Must-See Places in South Wales

Roadtripping through South Wales is one of the most breathtaking journeys you could take within the United Kingdom. From jagged coastlines, to quaint harbour towns, to even medieval castles, there is no shortage of places to visit. We spent 2 days in the South of Wales before driving up to England and finally to Northern Wales. We crossed multiple Welsh sites off our bucket list!

While you can visit some of these destinations via trains, we highly recommend renting a car or booking a guided tour. This will give you the flexibility to park and explore at your leisure. Here are some of the top places you cannot miss in South Wales…

The Green Bridge

The first destination you should add to your list of must-see places in South Wales is none other than The Green Bridge. This is a dramatic, natural rock arch with rock pillars located on the southwest coast of Pembrokeshire. It’s also within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The iconic natural arch you’ll see is formed from carboniferous limestone, getting its name from the layer of grass and vegetation which grows on top of it.

The Green Bridge of Wales is one of the most beautiful, jaw-dropping sites we encountered on our UK roadtrip. It is so, so effortless to visit…completely free, not too busy, and a quick + easy walk from the parking lot to the coastline.

Aside from being located within a national park, The Green Bridge is also located in the Castlemartin military training area. This is just beyond the car park at Stack Rocks (Creigiau Elegig) and beside the Pembrokeshire Coast Path – two more nearby Welsh sites you should add to your itinerary.

Many people arrive to The Green Bridge via the Pembrokeshire Coast Path – a 186-mile (299 km) long-distance walking route, mostly at cliff-top level. You can walk a little bit of this famous route while at The Green Bridge. Even if you arrive via car (like we did), you will be rewarded with epic views of the Irish Sea. Be sure to walk around the grassy cliff tops, capturing all angles of the incredible natural formations.

Tenby

The seaside town of Tenby is one of South Wales’ top destinations. The adorable pastel-colored buildings, quaint alleyways, docked sailboats and the lush hillsides give Tenby its charm. You are sure to fall in love with Tenby.

What makes Tenby so historic? Well, the harbour town is known for its 13th-century medieval town walls and its stretches of sandy shoreline, including Castle Beach. The ruins of Tenby Castle are on a small mountaintop overlooking the harbour.

We parked in one of the many public parking lots and instantly were taken back by the beauty of this coastal town. It is easy to get lost (in a good way) among the maze of little cobblestone alleyways and colorful roads. Our favorite memory was walking along the coastline to admire the scenic views. Tenby decorates their sidewalks with flowers, creating a charming experience for visitors. Be sure to walk down onto the beach, and even visit Castle Beach at low tide.

Manorbier Castle + Beach

Looking for a serene, breathtaking Welsh beach? Add Manorbier to your list! You’ll find lots of nooks and crannies to explore. We saw lots of kids and dogs playing in the rock pools. The sandy pebbly beach is surrounded by cliffs, dunes, and the lovely Manorbier Castle. Admire the views of the stone castle from below, or opt to climb up the hill to visit inside.

Manorbier is situated just 5-6 miles southwest of Tenby, allowing you to easily add Manorbier to your route. The parking lot is decently sized and includes a public restroom. When walking back to our car, we met a kind group of Welsh ladies who were walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. There is truly so much beauty in this region of South Wales along with sweet locals.

Cardiff

Being the capital and largest city of Wales, there is no doubt that Cardiff should be added into your Welsh itinerary. Cardiff is actually pretty small compared to other major UK cities. This makes it an easy and compact place to visit along your journey. We only had a few minutes to stop into Cardiff since our main focus was getting to the coastline. As a result, Cardiff Castle in the heart of the city was our stop.

The impressive Cardiff Castle has stood for nearly 2,000 years, dating from Roman, Norman, and Victorian times. It is perched on top of a hill and free to view from the surrounding public grounds. You also have the option to purchase tickets into the castle itself. Be sure to capture a photo of the dragon statue, a symbol that represents the country and appears on the national flag of Wales.

With more time, there is plenty more for you to see in Cardiff: shopping in the Victorian arcades, exploring Cardiff Bay, browsing through the National Museum, and more!

Church Door Cove

There is no shortage of geographical wonders in the United Kingdom. Church Door Cove is a gorgeous, secluded cove in West Wales with a huge stone archway. It is located between the villages of Lydstep and Manorbier. The forces of the sea naturally cut the massive limestone, creating that huge “door.”

During low tide, you can walk through to the walls to a secret beach called Shrinkle Haven. You don’t want to get stuck, so frequently check the tide times!

Free parking is available either at Manorbier YHA, or 500m further along the road in the car park which sits on cliff top adjacent to the coastal path. From the parking lots, walk downhill until you reach a steep staircase. The 140 steps lead you right to the rocky bottom. This steep stairway is not for the faint hearted, but will reward you with a beautiful experience. If you don’t feel like climbing down, you can still catch a view of Church Doors Cove from the top of the main staircase.

If you cannot tell already, South Wales is full of natural beauty, picture-perfect coastal towns, and incredible cliffside views. You will have the BEST time, especially if you visit any of these lovely destinations.

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Enjoy your visit to South Wales!

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