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www.corporate-training-events.co.uk Today the fields and hills of Mid and South Wales are green and luxuriant again and so very accessible to anyone seeking adventure! Mid and South Wales - from Aberystwyth and Llandrindod Wells in the north to Swansea and Chepstow in the south - is known for its pretty Celtic villages, medieval castles, arts and crafts, wildlife, quiet footpaths and country lanes, plunging cliffs and secluded coves. The region has something for everyone -there's walking, cycling, horse riding and water sports in the Brecon Beacons, the endangered Red Kite around Llyn Brianne, cultural events including literature in Hay-on-Wye, jazz in Brecon and international festivals in Cardiff - you can even try bog snorkeling! Llandrindod Wells, Llanwrtyd Wells, Builth Wells and Llangammarach Wells, to the north, are elegant Victorian spa towns. In August of each year Llanwrtyd hosts the less dignified but popular World Bog Snorkeling Championships - who could resist? Llyn Brianne is a stunning area which is home to the endangered Red Kite. The Red Kite is chestnut red with white under its wings and a pale grey head. Its wingspan can be up to 2m wide! The majestic bird now only survives in Mid Wales.
Hay-on-Wye is on the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons and is a world famous book town. There are more than 30 shops selling second hand and antiquarian books and they're open seven days a week. The Brecon Beacons is a national park area of green and rounded peaks, caves, lakes, waterfalls and forests. The town of Brecon holds a jazz festival in August each year. Brecon, historic Llandeilo and the market town of Llandovery are great bases for walking, cycling and horse riding in the mountains. Near Abergavenny you can experience the world of coal mining and go underground in a real coal mine. To the west, Merthyr Tydfil is a pretty thatched village with a steam railway running right into the Brecon National Park. Swansea is a vibrant youthful city with a trendy water-front development. There are more than 70 beautiful coves, bays and beaches and watersports include surfing, windsurfing, canoeing, sailing and fishing. The Gower Peninsula is home to some of the very best beaches - at Rhossili, on the western edge, there's a 3 mile beach with stunning cliff top walks down to Worm's Head - surely the most stunning promontory in the British Isles! Mumbles is a delightful Victorian seaside resort with a castle and busy yacht club.
The Afan and Neath Valleys are green, forested and lush with numerous stunning waterfalls. There's great walking and cycling along the disused tram and railways of the coal era. Just off the main road between Swansea and Cardiff is Porthcawl - an old fashioned seaside resort with some of cleanest and safest beaches around. A few minutes north of the town is Kenfig National Nature Reserve, an area of sand dunes great for bird watching and rambling. The market town of Maesteg, to the north, was a centre of iron making in the 1820s. It used to be linked to the coast by a horse-drawn tramway, remnants of which can still be seen at Porthcawl. There are two Medieval castles at Bridgend - an ancient stopover for pilgrims on their way to St David's. The town is full of old streets, cottages and houses and The Angel pub, where many of the pilgrims stayed, is still open. Merthyr Mawr is a picturesque village of thatched cottages. Legend has it that the keeper of the village's ancient New Inn would entice travelers in, murder them and then bury them in the cellar. When the inn was demolished last century, numerous skeletons were found in the grounds! It is also home to the largest sand dune system in Europe where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. The ever-shifting sands have swallowed up an entire village! Llantwit Major, south of Bridgend, is steeped in Welsh history. At the end of the 5th century a monastery, church, school and mission centre were founded here by St Illtud. Missionaries traveled from here throughout South Wales and Brittany spreading Celtic Christianity. You can see Iron Age hill forts, a Roman villa, Celtic crosses, a medieval farm and a host of Tudor buildings. The market town of Cowbridge (between Bridgend and Cardiff) dates back to Roman times and also has a medieval castle and an old town wall. Its busy main street is lined with fashionable shops, pubs, wine bars and restaurants. At Pontypridd you can visit the Rhondda National Park where ex-miners bring the coal industry back to life. Barry Island is a lively beachside resort with a promenade and pleasure park. Penarth (just outside Cardiff) has parks and gardens, an ornate seafront esplanade and a 658 ft pier. At Cosmeston Lakes there are more than 200 acres of lakes and a real 14th century village complete with buildings, livestock, battles and jousting. Wales' capital city Cardiff is just 3 hours drive from London. Its roots date back to Roman times - ancient fortifications can be see at Cardiff Castle right in city centre - but today it's a cosmopolitan, lively city. You can visit the brand new Millennium Stadium, home of Welsh rugby, which seats 72,500 spectators! In August the Cardiff International Festival and the National Eisteddfod of Wales are held. The Taff Trail- a 55 mile cycle track - starts at Cardiff and winds its way along disused rail and canal paths through the Brecon Beacons to Brecon. The leafy Wye Valley is a great place for walking, cycling and horse riding. It has also become a popular centre for canoeing and kayaking. Tintern Abbey, beside the River Wye, is one of the most romantic ruins in Britain. Britain's first stone built castle is at Chepstow and is well worth a visit.
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