Located on the west side of Great Britain, Wales has it’s own distinct culture and identity. I recently traveled to South Wales and experienced its unique allure firsthand. In the coming year Wales will unveil major new attractions, restored icons, and cultural firsts that reflect its burgeoning global spotlight.

 

 

New In 2026:
Artistic Museum of Contemporary Art, Cardiff’s first modern art museum, featuring 1,000 works by Welsh and international artists, with a focus on new and underrepresented voices.
www.amoca.wales/about

 

The Welsh Tube: A high-frequency rail line connecting Cardiff with nearby valleys every five minutes for the first time ever, making it easier to explore South Wales’ culture, communities and scenery. www.bbc.com/news/articles/c888j7722q6o

 

UK Pride, Newport, September 2026. Wales will host UK Pride for the first time for the nation’s LGBTQIA+ community with parades, performances and cultural celebrations.

 

 

Reopening:
Caerphilly Castle, Wales’s largest fortress, with interactive exhibits, a new visitor centre and its famously leaning tower. www.cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerphilly-castle

 

Newport Transporter Bridge: One of the world’s few working transporter bridges will again welcome guests with a new visitor centre, café and exhibitions, along with sweeping River Usk views. www.live-newport.cloud.contensis.com/heritage/en/Transporter-Bridge/Transporter-Bridge.aspx

 

South Wales makes a great getaway with plenty of places to enjoy nature’s splendor and rejuvenate body, mind and spirit. Here you’ll also find superb gastronomy, luxury hotels with exquisite gardens and warm, friendly, fun people.

 

Stay: Traveling from Cardiff, Wales’ culturally rich capital – to the quaint coastal town Cardigan, takes you to The Albion Hotel. This former warehouse has been lovingly restored with original 19th-century sketches preserved on limewashed walls to create a standout luxe boutique hotel that celebrates the town’s maritime heritage. Each handsome individually crafted en-suite room features a view of the River Teifi, custom-made furniture and reclaimed or hand picked accents. The lively pub across the street is also owned by the hotel.
www.albionaberteifi.co.uk

 

For dinner, Yr Hen Printworks, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in town showcases a changing Welsh tapas-style menu with fresh, local produce.

 

 

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
I highly recommend exploring iconic Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, located on the south west coast of Wales. It is a veritable nature wonderland offering endless activities in the glorious outdoors. Lush greenery, rolling hills, dramatic limestone cliffs, sea arches, wide-open beaches, birdlife, black sheep, extraordinary coastal walks, charming seaside towns and offshore islands are some of the many treasures in this breathtaking locale.

 

 

Foraging at Newgate Beach
Craig Evans, founder of Coastal Foraging leads an excellent foraging tour on scenic Newgate Beach, set within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, before cooking a delicious lunch of muscles, clams and other delights over a fire. It’s a great way to learn about our connection to the food, the land and sea. www.coastalforaging.co.uk Afterwards head to nearby, Pentre Ifan: the mysterious 5,000-year-old prehistoric “Floating Stone” burial chamber.

 

 

Newport
The town of Newport on the Pembrokeshire Coast offers sublime seaside tranquility with lovely coastal paths, estuary strolls and serene beaches like Parrog. The town itself features lively cafes, pubs, galleries and local shops.

 

Stay: Tucked away under Carningli Mountain ( Mountain of the Angels ) and just steps from the lovely Nevern Estuary, Llys Meddyg, a luxe boutique hotel enchants with its old-world charm and glam décor featuring woven Welsh bed-throws, original local art, refined furnishings and arresting accents. Rooms are large, bright and oh so comfortable in this country-chic Georgian townhouse. The hotel’s Secret Garden delights with its atmospheric Garden Bar, Fire Pit and the coveted Outdoor Dining Huts where guests relish the tasty local cuisine.
www.llysmeddyg.com

 

 

St. Davids
St Davids, nestled into the wild beauty of Pembrokeshire’s Coast, is a quaint city with no traffic lights, a 12th-century Cathedral, local shops and cafés. This is the perfect spot to let the sea air work its magic on a wildlife boat trip around Ramsey Island – taking in towering cliffs, coves, grey seals, dolphins, porpoise, seabirds and the stunning sea.

 

The Blue Tits: A highlight was meeting the Famous Bluetits Chill Swimmers at Whitesands Beach in St. Davids– and jumping in the water with them. This adventurous group of fun- loving, spirited, warm women (men welcome ) first came here in 2014 to swim together no matter what the temperature, and today comprise a global community of over 120,000 members across 15 countries focusing on inclusion, wellbeing, the healing power of community and pure unbridled joy. They also host holiday getaways. Founding member Sian Richardson said the group name comes from a brightly colored songbird. www.Thebluetits.co.uk

 

Stay: Penrhiw Priory in St Davids, originally built in 1884 as a vicarage with high Victorian architecture, was carefully restored and reopened in 2012 as a luxury eight-bedroom hotel. This quiet regal retreat, a lovely sanctuary with landscaped gardens that lead into a wild-flower meadow, is the perfect synthesis of rich history with the utmost modern comfort and has hosted notables including Sir Anthony Hopkins. www.penrhiwhotel.com

 

 

Tenby
Tenby, a popular seaside town set between two golden sand beaches with a castle, lifeboat stations and colorful Georgian houses surrounding a harbor, is located within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The picturesque town also has a rich literary history: Beatrix Potter was inspired to write The Tale of Peter Rabbit while staying at 2 Croft Terrace; Frankenstein author, Mary Shelley visited the area often and famed Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas, gave the first public reading in Wales of Under Milk Wood, at the Salad Bowl café.

 

Stay: The award winning 5-star Grove Hotel in Narberth, a beautiful country mansion alongside stunning cottages, tucked amid the rolling Pembrokeshire hills is considered one of Wales’ best hotels. This elegant charmer with warm, inviting Welsh ambiance, a member of Small Luxury Hotels, is set on 26 acres of lush landscaped grounds including glorious gardens – ideal for nature walks. Each room and suite is individually designed and carefully curated. Stylish interior design blends traditional Welsh elements, such as local art, antiques, textured décor and handmade furniture, with fetching modern touches. Foodies will love Fernery, the hotels’ fine dining restaurant renowned for excellent seasonal Welsh cuisine. www.grovenarberth.co.uk

 

 

For More info: www.visitwales.com / www.visitbritain.org