Wales is renowned for many things. A beautiful coastline, gorgeous beaches, beautiful walks and much more. But it’s also home to some of the most scenic and relaxing villages you’re likely to find anywhere.
Instead of waiting for the summer to book some time off, you could make the most of what Wales has to offer by planning a weekend away or just a day out in one of the seven wonderful villages listed below, each one offering a little bit of tranquillity if you want to get away from things for a day or two. Find out about the latest events in Wales by signing up to our What’s On newsletter here.
Aberffraw, Anglesey
Aberffraw on Anglesey
(Image: Phil Taylor)
In 2023 Aberffraw was voted the best place to live on Anglesey in a poll conducted by North Wales Live. Last year, the Telegraph visited and wrote: “Looking at dinky, sleepy Aberffraw on Anglesey’s southwest coast, you’d never guess it was the chief seat of the Princes of Gwynedd in the Middle Ages, a legacy still celebrated in its scallop-shaped biscuits.”
“Nowadays, the village is a huddle of pretty stone and pastel-painted cottages peeking above the tidal waters of the River Ffraw. With the first glimmer of sun, you’ll race with childlike joy over wind-whipped dunes to its gorgeous sweep of powdery sand, Traeth Mawr.”
“Views stretch across the Irish Sea to the glowering mountains of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula. If you fancy a slightly longer ramble, hook onto the coast path, which passes a Bronze Age burial cairn en route to the cove of Porth Cwyfan. Here medieval St Cwyfan’s Church sits on a rugged little island that gets completely cut off at high tide.”
Trap, Carmarthenshire
Carreg Cennen sits on a hilltop above the village of Trapp, Carmarthenshire
(Image: Simon Rowe)
Just four miles southeast of the popular town of Llandeilo lies the charming village of Trap, which could easily be overlooked. The village’s name itself is a point of intrigue often spelled as Trapp, the English version, on maps and could allude to a fish-trap, a water-trap, or perhaps an ambush point, given its location in Cwm Lladron (“robbers’ valley”).
Trap may be small, but it boasts a pub as its central social hub, although the post office and the old village school have since shut their doors, leaving limited local amenities.
Despite its small size, the village is a hub for some of the region’s most historic attractions. Carreg Cennen Castle’s remains are visible just a mile to the east, while the rocky Carreg Dwfn, the westernmost hill of the national park, lies to the south. The remnants of Capel Dewi, a medieval chapel, can be found to the east of the road south of the village.
Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan
Llancarfan isn’t on many people’s radars – but locals love living there
(Image: John Myers)
For a village with a modest population of just over 700, Llancarfan certainly has an impressive array of listed historical buildings. The majority of the village falls within a conservation area, designated by the local authority in 1971.
Buildings recognised as being of special historic interest include The Fox and Hounds pub, the former Bethlehem Chapel, the former Wesleyan Chapel, Chapel Cottage, Great House, Corner House and Llancarfan Primary School.
Situated west of Barry and near Cowbridge, the village boasts a renowned parish church, the site of Saint Cadoc’s 6th-century class, celebrated for its learning. Notable Welsh holy men such as Cainnech of Aghaboe and Caradoc of Llancarfan studied there.
The spacious church, which belonged to Gloucester Abbey in the later Middle Ages, houses a stoup and intriguing remains of a rood screen, now adapted as a reredos. In early 2008, architects unearthed medieval wall paintings in the church under layers of whitewash, including one of only three depictions of St George found in churches in Wales.
Cenarth, Carmarthenshire
Nestled at the meeting point of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire, Cenarth remains something of a hidden gem. The village is famed for the enchanting Cenarth Falls, a cascade of small waterfalls and pools along the River Teifi, which also serves as a notable salmon leap.
History whispers through the village with records of a mill in Cenarth dating back to the 13th century, which fell under the ownership of Edward I after he was declared Lord of the Manor of Cenarth.
Llangrannog, Ceredigion
A view of Llangrannog
(Image: WalesOnline/Gayle Marsh)
This charming seaside village is a symbol of Welsh culture. It’s not just its beauty, welcoming atmosphere and seclusion that make it special, but also the emotional connection it holds for thousands who spent their formative years here.
Many took their first trip away from home in Llangrannog, just a mile from the beach at the Urdd campus. However, for those who didn’t have the chance to visit the holiday camp during their teenage years, this gem often slips under the radar.
With a handful of pubs, a fish and chip shop, an ice-cream parlour and a stunning beach, Llangrannog offers the full seaside experience, but with an extra dose of tranquility and natural beauty.
And all this is hidden away down a narrow road, making every arrival feel like you’ve discovered a secret treasure while meandering through the west Wales countryside.
Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
Saundersfoot
(Image: John Myers)
Arguably an unsung hero in comparison to its next door neighbour Tenby, this serene village is the epitome of peace and quiet, especially if you’re visiting in the off-peak season. It has plenty of pizazz, with stunning foodie options and lovely residents who instantly make you feel welcome.
Last year it was named one of the best places to live by the sea in the UK by the Sunday Times. Describing Saundersfoot, journalist Tim Palmer wrote: “Saundersfoot may not have the Instagrammable looks of Tenby along the coast, but on most counts it’s more than a match for its colourful Georgian neighbour.
A recently completed harbour development has brought a bit of buzz to the waterfront, while Saundersfoot Beach was named one of the three most sustainable in the world in a TripAdvisor survey this year and there are two others to hang out on. The sandy beaches are the big draw for holidaymakers, but there’s enough going on year-round to make this the perfect base to explore the riches of the wild coast of west Wales. There’s a good primary school, trains to Swansea (in a leisurely 90 minutes) and a full roster of community clubs and activities. Average house price: £370,537.”
Beddgelert
Beddgelert
(Image: Getty Images)
In 2023, Beddgelert was named one of the 30 most unspoilt villages in Britain. It’s described as Eryri’s ‘loveliest’. The village is known for its statue of a famous hound, supposedly named after Prince Llywelyn the Great’s dog, Gelert.
The Telegraph named Beddgelert among the “greatest” in Britain last year. The paper said: “At any time of year, this is a cracking base for chucking on boots to hit trails wiggling up into gnarly mountains. Warm up with a four-hour circular walk, ticking off the high moors of Grib Ddu, glacial Llyn Dinas lake and the Aberglaslyn Pass, a narrow gorge where the boulder-smashing Glaslyn River thunders past cliffs and lichen-wisped forests.”
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