Castle-Hopping in Wales

 International Travelers Name Castle-Hopping in Wales the #1 Activity in Britain

New York, January 26, 2011 – International travelers have selected touring castles in Wales as the most popular of 18 travel experiences that can only be found in Britain. 10,000 people in 20 countries were surveyed by VisitBritain for the 2010 Nation Brands Index. 34% of participants would like to visit castles in Wales, making it the most frequently chosen response.

Visiting Welsh castles beat out other top tourist activities like: touring Buckingham Palace (32%), staying overnight in a Scottish castle (29.1%), and watching the sunrise at Stonehenge (28.9%). Visit Wales finds these survey results no surprise. “This survey confirms that castles in Wales are a must-see for any Britain itinerary. With the great variety of castles to see in Wales, there is something for everyone,” said Paul Chibeba, Director—North America, Visit Wales.

Boasting 641 castles, Wales is the castle capital of the world, with more castles per square mile than any other destination. Four Welsh castles collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage site: Harlech, Beaumaris, Conwy and Caernarfon. Edwardian invaders left these imposing fortresses, still some of the world’s most striking examples of medieval architecture. With so many one-of-a-kind castles, Visit Wales suggests our top ten castle-hopping experiences:

1.    Follow in royal footsteps at Caernarfon Castle where Prince Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales in 1969.

2.    Celebrate the pending nuptials of HRH Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton with your own fairytale celebration at Castell Coch.

3.    Search for the sleeping King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table at Chepstow Castle.

4.    Go ghost hunting for the green lady at Caerphilly Castle.

5.    Stay at Ruthin Castle, once owned by King Henry VIII and later by Queen Elizabeth I.

6.    Dine at a lavish medieval banquet, and tour elaborate Victorian salons at Cardiff Castle.

7.    Golf beneath the stately Harlech Castle at Royal St. David’s, a links course.

8.    Take a train ride over the moat and around the castle walls at Conwy Castle.

9.    Stroll through lavish formal gardens, and view rare plants at Powis Castle.

10.  Re-live a medieval fair at Beaumaris Castle on the Isle of Anglesey.

Visit Wales offers planning assistance, itineraries and travel resources for consumers and travel trade. Visit our website at www.visitwales.com or [Back to Press Releases Main]