Spoil yourselves - exploring the past
Everybody knows that there are more castles per square mile in Wales than
in any other European country. What many people are not aware of is that
Southern Wales can lay claim to a vast number of them, from the huge, awe-inspiring
structures at Raglan and Caerphilly, to the intimate strength of Ogmore
and Coity.
It's not just castles though, as Southern Wales has a fascinating
history that includes the Celts, the Romans, the Normans, the Stuarts and
the industrial legacy of the Victorian and Edwardian ages. In fact Wales
was the world's first industrial nation - it all started here
in Southern Wales! Recognition of the area's importance can be seen
with the recent designation of The Blaenavon World Heritage Site.
Today, the same valleys and mountains that echoed with the noise of blast
furnaces, iron works and coal mines are covered with woodland areas that
make this part of Wales so stunning, but our inheritance of history has
been carefully preserved for all to see and admire; in fact here in Wales,
we value these so much that we have designated many of them as National
treasures, collectively known as the National Museums of Wales. We have
the National Mining Museum at Big Pit, The National History Museum at St.
Fagans and the National Museum and Gallery at Cathays Park in Cardiff.
We invite you to lose yourselves in the splendour, the drama, the tradition
and the wealth of Southern Wales' past.
Go on, spoil yourselves!