The Landscapes of West Wales

by Ross McCabe of Under the Thatch

Wales is characterised as a land of hills, mountains and valleys. Indeed, over a third of Wales' 8,000 square miles lies above 244 metres (800 ft), which is generally accepted as the lower limit of the upland in Britain, what's more a further 27% lies above the 304-metre mark (1000 ft). The Welsh landscape has been constantly shaped and re-shaped by the numerous ice ages that have passed over the millennia, the most recent of which was 18.000 years ago, the legacy left by these past ice sheets has been this high mountainous terrain periodically interrupted by deep river valleys.

With a rugged landscape that is home to a variety of spectacular mountain ranges such as; Snowdonia, Cadair Idris, and the Cambrian Mountains to name just three, Wales has been a focus for many a traveller as well as for the indigenous inhabitants for thousands of years. The valleys of Wales are equally as spectacular and are historically renowned as the hosts of past mining, steel and woollen industries.

Ceredigion

The predominantly rural region of West Wales is the most peaceful and, with a resident population of only 70,000 people in Ceredigion (one of the largest counties), is the most sparsely populated in the country. Here, however, there is still a rich thriving culture in the numerous towns, villages and small rural communities, with the majority of inhabitants speaking both Welsh and English fluently. Many traditional arts and crafts are still in use here, and visitors often leave with love spoons, Welsh flags etc, as a souvenir of their time in Wales.

The people of Wales have always been and, to a certain extent, still are intimately tied to their landscape. The Welsh land has been used by its inhabitants for shelter and settlement, hunting, gathering, farming and industry for thousands of years and the legacy of countless generations can still be seen and enjoyed today. In a short walk or car trip, visitors can immerse themselves into the myth, history and even prehistory of this country, the remains of which are still an integral part of modern society..

One can visit the various Iron Age hill forts, such as that of Pen Dinas near Aberystwyth, that are dotted around the countryside, see how the Romans modified the land in Wales and their search for gold at the Dolaucothi mines, or learn of the extensive influence the Cistercians had over much of Wales by visiting the Abbey at Strata Florida to name but a few of the highlights of this region. Alternatively, visitors can take a long walk along the historical drovers routes and take in the breathtaking natural scenery that Wales has to offer.

West Wales is just as rich and diverse in terms of its various habitats and wildlife. The mixture of pasture, wetland and woodland provide dwellings for all the usual suspects as well as a variety of rare species such as the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, the Red Kite and Chough to name but a few. The coastline and estuaries in this region are equally as significant for supporting the rich biodiversity of Wales.

Coastal towns such as Cardigan are havens for a number of sea birds as well as sea dwelling animals like the Grey Seal, Bottlenose Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise. As a host to such a wide range of important species of wildlife, there are a number of nature reserves and national parks in Wales that serve to protect the flora and fauna and which also serve the needs of the public as places of great natural beauty to visit again and again.

Once the availability of new building materials and the influence of external ideas towards design and construction became commonplace, the characteristic Welsh cottage began to take on many new forms quite separate from their original design. In particular the Georgian ‘symmetrical’ or near symmetrical front façade with a central doorway became commonplace. These cottages replace earlier models with gable-entry doorways.

Why not explore the West Wales countryside by booking a holiday in our unique accommodation? Click here for our latest offers.