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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Emily Withers

The seven absolute best things to come out of Wales

Wales is a nation of beautiful countryside, lakes, and mountains. It's produced countless celebrities, musicians, and actors.

We are known for rowdy rugby days, delicious drinking water, the Eisteddfod, friendly people, and so much more. It's hard to choose just a few things to call the best to come out of Wales!

We asked WalesOnline readers what the best thing is that has come out of Wales. The same seven topics cropped up time and time again.

Read more: What we miss most about Wales' from the people who left.

Our famous musicians

(Hadyn Iball / North Wales Live)

Countless people told us that the best thing to come out of Wales was Sir Tom Jones. Sir Tom famously comes from Treforest, Pontypridd, and his music is known across the world.

With a musical career spanning six decades, he is best known for hits It's Not Unusual, What's New Pussycat, Delilah and Green, Green Grass of Home, but has more recently been a judge on the TV talent contest The Voice. Other popular responses were Shirley Bassey, Charlotte Church, Stereophonics and Goldie Lookin' Chain.

The Welsh Language

Part of what makes Wales so special is the beautiful native language. Language app Duolingo revealed last year that Welsh is the fastest-growing language in the UK meaning that more UK-based app users were learning Welsh than any other language.

In recent years more resources have been put into the Welsh language by the Welsh Government and local councils to try and meet the goal of a million Welsh speakers by 2050. Last year more than 17,000 people were learning Welsh with the Dysgu Cymraeg programme alone.

WalesOnline reader Mat Spillets said: "May the language endure forever". His sentiment was echoed by many readers, who said that the language is one of the best things to come out of Wales. Read the latest news about the Welsh Language here.

Gavin and Stacey

(BBC)

Despite first hitting our screens 15 years ago (yes really!), Gavin and Stacey is a favourite among Welsh and English fans. Indeed, more people in Wales watched the Christmas special live than the 2016 Euros.

Dozens of people told us that Gavin and Stacey is the best thing to ever come out of Wales. Also highly commended were Torchwood, Casualty, and Pobol y Cwm.

The NHS/Aneurin Bevan

(Daily Mirror)

Aneurin, or Nye, Bevan, was the son of a Tredegar coal miner who was responsible for the creation of the NHS. He represented Ebbw Vale as an MP throughout his parliamentary career.

Bevan is celebrated across Wales, with many a statue, street, and pub named after him. WalesOnline reader Rowena Jones said the best thing to come out of Wales is "the NHS, thanks to Aneurin Bevan".

Welsh choirs

(Robin Weaver)

There's nothing like the sound of a Welsh choir singing the national anthem. The lyrics of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadu are sure to give you chills, but even more so when it's sung by a group of talented singers.

Many WalesOnline readers told us that Welsh choirs are unmatchable. Reader June Nethercott said the best thing to come out of Wales is: "The sound of a Welsh choir when far from home."

Food

(Mirrorpix)

Wales is known for some tasty foods which every Welsh person has tried at least once. From laverbread to Welshcakes, there are some delicacies which you just can't match.

Laverbread is one of the most well-loved Welsh foods. Collecting the laver, a type of seaweed, to make Welsh Laverbread was a small cottage industry in Pembrokeshire, dating back to 1800. The laver was thrown over thatched huts to dry before being sold to businesses in Swansea where it was cooked into Welsh Laverbread and sold at local markets.

Our readers thought our food was one of the best things to come out of Wales. Tammy Evans said: "Cockles and laverbread with Welsh gammon" are the best, while Pamela Mcmahon thought it was "Welsh cakes and Welsh butter."

Patriotism

(Matthew Horwood)

One thing which Wales is known for is its strong sense of patriotism. Anyone who lives in Wales will have heard the saying "Cymru am byth". It really comes into its own when the rugby's on, particularly during the Six Nations.

The sense of pride in the flag, the songs, and the nation is something which some WalesOnline readers mentioned time and time again. Bob Miles said: "To me its a powerful sense of community and love for its landscape and history."

Others agreed. Diane Turner said: "The pride we have in our great nation. Cymru am byth. Our anthem, our flag, and a multitude of other things."

We think that Wales is pretty great. As one of our readers, Rowena Barnett articulates it, some of the best things about Wales are: "The green grass of home. The dry stone walls, the quaint pubs, the high cliffs and smell of the ocean, the many little streams and rivers that actually have fish, the smell of fish and chips. The kind, warm friendly people. The primroses and the blackberries in the hedge rows all free. The beautiful untouched scenery, the heather, the daffodils in the Spring blooming in secret places. The gentle touch of a morning mist touching your face. Have you all forgotten how lucky you are to live in Wales. The list goes on."

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