Q. How do I decide where in Wales to visit?
A. For a small country, Wales offers huge geographical and equestrian diversity. There are three National Parks, majestic mountain ranges, countless beaches, miles of Heritage coastlines, massive moorlands, mystical islands and stunning scenery.
Each region has its own identity. From volcanic, rugged Snowdonia to the rolling green mountains of Mid Wales with their rare Red Kites, down to the coastal path of Pembrokeshire and further east to the Gower peninsula, the central Brecon Beacons and the enchanting Wye Valley in the east of Wales - one visit will not be enough. Arrive as a guest, return as a friend.
LLEYN AND SNOWDONIA - LLEYN AC ERYRI
As you head westwards along the A55 from Liverpool and the Midlands, you will see the mountains of Snowdonia. The closer you get, the bigger and more impressive they become. Little wonder that the Kings of England peppered the North Wales coast with fortresses and castles. The mountains and peaks overlooking them presented a far too formidable challenge and housed a rebellious people.
Snowdonia as a National Park, with its 92 mountain peaks, and twenty three miles of coastline, is a majestic and magical part of Wales. At one stage volcanic, and later carved by the Ice Age, Snowdonia has some of the oldest rock known to man.
It has 264km of bridleways, and from the local equestrian centres, you can take your time pondering the last glacier to disappear from here, only 10,000 years ago.
From various vantage points, on a clear day, the Lleyn Peninsular and the Isle of Anglesey, as well as Ireland, are visible. The flat plains and superb beaches of Anglesey are extremely popular with families. Anglesey boasts five equestrian centres.
www.visitsnowdonia.info
www.anglesey.gov.uk
NORTH WALES BORDERLANDS - FFINIAU'R GOGLEDD
The North East is a cultural mix of Welsh and English. It has always been so, since Edward 1st saw it as such a strategic stronghold against the Welsh - he built the castles of Flint, Denbigh and Rhuddlan to make the point.
Yet, according to a 19th century rhyme, this area includes six of the seven 'Wonders of Wales'. That might be a contentious issue in contemporary times, but for horse riding enthusiasts, there are the moorlands of Denbigh, the beach riding of the Flint coast, the mountains of Berwyn, Moel Famau and Halkyn, the Horseshoe Pass, and the Llandegla Forest.
A short drive away from Chester, and not that far from Liverpool and Manchester, there is spectacular scenery. On all sides are cairns and old fortresses, sheep tracks and drovers roads. There are trails which could be forty miles long, if you have the stamina.
www.borderlands.co.uk
www.walesonhorseback.co.uk
ALTERNATIVE ATTRACTIONS
There are an abundance of alternative activities and attractions in North Wales, as you would expect from one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK. Some come here for the walking or mountain biking, some for the water-sports, sailing or wind surfing, others are content with the scenery or an ice cream on the promenades of Llandudno, Rhyl or Colwyn Bay.
There are cruises, and the Italian village at Portmeirion, the Welsh Mountain Zoo or a trip to Snowdon's summit on the train, excursions through Snowdonia, or golf on Anglesey. Little wonder that it is sometimes called the playground of Liverpool and Manchester.
WEST WALES - GORLLEWIN CYMRU
The rolling hills of Carmarthenshire, the National Park coastline of Pembrokeshire and the Cambrian mountains of Cardiganshire await you. Rumour has it that this corner of Wales is as passionate about horses as its next-door neighbours, the Irish.
Beach riding, forest trails and hill trekking attract horse enthusiasts every year so book early - because it is popular with the Welsh people too.
The climate is kind and the welcome better. There is so much to do if you are a little saddle sore. The seaside resorts of Tenby, Saundersfoot, Newquay, Aberaeron and Aberystwyth offer less tranquil fayre, but at Pendine and Cefn Sidan you will find two of the longest beaches in the UK.
The West is also the traditional home of the much-loved Welsh Cob, and the Cob sales attract world-wide attention.
This area is steeped in history, from the castles of the conquering Normans in Pembrokeshire to the defiant castles of the Welsh in the Tywi valley. Further North, you can ride across the Cardiganshire hills where the Welsh prince Owain Glyndwr rebelled and fought his battles.
www.carmarthenshire.co.uk
The west is an extraordinarily diverse area, from the fishing boat bobbing haunts of Dylan Thomas, at Newquay, Aberaeron and Laugharne, to the only Welsh theme park at Oakwood in Pembrokeshire. You can sail, snorkel, fish for salmon, visit the National Botanic Gardens in Carmarthenshire, or just relax by walking the Pembrokeshire coastal path.
For families there is a rich choice of attractions in addition to the beaches of Pembrokeshire, Saundersfoot and Tenby. In fact, Pembrokeshire claims to be 'open all year round' - it is true of most of West Wales, but there are sleepy corners which remain largely unchanged.
MID WALES - CANOLBARTH CYMRU
The busiest time of year in Mid Wales is mid July, when the tiny village of Llanelwedd, outside Builth Wells, hosts the annual Royal Welsh Show. A quarter of a million people, including thousands of horse enthusiasts, descend upon the site for the UK's best attended agricultural show. For the rest of the year, it is yours to enjoy.
Powys is the trekking treasure. The forests of Dyfnant and Vyrnwy, Dyfi, Crychan, and the Beacons of Brecon are all laced with trails, where you might not meet a soul for miles. You can ride the rooftop of Wales, with only the sheep and the odd Red Kite for company.
You will pass ancient hill forts, burial mounds, medieval churches, or you can head for the Wye and Severn River sources on Plynlimon. Llanwrtyd Wells, Britain's smallest town and home of the Man versus Horse annual race, is a mecca for trekkers, but so too are many of the towns on the old Welsh drovers roads.
Time, mercifully, has stood still for many of the towns and villages of this superb landscaped area of Wales. For peace and tranquility, Mid Wales has it in silent abundance.
www.exploremidwales.com
For scenery and walks on the coast or on the rooftop, there are few areas to match Mid Wales. It is an area for the quiet holiday, complete relaxation in wonderful countryside, a million miles away from the office. You will be charmed by the small quaint towns and villages of the region, Tregaron, Llanwrtyd Wells, Machynlleth, Llanidloes and Llandrindod Wells in particular. Aberystwyth and Lampeter are bustling university towns, and for the motorist there are roads through the mountains which are a joy in this motorway dominated era.
GLAMORGAN AND GWENT - MORGANNWG A GWENT
Gower is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and rightly so. With its amazing beaches, battered cliffs and winding roads, Gower is a pocket sized summer paradise. Despite being on Swansea's doorstep, there are plenty of horse activities too.
Further east, there is the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, the Vale of Glamorgan and the lower reaches of the Brecon Beacons. Despite its industrial past, many of these lands have been reclaimed for nature, and the trails in particular. Travel from Neath to Merthyr Tydfil, and you would never guess this to be a one time terraced row of collieries. It is now wooded forests all the way.
Gwent too, has a vibrant industrial past. Yet, again, industrial eyesores have given way to forestry and the re-birth of the area as a playground. The east side of Gwent and the gentle slopes of the Black Mountains and the Wye Valley are popular for country pursuits.
The Black Mountains around the charming towns of Abergavenny and Crickhowell are full of horse riding centres, and the scenery from the trails in the Wye Valley are those which inspired Wordsworth. Little wonder that on the Severn crossing you have to pay to come into Wales. There is no charge on the way out!
www.visitswanseabay.com
www.wisdomandwalks.co.uk
www.glamorganheritagecoast.com
www.wyevalleytourism.co.uk
www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
You would think that the South was dominated by Cardiff, the youngest capital city in Europe and ever expanding with its Millennium Stadium, Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay waterfront and all the trappings of a large, modern and cosmopolitan city.
Far from it. Swansea, the gateway to the fabulous Gower coast, is changing rapidly, with the Waterfront Museum a major tourist destination.
The Heritage Coast of Glamorgan is a favourite destination of both Swansea and Cardiff city dwellers.
Away from the coast and the traditional seaside towns of Porthcawl and Barry, you will find vast wooded valleys which once sported colliery winding gear. Industry has now given way to forestry.
The scenery shifts in the South Wales valleys, since the decline of coal production has been staggering. Further east a trip from Chepstow through the Wye Valley and on to the Forest of Dean, to the market towns of Abergavenny and Crickhowell, or a trip on the old Brecon to Monmouth canal, will be remembered.
Q. How do I find an appropriate riding holiday in Wales?
A. There are numerous riding holiday centres with or without accommodation thoughout Wales, as well as places to stay - B&B or self-catering accommodation - with your horse. Take a look in the appropriate section - there is plenty of choice!
Equestrian Wales All Waleswww.equestrianwales.org.uk
Horse & Holiday Travel TipsTell your holiday centre what you want – short, half day or full day rides. Tell them how experienced you are, and listen to their advice. Members of the Wales Trekking and Riding Association have been at it for 50 years, so they know a thing or two!