Wales’ history is packed full of legends, both fictional and factual. Despite the years that have passed, they are not out of reach for modern visitors. Discover the heroes, creatures, and magnificent landscapes that shaped the country, its people, and its traditions by visiting these special sites.
St Davids, Pembrokeshire – small city, big saint
The UK’s smallest city is named after the patron saint of Wales, St David. Back in the 6th century, Dewi Sant, as he’s known in Welsh, founded monasteries across his homeland and France, including one in his local community.
He was born to a lady named Non, who also became a saint, and his birthplace is marked by the remains of St Non’s Chapel, easily reached on a 20-minute walk from St Davids centre.
In town, a spectacular cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of years. It holds the saint’s remains and was built in the 12th century alongside his monastery. It is said that two pilgrimages to the cathedral are equal to one pilgrimage to Rome, drawing thousands of visitors from around the world each year, along with Welsh visitors who want to honor their saint in his final resting place.
Dinas Emrys, Gwynedd – here be dragons
Y Ddraig Goch, the famous red dragon of Wales, is more than just a quirky feature on the country’s flag. A tale told by a Welsh monk named Nennius, dating back to around AD 769, reveals the dragon’s origins.
The story goes that a Celtic king named Vortigern attempted to build a fortress on mountainous land now known as Dinas Emrys, overlooking Llyn Dinas lake in Snowdonia. After the walls fell down multiple times, a boy wizard named Merlin told Vortigern that beneath the mountain was a pool where a red dragon and a white dragon were fighting, their battles causing the walls to crumble.
What happened next is somewhat muddled due to various interpretations. In one version, Vortigern releases the dragons; the white dragon, representing the encroaching Anglo-Saxons, flees, leaving the red dragon, representing the Welsh, victorious. This is believed to herald the arrival of King Arthur, as noted in another variation of the story told in The Mabinogion, which focuses on the dragons’ origins.
Although the tale is fantastical, an archaeological dig in 1945 uncovered fortifications that date back to Vortigern’s time. You can visit Dinas Emrys yourself via the National Trust Craflwyn Farm to explore this vibrant piece of Welsh heritage.
Beddgelert, Gwynedd – good dog
Translating as ‘Gelert’s grave’, Beddgelert in wild Snowdonia has become famous for the myth of Gelert, Prince Llywelyn the Great’s dog. While the connection to Snowdonia was made up by a local landlord to boost tourism, here’s how the tale goes:
One day, Prince Llewelyn went for a walk, leaving his baby son and dog Gelert at home. He returned to find an upturned cradle, his boy missing and Gelert covered in blood. Assuming Gelert had killed the baby, Llewelyn took his sword to the dog, only to hear the baby crying nearby. Gelert hadn’t killed the child; he had killed a wolf that tried to attack his son. Overcome with grief at his mistake, Llewelyn held a ceremony to bury the faithful Gelert nearby.
While this story is a tall tale, you can still visit ‘Gelert’s grave’ today in the village. Even if the dramatic story isn’t true, picturesque Beddgelert is worth a visit thanks to its old, dark-stone houses, arches over rivers, and access to routes leading up Snowdon.
Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey – lost love on Llanddwyn
Wonderfully romantic in story and setting, Llanddwyn Island (Ynys Llanddwyn) is home to the Church of St Dwynwen, Wales’ patron saint of lovers. Young Dwynwen was due to marry Dafodrill, but their marriage did not occur—perhaps due to her father’s disapproval. A divine entity (the version of the story varies) helped Dwynwen by freezing Dafodrill and granting her three wishes. She wished for Dafodrill to be thawed, for all true lovers to unite, and to live alone on Llanddwyn for the rest of her life.
You can access her small tidal-island home from Anglesey’s west coast via the Anglesey Coastal Path. The island is part of the Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve, featuring over 10 miles of paths winding through dunes, saltmarsh, sand flats, a forest, and a beach. The nearest car park is just a mile away, allowing for direct access to the ruins of St Dwynwen’s Church and stunning views of the Menai Strait and the Welsh mainland. For added romance, stay in nearby Château Rhianfa, a hotel that looks straight out of a fairytale.
Llyn y Fan Fach – a lady, a lake, and more lost love
This remote lake in Carmarthenshire is a remnant of the area’s glacial past, nestled in a dip below a steep hill topped by the Bannau Sir Gaer ridge. The myth associated with the area tells of a farmer named Gwyn who fell in love with a water fairy known as the Lady of the Lake. They were married with three sons, but Gwyn’s playful nature led him to strike her three times, which caused her to disappear back to her watery home.
Fortunately, the story doesn’t end in despair. In a happier version, the Lady of the Lake continued to appear to her sons after the marriage ended, teaching them how to heal using herbs and plants. The boys are recognized in literature as the first Physicians of Myddfai, passing their skills on to many others.
The lake lies within the Brecon Beacons National Park, which you can access along the path from the Llyn y Fan Fach car park. The hike takes about 45 minutes and can be steep and muddy, so appropriate walking boots are recommended. Alternatively, to gain a better perspective of the lake and the surrounding landscape, consider walking along the exposed Bannau Sir Gaer ridge.
Three other places for tapping into Welsh legends
National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
One of six legal deposit libraries in the UK and Ireland, this impressive library provides public access to the country’s history, heritage, and culture via its vast collection. Guided tours are available weekly, along with exhibitions, talks, and events.
St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff
St Fagans serves as a museum of Welsh life, showcasing notable buildings from across Wales that have been relocated to the open-air collection. Visitors can meet staff role-playing locals from bygone times and learn about Welsh history through artefacts and storytelling.
Laugharne, Carmarthenshire
Not all legends are fictional; take Dylan Thomas, the renowned Welsh writer, as an example. He called the rugged coastal town of Laugharne home, where he composed poems and screenplays, sought inspiration, and enjoyed his life. You can visit his writing shed and boathouse, both offering insights into the life of this legendary literary figure along with views of the choppy River Taf.
