South Wales

South Wales is, naturally, the southern region of the country of Wales, which is in-turn a constituent country of the United Kingdom. Regions These are historic counties used for geographic purposes. Due to the large populations of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire they are divided into twelve local authorities namely Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil. Historic counties of South Wales Pembrokeshire Carmarthenshire Glamorgan Monmouthshire Cities and towns Cities Cardiff (Glamorgan) - the capital of Wales Newport (Monmouthshire) - Wales' third-largest city Swansea (Glamorgan) - Wales' city by the sea and second-largest urban center - spectacular sandy beaches St Davids (Pembrokeshire) - Britain's smallest city and home to Wales' most important cathedral Towns Barry (Glamorgan) - Seaside/Industrial town Carmarthen (Carmarthenshire) - market town Chepstow (Monmouthshire) - medieval walled town with castle, and gateway to the Lower Wye Valley Monmouth (Monmouthshire) - birth place of King Henry V (of Battle of Agincourt fame) Tenby (Pembrokeshire) - medieval walled town and elegant seaside resort Other destinations Worm's Head, Rhossili, Swansea National parks Pembrokeshire National Park Designated areas of outstanding natural beauty Gower Peninsula (Swansea) Regions Swansea Bay. As the name implies is the region that surrounds Swansea Bay. Castles Caerphilly in Caerphilly - has a leaning tower Carmarthen in Carmarthen - the ruins of Carmarthen Castle are in the town centre Carreg Cennen Castle - imposing castle near Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire Chepstow in Chepstow Llansteffan near Carmarthen Manorbier near Tenby Oxwich at South Gower, Swansea - near Oxwich Bay Oystermouth at Mumbles, Swansea - commanding views over Mumbles and Swansea Bay Pembroke in Pembroke Pennard at Pennard, Swansea - the ruins of Pennard Castle overlook Three Cliffs Bay Picton near Haverfordwest Swansea - the ruins of Swansea Castle are in the city centre Weobley at North Gower, Swansea - the castle offers views over the Loughor Estuary to Carmarthenshire Understand South Wales is a very mixed area. There is stunning pastoral scenery in many parts of South West Wales, the Vale of Glamorgan near Cardiff and the Wye Valley in the historic county of Monmouthshire. Wales' two largest cities, Cardiff and Swansea, are both located in the historic county of Glamorgan and offer an excellent selection of stores, restaurants and entertainment opportunities. The coast around Pembrokeshire and the Gower Peninsula in Swansea, in particular, have stunning coastal paths and sandy beaches, and the area boasts an abundance of castles. In addition, South Wales has a proud industrial heritage, with Port Talbot being a major steel processing town, while the valleys in central Glamorgan were once the center of the Welsh coal mining industry. Since the 60s, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire have been very popular with people involved in alternative and counter culture; consequently South West Wales has become home to many communes and organic farms. It is important to note that while Welsh people are British, they are NOT English. Calling them so would almost certainly cause offence. Talk Welsh is commonly spoken is Carmarthenshire, North Pembrokeshire and parts of west Glamorgan, but it is used much less in South Pembrokeshire, most of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. English is spoken throughout the region. Get in By car M4 motorway from London to near Carmarthen By train Great Western runs a main line service from London to Swansea, with stops in Newport, Cardiff, Bridgend, Port Talbot and Neath. Arriva Trains Wales covers the rural areas west and north of Swansea. By plane There is an international airport at Cardiff and a small airport serving private planes at Swansea By boat There are regular car ferry services from Ireland to Fishguard and Pembroke. Swansea offers mooring facilities for around 700 boats at the city's marina. By bus Cardiff, Swansea and Newport are connected to the National Bus Company network linking them to other major UK cities Get around Trains connect all the main centers of population, and a local bus network links the the stations to the smaller communities in the area. Tenby Harbor See Coastal scenery - Gower Peninsula, Millennium Coastal Path in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire Castles - Caerphilly, Cardiff, Kidwelly, Oystermouth in Swansea, Pembroke Museums and galleries - Cardiff, Swansea, Newport Picturesque small towns/villages - Llandovery, Tenby and Oxwich, Port Eynon and Rhosilli on the Gower Peninsula. Amroth Castle, ☎ 01834 813217, [1]. A unique and spectacular holiday destination, Amroth Castle occupies spacious, green grounds right where the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park meets the sparkling sands and inviting waters of Amroth Beach. The castle itself is a grand 18th century house built on the site of Amroth's original Norman fortress.  edit Do Hiking - Carmarthenshire, Gower Peninsula, Pembrokeshire Swimming - Swansea, Tenby Water sports - Swansea Work on organic farms - Wales is home to many communes and organic farms, and WWOOF [2] can arrange for volunteers to work for free at some of these places in exchange for room and board. It is an excellent way to experience life in the Welsh country-side, make friends and, at the same time, learn a little about organic farming. Festivals Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, Cardiff Dylan Thomas Festival, Swansea An annual event held between 27 October and 9 November (the dates of the poet's birth and death) to commemorate the works of Thomas. In addition, the festival hosts the awards' ceremony for the winner of the Dylan Thomas Prize [3] - a biannual writing competition for most outstanding literary talent in English, aged under 30. Dylan Thomas Fringe, Swansea. [4]. Compliments the main events at the Dylan Thomas Festival and is held at various venues throughout the city. Swansea Bay Film Festival, Swansea. [5]. The UK's largest international indie film festival. Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts, Swansea. [6]. An annual (October) three week bash of culture at various locations in Swansea, and the second largest such festival in the UK. Eat Laver bread is a puree made from seaweed and eaten for breakfast. It is a specialty of the Swansea area. Cardiff, Swansea and Newport offer the greatest number and best quality of restaurants. Drink Cardiff, Swansea and Newport have a multitude of bars and cafes. Stay safe South Wales does not have a high crime rate, though like anywhere is in the UK, caution is required, especially in urban areas. Get out Bristol and Bath are just across the Severn Bridge. Boat trips linking Swansea and Penarth with north Devon run during the summer months. This article is an outline and needs more content. 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