Free things to see & do: Wales
Galleries, arts & crafts
Open Art Gallery (www.cbat.co.uk/) – Cardiff
Established in 1991 by Cardiff Bay Development Corporation the artwork has been commissioned for the Bay's Public Area. There is a great sense of local identity and of the transforming environment.
Trefriw Woollen Mill (www.t-w-m.co.uk/) – Trefriw
See the weaving and hydro-electric turbines in the mill where they manufacture traditional Welsh bedspreads and tweeds from the raw wool.
Gwynedd Museum & Art Gallery (www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat=3656&doc=13260&language=1) – Bangor
This museum has a wide variety of collections that allow the visitor to learn about how previous generations led their lives.
Curlew Weavers – Ceredigion
Producing a wide range of woollen fabrics and products in tweed. There is a large craft shop with demonstrations from the mill and free tours on site.
Corris Craft Centre (www.corriscraftcentre.com/) – Aberdovey
Visitors can watch skilled craft workers produce jewellery, pottery, leather and candles amongst these craft workshops. There is also a restaurant, picnic area, gardens and a children's play area.
Churches & cathedrals
The Strata Florida Abbey – Ceredigion
Strata Florida or ‘Vale of Flowers’ was founded in 1164. The Princes and Princesses of Wales are buried here in what used to be called the ‘Westminster of Wales’.
St Mary's Church (www.swanseastmary.fsnet.co.uk/) – Swansea
This is the Mother Church of Swansea and the interior houses a number of artsworks by Swansea and internationally renowned artists.
St Giles Church (www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/leisure_tourism/open_church_network/st_giles.htm) – Wrexham
Contains a Gothic tower with a steeple dating from 1520. The tower has five distinct levels stepping four hexagonal pinnacles. Known as one of the seven wonders of Wales.
Brecon Cathedral & Heritage Centre – Brecon
For over 900 years the Church of St John the Evangelist has stood on this site and was elevated to cathedral status in 1923. Features a Cathedral Heritage Centre with exhibitions on the cathedral’s history, shop and restaurant on site.
St Asaph Cathedral (www.stasaphcathedral.org.uk/) – Denbigh
This is the country's smallest cathedral, and one of the oldest in Wales. It dates from the 15th century and houses William Morgan's first Welsh translation of the bible.
Bangor Cathedral – Bangor
This cathedral boasts the longest continual use of any cathedral in the British Isles.
St Ishmael Chapel (www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/CMN/StIshmael/index.html) & Village – Ferryside
Originally built to service a medieval village, it was destroyed in a storm 300 years ago. A further storm in 1896 revealed the remains of houses around the site. St Ishmael is known as the lost village near the present day village of Ferryside.
St Govan's Chapel (www.swanseaheritage.net/article/gat.asp?ARTICLE_ID=1047&PRIMARY_THEME_ID=6) – Bosherstone
This tiny hermit's cell is built into the cliff at St Govan's. It is reputed that if you count the number of steps to and from the cell, you will always result in a different total number.
Church of St Brynach – Nevern
Founded in the 6th-century its Norman Tower is still intact. In the churchyard the second tree on the right is known as The Bleeding Yew whose bark oozes brownish red sap. Legend says that the tree will bleed until a Welsh Lord is reinstated in the village castle.
Exhibitions
Electric Mountain Visitors Centre (www.electricmountain.co.uk/) – Llanberis
A split-level complex containing a range of interactive displays and exhibitions on hydro-electricity. The Visitors Centre is free but there is a charge to take the tour of the Dinorwig Power Station.
Cardiff Bay Visitors Centre – Cardiff
Video presentations, large-scale models and panoramic views of the bay are all on offer. There is also a shop where visitors can purchase mementoes, books and branded clothing.
Historic buildings & sites
Great Castle House (home.btconnect.com/monmouthcastlemu/museum1/) – Monmouth
Built in the 17th century this house was constructed using bricks from the castle and now serves as the headquarters of the Royal Monmouth Royal Engineers. Inside there is a small museum focusing on the Royal Monmouth Royal Engineers.
Flint Castle – Flintshire
The remains of a castle built in the 13th century by King Edward I can be reached via a 2-minute walk over the footbridge from the station.
Grosmont Castle (www.castlexplorer.co.uk/wales/grosmont/grosmont.php) – Grosmont
The entrance to the castle is over a wooden bridge that spans a dry moat. The ruin includes the remains of a former large great hall and is situated on a small hill above the village.
Dolforwyn Castle (www.castlewales.com/dolforn) – Montgomery
Extensive archaeological excavations recently revealed the remains of a castle built in 1273 and captured by the English in 1277.
King Arthur's Stone (www.swanseaheritage.net/article/gat.asp?ARTICLE_ID=116&PRIMARY_THEME_ID=6) – Swansea County
Follow the path from the car park to King Arthur's Stone. This is a massive isolated burial chamber capstone that dates from at least 4000 BC and weighs over 25 tonnes.
Capel Garmon Neolithic Chambers (www.attractions-north-wales.co.uk/attraction.asp?loc=5)
A reconstructed but very atmospheric multi-chambered communal burial site built between 2500-1900 BC.
Maen Huail – Ruthin
This marks the spot where King Arthur and Huail fought for the same woman. King Arthur was stabbed by Huail in the thigh. They promised never to mention the fight, but Huail could not resist taunting Arthur who consequently had Huail beheaded on this stone.
Mynachlogddu Village – Pembrokeshire
Many tracks connect a number of ancient sites including Beddarthur – an eerie stone circle rumoured to be the burial place of many Great Kings, Foeldrygarn – very impressive Iron Age ramparts and hill circles and Carn Menyn stone quarry.
>> For more information about Mynachlogddu Village see VisitWales (www.visitwales.com)
Ffynon Drewllyd – Powys
A spring named the Stinking Well comes up inside a domed shaped extension in the field behind a spa building and which has the highest sulphur content of any natural source in Britain.
>> For more information about Mynachlogddu Village see VisitWales (www.visitwales.com)
Tinkinswood Long Cairns (www.stonepages.com/wales/tinkinswood.html) – Glamorganshire
Capstoned burial chamber around 4,500 years old. Legend says, anyone who sleeps under the 50 tonne monolith will either die, go mad or become a poet.
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