Cymru am byth! The things we love about Wales
There’s a lot to love about Wales.
People tend to highlight a mix of its landscapes, culture, and character, but what do you really love about Wales?
Below is a general list of the some of the best things about the country we love, but now we want you to tell us what are the things about Wales that you really love.
We want to build a picture of the nation that brims with positivity and pride, so let us know what you adore about your country.
Let’s drill down into specifics and uncover some hidden gems!
Natural Beauty
Mountains & National Parks: Eryri, Bannau Brycheiniog, and Pembrokeshire Coast are among the most spectacular landscapes in the UK.
Coastline: Wales has over 870 miles of coastline and the Wales Coast Path, one of the only continuous coastal walks in the world.
Castles: More castles per square mile than any other country in the world, from Caernarfon to Conwy to Cardiff.
Culture & Identity
Language: Welsh (Cymraeg) is one of the oldest living languages in Europe, and it’s seeing a revival in schools, music, and daily life.
Music & Song: From male voice choirs to Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals, and newer artists, music is woven into Welsh life.
Poetry & Storytelling: The Eisteddfod, our national festival of literature, music and performance, embodies centuries of tradition.
Sport & Passion
Rugby: It’s more than a sport—it’s a cultural heartbeat. A match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff is unforgettable.
Football: The recent success of the men’s and women’s teams has stirred huge national pride.
Food & Drink
Welsh Cakes: Sweet griddle cakes that are a national treasure.
Lamb & Leeks: Traditional staples that also symbolise the country.
Beer & Cider: A growing craft brewing scene, plus traditional ales and ciders.
Spirit & Community
Hiraeth: A uniquely Welsh concept, roughly meaning a deep longing for home, heritage, and belonging.
Warmth & Humour: Visitors often say the people are welcoming, witty, and grounded.
History & Heritage
Celtic Roots: Ancient standing stones, myths of King Arthur, and a strong cultural lineage.
Industrial Legacy: Coal mining valleys, slate quarries, and the communities built around them still shape identity.
Accessibility & Scale
Everything feels close: mountains, beaches, and cities are all within a short drive of each other.
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OK, I’m not Welsh although I’ve happily lived here for some years.
I’ve also lived in Portugal and I’d say that the Portuguese concept or “saudades” is very similar or the same as “hiraeth” (of course in a different language!). What do others feel?
In the Napoleonic Armies they used Nostalgia as a medical term to describe why some men would lose the will to fight. In some cases it is listed as the cause of death. It isn’t a uniquely Welsh feeling, we can all have it but each persons particular experience of it is and of course, only a Welsh person would feel homesick for Wales.. I have been asked many times to send photographs to Welshmen abroad of the grass on an an autumn morning or the valleys at sunset but I can’t magic up a bottle of Corona Dandelion &… Read more »
AI article?
I thought the same but my comment wasn’t put through. The short paragraphs and headings do look like some AI generated text and note the em dash on the rugby section.
If we actually realised what Wales have achieved would be amazed. With a little research would find somewhere in the world where the Welsh or those with Welsh ancestry have quietly made their mark without fanfare or recognition. For example. Who knew that it was a Welshman Griffith J. Griffith from Betws , Glamorganshire, who gifted his land to the people that all after became Holywoodland aka Hollywood. He also built the famous Hollywood boulevard. What about Welsh. Celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He was Welsh-American was responsible for constructing one of the most iconic buildings in the 20th century… Read more »
1 – it’s not England.
2 – we welcome strangers.
A landscape born out of a brutal past.