12 interesting facts about Wales

Part of Wales’ appeal for many holidaymakers is its unique culture. While its most popular beaches and larger cities may draw in the punters, the rolling Welsh valleys have retained an air of mystery over the years. Plenty of hidden gems and interesting facts about Wales can be unearthed from its towns and landscapes, although some are only explored by the more adventurous walking groups. Here is a quick guide to Wales for any budding visitors. We hope these 12 facts will give you more of an insight into its sights and culture as well as inspire your next holiday plans.

Mount Everest

Although the tallest mountain in the world is thousands of miles away in Nepal, the name of this iconic wonder is derived from the Welshman, Sir George Everest who hailed from Gwernvale in the south. A little along the timeline, the Welshman Tom Whittaker famously conquered Mount Everest shortly after he lost his foot in a car accident in 1979.

Longest name

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, a large town in North Wales, is officially the longest place name in Europe and one of the longest place names in the world. Try putting that on a postcard!

National Parks

Wales’ three national parks, Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons, protect 20% of all of Wales. Brecon Beacons is around 520 square miles, roughly the same size as the London underground network while Mount Snowdon is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Wales.

Language

While the Welsh are proud of their native language, only 19% of the entire population can actually speak it. Furthermore, the letters K, V, Q and Z do not appear in their alphabet at all.

UK flag

The Welsh flag, which consists of a red dragon on a white and green background, is the only flag not to feature on the Union Flag, the Union Jack.

Castles

Wales boasts some of the most beautiful castles in the UK. It is a little known fact that Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Its most famous castles include Beaumaris Castle and Conwy Castle, both of which have plenty of campsites nearby.

Sheep

Sheep are very important to the Welsh farming industry and economy. The number of sheep in Wales is now four times greater than its human population (currently 3 million).

Cardiff

The Welsh capital of Cardiff is the largest city in Wales and the 10th largest in the UK. It is best known for the Dr. Who museum, its university, great nightlife and love of rugby. The city is also home to The Millennium Stadium which has the largest retractable roof of any sports venue in the world.

Famous faces

The relatively small country is the original home to quite a number of recognisable faces from all sides of the celebrity spectrum including Sir Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta Jones, Rob Brydon, Tom Jones and Richard Burton.

St. David’s Day

St. David’s Day, which is held on the 1st of March every year, is the National Day in Wales and the country’s most celebrated annual event. Events can be found up and down the country in remembrance of their patron saint, St. David. The day was made a public holiday in 2000 following a unanimous vote.

The Prince and Princess of Wales

The Price and Princess of Wales are not actually Welsh. The tradition dates back to 1300 when King Edward of England proclaimed his son Lord Edward Prince of Wales alongside Count of Chester, without consulting the Welsh people. The modern day version of the title is now held by Prince Charles. This point perfectly illustrates England’s (often unwelcome) presence within Welsh history. The various castles stand as a reminder of England’s invasions into Wales.

Legends

Legends, stories and myths echo all around the Welsh landscape. One of the most famous legends to appear in Welsh folklore is the story of King Arthur and his knights. His legacy can be traced to everyday towns today such as Carmarthen which is believed to be the birthplace of Merlin. The County Library in Mold is home to the world’s largest collection of books on King Arthur - more than 2,000 volumes.

This guide gives you a little taste of Wales’ unique culture and some ideas on where you should go to indulge in some Welsh history. The Welsh map is full of campsites and caravan parks, especially along the coast. So wherever you choose to go on your travels, a campsite is sure to be nearby.