Views from An Englishman in Wales
  email An Englishman in Wales

Introduction

Vincent Van Gogh said: If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.

I would like to share with you five images from my top five visited locations in Wales since moving here with my wife in mid-2019.

They also remind us of why we want to be here.

They are in no particular order and are often first-time reactions to this poignant yet beautiful principality.

Included are on-and-off-the-beaten-tourist-track places, some are popular destinations while others are off the normal tourist radar. That makes them even more personal and special. Those under-the-radar are marked with a “Hidden Gem” badge in the maps section.

Sunny day image of Llansteffan beach looking out towards Ferrytown, South Wales

Background

It all started when an Englishman and his wife gave up everything to start a new life in Wales.

They both wanted to escape to the country, breathe fresh air, relax and spend more time together. The last thing they would have wished for was to look back with regret in five or ten years and think... why didn't we do this before?

So here we are. Perched on top of a hill with the Black Mountains in the East and beyond the Gwendraeth Valley, the Preseli Hills to the West.

Take a look at previous Part One and Part Two of the story. The pictures and words show how we discovered this corner of Wales, the lifestyle change and the hard work of transforming a "badly-in-need-of-modernisation" property into a home.

To us, our new home is a reminder that with luck, plenty of determination, patience, hard work and vision: it is possible to build a dream.

       
Sheep in the evening twilight at Upper Tumble, South Wales

Five Places, Five Reasons to Visit

1. Llansteffan

Situated on the south coast of Carmarthenshire, lying on the estuary of the River Tywi, 7 miles south of Carmarthen.

Five Reasons To Go There

  1. Llansteffan Castle, built by the Normans in the 12th Century. Commanding views of the Tywi and Taf rivers. It’s free to enter. There's a lovely, but steep walk up to the ruins of the castle from the car park
  2. A wide expanse of soft, clean, golden sand with plentiful free parking and free toilets
  3. Often overlooked by tourists: Has been describes as “…Wales’ best kept secret, a sort of Never Never land known only to locals…”
  4. Brilliant little playground on the beach front
  5. Walk the woods. And in Late spring be prepared for the aroma of fresh garlic

Postcode district: SA33
www.llansteffan.com

 

2. Tumble

Situated south of Cross Hands near the towns of Carmarthen and Llanelli. Tumble developed in the 19th century to house the anthracite miners who were employed at the nearby Dynant Fach and Great Mountain collieries.

Five Reasons To Go There

  1. Walk up to Llannon Reservoir: One of the highest points in the area. Panoramic view of the east to Swansea and beyond, and to the south, Llanelli with the shimmering River Lougher estuary. The Preselli Hills hug the west horizon
  2. Rugby: Tumble RFC. Record holders of the West Wales Challenge Cup, they have produced many Wales internationals. Check out the home fixtures to catch a game of raw Welsh Rugby
  3. Maddocks Coffee House: Great coffee and amazing picnic boxes
  4. Cycle Route 47: The old Llanelli to Cross Hands railway track. Now a well-kept 20-mile-plus cycle track that offers peace, quiet and striking views along its way
  5. The Mansel Arms: A visit for anyone who loves a local pub. Situated on the Tumble-Drefach-Porthyrhyd road, it has won CAMRA awards.

Postcode district: SA14

 

3. Afan Forest Park

Created in the 1970s and has grown into one of Britain’s iconic mountain bike destinations. Situated in a former coal mining valley a few miles from the M4, the forest park offers mountain bike trails for beginners to expert riders.

Five Reasons To Go There

  1. Easy to get to: Located only minutes from Jn 41 of the M4
  2. Family friendly cycling and walking: A network of 25 miles (40 km) of disused railway lines and numerous footpaths for the inexperienced to the the very experienced
  3. Mountain Biking: The Penhydd Trail was voted as the trail to ride before you die by What Mountain Bike Magazine in 2004
  4. Good facilities: A well-equipped cafe (try the house speciality wraps), small local museum on mining, bike hire shop and a new children’s adventure play area next to the cafe
  5. It's beautiful! We visited in late Autumn and were blessed with a glorious palette of golds, oranges, reds and yellows

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre is SA13 3HG
Places to visit in South West Wales
Dramatic heart of Wales

 

4. West Angle Bay

One of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire. Nestled and lost in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park, with the coast path walk passing right through.

Five Reasons To Go There

  1. An alternative to the poular nearby Freshwater West Beach: West Angle Bay is a most wonderful, peaceful place
  2. Sheltered facing due west with calm safe water: Lots of sand and shells and rock pools - perfect for pottering, paddling and snoozing
  3. Top notch cafe: The Wavecrest is in a truly unique beachside location, with views over the rugged Pembrokeshire coastline and out to the open sea. Mackeral pate is one of their specialities. Open all year except for January
  4. Walk the Walk: The Wales Coast Path heads off to the left and right. Go right when you are facing out to sea and you can walk a loop around the headland. If you go left you head towards Freshwater West and a more rugged pathway with widescreen views over clear blue sea
  5. The locals love it!

West Angle Bay, Pembroke SA71 5BE

 

5. Worms Head and Rhossili Bay Beach

The furthest westerly point of the Gower Peninsula. The headland is made up of three islands: the Inner Head, the Middle Head which features a collapsed sea cave and is known as the Devil's Bridge, and the Outer Head.

Five Reasons To Go There

  1. Plenty of facilities and parking
  2. Rugged and isolated: Walk along the grassy cliff top to the Old Coastguard Lookout. From here views of the peninsula can be seen as well as across the sea to West Wales, Lundy Island and the north Devon coast
  3. Three miles of open beach below in Rhossili Bay
  4. Get your timing right either side of low tide and cross the rugged causeway to the headland for unrivalled views. It's a unique physical and visual experience that gets your heart racing!
  5. Late summer: An ideal time to catch sunflowers at Rhossili's spectacular sunflower displays

Rhossili, Swansea, SA3 1PR

The Five Favourite Images

1. Llansteffan

 

Looking down to the beach and receded tide from castle path.

Llansteffan beach from the castle path

2. Tumble

 

Morning sun breaking through on one of the many hidden and quiet paths around Tumble.

Morning sun through trees on a woodland road in Tumble

3. Afan Forest Park

 

What a view to stop and have a cuppa. Looking down the Afan Valley where it shows off its beatiful autumn palette.

Looking down the Afen Valley in Autumn

4. West Angle Bay

 

Rock pools a plenty at low tide. The gentle sloping, sheltered beach adds to the tranquility.

West Bay beach, Pembrokshire, West Wales, shoreline and rock pools

5. Worms Head, Rhossili

 

Looking down from Worms Head Coastal Path to Rhossili Bay and its vast beach, gentle surf and clear waters.

Looking down to Rhossili beach and the gentle surf from Worms Head path

Bonus! More Images

Sunset over nearby woodland in Tumble
Looking down at the cliffs and Rhossili beach with sheep casually grazing
Stylised image of Bluebells in spring at Llnasteffan woods
Looking down at River Afan through autumn-cloaked trees at Afan Forest Park
Monochromatic image of fishing rod beach caster and people strolling along the low tide beach at Llansteffan
Looking through ruins of interior wall at Llansteffan Castle towards the old central courtyard
Looking at ruins Llansteffan Castle towards River Lougher
Looking down at River Afan through autumn-cloaked trees at Afan Forest Park

 

 

Map Locations

 

AREA

How to get there

LOCAL MAP ONE

Llansteffan. Hidden Gem
Google maps Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire

LOCAL MAP TWO

Tumble, Carmarthenshire. Hidden Gem
Google maps Tumble, Carmarthenshire

LOCAL MAP THREE

Afan Forest Park. Hidden Gem
Google maps Afan Forest Park

LOCAL MAP FOUR

West Angle Bay, Pembrokeshire. Hidden Gem
Google maps West Angle Bay, Pembrokeshire

LOCAL MAP FIVE

Worms Head, Rhossili
Google maps Worms Head, Rhossili Bay, Gower

Famous Words

 

Digital and Print Graphic Design from thedesigneye

thedesigneye is John Cartwright -
An Englishman in Wales

 

I've helped small to medium-sized businesses and startups (as well as multi-nationals) blend common-sense design with the right marketing and visualisation to shape their graphic design and brand.

My experience helps deliver cost-effective, affordable design solutions. Based at Windswept Studio, Upper Tumble, Carmarthenshire, South Wales.

Online portfolio and more info on how I can help with your Graphic Design communications:
www.thedesigneye.co.uk
 john@thedesigneye.co.uk

john cartwrights thedesigneye portfolio image picture link to john cartwrights designeye website