Accommodation in South Wales
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Bounded by the English border to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, Mid Wales to the north and West Wales to the west, South Wales is a densely populated region, including Cardiff, the Welsh capital and the major cities of Newport and Swansea. The majority of the population are English-speaking, although there remain significant Welsh-speaking areas, especially in the Neath and Swansea Valleys.
The city of Cardiff offers a delightful balance of the historic and contemporary. The impressive Cardiff Castle, which dates back some 2,000 years, has been a Roman fort, Norman stronghold and Victorian gothic fairytale fantasy. The stylish Civic Centre houses the National Museum and Gallery, whilst additions that are more modern include the 2004 Wales Millennium Centre, home to eight resident arts companies and the Millennium Stadium, home to the national football and rugby union teams.
Along the shoreline of the nearby Glamorgan Heritage Coast are the popular seaside resorts of Barry Island (featured in the BBC comedy "Gavin and Stacey"), Porthcawl and the Victorian / Edwardian architecture of Penarth.
Despite their industrial history, the Valleys retain their inherent splendour, providing a pleasant natural background to an attraction packed region featuring medieval castles, mining museums and narrow gauge railways.
The valleys of the Rivers Usk and Wye, close to the English border, have been designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, with castles and the beautiful remains of Tintern Abbey, dating from the 1100s, in a picturesque rural area that is popular with walkers and anglers.
The area offers superb opportunities for golfers, with championship courses at the Celtic Manor (just outside Newport and the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup), Royal Porthcawl and St. Pierre, on the A48 near Chepstow.
With an eclectic assortment of attractions, South Wales provides an excellent venue for a holiday or short break and is sure to provide some unique experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
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