24 Jaw-Dropping Welsh Beauty Spots You Must Witness Before You Die

Start pooling your cash for the Severn Bridge toll.

1. Llanddwyn, Anglesey.

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Translated as the Church Of Dwynwen, Wales' far superior version of Saint Valentine. And how couldn't you fall in love with this view?

2. Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia.

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Found in the Snowdonia National Park, Cwm Idwal was voted the 7th Natural Wonder of Britain by Radio Times readers in 2005.

3. Porthkerry, Vale of Glamorgan.

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Between Barry and Cardiff Airport lies this most unsung of country park heroes. A beautiful beach, acres of woodland, lush greenery and a stonking viaduct. What else do you want? Nothing, that's what.

4. Llyn Clywedog, Powys.

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Much local opposition surrounded the construction of this reservoir in 1967. The battle ended with Birmingham getting its water and Wales a controversial new beauty spot.

5. Elan Valley, Powys.

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Occasionally known as the Welsh Lake District. Always known as that place with proper tidy views.

6. Parys Mountain, Anglesey.

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The original heavy metal tundra. This disused copper mine hosted film crews from Planet of The Apes and Dr Who, and is an altogether other-worldly kind of walk when castles and coastlines get a bit, well, meh.

7. Carreg Cennen Castle, Carmarthenshire.

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And speaking of world-class castles, here's an under-rated 13th Century variety. Like all of the above, it comes as standard with eye-gouging views. Obviously.

8. Llynnau Mymbyr

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Beware the many trip-hazards at this spot, which include the jaws of tourists and the tripods of dumbstruck photographers.

9. Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea.

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It's a little like saying you've picked a winner in a race of no losers, but Three Cliffs could just be the Gower Peninsula's top of the pops.

10. Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia.

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At the foot of mount Snowdon lies this magnificent stretch of H2O. Whether viewed from above or below, the effect is the same: become dewy-eyed and start blasting forth with a lusty rendition of Land Of My Fathers.

11. Pontneddfechan, Neath.

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What it means in English: "Bridge over the Little Neath". What it actually means: "More bangin' waterfalls than you could shake a stick at".

12. Barafundle, Pembrokeshire.

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It's a long walk to this remote beach which only the foolhardy attempt with pushchairs and unwieldy inflatables. Forget it all, including the kids... they're not going to appreciate it anyway.

13. Rhossili Bay and Worm's Head, Swansea.

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If the hordes of hot surfers don't stir anything, or the miles of golden sand doesn't win you over, or the walk to Worm's Head island is a bit whatever, or if the pub overlooking it all hasn't made you a convert... you're probably dead.

14. Merthyr Tydfil.

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The Guv'nor of South Wales's reservoirs, crowned by the equally beautiful and terrifying view of its valve tower and bell-mouth spillway.

15. St. Govan's Chapel, Pembrokeshire.

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Legend has it that it's impossible to count the steps down to this ancient chapel. Easily explained: if the treacherous gradient doesn't put you off your stroke, the view will.

16. Mwnt, Cardigan.

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A place to see dolphins, seals and porpoises in summer, as well as one of the Daily Mail readership's most loved beaches. Now there's a recommendation.

17. Ynyslas, Ceredigion.

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Its dunes provide a home for rare plants, its estuary a feeding ground for rare birds, while the whole place provides a rare opportunity to gawp at it all with chest-swelling admiration.

18. Abermaw, Gwynedd.

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William Wordsworth, no stranger to boshing down a few words on his travels, was a big fan of Abermaw declaring it able to "hold its own against any rival". Big time, Bill. BIG TIME.

19. Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd.

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Forget the disused nuclear power station, Trawsfynydd is a bona fide 470 megawatt view with a half-life that will stay with you forever.

20. Bosherston Lily Ponds, Pembrokeshire.

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A super-tranquil space to transcend the daily grind and contemplate life's big questions. Also home to a gang of thieving robins that prey on tourists' picnics.

21. Portmeirion, Gwynedd.

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"Cherish the past, adorn the present, construct for the future", was the cracking motto of architect Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis. He nailed all three with Portmeirion, the Daddy of dinky, faux-Italian tourist villages.

22. Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend.

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A wealth of rare plants and insects call this reserve, and the UK's biggest sand dunes, their home. If you're lucky, you'll also spot a few Mining Bees. Well, they had to go somewhere after the pits closed.

23. Caldey Island, Pembrokeshire.

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Home to Cistercian monks with a natty line in chocolate, cheese, shortbread and perfume. Web design less so, but we'd be happy to help for a season pass... and a few toiletries.

24. Abereiddy Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire.

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So enticing is the deep blue colour of this breeched slate mine that some launch themselves from the cliff-edge to cover the 27 metres to the water as quickly as possible. We're just fine with the pathway. It's not that we're scared, it's just, like, the view's better... cheers.