshire in south Wales, Skomer Island is unlike anywhere on earth. In the summer, visitors can expect to hear an incredible night-time symphony of thousands of Manx shearwater birds returning to the island after hunting. In autumn, watch Atlantic grey seals make their way home to give birth, and coo over cute puffins from March, when the rugged countryside is awash with bluebells.

As Wales celebrates its Year of Outdoors, there has never been a better time to see the beautiful Welsh wildlife in its natural habitat.

For more information: www.welshwildlife.org 

Britain's smallest city

A place of beauty, peace and pilgrimage, St Davids is the smallest city in Britain with a population of just over 1,600.

Named after the patron saint of Wales, the roots of St Davids go back to the 4th century when St David himself lived here. 

With some of the most magnificent coastal scenery in Pembrokeshire, this is truly the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. With splendid sandy beaches, spectacular wildlife and streets alive with shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants, St Davids is also home to one of Wales' great cathedrals, the site of the shrine that holds his name.

For more information, please visit: www.visitpembrokeshire.com 

Escape to Little Italy

Portmeirion is a beautiful hotel resort and visitor attraction on the coast of Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd, North Wales. Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, Portmeirion was designed to resemble a quaint Italian fishing village. Visitors staying overnight get to experience the village to themselves once the gates are closed. Explore its beautiful gardens, fountains, church, and the coastal paths of the lower village.

This stunning attraction has been the location for numerous films and TV programs, including the 1960s cult show, The Prisoner. Guided tours are available and the resort's restaurants come highly recommended. A variety of shops are also located in the village, with some selling the famous Portmeirion pottery.

For more information, please visit: www.portmeirion.wales/ 

Stargazing in the Brecon Beacons

The night sky is one of the joys of a winter in Wales. While much of the UK and Europe is blighted by light pollution, in Wales there are hundreds of places to experience the outdoor and natural wonders above under dark skies. Wales now has a network of International Dark Sky Reserves and Dark Sky Parks that astronomers have singled out as world-beating places to go stargazing.

This central area of Wales is all about the 45,000 acres of the Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water-owned Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park, the only privately-owned such place in the world.

Known by day for amazing walking, cycling, horse riding and golf opportunities, there are dozens of places in the beautiful Brecon Beacons to spot the stars. However, the Usk Reservoir Dark Sky Discovery Site in the park's west side is among the darkest and quietest.

For more information, visit www.visitwales.com 

Majestic Mount Snowdon

There is something wild about the Snowdonia landscape, with soaring, sharp and magnificent peaks rising up high above the deep valleys. Picturesque and slate scarred villages scatter the region and are excellent bases for exploring or just relaxing and enjoying the views.

Mount Snowdon, Wales' highest mountain, dominates the skyline of North West Wales at a staggering 1,085 metres high.

On a clear day the views from the top of Snowdon are breathtaking but there are some unique sights to see on the way up (or down!). The marks of Snowdon's industrial past are evident across the mountainside, as copper was once mined there, the remains of the crushing mill and barracks along the Miner's Path as still a sight to behold.

Colourful alpine flowers flourish and the rare Snowdon Lily flowers appear in May for those choosing to take on one of the four routes to the top by foot, rather than rely on the famous train service.

For more information, visit www.visitwales.com  

ENDS

For further details, please contact: visitwales@webershandwick.com or call 0161 238 9400.