South Wales - 421 places to stay
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At one time South Wales was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution , it was where the men of the Valleys worked in the depths of the earth wrenching coal from the earth in conditions that were inhospitable and dangerous. It was Welsh coal that powered steam engines for the mills, coal for the trains, the steel mills and for the production of electricity, the coal provided power for shipping, in fact coal was the currency of the Industrial Revolution. At one time Welsh pits supplied one third of the worlds’ coal. Today the valleys could not be considered beautiful but, and this is an important but, what there is remaining is a harsh industrial landscape that is in perfect contrast to the countryside in which it sits.
South Wales though is more than valleys and stark grey views, at the heart of South Wales today is Swansea Bay birthplace of Catherine Zeta Jones and poet Dylan Thomas , the picturesque resort of the Mumbles and some of the UK’s finest coastline on the Gower Peninsula which is designated an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With pretty villages clean and expansive sandy beaches all add to the charm of the area and account for its popularity with many people returning year on year. Swansea is today known as Wales’ Waterfront City and home to Wales’ largest marina and the National Waterfront Museum – here you can experience what life was really like at the height of the coal mining industry.
Pembrokeshire on the South West tip of Wales is surrounded on three sides by sea and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park takes in the whole of the coastal strip – the only National Park in the UK to be wholly coastal.
Then there is Camarthenshire - its not just farmland and sheep although historically it did have a heavy reliance on this industry but there is more to Camarthenshire than you first think. It is close to the capital and the beautiful Glamorgan Heritage Coast and its countryside with Llyn Llech Owain Country Park or the Gelli Aur Country Park and others in close proximity. Southerdown beach has some of the best surf in the country and in the summer the backdrop of the cliffs provide and energising view of the action below.
For those who prefer the challenge of retail therapy in some of the oldest towns in Wales then a trip to one of them, the medieval town of Cowbridge is definitely worth considering. It was in 1254 that Cowbridge received its first borough charter from Richard de Clare the Lord of Glamorgan, one of the most powerful barons of the day. With a diverse mix of museums, art galleries attractions and events Camarthenshire has an enduring popularity that appeals to all.
Synonymous with South Wales is the Rhondda, and for a taste of the area a trip to the Rhondda Heritage Park is an experience as it was one a working mine that today provides a flavour of what life at the coalface really meant or if you prefer to experience the real thing then a trip to the appropriately named Big Pit at Blaenavon should be on your list of things to do. For two centuries this pit produced coal and with your cap lamp and helmet you will go down 300 metres to the coalface with an ex-miner as your guide.
Further along the Heads of The Valley (A465) the road passes though Merthyr Tydfil which played a vital role in the industrial past, it had the largest ironworks at Dowlais, there is Cyfarthfa Castle , an impressive 19th century castle that was built by local steel magnate William Crawshay who lived in luxury while his workers endured extreme poverty.
Finally, whilst we have tried to provide a sample of what South Wales can offer, we must mention Cardiff – capital of Wales, home of the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff University which was founded in 1883, with an international airport and Cardiff Castle . South Wales is an area where within a short trip one can travel from the former industrial heartland into some of the most pretty countryside and beaches in the UK.
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Destinations
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Offa's Dyke Path South Wales
- Wye Valley South Wales
- South Wales Valleys
- Starry Starry Night, Look You – Dark Skies Tourism
- Brecon Beacons
- Welsh Borders
- Wye Valley
- South Wales for Foodies
- Stretch Yourself in the Brecon Beacons
Recommended Hotels See Map
- Mount Sorrel Hotel Barry *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Best Western Premier Heronston Hotel and Spa Bridgend *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Big Sleep Hotel Cardiff *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre Cardiff *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Maldron Hotel Cardiff Cardiff *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - St Mellons Hotel Cardiff *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Vale Resort Cardiff *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Beaufort Hotel Chepstow *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Gliffaes Country House Hotel Crickhowell *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, TennisCourt, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Ty Newydd Country Hotel Hirwaun *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Manian Lodge Kilgetty *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - West House Country Hotel Llantwit Major *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Castle Hotel Merthyr Tydfil *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Number Seven Church Street Monmouth *featured*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant - Manor Hotel (The) Newport *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Holm House Penarth *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Llechwen Hall Hotel Pontypridd *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Egerton Grey Country House Hotel Rhoose *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Fairyhill Swansea *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Windsor Lodge Hotel Swansea *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Parva Farmhouse Hotel Tintern *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Three Salmons Hotel Usk *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities
Hotels bookable online See Map
- The Phoenix Retreat Abercraf *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Vale Park Hotel Barry *book online*
Licensed, Restaurant - Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel Brecon *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Angel Hotel Cardiff *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Churchills Hotel Cardiff *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Express by Holiday Inn Bay Cardiff *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Legacy Cardiff International Cardiff *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Miskin Manor Country House Cardiff *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant - Novotel Cardiff Centre Cardiff *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Parc Hotel Cardiff *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - St Davids Hotel & Spa Cardiff *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Chepstow Hotel Chepstow *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - The Bear Hotel Cowbridge *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Manor Hotel Crickhowell *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Three Rivers Hotel & Spa Llanelli *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Castle Hotel Merthyr Tydfil *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Crown at Whitebrook Monmouth *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - The Waterloo Hotel & Bistro Newport *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - St Mary's Hotel Pencoed *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Heritage Park Hotel Pontypridd *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Grand Hotel Swansea *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Ramada Swansea Swansea *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Clearvewe Usk *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Crown At Whitebrook Whitebrook *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant
More South Wales Hotels
Bed and Breakfast See Map
- Black Lion Guest House Abergavenny *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Brynhonddu Country House B&B Abergavenny *featured*
TV in rooms - Ty LLew B&B Abergavenny *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - acountryabode @ Sutton Mawr Barry *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Tadross Hotel Barry *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - The Hay Loft Barry *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Monnington Lodge Blackwood *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Beacons (The) Brecon *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking, Disabled - Nythfa House Brecon *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Green Acre Motel Bridgend *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Hazelwood Guest House Bridgend *featured*
TV in rooms - Hazelwood House Bridgend *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Heron's Brook Bridgend *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Maerdy Hotel Bridgend *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Roman Lodge Hotel Caerleon *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - Boutique and Gay B&B Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - Dexby Town House Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms - Hotel One Hundred Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms - Jolyon's Boutique Hotel Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Lincoln House Hotel Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - ML Lodge Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - Number 62 Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms - Penrhys Hotel Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms - Regan Lodge Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Sandringham Hotel Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - Smokey Cot Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms - Tanes Hotel Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - The Avala Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - The Beverley Hotel Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - The Laurels Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Town House Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms - Ty Rosa B&B Cardiff *featured*
TV in rooms - Willowbrook Guest House Chepstow *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Wye Valley Hotel Chepstow *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - Bryn-y-Ddafad Country Guest House Cowbridge *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Sheepleys Cowbridge *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - The Granary at Y Felin Fach Cowbridge *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Park Place Guesthouse Crickhowell *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Ewenny Farm Guest House Ewenny *featured*
TV in rooms - Henllys Estate Llandovery *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Penygawse Guest House Llandovery *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Southmead Guesthouse Llanelli *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Blas Gwyr Llangennith *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Disabled - Llwyn Onn Guest House Merthyr Tydfil *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Penrhadw Farm Merthyr Tydfil *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Hendre Farm House B&B Monmouth *featured*
TV in rooms - Portland House Monmouth *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Steppes Farm Monmouth *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Inspected, Parking - Cwmbach Cottages Neath *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Garden, Parking - Chapel Guest House Newport *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Glenroy Hotel Newport *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Hazel Court Guest House Newport *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Night Lodge Newport *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - Olive Tree Guest House Newport *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - West Usk Lighthouse Newport *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Y Garth Newport *featured*
TV in rooms - Culver House Hotel Oxwich *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - The Barn B & B Port Talbot *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Bayside Guest House Porthcawl *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Blue Seas Porthcawl *featured*
TV in rooms - Brentwood Hotel Porthcawl *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - The Old Barn Rhoose *featured*
TV in rooms - Alexander Hotel Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms - Cafe Valance Bar & Rooms Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - Caswell, Langland & Oxwich Residence Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms - Cefn Bryn & Kilvey Residence Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms - Coast House Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms, Parking - Hurst Dene Hotel Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms - The Crescent Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms - The White House Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - Tides Reach Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Winston Private Hotel Swansea *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Old Radnor Barn B&B Talgarth *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Castle Farm Luxury Eco B&B Usk *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Our house on the Hill Usk *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking
Pubs & Inns
- Fox and Hounds Barry *book online*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Castle Coaching Inn Brecon *book online*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Wyndham Arms Bridgend *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Bear Hotel Cardiff *book online*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Old Post Office Restaurant with Rooms Cardiff *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Wye Valley Hotel Chepstow *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Red Lion Inn Llandovery *book online*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Royal Oak Inn Llandovery *book online*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Garden, Parking, Credit Cards - Ashburnham Hotel llanelli *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Stag & Pheasant Inn Llanelli *book online*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Thomas Arms Hotel Llanelli *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Countryman Inn Llantrisant *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Punch House Monmouth *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Riverside Hotel Monmouth *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Castle Hotel Neath *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Hollybush with Rooms Newport *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Dillwyn Arms Pontardawe *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Scotts Hotel Pontypridd *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Singleton Hotel Swansea *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Ye Olde Red Lion Tredegar *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Castle Inn Usk *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Olway Inn Usk *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Rat Trap Restaurant & Hotel Usk *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
Self-Catering See Map
- Rose Cottage Barry *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Beacons Holiday Cottages Brecon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Tytanglwyst Farm Holiday Cottages Bridgend *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Short Breaks, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - 10 Belgrave Court Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - 10 Trevethick @ City center Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - A Space in the City @ The Brewery Quarter Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - acityabode @ Three Bed City Apartment Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Bayside Apartments @ Cardiff Bay Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Business Class Bayside Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Cardiff Apartments @ Landmark Place Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Cardiff Apartments @ Spillers&Bakers Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Cardiff City Apartments Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Century Wharf Serviced Apartments Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Flat 5 Cardiff Cardiff *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - FlatDragon Apartments @ Breakwater House Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Maison Galles Cardiff *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Mermaid Quay Apartments Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Plasturton Apartments Cardiff Central Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Riverbank Penthouse & Apartments Cardiff *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Saco House Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Short Breaks, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Senghennydd Hall Cardiff *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Siesta@Celestia Cardiff Bay Cardiff *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Severn View Chepstow *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Stables at Brook House Llantrisant *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Steppes Farm Monmouth *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Short Breaks, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Worthybrook Barn Monmouth *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Lindon Park Narberth *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Morlogws Farm Holidays Newcastle Emlyn *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Short Breaks, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Relax in the city Newport *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Slade Barn Oxwich *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Gower Heritage Cent Parkmill *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Old Hay Barn Parkmill *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Mountain View Tonypandy *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Little Barn Usk *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Capel Pentwyn Whitebrook *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Pets Allowed, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
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