If you’re craving a deeper connection with nature, consider a trip to Wales. This compact country packs a punch when it comes to the great outdoors, with plunging valleys, craggy cliffs, rolling dunes and more. It’s the ideal staycation destination for Brits, and a lesser-known marvel for visitors to the UK who want to escape the crowds.
Boots at the ready? Here’s how to have a wild, windswept wellness adventure of your own in underrated Wales.
Coastal Walking
Many might think that Wales is just about green hills, rain, and sheep. It’s an understandable assumption. Even a proud South Walian like myself was astounded upon stepping foot on Newborough Beach in Anglesey. A pancake-flat bay and a crescent of sand, edged by Corsican pines—under an unexpectedly blue sky reminiscent of Caribbean islands—had me doubting whether I was truly in my homeland at all.
The 125-mile Anglesey Coastal Path, with 95% situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was inaugurated in 2006. The Wales Coastal Path officially followed six years later, incorporating some of the UK’s most stunning beaches, historic castles, and cultural sights. This initiative made Wales the first country globally to feature a footpath that encompasses its entire coastline (while England’s coastal path opened in 2020).
Hiking options are available for all abilities. Some sections are suitable for prams and wheelchairs, and if you’re here for the renowned mountains of Snowdonia and Brecon, you’ll find ample challenges along the coast too: for instance, tackling the 186-mile Pembrokeshire segment of the path, which boasts 35,000ft of ascents and descents, is reputedly equivalent to climbing Everest.
Don’t Miss:
- Llanddwyn Island, where St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, established a convent after being denied the chance to marry her true love.
- The Gower Peninsula, known for its rolling surf and coastal ruins.
- Pembrokeshire, a perfect spot for spotting puffins and seal pups.
SUP, Yoga, and Sound Baths
I’m feeling smug. The sun’s still out, I have an epic view of Mount Snowdon, and— splosh!— my stand-up paddleboarding companion’s just fallen into the Upper Nantlle Lake in a spectacular fashion. Schadenfreude-induced giggles nearly tip me in after him, but I regain my balance by focusing on the horizon rather than the water, a tip shared by Psyched Paddleboarding founder, SUP guide, and environmental activist Sian Sykes.
Sian was the first to circumnavigate Wales using a paddleboard solo and unsupported, navigating brutal conditions and treacherous waters while collecting plastic to raise awareness. My overinflated confidence—based solely on my success in staying upright in perfect conditions—may have been excessive…
Back on dry land, the balance testing continues with a yoga class overlooking the lake, followed by a sound bath. Using a variety of gongs, singing bowls, and percussive instruments, Steph from Pure Sound fills the air with otherworldly reverberations to aid meditation, rebalancing both body and mind.
Make it Happen: Trigonos Centre offers regular mindfulness and wellness activities throughout the year, and its vegetarian kitchen provides the perfect fuel for local adventures.
Connecting with Nature
You’ve heard of forest bathing, but what about Fforest bathing? Spanning 200 acres along the River Teifi near Cardigan, Fforest Farm provides a retreat for frazzled urbanites and nature lovers with its wooden shacks and bell tents. Don’t be misled by the basic-sounding lodgings—if this is camping, I’m a convert. Fforest co-founders Sian and James dislike the term ‘G’ (glamping), but there’s no denying this is luxurious camping at its best.
Inspired by their travels in New Zealand and Japan, they’ve merged their passion for the outdoors with open-air kitchens and communal spaces, a barrel sauna nestled in the foliage, and even a few onsen-inspired baths alongside their popular geodesic domes. Although the soil isn’t particularly fertile here due to the slate bedrock, vegetables are cultivated in raised beds on site, resulting in nourishing, locally-sourced feasts.
The farm is car-free, kid-friendly, and dog-friendly. Additionally, lighting is kept minimal at night, prompting attentiveness to your wild surroundings as you navigate from the tiny pub, Y Bwthyn, to your bed—easier said than done after a cocktail or two.
Don’t Miss:
- Foraging with Jade from Wild Pickings to create your own herbal tea from the hedgerows—prepare to be amazed at the diversity and abundance of Welsh flora.
- Canoeing in Cilgerran Gorge on the River Teifi with Heritage canoes, observing the ruins of Cilgerran Castle perched on the clifftop above.
- Wild swimming regardless of the weather, whether it’s in the Teifi or at the nearby Mwnt beach.
Spa Hotel Stays
After a few days filled with brisk walks, fresh air, and foraging, it’s time to relax in a hot tub and recharge. Established in the 19th century as a hunting and fishing lodge, Lake Country House Hotel in Llangammarch Wells is nestled within 50 acres of serene countryside, a 45-minute drive from the Brecon Beacons National Park. When (or if) the rain arrives, there’s something soothing about watching it from the lounge with afternoon tea, or from the comfort of the indoor heated pool.
Despite its prime location in the Welsh capital, St David’s Hotel offers stunning views of Cardiff Bay, making the transition back to city life a smooth one. If the sea air and breathtaking vistas aren’t enough, indulging in a massage at the Marine Spa downstairs should help relieve any lingering post-adventure tension.
