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UNITED KINGDOM - Wales
Location - Western Europe; Capital - Wales - Cardiff; Population - Wales - 3 million; Currency - Pound Sterling MORE UK - WALES
From Pembroke it was on to Stackpole Estate followed by Tenby, the Gower, Cardiff and the border towns of South Wales - September 2016.
The new plastic five pounds sterling, issued in 2016
Barafundle Bay is regularly listed in the UK's top ten beautiful beaches. Get there by walking via Stackpole village - Stackpole Estate
Stackpole Estate is a site run by the National Trust covering 12km of coastline comprising beaches, lakes, woodland and cliffs
It's a lovely, tranquil area to wander around - Stackpole Estate
Broad Haven is another in a long line of quality beaches on the Welsh coast - Stackpole Estate
The clue is in the name of this body of water, Lily Ponds - Stackpole Estate
As well as the swans there's a wide variety of birdlife hiding among the lilies - Stackpole Estate
Tenby is one of the most picturesque beach resorts (I've seen) in Britain
The harbour at high tide - Tenby
Carmarthen Bay separates North Beach on the left from Tenby Harbour on the right - Tenby
Tenby is set above Carmarthen Bay, perfect for a bird's eye view of the seafront below
Colours come out to play on a grey day in Tenby
A Tenby Castle cannon points towards St Catherine's Island - Tenby
St Catherine's Island from high above Castle Beach - Tenby
Quite a difference between low and high tide, as Castle Beach all but disappears - Tenby
At low tide take the steps up to the island's plateau, though the fort is closed to the public - Tenby
A cute little hotel garden, ideal for a spot of ocean-gazing relaxation - Tenby
Calm waters surround a boat bound for Caldey Island - Tenby
The lovely sands of South Beach lead to Caldey Island, home to birds and seals as well as a monastery famed for its chocolate - Tenby
Manorbier is a 20min bus ride west of Tenby, with its own castle - of course!
Paddle boarding at Manorbier
Bright street art on the walk into town from the train station - Swansea
A statue of world-renowned Swansea poet Dylan Thomas stands outside the Dylan Thomas Theatre, overlooking the marina - Swansea
The South Dock Marina is linked to the Tawe Basin and on to the River Tawe - Swansea
The Mumbles is a long coastal strip leading south from Swansea. It has a pier and - whaddayouknow - a castle! Well this is Wales..
More bright murals near the train station. By the way the city's buzzing at the weekend, recommended! Swansea
Besides the nightlife, Swansea's main draw is as a gateway to the Gower Peninsula with its beaches, rocky bays, cliffs, wildlife and hill walks - Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula
Surfers take a break at Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula
The name is derived from the three pyramidal rocks on the right - Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula
A glorious sweep of sand on the western coast of the Gower - Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula
A kite glides above the lone house at Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula
Standing on the cliff edge at Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula
A super-zoom on a mother and baby seal basking on the rockface at Worms Head - Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula
From Swansea and the Gower I moved on to Cardiff, Barry Island and Caerphilly, adding these photos to Wales 1
From Cardiff I headed inland to the quaint town of Hay-on-Wye, set among rolling hills next to the English border
It has a beautiful setting, but it's famous for something else - Hay-on-Wye
Books, books, and more books! Hay-on-Wye
Second hand books to be precise. This one on Castle Street is a maze, covering every subject under the sun - Hay-on-Wye
But the main man, and creator of the book town, is Richard Booth. Born in Hay, he opened a second-hand bookshop in the 1960s and bought books en-masse. Others followed his example, more and more bookshops opened up and the town became known as the 'Town of Books'. And not forgetting the internationally famous literary festival - Hay-on-Wye
Richard Booth is also the self-proclaimed King of Hay, having declared the town an independent kingdom in 1976, another bid to attract publicity and drive the economy. Buy passports, stickers and his autobiography at 'The King of Hay' bookshop - Hay-on-Wye
Yes indeed, another castle! Hay Castle is undergoing restoration with the goal of creating a major centre for arts and culture - Hay-on-Wye
There's even al-fresco book sales around town, in alleyways and parks - Hay-on-Wye
The Hay-on-Wye pound is one of several community-based currencies around Britain, accepted by various independent shops in Hay in a bid to promote the local economy
You have been warned! It was funny to see a tourist reading a Kindle outside, shopkeepers quickly displaying their mock indignation for such a gadget, news spreading down the street like wildfire - Hay-on-Wye
A small open-air market surrounds the clocktower - Hay-on-Wye
Flowers on display in a residential area - Hay-on-Wye
This unremarkable stream, Dulas Brook, actually marks the border between Hay-on-Wye (right) and England (left)
Dulas Brook feeds into the far more impressive River Wye, some of which forms the England/Wales border. The path belonging to the historic Offa's Dyke border trail also passes through town, on its way from Prestatyn in the north to Chepstow in the south - Hay-on-Wye
Even if you're not a bookworm it's an attractive town in a beautiful rural setting - Hay-on-Wye
Agincourt Square is the main square in Monmouth, with Charles Rolls, half of Rolls-Royce, standing in front of the Shire Hall
The town centre lies between the rivers Monnow and Wye, pictured - Monmouth
The 13th century Monnow Bridge, much repaired in the 1700s, is Wales' only medieval fortified bridge that's still standing - Monmouth
Looking through Monmouth Castle - where King Henry V was born in 1387 - to the Great Castle House, home to the Royal Monmouth Regiment - Monmouth
Vice Admiral Lord Nelson's fighting sword is on display at the Nelson Museum. Noel Gallagher's Wonderwall guitar was also on display in a temporary music exhibition - Monmouth
Pee in Mick Jagger's mouth?! Monmouth
Follow the Wye River and the English border south to arrive at the village of Tintern
A rain-sodden photo of Abbi the 4¼ton water wheel, who's nearly 150yrs old - Tintern
The big attraction in Tintern is the 12th century Tintern Abbey
The mist and rain give the ruins a much more atmospheric feel - Tintern
Through the abbey's east window - Tintern
A few kms south of Tintern is Chepstow, still hugging the River Wye but also a stone's throw from the coast
The River Wye is split between Gloucester on the left (England) and Monmouth on the right (Wales) - Chepstow
The bridge is a great spot to appreciate Chepstow Castle's outer walls, perched above the River Wye - Chepstow
The 11th century castle was built by William the Conqueror to subjugate the Welsh, following his earlier success in the Battle of Hastings of 1066 - Chepstow
From the castle to a hamlet across the Wye in Gloucestershire - Chepstow
The entrance to Chepstow Castle - Chepstow
These 12th century wooden doors are the oldest castle doors in Europe - Chepstow
The River Wye meanders away from the castle - Chepstow
The Severn Bridge is the main link between South Wales and England, crossing the River Severn near Chepstow and on to Bristol
Website and content Copyright © 2008-2017 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.
LINKS
www.visitwales.com - Wales tourist board
www.northwales.co.uk - guide to north Wales
www.snowdonrailway.co.uk - take a train up Snowdon, Wales' highest mountain
www.snowdon.com - more info on Snowdon
www.visitmidwales.co.uk - guide to mid Wales
www.tourism.powys.gov.uk - another site focussed on mid Wales
www.southernwales.com - guide to south Wales
www.visitbritain.com - Britain's official tourism website
www.thetrainline.com - train information across Britain
www.traveline.cymru - Wales public transport journey planner
www.nationalexpress.com - National Express coaches cover Britain
I am not responsible for the content of external websites.
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