Modern Weddings in the UK:  How Millennials Are Rewriting the Rules

Having shared my own midlife experience of marriage I thought I would have a look at how the world of weddings is now changing. It’s certainly been an event that has been popping up in my life of late.

My son got married in March this year and two of his close friends got married in September. One of my old school friends was also talking to me in the summer about her nephew’s wedding and sharing her feelings about her daughter’s forthcoming wedding early next year.

Plans and arrangements are definitely changing as the millennial generation start altering their status and embarking on this new phase of their life and so as a parent of a millennial or someone younger what can we expect?

Millennials Get Married Later:

This is a statistical fact in the UK for those born between 1981 and 1996. The average age for a first-time marriage in the UK is approximately 32.7 years for men and 31.2 years for women, based upon Uk Government research.

Historically (such as in the 1950s), marriage was the absolute foundation of adulthood. It was the starting block. You got married first, and then together as a young couple, you moved out of your parents’ houses, found a place to live, built your careers, and pooled your financial resources from scratch. You entered adulthood through the door of marriage. Sociologists describe this traditional marriage as a cornerstone event and many of us now in midlife and beyond remember those days.

Today, marriage is no longer the foundation; it is the roof you put on the house once the walls are fully built. Before getting married, young adults feel they must first achieve a series of independent adult milestones:

  • Finishing higher education
  • Establishing a stable career path
  • Becoming financially secure (and often paying off student debt)
  • Living together independently to test the relationship

For millennials and beyond it’s only when all of these pieces of the jigsaw are securely in place that couples look at marriage as the final celebratory “stamp” on an already successful, established life together. It is a status symbol indicating that you have successfully made it to secure adulthood, rather than a tool to help you get there. This modern marriage phenomenon is described as a capstone event.

It’s rather extraordinary how attitudes have changed within a single generation. There was a time when an unmarried couple sharing a home would have raised more than a few eyebrows, with disapproving relatives muttering about them “living in sin”. Fast forward a few decades and it’s almost the opposite — couples announcing their engagement before they’ve even lived together might be the ones raising eyebrows!

Perhaps one of the other most significant changes to marriage in recent years has been the recognition of same-sex couples. It was only in 2014 that same-sex marriage became legal in England and Wales. Today, approximately one in every 25 to 30 marriages is between a same-sex couple.

The younger generation has a wonderfully simple expression for this: “Love is love.” Three little words that sum up a transformation in attitudes that would have been almost unthinkable just a few generations ago.

The Venue is Unlikely To Be A Church:

In the UK, getting married in a church is definitively on the decline.

Until the mid-1990s, if you didn’t want a dull, clinical registry office wedding, a church was your only option for a beautiful setting. However in 1994 The Marriage Act changed the law to allow weddings at approved secular premises and in so doing the law broke the Church’s monopoly.
Couples could suddenly choose barns, castles, hotels, and stately homes. Secular venues offered convenience—allowing the ceremony, photos, and reception to happen in one place, with alcohol freely flowing—without the religious obligations or “church guilt”.

I am aware in writing this post that I have many readers all around the world. To some the next fact maybe somewhat shocking: Christianity in the UK is now a minority with only 46.2% of all people identifying as Christian, a dramatic drop from 59.3% just a decade prior. The idea of “No Religion” is soaring with 37.2% explicitly stating they have no religion.

The effect this has on a Millennial wedding is that around 61% of people aged 16 to 34 identify with no religion. This will only increase over time when you consider that amongst the younger adult age group, those aged between 18-24, less than 1% identify with the Church of England. My children were not brought up with religion at home albeit they attended schools where religion was still a component. Sociological research shows that once a generation grows up without a religion in the UK, they almost never adopt one later in life.

Because 6 out of 10 people of marrying age have no religious affiliation, and fewer than 1 in 20 identify with the established national church, the traditional church wedding has effectively become a niche subculture for millennials.

Millennials do not see a church wedding as a cultural expectation, couples instead feel free to design highly personalised, secular ceremonies that genuinely reflect their lifestyle.

Approximately 21% to 25% of UK couples get married abroad, meaning that roughly one in four weddings is now a destination wedding. Studies show that couples openly admit they choose a destination wedding specifically to avoid inviting unwanted guests without causing family drama. A wedding in Italy or France naturally slashes the guest list down to only their closest inner circle.

My son toyed with the idea of getting married abroad but ultimately chose to get married at Bath Registry Office which is housed in a stunning Grade I listed Georgian building dating back to 1775. With its sweeping grand staircases, high ceilings and prime location it offered a remarkably grand and elegant setting that defies the usual “clinical” stereotype of a standard registry office wedding. They had spent their first weekend away together in Bath and so it held fond memories.

There is a Strong Likelihood That You Won’t Have To Pay For The Wedding:

Because modern couples are marrying much later, they are typically established working professionals with independent incomes and generally, as a result, do not expect their parents to pay for their weddings.

Historically when parents pay for a wedding, traditional etiquette dictates that they get a major say in the guest list, the venue, and the style; however because Millennials view their wedding as a hyper-personalised capstone celebration of their established life together, they actively prefer to pay for it themselves. Funding the event independently allows couples to set their own rules—such as opting for a “no kids” policy, choosing a quirky secular venue over a family church, or keeping the guest list tightly curated.

Instead of handing over a blank cheque, parents are now more likely to “gift” a specific item to help relieve financial pressure—such as buying the wedding dress, paying for the bar tab, or funding the catering. For many millennial couples, if their parents do have a sum of money available to give them, the “capstone” reality means they would often rather use those funds for a house deposit or to clear student debt rather than spending tens of thousands of pounds on a single day.

The Wedding May Well Be Organised On-Line:

This would have been a completely alien concept even at the end of the last century but while Generation X witnessed the birth of the internet, Millennials were the first to grow up with it as an everyday tool, and Gen Z has never known a world without it.

Modern couples manage their banking, grocery shopping, work projects, in fact their whole lives on line. So why wouldn’t they use an app to simply apply the seamless user experience of modern software to wedding planning. It transforms a chaotic mess of sticky notes into a centralised digital dashboard.

Once upon a time, organising a wedding involved beautifully printed invitations, handwritten RSVP cards and endless telephone calls to confirm who was coming. According to 2024 research, 42% of recently married couples had created their own wedding website. Guests can now RSVP online, choose their meals and find everything they need to know at the click of a button. 

Beyond being tech-savvy, millennials use wedding websites to solve specific problems that didn’t exist for their parents’ generation:

The Multiday Event – Unlike a 1980s church-and-church-hall wedding, modern weddings often span a whole weekend (welcome drinks, the big day, hangover brunch). A website acts as a live, dynamic itinerary.

Geographic Dispersion -Couples today rarely marry in the exact village where all their guests live. Because friends and family are scattered globally, websites act as travel portals hosting suggested hotel accommodation, taxi numbers, digital maps for venue location etc

The Sensitive ‘No Kids’ Policy -Addressing “adults-only” rules can be socially awkward on a paper invite. Research again from 2024 indicates that around half of couples planning their weddings aren’t intending to include children on the guest list. This is quite a departure from the traditional family wedding, where children in their Sunday best were very much part of the celebrations. Whether this reflects rising costs, changing attitudes or simply a desire for a more grown-up occasion is open to debate.

Dietary Requirements -With soaring numbers of vegan, gluten-free, or allergen-conscious guests, a website allows couples to collect complex dietary requirements instantly via drop-down menus, which can be exported straight to the caterer.

My son opted for elegant invitations, made on line, that they distributed personally to the twenty people invited to the actual ceremony but all the rest of the preparations, including the main event in the evening for a larger group of guests was conducted on line. Their friends who were married in September created their own website for their week long wedding abroad and everything was organised from this.

A custom website serves as the very first introduction to the wedding’s “brand”—establishing the aesthetic, the dress code guidelines -yes you read that right! and the tone of the event months before a single drink is even poured.

Efficient? Absolutely.  Romantic? Well, I suppose that depends on your point of view!

Forget the Wedding Gift:

Back in the 1970s and 80s, when a lot of the Millennial parents were getting married a couple needed a department store registry to buy towels, a toaster, and fine china for their first home. Today, a 32-year-old couple likely already owns two toasters and a fully furnished flat.

The Wedding websites created above, also now allow couples to elegantly handle the modern, awkward conversation around money. Some will choose to have no gifts at all ( my son went with this option) whilst others will suggest if you wish to give a gift then there is a digital registry on the website where guests can digitally send cash neatly integrated right alongside the RSVP page.

There may be no Wedding Cake, Place Settings or Speeches:

The traditional multi-tiered, heavy fruitcake covered in hard white royal icing is effectively dead for this generation. Instead, Millennials have turned the wedding cake into a creative focal point or ditched it for something they actually like to eat.

  • Flavour Over Tradition: Modern cakes feature contemporary flavours like salted caramel, lemon elderflower (made famous by Harry and Meghan), passionfruit or red velvet.
  • The “Naked” and Floral Cake: Visually, Millennials popularised the “naked” or “semi-naked” cake—where the sponge layers are visible through a light smear of buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers or berries.
  • The Dessert Table Counter-Trend: A huge portion of Millennials opt out of a traditional cake altogether. They prefer a spectacular visual display of doughnut walls, choux pastry towers, cupcake trees or a tiered “cake” made entirely of artisanal cheese wheels for the evening party.

My son opted for no cake.

Place Cards for the guests depend upon the type of wedding meal being presented. Millennials will often maintain the idea of a “top table” but will refrain from having place cards unless it is a formal 3-5 course meal. Because Millennials prefer a relaxed atmosphere, place settings are frequently dismissed if the couple opt for a buffet style menu.

Where speeches are concerned these are predominantly still included but long, droning 30-minute speeches are a major faux pas for this generation. Millennial speechmakers frequently read their notes off their iPhones or iPads and barely ever stay standing for even 10 minutes.

Traditionally, speeches took place after the meal. Millennials frequently move them to before the food is served or split them up between courses. Historically, only men spoke (Father of the Bride, Groom, Best Man) at weddings. Millennials have completely democratised this. There is no set pattern to the speeches and the couple will often select who they want rather than following any staid traditions.

Final Thoughts:

Watching wedding traditions change can be difficult for those of us who grew up with a very different set of expectations. As parents, we naturally want to be involved, but perhaps we also need to recognise that our children are no longer starting their adult lives with marriage. They’ve already built lives of their own.

Ultimately, whether it’s a church wedding, a registry office ceremony or a celebration on a beach somewhere, surely what matters most is that the day reflects the couple and the life they’ve chosen together.

Perhaps the greatest gift we can give our children isn’t a blank cheque or a list of expectations, but the freedom to celebrate their marriage their way.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you noticed how weddings have changed over the years, or have you experienced these changing traditions within your own family? Do leave a comment below, and if you’ve enjoyed this post, please give it a like or share it with others.

Finding Love Later in Life: The Joy of a Midlife Marriage

Life is a strange but wonderful journey.

Back in January of this year I wrote a blog post entitled “Life Lessons from Personal Mantras” which somewhat explains my perspective on life. Towards the end of the post I wrote:

“Life is like a yellow brick road, there is always a start and inevitably always an end. The paths we wander, the daisy fields of sunshine we pass through, the dark angry storms we encounter are all part of the great adventure that is life.

Along the yellow brick road we will meet many people, some will be lifelong friends, others just passers by. There will be times we take a wrong turn, other times when we feel like we are going around in circles but this is all part of the path we tread, the lessons we need to learn.

Christmas 2014:

As was normal then, I met up with my three best friends for a weekend away and, on our first evening together, we sat and chatted about our year. Nothing had really changed for me. I was still working in the same job and, in February 2015, was due to celebrate 30 years in that particular career.

There was no doubt I was finding the job harder and harder. I felt as though I was doing the work of three people for the same money and my role as an “Autonomous Business Manager” was gradually being eroded as Head Office became more involved in daily life and all of us Senior Managers were brought under increasing scrutiny.

I was also going into my 13th year as a single Mum, juggling balls and hoping I didn’t drop one!

Little did I know that my yellow brick road was about to take some major turns.

In February 2015, just after my 30th anniversary, I was put on “garden leave”. It was a huge shock and not exactly the appreciative present I had expected after reaching such a milestone. I remember driving down the motorway to see my friend wondering what on earth I was going to do. I still had a mortgage to pay alongside all the usual everyday bills.

Fast forward to Sunday June 28th. I had secured a very favourable NDA with my previous company, taken some time out and was about to start a brand-new career the following day.

I was getting washed and dressed to go out to dinner with my friend when a message pinged up on my phone. Normally I would have ignored it but, knowing my friend had a tendency to be late, I thought I should check. It transpired it wasn’t a message at all but an email headed, “Hello, how are you?”

Naturally intrigued, I opened it and found a letter from someone I didn’t recognise. Reading it a second time, I realised the letter was definitely addressed to me and signed by someone who seemed to feel he knew me. I had moved a great deal during my career and, over those 30 years, had met hundreds, if not thousands, of people from all walks of life. This guy could be any one of them!

On my third attempt I realised he’d attached a photograph.I clicked on it and up popped a picture of someone I had dated for about 18 months when I was 19. We’d lived in different parts of the country and, while initially meeting every weekend and taking turns to drive from one end of the country to the other, eventually we’d drifted apart.

Unsure what to do, I headed out to meet my friend. Needless to say, I had to tell her about my letter—it was such a shock! Having quizzed me about my previous relationship with him, she persuaded me to contact him when I returned home that night. So I wrote an email back.

He responded the next day and asked if he could call me.

July 4th 2015:

Having chatted non-stop throughout that first week whenever we were both free, we agreed to meet on Saturday July 4th at 1 pm in a town equidistant from each of us.

I remember being so nervous and worrying about whether he would recognise me. I was definitely not the petite size 8/10 I had been back then, plus I was divorced with two children.

He has admitted since that he was equally nervous and actually turned up without his glasses—he hadn’t worn them in our teenage years—because he was worried about first impressions too.

We sat on the riverbank and chatted for hours, breaking for lunch at the pub across the water before returning to our place on the bank. Eventually the sky began to darken and, looking around, we realised it was getting late. In fact, it was 10 pm.

Reluctantly we parted ways, but not before agreeing to meet again for dinner the following Thursday.

The rest, as they say, is history—which leads me onto the actual point of this blog post.

(All the photos were taken by guests at our wedding, this is Mevagissey Harbour)

Preparing for a Midlife Marriage:

For the first two months of our relationship we met every weekend, alternating between houses. It was very reminiscent of our younger relationship, only this time things became serious very quickly.

We spent time relaxing and enjoying ourselves—walks along the river, picnics in the park, takeaways and movie nights—but we also talked. My goodness, did we talk!

We talked about those 30-plus intervening years. The jobs we’d done, relationships we’d attempted and failed at, hobbies, interests and family. You name it, we talked about it. And then we talked about the future.

What did we want? What didn’t we want? Could we actually knit our two lives together?

We were living nearly two hours apart by car. I had been married and divorced, had two children in their late teens and had been a single Mum for thirteen years. He had never married or even lived with anyone, had no children and had lived alone for the previous ten years.

We were two mature adults who had lived lives, made mistakes, learnt lessons and been wounded along the way. Now, somehow, we had found each other again.

It was very different to meeting someone when we were young, when we had little idea of what we wanted or even who we wanted to be. Compromise had been a somewhat alien concept back then and perhaps, like many young people, we’d imagined you simply met, fell in love and lived happily ever after. Age and experience had taught us differently.

Neither of us was prepared to go all in and simply hope for the best. If we were going to do this, we wanted to do it properly.

Three Little Words:

No, not “I love you”, but three words we each wrote down separately to sum up what was most important to us if we were going to move forward with this relationship.

It was a significant moment. Were we really on the same page? Did we value the same things in a relationship? Could this actually work?

He wrote three words with a short sentence explaining why each mattered to him. I simply delivered three words. When we compared our pieces of paper, there they were—the exact same three words:

Honesty Trust Communication

Those three words would become the foundation of our happily ever after.

We’d waited a long time to find each other again. We knew it wouldn’t always be easy, but we also knew that together we could make it work.

Twenty Years:

Two years into our relationship he had moved into my house and we’d started turning it into our home. We redecorated, changed furniture, ripped out the kitchen and turned it into an office/utility area, built a new kitchen in a different room and added a downstairs cloakroom.

He initially continued commuting to his old job before finding a new company closer to home. I left my new career, took what I’d learnt from it and started my own business.

Travelling became a shared passion that we couldn’t get enough of and, together, our life really began to take shape.

Trust had been there from the start. Neither of us ever had a reason not to trust the other.

Honesty was harder. Not because we lied to each other, but because honesty also means being truthful even when you know it isn’t necessarily what the other person wants to hear. We’d had lives before we met and, unsurprisingly, we’d developed very different ways of living them.

His life had been very routine. Mine had to be planned because of my business, but it certainly didn’t run to a strict timetable. The idea of eating dinner at exactly the same time every day was anathema to me, as was going to bed at a set time.

Then there was supermarket shopping. He had to have a certain coffee, a particular type of cheese, the same breakfast every day and specific brands of tomato ketchup and baked beans. Me? I bought whatever was on offer!

These seemingly insignificant differences taught us something important: compromise. A successful relationship isn’t about one person changing to suit the other; it’s about learning when something matters and when it really doesn’t.

Communication was equally important.

If you annoy me, I’ll tell you how I feel—sometimes blatantly honestly. I’ll listen to what you have to say and then, five minutes later, the conversation is over and life goes back to normal. He found expressing his feelings harder and could become defensive or occasionally sulk. That was where those three words came into their own.

You have to tell the other person what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling. A relationship isn’t a game of chess and stalemate doesn’t work.

One of our more serious conversations around this time concerned our health. We were both overweight. We didn’t exercise much and, although neither of us had any ailments or took medication, we knew we needed to lose weight and become fitter.

Following several conversations, we made a commitment to each other:

“Let’s have twenty years together to enjoy ourselves, be happy and healthy.”

We had already led an alcohol-free life for nearly 15 years and I had given up caffeine at the Millennium. We’d given up takeaways in January 2016.

In January 2017 we gave up processed food and began cooking our meals from scratch. We started walking regularly—initially managing just two miles before gradually increasing the distance until we walked the Sharpness to Gloucester Canal, a total of 16 miles across two days.

I also joined the gym and, after trying a variety of classes, eventually settled into attending three to five classes a week. We both lost weight. He is now almost at his ideal weight. I still have more to lose.

July 4th 2020:

This was supposed to be our wedding day. We had been together for five years and July 4th fell on a Saturday. Everything was organised.

Rather than traditional invitations, we’d designed a brochure featuring a photograph of our venue on the cover.

We had chosen to marry in Cornwall at a beautiful Victorian mansion built in 1892, perched high on a clifftop on Tregoney Hill with panoramic views over the historic fishing harbour of Mevagissey and the rugged Cornish coastline.

It was going to be a four-day celebration for just 22 close friends and family. Inside our full-colour brochure were details of everything from Friday’s teatime arrival through to breakfast and departure on Monday.

There was just one thing we hadn’t planned for -COVID!

Communication had helped us create the wedding of our dreams and communication got us through the disappointment of having to postpone it. Our special date was no longer available, but we knew how to talk to each other, how to discuss difficult things and how to make the best of what felt, at the time, like an awful situation.

When it rained for most of what should have been our wedding weekend, we sat beside the river where we’d first met five years earlier, enjoyed a beautiful picnic and toasted our new wedding date: June 17th 2021.

July 9th 2022:

Our second wedding date was also postponed as Covid lingered on and, once again, we watched the rain fall on June 17th while pondering the fact that we had to wait yet another year.

When our wedding weekend finally arrived in July 2022, the sun shone and everything went to plan. We hired a private chef so we didn’t have to worry about food. Our florist created the most beautiful natural displays, based upon our colour theme and grown in her garden, for the outside pagoda and tables, along with our bouquets and buttonholes.

Even our three-tiered, heart-shaped chocolate wedding cake had survived a saga of its own after two previous cake makers had cancelled along the way. Somehow, after all those postponements and changes, the final version turned out to be the best of the lot.

Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of getting married later in life was that we felt absolutely no pressure to make our wedding conform to anyone else’s idea of what it should be. There were no parents dictating who should attend or how things should be done.

We didn’t make speeches and we didn’t have a photographer, opting instead for my son’s best friend to make a video of the whole weekend. We wrote our own vows, created our own musical playlists and organised games for the Friday and Sunday evenings. Following our vows on Saturday we had a traditional sit-down afternoon tea, relaxed around the pool later in the afternoon and finished the day with an outdoor BBQ, music and dancing.

It wasn’t about impressing anyone or ticking boxes on a list of wedding traditions. Perhaps that confidence comes with age too. We knew who we were, we knew what mattered to us and, most importantly, we knew who we wanted around us.

We couldn’t have wanted anything more.

It was perfect.

Every anniversary, wherever we happen to be, we sit in front of a TV and plug in the video. We smile as we listen to the tears of our special friends and family who were completely overcome by the ceremony and watch the smiles on everyone’s faces as my two children entertain them with songs that remind me of my days as a single Mum.

Eleven Years and Counting:

Time rushes past so quickly and here we are, eleven years in, four years married and twelve years left of those twenty years we hoped to have together.

Final Thoughts

Falling in love and getting married later in life is very different to doing it when you’re young. We came into our relationship with history, baggage, established habits and a few scars collected along the way. But we also came into it knowing ourselves rather better than we had thirty years earlier.

Perhaps that’s one of the advantages of a midlife marriage. You’ve lived enough life to know that happily ever after doesn’t simply happen. It takes honesty, trust, communication and, occasionally, compromise over something as mundane as a brand of baked beans!

Would our relationship have worked if we’d stayed together when we were 19? Who knows. Maybe we needed those thirty years apart to become the people who were eventually ready for each other.

Eleven years later, we’re still travelling along that yellow brick road together—and I’m rather glad it took that unexpected turn.

Have you found love or married later in life? I’d love to hear whether you think age and experience changed your approach to relationships. As always, if you’ve enjoyed reading, please leave a comment or a like and subscribe to follow the next chapter of our midlife adventure.

Where Books Have Taken Me: A Lifetime of Reading, Memories and Escape

I’ve decided to take a couple of weeks off from my travel blog and my adventures in Wales and write about some more general topics. I always planned that my blog would be about:

Midlife – Midlife Opinion – Midlife Adventure

Inspired by a post from a fellow blogger, Kari who recently wrote “ Books of my Life” I started to think about how much books have impacted me across the years. So this week I guess you could say this is about midlife and my reflections.

The Old Village Library:
When I was a child it wasn’t common for Mums and Dads to read to their children at bedtime as much as they do now so I didn’t grow up surrounded by books.

My Dad liked to read but it wasn’t something he really focused upon until he retired.

My Mum felt that education was important so from a very young age I remember being taken to the library on a weekly basis. It was around the side of the Baptist Church and was a big, old building that only opened twice a week. You could smell the old books as soon as you walked in through the double wooden doors that pinged back on really strong springs often catching my school satchel in its grip as I fought my way in!

All four walls were lined with book cases stacked several shelves high. I remember those shelves being a measurement of my growth across the years. There was no keeping track against a door post at home like parents do now., my measurement was how high can I reach in the library 😊.
The centre of the room had several islands where bookcases snuggled back to back about 3-4 shelves high. I always felt the library was arranged in this way so that the beady eyed librarians, who always seemed to have hair pulled back in buns and glasses around their necks on chains, could keep an eye on the visitors particularly us children.

My first forage into literature was definitely Enid Blyton, I devoured her books. It was my first experience of losing myself into another world. In this case the childhood mysteries of the Secret Seven, the extraordinary world of The Magical Faraway Tree and the adventures at Mallory Towers.

This is the old Baptist Church and we used to have to walk through the gap you can just about see between this building and the one next door. There was a narrow pathway and the library was along on the left.

Every year at Junior School we would have an awards ceremony at the end of the summer term. Prize winners received books and this became a huge motivation for me. If I could win an award I’d actually have my own books and not just library books that were borrowed.

Looking a little worse for wear but still a wonderful reminder of my childhood

This was the start of my book collection and I still have some of those books proudly displayed on my bookshelves here at home.
When my Dad moved out of our family home I didn’t get an opportunity to return home to retrieve my belongings so stuff got lost in his move which I have to say I found quite upsetting.
Interestingly one of my old school friends found one of my award books in an old antiques/ bric a brac store not too long ago and bought it so she could return it to me!

Senior School:
Having passed my 11+ I headed off to the local Girls Grammar School at the age of 11. This was quite an adventure having to catch the bus to school. As I’ve explained in a previous post life as a young girl from a working class background wasn’t always easy and so books often became my refuge.
I wasn’t a sporty kid so when other girls were busy practicing hockey, netball and rounders during their lunch break I would squirrel myself away in the Junior School library.

I can recall this period in my book life being very much about the classics – the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, John Fowles and of course Thomas Hardy. Tess of the D’Urbervilles was my absolute favourite book at this time and having read Far From The Madding Crowd I was convinced that if I ever had a son in the future he could be called Troy!
I also dabbled a bit in historical fiction having been recommended the books by Jean Plaidy about the Tudor era and then eventually I found Tolkien. The Hobbit remains my number one favourite book ever!

For some reason I always wanted leather bound books, it felt like an upgrade from a hardback!

Working Life:
When I left school and subsequently home to make my own way in the world I initially lived in a bedsit in Basingstoke in Hampshire.
It wasn’t particularly great, I remember the icicles on the inside of the windows in Winter for example and the lad downstairs who worked as a mental health nurse and thought nothing of bringing his mates back with him in the early hours of the morning when he’d finished a night shift and making loads of noise.
My solace became my new record player and books!
I had progressed by this point onto what I considered at the time as “naughty books”. Jilly Cooper, and Jackie Collins featured heavily. Lucky Santangelo will always be one of my favourite female heroines, such an absolute “kick-ass”.
“Chicklit” as it was known then soon became my method of escapism.

As my career progressed and I moved from retail into entertainment and gaming, books were my escape. It was around this period that I discovered that if I read before bed, regardless of the time I arrived home from work (I worked various shifts, some of which didn’t finish until around midnight) I could escape to another world and cast aside all my worries and stress.
Romance books were joined by thrillers from John Grisham, Harlan Coben and Patricia Cornwall. How did John Grisham write The Appeal way back in 2008 with the main character -Carl Trudeau who basically tries to buy himself an election result? The surname even begins with a “T’. How did he predict what would happen in US politics some 18 years later?
Books from these authors often became unputdownable. I remember getting totally distracted with a cup of tea and my breakfast in bed on a day off and losing myself completely.

This was also the era of The Literary Guild which was part of Book Club Associates (BCA)
BCA was a massive part of British reading culture from the 1970s through to the early 2000s, which operated as follows:

The Monthly Catalogues: Every month, a colorful magazine or catalogue (like Chronicle or Review) would drop through your letterbox detailing the month’s top book picks.

The “Main Choice” Rule: If you wanted the featured book of the month, you didn’t have to do anything—it would be sent to you automatically. If you wanted an alternative or to skip the month, you had to fill out a tiny paper slip.

The Postal Orders: You would tick your choices on the slip, pop it in an envelope, and post it back to their Swindon processing office. When the parcel arrived, it came with an invoice that you would pay by writing out a paper cheque and posting it back. 

Wow! Memories of a time before Amazon!

Single Mum:
Being a single Mum for thirteen years brought a life that was full of juggling balls and trying to get time to read was hard but it was also around this time that I stopped buying paperbacks and focused upon hardback books. They felt more robust and looked good on a shelf.

I remember my main “reading time” being when we went away for a two week summer holiday. It was before luggage had to be weighed and so I’d squeeze about six books into my suitcases all ready to lie back on a sun bed whilst the children played in the pool. Authors like Katie Fforde, Jill Mansell, Lucy Diamond, Jenny Colgan, Cecilia Ahern and Paige Toon spring to mind.
“PS I Love You” which subsequently got made into a film made me cry and gave me so much admiration for Cecilia Ahern. This was her debut novel at the age of 21.
Paige Toon is one of my absolute favourite women’s romance (as it is called now) writers. I discovered her when we were staying in Mousehole in Cornwall back in 2012 and someone had left her book “One Perfect Summer” on the book shelf.

We also took time abroad in February half term to explore European cities so my children learnt about history and culture. As part of that holiday I would take a book to read to them.
Reading Harry Potter whilst soaking wet clothes were hung around the shared family bedroom on the top floor of a narrow hotel in Amsterdam always springs to mind when I reflect upon this period of my life. It rained nearly every day but not going out to explore wasn’t an option!

You will maybe notice one is missing. I lent it to a friend’s son and never got it back!

Retirement:
Finally reaching this era of my life reading is a hobby that I try and make time for on a regular basis. Now I have the time I consume book after book. and have a target on my Kindle that I try and reach each year. It’s like an accolade that underlines my commitment to this part of my life and highlights how hard I worked across the years to be able to leave the world of work at 55.
Nothing much has changed in terms of the genres I read although Michael Connolly and Jeffery Deaver have joined the fold. The wonderful Prime series “Bosch” and Netflix series “Lincoln Lawyer” brought me to Connelly’s books whilst Disney+ ” Tracker” gave me a loose introduction to Deaver.
Romance writers like Sarah Morgan, Sue Moorhead and the wonderful Jo Thomas also became writers of choice. Jo has a unique way of combining her love for cookery and all things “foodie” with romantic settings throughout Europe. You never know where she will take you next.

Final Thoughts:
Looking back, I realise that books have been much more than something to read.
From those early visits to the village library and the excitement of winning a book at school, through working life, motherhood and now retirement, they have been a constant companion.
They’ve given me somewhere to escape to, characters to become invested in and, quite simply, a way to switch off from everyday life.

My tastes have changed along the way, but my love of books certainly hasn’t. I suspect that will be one part of my life that never changes!

I’d love to know about your own reading journey. Have there been books or authors that have stayed with you throughout your life, or perhaps a particular book that reminds you of a special time or place? Let me know in the comments — I’m always looking for something new to add to my reading list!

If you’ve enjoyed taking this little journey through my life in books, I’d love it if you could give the post a like and share your own book memories in the comments.

A Weekend in Tenby, Pembrokeshire: Barafundle Bay, Freshwater West & Harry Potter

We woke up on Saturday Morning and having showered and dressed made our way downstairs to the dining room for breakfast. After such a large meal the night before in Tenby, we struggled a bit to manage the full English breakfast on offer.
The sun had “put his hat on” and it was looking like we could have a lovely sunny day ahead in which case we decided to head back down to the beach in Tenby before popping to the nearest supermarket to buy a picnic to take on our travels with us that day.

We always keep an electric cool box in the truck with us when we go on a road trip in the UK along with a plastic picnic set with plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. We also have a pair of matching picnic chairs with their own fold out tables and a small calor gas burner along with a kettle so we can basically stop anywhere en route.

Tenby South Beach:

Having explored the North Beach in Tenby the previous afternoon we headed straight out after breakfast to walk along the South Beach.
Stretching for a mile and a half, the golden sweep of sand felt very inviting now the sun was out and we could feel it warming up our bodies as we walked.
It wasn’t too busy, as you can see from my photo below, we shared the beach mainly with fellow walkers and the occasional dog. There are a few restrictions from May 1st to September 30th each year so it is worth checking these out on line if you intend to bring your pooch with you.
The beach with its golden sand stretches broadly from the St Catherine’s Island/Tenby end towards Giltar Point and Penally, with dunes backing much of the beach. At low tide, South Beach also connects with Castle Beach, creating an impressive roughly two-mile continuous stretch of sand. 

It was definitely a refreshing start to the day, feeling the slight sea breeze in your face as you walked.
Having completed this three mile walk we decided to head back to the car park.

Barafundle Bay:

Barafundle Bay is a remote, slightly curved, east-facing sandy beach, near Stackpole Quay in Pembrokeshire and, armed with our picnic, only a 30 minute drive West from Tenby.
Managed by the National Trust the Stackpole Quay car park is chargeable unless you are a NT member.
The Boathouse Tea-room and toilets are also sited here so its worth ensuring you have made all your preparations before setting off from the car.

Tucked away on the Pembrokeshire coast, Barafundle Bay is often described as one of Wales’ most beautiful beaches – and its reputation stretches far beyond Wales. With its crescent of golden sand, crystal-clear water and sheltered setting beneath the cliffs, it has repeatedly featured among Britain’s and the world’s best beaches.
In 2026, Time Out placed Barafundle fifth among the best beaches in Europe, while Tripadvisor currently ranks it as the No. 1 beach in Pembrokeshire.

Reaching this little slice of paradise involves a walk along the coast path from Stackpole Quay, but that sense of being slightly removed from the outside world is very much part of its appeal and we were happy to load up our picnic chairs and cooler to walk the half a mile across the headland before descending down onto the beach itself.

The descent is clearly marked by this wonderful brick archway. Be prepared to have to give way to those walking up as it is quite narrow.

The steps on the other side lead comfortably downhill on to the beach itself

As you can see it wasn’t overcrowded when we arrived. The golden sandy beach is backed by dunes and pine trees and sits within the Pembrokeshire National Park.

There are many walks available in the area, notwithstanding the fact that the beach sits on the Wales Coast Path which is an 870-mile continuous walking route that follows the entire coastline of Wales, stretching from near Chester in the north to Chepstow in the south. I have previously mentioned this in my post about Swansea.

We were more than happy to set our chairs up on the beach alongside our picnic box and just chill out and relax. Both being avid readers our Kindles were never far away!
We did venture down to the sea but only to paddle, I have to admit the water was freezing!

The afternoon disappeared quite quickly and we made sure we were back in the car park before the tea-room closed so we could finish our day off with a hot drink and a piece of cake 🍰😊

Seeking Harry Potter:

On Sunday morning we packed up our belongings and after breakfast thanked our hosts before setting off in search of another beach.

Freshwater East

Freshwater East is about a 20 minute drive west from Tenby slightly closer than Barafundle and I wanted to go there to see ‘Dobby’s Grave”. Being a massive fan of the Harry Potter books and subsequent films it was a bit of a pilgrimage for me. My intention being to spend the morning at the beach before heading home at lunchtime.
However I have to confess that on this occasion I didn’t do my research quite thoroughly enough as there are two “Freshwater” beaches, East and West.
Having walked the length of the beach and not found my treasured landmark I realised I was in the wrong place and had to sit on the beach to discover my error on my phone!

Notwithstanding this mistake the beach with its broad, mile long, sheltered sweep of golden sand backed by rolling dunes and low red sandstone cliffs is less secluded than some of Pembrokeshire’s more famous beaches.
It has a relaxed, family-friendly feel, with plenty of space at low tide for beach games and swimming. A small stream that winds its way across the southern end of the beach, adds an appealing natural touch.

Behind the sand lies The Burrows, an extensive dune system that has been carefully restored and is now an important haven for wildlife.

Freshwater East also has a fascinating past: once a popular Victorian bathing spot, the bay was also associated with coastal smuggling, while at exceptionally low tides the remains of a submerged forest can sometimes be glimpsed in the sand.

Freshwater West:

Having awakened our senses with a bracing walk along “the wrong beach” we headed back to the truck and set off to Freshwater West.
Another 25 minute drive further west I was still determined to reach my final destination of our weekend trip.

Freshwater West has a very different character from the sheltered beaches further along the Pembrokeshire coast, it is wild, windswept and undeniably dramatic.

Its broad sweep of golden sand is backed by an extensive system of dunes, while rocky outcrops and small bays add to its rugged appeal. The beach is particularly renowned for its surfing, with powerful waves and strong currents making it a favourite with experienced surfers.

Freshwater West also has a rather more magical claim to fame hence the reason I made this pilgrimage. It provided the backdrop for scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, including Dobby’s death and burial, while Shell Cottage was built here specially for the film before being removed after filming.
Today, a cairn in the dunes marks what has become known as Dobby’s Grave, created by Harry Potter fans at the location where the burial scene was filmed. The cairn is an accumulation of pebbles and stones that avid fans have laid in his memory along with socks to mark him” as a free elf”. Some have been decorated in advance;

Whether you are a Potter fan or not, it is a memorable addition to this spectacular stretch of coastline and a wonderful tribute to a movie character that stole every one of Harry Potter fan’s hearts including mine ❤️

Final Thoughts:
Our weekend in Tenby and Pembrokeshire had turned out to be a wonderful combination of coastal walks, beautiful beaches, good food and, for me, a little Harry Potter pilgrimage thrown in for good measure.

From the broad sweep of Tenby South Beach to the beautiful seclusion of Barafundle Bay, and finally the wild coastline of Freshwater West, each beach had its own very different character. Even my unintended visit to the wrong Freshwater beach became part of the adventure – and gave us another lovely stretch of coastline to explore along the way!

Most importantly, we had managed to pack a lot into a relatively short weekend without ever feeling rushed. With a few more corners of Pembrokeshire still waiting to be discovered, I have a feeling this won’t be our last visit.

If you’ve enjoyed coming along on our little Pembrokeshire adventure, I’d love to hear from you. Have you visited any of these beaches, or perhaps discovered another favourite in the area? Or maybe you are a Harry Potter fan?
Please feel free to leave a comment below and, if you enjoyed the post, a like is always much appreciated. 😊

A Weekend in Tenby, Pembrokeshire: Beaches, Food and Coastal Charm

My husband and I had planned to embark on a road trip around Wales back in May. However, we forewent that idea in favour of spending a month living in Antigua and put our Welsh adventure on the back burner for another time.

Having enjoyed a midweek break in the Brecon Beacons, my thoughts wandered back to a previous weekend we had spent in Tenby.

Tenby :

This town on the Pembrokeshire coast had been on our radar for some time. I had vivid memories of the colourful houses clustered around the beautiful sandy beach from when I had visited with my children when they were younger, back when we were still living in Essex.

With its narrow streets, pretty Georgian and Victorian houses, glimpses of the sea around almost every corner and picturesque harbour, Tenby felt like somewhere we would really enjoy exploring for a weekend.

We decided that an out-of-season weekend would be the perfect time to discover it for ourselves, when the town would hopefully be a little quieter and we could appreciate its character at a more leisurely pace.

The Coach Guest House:

I don’t normally mention specific accommodation when I write my posts because I always feel that finding the right place to stay is a very personal decision, depending on your budget and what you are looking for. However, on this occasion I feel the accommodation is worth mentioning. Having not stayed in a UK B&B for some time, we were more than pleasantly surprised.

Driving into the town on Friday afternoon, we became aware very quickly that parking is somewhat limited, so we were really happy that this was provided by the guest house just across the road. It is free from midday on the day of arrival if you book directly with the owners, or £4 per day from 2pm when you use an online travel site.

The car park is barrier-operated and we were provided with a key fob that allowed us through the barrier to our allocated parking space. There is a space available for every room, and the fob is also needed to exit the parking area, providing an extra level of security and peace of mind.

We were met on arrival by Mike, who owns and operates the property with his wife, Jocelyn. We had chosen a room at the front of the property on street level to avoid having to carry our luggage up the stairs. It was beautifully decorated, quiet and well furnished, with everything we needed for a comfortable stay.

We decided to spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town and finding somewhere to eat dinner. As you can see from my photos, we weren’t, at this point, blessed with wonderful weather 😊 but that is always a gamble you take when taking a weekend away in the UK.

Tenby North Beach:

These three photos were taken on North Beach, with its sweeping crescent of golden sand framed by the colourful houses of the town.

It was low tide, so the beach stretched out towards the harbour, providing wonderful views along the Pembrokeshire coast, with the historic town rising behind it. In the foreground is the distinctive Goskar Rock, rising from the sand at its centre.

The Tap & Tan:

Tenby isn’t your traditional UK seaside resort, with tacky souvenir shops, endless fish and chip shops and burger joints, which for us was a blessing.

Tucked away in The Mews, just off Upper Frog Street, we discovered Tap & Tân. It was the sort of place that could easily be missed if you didn’t know it was there, but once inside we found a lively, informal bar and restaurant with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

Tap & Tân has strong links with Tenby Brewing Co., so craft beer is very much part of the experience, alongside a menu centred around slow-smoked barbecue. Rather than trying to decide between all the tempting choices, we opted to share the Full Feast BBQ Platter.

It arrived laden with a selection of smoked meats and sides, making it the perfect choice for us as we got to sample a bit of everything. There was plenty to eat, and the combination of smoky flavours, generous portions and the relaxed atmosphere made for a great start to our weekend.

We definitely didn’t expect to find BBQ tucked away in a corner of a Welsh seaside resort!

We went to bed on Friday night completely full up with food and wondering how we were going to face the full English breakfast included in the room rate the next morning!

Final Thoughts:
Our first evening had given us a lovely introduction to Tenby, but the best was yet to come. The following day we were heading out to explore some of the spectacular coastline surrounding the town – and, as lovers of beautiful beaches, we were particularly looking forward to what we might discover at Barafundle Bay and more importantly, for me, as a fan of both the Harry Potter books and films, whether I could find the beach used in the scenes of Dobby’s death 😢

Clyne Gardens in Swansea: Japanese Bridges, Giant Trees and Hidden History

Having filled ourselves up on fish and chips my husband and I set off back down the road towards Swansea, by car to Clyne Gardens.

We both enjoy walking around both public and private gardens and still have fond memories of another garden in Wales we visited previously called Dyffryn Gardens.
The above map of the gardens is displayed near the entrance and on the whole we didn’t find it too difficult to follow.

A Brief History of Clyne Gardens

Clyne Gardens has its origins in the late 18th century, when a house known as Woodlands was built on the estate in 1791. The property was acquired by the wealthy Swansea industrialist William Graham Vivian in 1860, and he subsequently transformed the house into the impressive Clyne Castle while developing the surrounding grounds into landscaped gardens. 

However, it was Admiral Algernon Walker-Heneage-Vivian, who inherited the estate in 1921, who had perhaps the greatest influence on the gardens we see today. He was a keen horticulturist, particularly passionate about rhododendrons who loved to go on overseas plant-hunting trips. It was as a consequence of these expeditions that he introduced many rare and exotic plants that can still be seen today.
He also created several of the gardens’ distinctive features, including the Japanese Bridge, lake, Gazebo and viewing tower. 

Following the Admiral’s death in 1952, the estate was sold to meet death duties. 
Swansea Corporation acquired the gardens and opened the former private pleasure grounds as a public park in 1954, while Clyne Castle itself subsequently became associated with Swansea University and has since been sold and made into private apartments.  

Today, Clyne Gardens covers around 50 acres and is particularly renowned for its spectacular rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as its collection of mature and unusual trees.
The historic importance of the gardens was formally recognised when Clyne Park was added to the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales at Grade I in 2022. 

We took a minute, at the start, to decide upon a route. Walking clockwise we could easily see all the key sites within the park. Many photos were taken en route and so I’ve tried to include as many as possible because it was a truly colourful and an enjoyable stroll.

The Tower:

This cylindrical rubble-stone tower was built for the Admiral, aforementioned, in 1928. It is roughly 5 metres high with an anti-clockwise spiral staircase and an iron railing ending in a castellated viewing platform. It was built so that the Admiral could admire his flourishing large-leaved Rhododendrons.
The Rhododendrons, many of them new to European cultivation, but then only 30 cm tall, have grown much more than was anticipated when this Tower was built.

The Tower, itself along with other key features of the garden was designed by Mr David Thomas and constructed by Mr Arthur Mugford; both employees of the Estate.
The Admiral commissioned such features for his own pleasure and that of his wife and three young daughters after recognising the talent of Mr Thomas when he was a carpenter in the Vivian’s Hafod copperworks.

The Tower is now listed by CADW and cannot be changed in any way.
Cadw is the historic environment service of the Welsh Government, responsible for protecting, conserving, and promoting the heritage and historic sites of Wales. The name “Cadw” is a Welsh verbal noun that translates to “to keep” or “to protect”.


Walking on from the tower we headed past the gunnera -giant rhubarb

and followed a path amongst some rhododendron trees

Until we reached the Japanese Bridge

The Japanese Bridge:

This is one of the iconic places in Swansea, beloved by photographers, because of its striking colour. The wooden bridge, painted a deep red with white finials, spans the outlet from the man-made lake.

The Admiral had visited Japan and China in 1900 whilst in the Royal Navy, where it is assumed he saw this landscape and photographed it maybe as a keepsake or maybe for future plans.
He showed David Thomas this small photograph, who then spent a week in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, where together with the staff there he produced a design for the bridge. The bridge was then built on site and has stood in its current position since 1929! Thomas also created the lake and the waterfall by damming the Brock Hole stream that flows from Clyne Common into the sea at Blackpill.

Unfortunately after 40 years the original bridge fell into disrepair until in 1973 the skills of two Council carpenters -David Jones and Steve Tooze, enabled an exact replica of the bridge to be put in its place. The bridge is now listed with CADW and cannot be changed in colour or style.

The bridge and associated waterfall above are an ideal spot to take a break and just listen to the sounds of nature whilst sitting in the sunshine. It felt very therapeutic and at the same time slightly unbelievable that I was sat in a public park that was being cared for so lovingly.

Heading up and away from the bridge we stopped once again, this time to admire the view across the bay.

And then following the path around to the Castle

The Castle:

It is somewhat unbelievable that this was once used as student accommodation before being sold and made into private apartments.

In front of the Castle are two magnificent trees: a Monterey Cypress and a Giant Sequoia.
Under the skill and imagination of the Admiral Clyne Gardens became a sort of Victorian/Edwardian botanical experiment, with exotic trees and shrubs being introduced from around the world. The present gardens contain more than 10,000 mature trees, and many of the most impressive specimens date from the 19th century.

By the mid-19th century, newly introduced Californian giant sequoias had become highly fashionable among wealthy British landowners. They were planted partly because they were exotic curiosities and partly because their extraordinary eventual size made them spectacular statement trees.
This living example of the Admiral’s foresight is now more than 150 years old.

Returning to the path we crossed the Italian Bridge

The Italian Bridge:

Although quite modest today — a small single-span stone and concrete bridge, the Italian Bridge is actually rather more significant than it first appears -the bridge was deliberately designed as an ornamental feature and is virtually the only surviving architectural element of an entire Italian garden that has otherwise disappeared.
The formal Italian-style garden, was laid out below the south front of the Castle and included a formal arrangement of planting with ornamental statues. Running water created a pool beneath the bridge and a series of water channels that ran down the slope.

The Magical Story Tree:

Having crossed the bridge, just a little further along the path is the Magical Story Tree

Among the gardens’ more unusual features is this wonderfully whimsical, carved tree with its own little outdoor theatre, where children can sit and listen to traditional Welsh tales.

This rather modern addition is essentially a large tree trunk carved with a face, with a small semicircular area of seating in front of it, creating a little outdoor storytelling theatre.

Heading off down the path our walk soon ended at the toilets and cafe. Like everything else at Clyne Gardens this is not your usual cafe but a lovely blue caravan surrounded by flowering pots.

We happily ordered drinks and took a rest before leaving the park behind and heading back to our cottage in the country to prepare for our return drive home the next door.

Final Thoughts:
Our afternoon at Clyne Gardens turned out to be a lovely way to round off our time in Swansea and to celebrate my husband’s birthday. He really enjoys photography and with its colourful rhododendrons, magnificent trees, fascinating history and unexpected features, there was something interesting around almost every corner for him to capture.

I particularly loved the Japanese Bridge and it was such a pleasure to see such a historic garden being so lovingly cared for as a public park.
If you enjoy gardens, history and a leisurely walk, Clyne Gardens is definitely somewhere I would recommend adding to your Swansea itinerary.

Have you visited Clyne Gardens or any other garden of significance ? If so, I’d love to hear what you enjoyed most. Please feel free to leave a comment and, if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to give it a like.

Swansea Revisited: A Day Exploring Swansea Bay and Mumbles

Waking up on day two of our trip we were met with torrential rain. The sort of rain that when you are away you just want to hunker down inside with a good book, some snacks and a hot cup of tea and not venture out. Our plans, therefore, to explore the other waterfalls went on hold.

I already had a plan for day three of our trip because it was my husband’s birthday. When I asked him several months ago what he wanted to do on his birthday and, not being one to celebrate his birthday until he met me, he said “I’d like to eat fish and chips on the seafront somewhere”. So I waved my magic wand and we set off for Swansea.

The A465:
It’s worth mentioning that the majority of our 45 minute drive was down the A465, known as the Heads of the Valleys Road. Once an existing historic trunk road, its entire 28-mile South Wales stretch was fully modernised and reopened as a brand-new dual carriageway in May 2025 following a massive 23-year upgrade project.
Starting in 2002, the project involved an investment of around £2 billion, with more than 40 bridges and 12 new junctions added to improve safety and connectivity between West Wales and the Midlands.
The road passes through the steep and visually dramatic Clydach Gorge, surrounded by national park land, as well as forested hillsides, green valleys and dramatic elevated sections that are particularly beautiful at dawn and again at sunset

Swansea -The City:
As previously explained in my Introduction to Wales, Swansea is the second-largest city in Wales and has a reputation for combining city life with some of the country’s most beautiful coastline.
With a population of around a quarter of a million, it sits on the beautiful sweep of Swansea Bay, with a long history stretching back to the medieval period.

The city’s fortunes really grew during the Industrial Revolution, when coal, copper and other industries transformed Swansea into a major centre of industry and earned it the nickname “Copperopolis.” Much of that industrial heritage has now disappeared, but reminders of the city’s past can still be found alongside a rather more modern and relaxed waterfront.
Today, Swansea is a lively university city with a mix of history, culture, beaches and plenty of places to eat and explore.

Swansea Marina and Maritime Quarter:
We began by parking near The Pump Waterfront Bar which allowed us access onto the marina itself. It’s a really lovely place to walk around.
It’s hard to imagine today, but Swansea Marina and the surrounding Maritime Quarter were once a working industrial dockland. The old South Dock closed in 1969 and the area subsequently fell into decline. During the early 1980s, however, an ambitious regeneration project began, transforming the derelict dock into a marina surrounded by apartments, restaurants and leisure facilities. The marina opened in 1982 and, more than 40 years later, the area has become one of Swansea’s most attractive waterfront neighbourhoods.

National Waterfront Museum:
Whilst we didn’t have time to fit this into our schedule The National Waterfront Museum is a great place to discover how Wales was shaped by industry, innovation and its close relationship with the sea. It is housed in a striking modern building, cleverly combining the old with the new, with the original Grade II-listed warehouse forming part of the building.

Inside, you’ll find everything from steam engines and historic boats to displays exploring Wales’s industrial heritage, including coal mining, iron and steel, copper and transport. The museum helps to explain Swansea’s transformation from a busy industrial port into the modern waterfront it is today.

And best of all, it’s free to enter!

Missy’s Bakehouse:
Just along the waterfront from the museum is this lovely cafe, well known for its cakes and pancakes. We popped in for a coffee, happily taking in the view across the water whilst envying the other patrons with their stacked pancakes. They did look delicious, ranging from strawberry and hazelnut to pistachio and white chocolate. I managed to get a quick photo of the raspberry and white chocolate pancakes!

We’ve definitely added this cafe to our list of places to return to in the future.

Swansea Market:
From the harbour we took a little detour, just a ten minute walk from the waterfront is the market. I think you can gauge a lot about a place from its market. In Swansea it’s the sort of place where you can have a browse, grab something to eat if you are feeling peckish and get a feel for everyday life in the city.
Open Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, and then 8 until 5pm on Saturdays, this market has been a central part of Swansea life for centuries, although today’s market is housed in a much more modern building following the destruction of the previous market during the Second World War.

Inside, there was a wonderfully eclectic mix of stalls selling everything from fresh Welsh produce, meat and seafood to cheese, gifts and other local specialities such as the famous Welsh cakes. I was tempted and bought some cakes and fresh produce to take back to the car so we could eat them later when we returned to the cottage.
For me, the market offered another side to the city, not quite as polished as the waterfront, but nonetheless interesting.

The Wales Coast Path:
We headed back to the car to drop off our purchases before walking out onto the coast path.
The Wales Coast Path is an 870-mile continuous walking route that follows the entire coastline of Wales, stretching from near Chester in the north to Chepstow in the south.
Here in Swansea it is possible to walk from Swansea Marina all the way around Swansea Bay to the Mumbles, a distance of about 5 miles, with the majority of the route following a broad, flat promenade beside the beach.


Swansea Beach:
With the sound of the sea, the fresh breeze and the wide-open views, this was a welcome opportunity to stop for a while and take in our surroundings. Sometimes, when you’re travelling, it’s these quieter moments that are just as enjoyable as ticking another attraction off the list.
There is something rather lovely about simply sitting on a beach and watching the world go by. It feels a little bit luxurious, allowing life to just stand still for a moment.
Stretching out along the sweeping curve of Swansea Bay, the beach gives you a wonderful view across the water, with the Mumbles headland providing a natural backdrop in the distance.
For me, it was a chance to reminisce. I had worked here during my career way back in 1982 and lived in a flat in The Mumbles. The city had certainly changed since then, but I thought for the better. It felt more alive, more modern and cleaner.

Alas time was ticking by, my stomach was nudging me that lunch was required and there was one last place to visit this afternoon.

Mumbles:
Returning to the car we drove the 15 minutes to a car park right on the seafront in the
Mumbles.
This quaint village has a charm all of its own. It was once a small fishing and pilot village. The pilots were highly skilled sailors who knew the waters around Swansea Bay. They would go out in small boats to meet incoming ships and guide them safely through the bay and into Swansea docks, navigating around sandbanks, rocks and changing tides.

During the Victorian era, the village gradually became a popular seaside resort. Its popularity was helped by the Swansea and Mumbles Railway, which began carrying passengers in 1807 and is widely recognised as the world’s first passenger railway service. It wasn’t a railway in the modern sense. It was originally a horse-drawn railway, with horse-drawn coaches running on rails between Swansea and Mumbles. Steam locomotives didn’t appear on the line until much later.
Today, known affectionately as “Mumbles” (and sometimes referred to as the “Mumbles Mile”), much of the village character remains, with its independent shops, cafés and restaurants clustered around the seafront. It’s a lovely place to simply wander without a particular agenda. The promenade, colourful seafront and old buildings give it a wonderfully relaxed, slightly quirky character.

Prior to settling down on the seafront for lunch I did try to locate my “old flat” but alas 40+ years later my memory didn’t deliver.
We did, however, manage to find Johnnies on Chapel Street, a traditional fish and chip shop established in 1939, which provided me with many a Friday night meal back in the day!
Serving the area for many years it was still as unpretentious as I remembered. We bought two generous portions of freshly cooked fish and chips, each presented in a cardboard box rather than good old fashioned newspaper, times are changing!

Sitting on the seafront, on a comfortable bench, looking out at the waves once again with the elusive smell of fish, chips and vinegar wafting up our noses I’d managed to deliver my husband’s birthday lunch as requested 😊

Final Thoughts:
Our morning in Swansea turned out to be the perfect birthday treat, combining a little sightseeing with some old memories, beautiful coastline and, of course, fish and chips on the seafront! It was lovely to return to a city that had been part of my life more than 40 years ago and discover how much it had changed, whilst still retaining some of the charm that I remembered.

But our day wasn’t over yet! After lunch, we headed off to explore a beautiful park nearby, which I’ll be sharing with you in next week’s post.

Have you visited Swansea or Mumbles? Perhaps you have your own memories of the area, or somewhere else in Wales that you think we should explore. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment below. And if you’ve enjoyed this post, don’t forget to give it a like!

Brecon Beacons: Waterfalls, Woodland and a Rural Retreat

We left Hay-on-Wye behind us and set off for our final destination of the day Ystradfellte within the Brecon Beacons National Park which was to be our home from home for the next 5 nights.
I had chosen accommodation that I had visited previously with my friends and although a little awkward to get to I knew that “Conan” my trusty Barbarian truck would be fine.

The 3 bedroom cottage, set in the ‘Waterfalls Country’ of the Brecon Beacons National Park. sits in 27 acres of its own pasture, woodland and river frontage. It is very secluded and with the famous waterfalls on the doorstep, no near neighbours, tranquil surroundings and a cozy wood burner, the cottage offered us a rural retreat and was ideal for travellers like us seeking peaceful seclusion.
(I am happy to pass on the details if anyone requires the information)

Having already eaten a substantial lunch we spent the first evening settling in before waking up the next day ready to explore.

Brecon Beacons:
The Brecon Beacons, officially known as Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, are one of the most spectacular landscapes in Wales. Stretching across the heart of the country, the area is a beautiful mix of rolling green hills, rugged mountains, ancient woodlands, dramatic waterfalls, winding rivers, and open moorland.

Unlike some mountain regions that feel harsh and forbidding, the Brecon Beacons have a softer, almost timeless beauty. Stone walls divide patchwork fields, sheep graze on the hillsides, and quiet country lanes lead to hidden valleys and charming villages. The scenery changes constantly—from sweeping panoramic views across the peaks to shaded woodland paths where waterfalls tumble into crystal-clear pools.

The national park is best known for Pen y Fan, the highest peak in Southern Britain, but it is equally famous for Waterfall Country, where rivers have carved deep gorges through the landscape and created a series of spectacular cascades. On a clear day the views seem to stretch forever, while mist and low cloud can give the mountains a mysterious, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

The Four Waterfalls Walk:
The Four Waterfalls Walk is one of the most popular circular walks in the Brecon Beacons. It takes you through the beautiful Waterfall Country near Ystradfellte, with one of the car parks sited at the end of the track that leads to our temporary home. Walkers share the path, which isn’t very wide, with vehicles driving to our cottage but turn off right a few hundred yards beforehand thus no one walks past the door, so to speak, unless of course they get lost.

The walk covers 5 -6 miles and takes between 2.5 and 4 hours to complete depending upon your fitness levels and how much you get distracted by the beautiful scenery around you.
The walk is well signposted, but it involves a lot of steps and some steep descents, so good walking shoes or boots are strongly recommended.

Sgwd Clun Gwyn:
Sited just 200 yards from our front door was as far as we ventured on our first full day!
It was enough of an excursion to realise that visitors, which can number over 250,000 in any given year, were ill prepared for what lay ahead.
Research on line clearly shows that whilst the walk is well signposted, it involves a lot of steps and some steep descents, so good walking shoes or boots are strongly recommended.
We saw a lot of visitors in flip flops and sandals who were so focused on following the various way markings they were actually walking past this first waterfall 🤷‍♀️

Sgwd Clun-Gwyn is a broad, stepped waterfall that tumbles over a series of rocky ledges rather than plunging in a single dramatic drop. The water spreads across the width of the Afon Mellte river, creating several cascades that seem to merge into one another. It has a quiet beauty and so I was quite happy to sit and simply watch the water make its way over the dark stones.

There were points where other visitors disturbed the silence which is only to be expected although there were times where I personally felt some people were taking a risk in order to obtain their personal Instagram photo. The beautiful appearance of the waterfalls masks the very real danger of the fast-flowing river, slippery rocks and the 30 foot drop across its striking tiered rock ledges.

Evening:
We finished our first full day sitting around the outdoor burner with me trying to cook sausages and onions in a frying pan to make hot dogs for tea. It’s a long time since I’ve cooked on an open fire and I can’t say that memories flooded back 😊. My hair and clothes stank of smoke afterwards and I guess I realised that outdoor camping isn’t for me.

Final Thoughts:
Our first full day in the Brecon Beacons was perhaps more about discovering our surroundings than ticking places off a list. With a beautiful cottage, the sound of the river nearby and Sgwd Clun-Gwyn just a short walk from our front door, we certainly couldn’t complain.

Have you visited the Brecon Beacons or walked the Four Waterfalls Walk? I’d love to hear about your experiences, so please leave a comment below — and if you’ve enjoyed reading about today’s Welsh adventure, don’t forget to give the post a like.

Hay-on-Wye: Exploring the Town of Books

Last week I wrote a quick introduction to Wales as a foreword to some of the adventures we have been having as we explore this fascinating country to the west of England. Our first destination was Hay-on-Wye.

Leaving home mid morning we headed north via Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye and in just under 2 hours we had driven across the invisible border and into the county of Powys and arrived in the small but vibrant, famous market town of Hay-on-Wye.

Known globally as the “Town of Books,” it features over 20 second-hand and specialised bookshops. Both my husband and I spend a fair chunk of our time reading and so this was a place that had sat on my wish list to visit for some time.

Parking on Oxford Street we exited the car park and started our exploration at the castle less than a 5 minute walk away.

Hay Castle & Tearooms:
Walking in through the gateway we are immediately met with a large homemade book stall for visitors to browse. There are no staff, no till, just an honesty box. Visitors are invited to browse the shelves and then place their money in the box. It has been one of Hay-on-Wye’s best-known quirks since the 1960s and is part of the town’s “Town of Books” heritage. Although the Hay Castle Trust is exploring “tap and pay” options to bring this 1960s curio into the 21st century. But what an introduction to this bookish town!

Located in the heart of the town the castle is a beautifully restored medieval fortress dating back to the late 12th century. Once a Norman stronghold and later a Jacobean mansion, it reopened to the public in 2022 as a cultural centre celebrating the town’s literary heritage.

Having purposely arrived at lunchtime and read about the on site tearooms in advance we wander up the magnificent stairway and make our way inside.

As directed we wait to be seated and were offered a selection of tables to choose from and decide to sit by the large windows that overlook the lawn and flood the café with natural light. Having perused the menu, I chose a sun blushed tomato, hummus and avocado toastie whilst my husband opted for the chorizo, mozzarella, oregano and sun blushed tomato version and we shared some fries.
The food arrived well presented and hot. It was so tasty that we both chose a dessert afterwards. There was a unique ambiance to the place as if we were sitting amidst real history, it felt lovely and somehow special to be eating there. I can’t really explain but we both remarked upon it.

Exiting the cafe feeling thoroughly sated and somewhat spoilt we took ourselves off into town to explore. Everywhere you look there are bookshops, some specialise in specific genres whilst others carry general stock. Many of the larger bookshops are open throughout most of the year and, during the summer, some stay open into the evening.

We managed to take a rather circuitous route, allowing us to walk past the majority of them.

Hay-on-Wye Booksellers:

This first shop we came upon specialises in second-hand, out-of-print, and collectible books, with shelves packed across multiple rooms and subjects ranging from literature and history to travel, art, and local Welsh interest. The atmosphere is delightfully old-fashioned—less curated than some of the newer shops, and all the better for it if you enjoy the thrill of discovering an unexpected treasure.

The Clock Tower and Poetry Bookshop:

Built in 1881 for £600, the clock tower stands at the intersection of Broad Street and Lion Street and is a key feature of the “Town of Books. In the foreground is the Poetry Bookshop. Hidden just off Lion Street, The Poetry Bookshop is a Hay-on-Wye institution dedicated exclusively to this genre since 1979. Renowned for its remarkable collection of new, second-hand, and antiquarian poetry books, it offers a peaceful, atmospheric space that perfectly captures the town’s literary soul.

Richard Booth’s Bookshop:


Richard Booth’s Bookshop is the iconic bookshop that helped make Hay-on-Wye famous as the world’s first “Book Town.” 
Founded in 1962 by the visionary bookseller Richard Booth, the landmark shop originally served as a commercial centre for agricultural supplies before being transformed into a bookshop. Remnants of its past are reflected in the storefront which features distinctive decorative tiles depicting livestock.
It occupies a large three-storey building on Lion Street and is famous for being the largest secondhand bookshop in town. Packed with new, second-hand, and rare antiquarian books across almost every imaginable subject it is more than just a bookshop, it is a cultural institution that captures the eccentric, literary spirit of Hay-on-Wye and remains one of the town’s must-visit attractions.

Gay on Wye:

A welcoming independent bookshop on Lion Street dedicated to LGBTQ+ literature, queer history and contemporary writing. Its thoughtfully curated shelves make it an interesting addition to Hay-on-Wye’s already remarkable collection of specialist bookshops.

The Book Passage:

The Book Passage is a narrow, atmospheric alleyway that runs beside Addyman Books on Lion Street which leads to the shop’s famous £1 book room. It is one of the most photographed spots in the town, with books lining the walls and creating the feeling of walking through a literary tunnel.
As the last stop on our walking tour of the town, it perfectly captures the quirky, treasure-hunting spirit of Hay-on-Wye, where every corner seems to hide another shelf of literary discoveries. 

And after wandering around all those bookshops, did we come away with armfuls of books? Surprisingly, no! Perhaps the real joy was simply discovering how much there was to browse

Worth Noting:
Although we came to Hay-on-Wye for the books but the town is equally rewarding for riverside
walks, exploring the historic castle, independent galleries, markets, and outdoor adventures on the River Wye.

Final Thoughts:
Hay-on-Wye turned out to be far more than just a collection of bookshops. Yes, the literary heritage is everywhere you look, but what really stayed with me was the atmosphere—the honesty book stall at the castle, the beautiful tearooms, the independent businesses, and the sense that the whole town celebrates curiosity and creativity. It’s the sort of place that encourages you to slow down, wander without a plan, and enjoy the simple pleasure of discovering something unexpected.

If you’ve ever visited Hay-on-Wye, I’d love to know which bookshop was your favourite or what hidden gem we should look out for next time. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and leave a comment below—it really helps support the blog and I always enjoy reading about your own adventures.

Discovering Wales: A Small Country With A Big Story

I’m conscious before I begin writing about some recent adventures in Wales that my blog attracts people from all around the world, for which I am extremely grateful, so I do think an introduction is necessary.

The Gower Peninsula, Mount Snowdon and the Llynnau Mymbyr lakes located in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales.

The UK is divided into four different countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In terms of land area England is the largest at just over 50,000 sq miles, fairly similar to New York State for those living across the pond. With about 58 million people living in England this represents 84% of the overall population of the UK, equivalent to the total populations of Texas, Nevada and Florida. If these three states had England’s population density, they would contain over 500 million people!

In comparison Wales is only 8100 sq miles, just a little smaller than the state of New Jersey with a population of only 3.2 million, equivalent to the state of Iowa.

A Brief History of Wales

Wales may be one of the smaller countries in the UK, but it has a history that punches well above its weight. Long before England existed, Wales was home to Celtic tribes, hillforts and early kingdoms and the Welsh language that is still spoken today has roots stretching back over 1,500 years.

The Romans arrived in the first century AD and left their mark with roads, forts and settlements, but when they departed, a number of Welsh kingdoms emerged.
Wales remained independent for much of the early medieval period, although there were constant battles between Welsh rulers and the growing power of the English kings across the border.

Wales was eventually conquered in 1282, by King Edward I who built the impressive castles that still dominate places such as Caernarfon, Caerphilly, Conwy and Harlech today.

Main picture -Caerphilly Castle and Above from left to right: Harlech Castle, Caernarfon Castle and Conwy Castle

Wales was formally incorporated into the Kingdom of England in the 16th century under the Laws in Wales Acts, but it never lost its distinct identity. The Industrial Revolution transformed the country into a powerhouse of coal mining and steel production, and Welsh culture, music and language remained remarkably resilient.

Today, Wales is a modern nation with its own parliament, the Senedd Cymru, a strong sense of national pride and a landscape that ranges from dramatic mountains to beautiful coastlines. It is also a country where its heritage remains very much alive, with the Welsh language continuing to be spoken by communities across the country and playing an important role in everyday life and culture. Wales has a fascinating past, but one that still feels very much alive in the present.

Wonderful Landscapes:
One of the things that surprised me most about Wales is just how much the landscape changes as you travel around.
In the south and west, you’ll find some truly beautiful coastline, with long sandy beaches, hidden coves and dramatic cliffs that seem to go on forever. The Pembrokeshire coast, in particular, feels like the sort of place where you could happily lose an entire afternoon just wandering.

Rhossili Bay

Head north and the scenery becomes completely different. The mountains begin to dominate, with the rugged peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia) creating some of the most spectacular landscapes in the UK.

Snowdon in all its splendour and the Mountain Railway reaching the top

Between the coast and the mountains are rolling green hills, waterfalls, forests and countless little valleys, so Wales never really feels the same from one region to the next. It’s a relatively small country, but it packs an incredible amount of scenery into a surprisingly compact space

The valleys of Wales are also renowned for their coal mining heritage, close-knit communities and the important role they played during the Industrial Revolution. Even today, many of the valleys retain a strong sense of identity, with rugby, music and local traditions woven deeply into everyday life.

Visting Wales:

For many people travelling from England into South Wales, the Severn Bridge feels like the moment the trip really begins. Opened in 1966, the original bridge was built to provide a direct road link across the Severn Estuary, replacing the old ferry crossings that had connected the two countries for centuries.
It was considered quite an engineering achievement at the time and quickly became one of the most recognisable bridges in Britain. Today, most traffic uses the newer Second Severn Crossing (officially the Prince of Wales Bridge), but the original Severn Bridge is still very much part of the Welsh journey and remains an iconic gateway between the two countries.
Living where I do in the West Cotswolds region of Gloucestershire it is only a short drive down the M5 to connect with the M4 West and across the new bridge into Wales.

The New Severn Bridge

Main Cities:
Cardiff –
This is the capital and largest city of Wales with a population of around 370,000. It perfectly captures the country’s blend of history and modern life.
From the impressive Cardiff Castle in the heart of the city to the redeveloped waterfront at Cardiff Bay, it’s a place where centuries of Welsh heritage sit comfortably alongside contemporary cafés, shops and cultural attractions. It’s often considered the natural gateway to Wales and a great starting point for exploring everything the country has to offer.

Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay and the Principality Stadium

Swansea –
is the second-largest city in Wales and has a reputation for combining city life with some of the country’s most beautiful coastline.
With a population of a quarter of a million it sits on the edge of Swansea Bay and is often associated with the stunning Gower Peninsula, famous for its beaches, cliffs and coastal walks. The city also has a strong maritime and industrial heritage, so it offers a different flavour of Wales from the capital.

Aberystwyth –
is often described as the cultural heart of mid-Wales and has a charm that seems to be quite different from the larger cities further south.
Sitting on the west coast overlooking Cardigan Bay, it’s known for its Victorian seafront, historic castle ruins and relaxed atmosphere.
The town is also home to Aberystwyth University, one of the oldest universities in Wales, which gives it a lively and youthful feel despite its relatively small size.
Aberystwyth has a population of around 15,000 people, although the town becomes noticeably busier during term time thanks to the thousands of students.

Further north, towns such as Llandudno provide a very different flavour of Wales, with its Victorian seaside charm, sweeping views across the coast and the dramatic presence of the Great Orme rising above the town.
Meanwhile, historic places such as Bangor offer another perspective on Welsh life, with its university bringing a youthful energy to the city and its location providing a gateway to the spectacular landscapes of Snowdonia (Eryri) and the island of Anglesey.

The Menai Strait leading to Bangor

Lifestyle:

One of the things that makes Wales so special is the way the landscape naturally shapes the lifestyle of the people who live there. With its dramatic mountains, beautiful coastline and endless countryside, it is a country that seems made for enjoying the outdoors.
Walking is a huge part of Welsh life, whether it is a gentle stroll along a coastal path, exploring the valleys, or taking on the challenge of one of the many mountain routes in Snowdonia (Eryri).

The coastline also plays a big part in everyday life, with surfing, sailing, kayaking and beach walks all popular ways to enjoy the sea. For those who prefer a slower pace, Wales offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy its villages, independent cafés, local markets and traditional pubs, where conversation and community remain an important part of life.

Sport is another key part of Welsh culture. Rugby is often seen as the national passion, bringing communities together on match days, while football has grown in popularity in recent years. Cycling, mountain biking, fishing and golf are also popular pursuits, taking advantage of the country’s varied landscapes.

Perhaps more than anything, Wales offers a lifestyle that feels connected to nature, community and tradition. Whether it is a weekend exploring the countryside, a day beside the coast or simply enjoying the slower pace of village life, there is a strong sense that Wales encourages people to make the most of the surroundings on their doorstep.

Visiting from Overseas:

For visitors coming from overseas, Wales offers something that is increasingly rare: the chance to experience dramatic landscapes, ancient history and living traditions within a country that remains wonderfully accessible.

No visit to Wales would be complete without experiencing Eryri (Snowdonia) in the north. Home to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest mountain in Wales and England, the area offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK, with lakes, valleys and mountain villages creating a landscape that feels truly special.

Wales is also famous for its castles, and Conwy Castle and Caernarfon Castle are two of the finest examples. These impressive medieval fortresses provide a fascinating glimpse into Wales’s turbulent history and are reminders of the country’s strong identity and heritage.

The coastline is another highlight, with places such as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park offering breathtaking cliffs, sandy beaches and some of the best coastal walking in Britain. The Gower Peninsula, near Swansea, was the first area in the UK to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and remains a favourite for its beaches, scenery and relaxed atmosphere.

For a taste of Welsh culture and city life, Cardiff, the capital, is well worth exploring, with its castle, waterfront, museums and lively food scene. Meanwhile, smaller places such as Llandudno, Aberystwyth and Portmeirion offer a different perspective on Wales, combining seaside charm, history and beautiful surroundings.

Beyond the major attractions, many visitors find that some of Wales’s greatest pleasures come from simply exploring the countryside, discovering small villages, enjoying local food and experiencing the warmth of Welsh hospitality. It is a country where the journey between places can be just as memorable as the destinations themselves.

Sunset across the Welsh Mountains

Final Thoughts
Before writing about my recent adventures in Wales, I felt it was important to set the scene and give some background to this fascinating country. Although Wales is relatively small in size, it has a remarkable ability to leave a lasting impression, with its dramatic mountains, beautiful coastlines, ancient castles and proud cultural identity.

I hope this introduction has given a little insight into the country before I share more about our own experiences exploring it. I’d love to hear from you — have you visited Wales, or is it somewhere you would like to discover? What places or experiences would you recommend?

If you have enjoyed this post, please feel free to leave a comment, share your own thoughts, and don’t forget to give it a like. Your feedback and stories are always appreciated and help make this blog a place for shared experiences and conversations.