The top 50 most beautiful places in the UK for 2023 have been revealed by worldwide travel guide Big 7 Travel and among the top 10 are three locations in Wales - and one comes in at number two.
Wales is known and much loved for its sweeping shorelines that are so gorgeous you may as well be on the south coast of Italy. And the three spots which have filled up this top 10 list are exceptional examples of this.
Snowdonia National Park - which has previously been named as most beautiful in Europe and top national park in the UK - Three Cliffs Bay in Gower (which was named last year by The Times as best beach in Wales) and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park have all made the cut and are breathtaking in their own right.
Being described by the site having "epic sunrises" and "tranquil marshes", the Gower's Three Cliffs Bay comes in at number nine. Big 7 Travel wrote of its beauty: "Swansea Bay is home to a spectacular mash up of misty dunes, endless salt marshes and giant limestone cliffs known as Three Cliffs Bay. From the epic sunrises and sunsets to the expanse of sea and tranquil marshes that surround it, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most photographed areas in Wales and one of the most beautiful spots in the UK."
With Pembrokeshire Coast National Park being recognised as one of the Leading Places: The 100 Most Loved Travel Destinations Around the World (one of only ten in the UK), beating the likes of Greece and Fiji, earlier this year, it's no surprise that it comes in at number five.
"There are few places in the UK more spellbinding than the Pembrokeshire Coast," it said. "The craggy and dramatic coastal region is full of conservation areas that promise unspoilt, uncrowded beauty. Adventure-seekers will love the excellent mountain biking, surfing, sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding here, while those seeking relaxation can find it on the 70+ beaches. You can even take the exploring to the sea and spot whales and dolphins in the wild."
Coming in at number two, Snowdonia's beauty stands out and Big 7 Travel warns visitors of being taken aback by its "epic" Welsh countryside.
It said: "Nothing spells epic Welsh countryside like Snowdonia National Park. Prepare to be completely taken by the natural beauty that makes up this sprawling mountainous region in North Wales. Whether you wander the mighty Snowdon mountain for which the park is named or brush up on Welsh history at one of the many castles; it won’t be hard to see why the area is one of the most beautiful places in the UK."
This top 10 list - which also includes the likes of Scotland's the Isle of Skye, Devil's Pulpit, The Lake District and Bath - is the start of a 50 strong list of the UK's most beautiful places and these three aren't the only ones selling Wales' natural beauty to travel enthusiasts.
At number 14, Conwy Castle is described as "one of the UK’s most impressive examples of medieval architecture" while the Gower peninsula as a whole is number 19 and noted as a "gem".
Tintern Abbey - "one of Wales’ best ruins" - is in at number 29 and making the 45th most beautiful place is Dolgellau, whose "quiet charm is what makes it one of the most beautiful places".
For the whole list of the Top 50 most beautiful places in the UK, see here.
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