I find it difficult writing these Writer’s Travel Guides sometimes. It’s hard to gauge what someone else might find inspiring for their writing while traveling somewhere new, so it’s hard to decide which places to include in these guides. I found this especially true while writing this Writer’s Travel Guide to Wales because of how many great writing spots you can find in this tiny country packed with gorgeous, little known finds.
For a country that was never on my travel bucket list, this little country sure packed a punch. Like most people, I had wanted to visit the UK mostly for England and Scotland, but Wales emerged like an underdog as my absolute favorite.
Best of all, its less crowded and touristy spots offered a much better setting for writing. Although I still think Scotland is a beautiful place for a writing retreat, I think I might choose Wales if I had to pick only one.
So here we go.
Welcome officially to the Writer’s Travel Guide to Wales, where I’ll take you on a virtual journey of what a solo writing retreat in Wales could look like. And I hope you get to take a physical journey of it one day soon.
This guide starts off with the first town I visited in Wales. We drove here straight from Scotland, and arriving at night, I was in for a pleasant surprise in the morning. The little town of Llangollen set the standards high for the rest of my time in Wales, and those standards were more than met.
I try to learn as much as possible about the places that I visit. Not only does it make the visit more enjoyable and educational, but it also increases the amount of writing ideas I get.
Visiting museums, in fact, is one of my absolute favorite ways to get writing inspiration.
This museum will teach you about the town’s past, all the way to prehistoric times!
This medieval castle ruin would be loved by all writers– I’m sure of it! Whether you’re looking to write a historical fiction to romance to fantasy genre story, this castle can inspire so many settings. And not only because the castle itself is cool, but the beautiful views are sure to inspire too.
If anyone is like me and loves to jot down writing ideas while in nature, Llangollen, although a bustling little town, is a great base for a countryside retreat.
There is a ton of gorgeous nature surrounding Llangollen, and it’s perfect for a hike! I personally took an early morning walk at the Panorama Walk on Garth Mountain. Here you get a beautiful view of Dee Valley, Llangollen down below and even the castle! However, there are definitely other great spots near Llangollen for a walk, like at Horseshoe Pass.
This 18th century canal cuts through two valleys, so it’s also a great place for a walk. Take a stroll, or enjoy a ride on the canal in a horse-drawn boat, the old fashioned way!
This UNESCO World Heritage site is the highest canal aqueduct ever built! If you’re not scared of heights, take a walk on top of this aqueduct and enjoy the views. Alternatively, take a boat ride on the canal running on top of it!
Hands down the coolest place I’ve ever enjoyed a cream tea. And possibly one of the coolest places I’ve ever written! This old rail car has been converted into a restaurant/ cafe, and in my opinion, it’s the best café in Llangollen to write.
(I certainly didn’t go to all, so I may be wrong, but it’s hard to beat a unique place like this, in a location like this and with a view like this.)
This adorable little tea room is another great option. If I had more time in Llangollen I definitely would have stopped by this great writing spot. We passed it after already gorging on a Welsh cream tea (tea, bara brith and scones with jam and clotted cream), so I had to settle with feasting my eyes on the cute, vintage décor.
For a dose of history and with a bigger appetite, stop by this pub for a heartier meal to fuel your writing session. Housed in a former mill, as the name suggests, the writing spot waiting for you in this pub comes with character and history. The delicious food will keep you fueled throughout your entire writing session and the outdoor deck is particularly noteworthy. It overlooks the river and the historic train station lying just across it.
On the other side of town, this pub is another nice spot to pull out your notebook. And it has a lovely outdoor seating area out back overlooking the river!
I don’t think you can go wrong with any traditional, atmospheric pub in the UK. Pretty much all I went to were ideal for a cozy writing session.
This surprised me because as an American, I view a pub as a place where one goes to get drunk, while in the UK it’s a more chill place where you can get home-style meals and enjoy a homey atmosphere.
This hotel certainly does look royal, an imposing white building right on the edge of the River Dee and next to the charming, historic Llangollen Bridge. It’s historic, in a great location and has amazing views; what more could you want?
For a budget friendly option, this hotel is a good choice. While not ideal for those wanting privacy while writing (although there are private rooms available too), starving artists can’t have it all! This hostel makes up for it with glowing reviews, however, and with a cozy, homey living room where you can find a nice spot to write in.
This hotel isn’t located in Llangollen, but it’s fairly close and worth a stop on your way to or from Llangollen. I recently found out about it and just couldn’t pass up on not including it here. It is the UK’s only residential library, meaning that it’s a library in which you can sleep!
Okay, so you don’t actually sleep in the library itself, but in one of the hotel rooms located in the building. You can visit the library after hours though and bring a book back to your room to read. How cool is that!? If you love writing in libraries, you will be in writing heaven here. It’s such a great place to take a solo writing retreat. This is now on my writing bucket list!
(P.S. Do you have a bucket list for places around the world where you’d to write? Please let me know what’s on your list in the comments below!)
If you like writing in mountains, you don’t need to go all the way to the Scottish Highlands. While Scotland can boast the highest mountain in the UK, Wales has the second highest. Snowden is the highest mountain in Wales and England, so it’s a popular hiking spot for those who don’t want to go all the way up north.
That’s not all Snowdonia has to offer, though. There are lots of great towns and points of interest (including writing spots) in this big national park in northern Wales, but I’ll share the ones I visited and loved most to give you some inspiration!
This was a fantastic museum where I learned a lot about both the area’s history and slate mining. It’s located in a former Victorian quarry, so it’s a very immersive experience. I highly recommend! Any immersion into the past serves as the perfect writing inspiration and research, in my opinion.
If you’ve read my other Writer’s Travel Guides, you likely know that I love hiking because I often get writing ideas then. Like I already said, this is the second highest mountain in the UK, so it’s quite the workout! (You can take a rail car up too, if you’re not up for the hike.)
The views are supposed to be amazing too. I say “supposed to” because I didn’t see them myself. Why? Because I made the mistake of hiking up on the rainiest, foggiest day of the week.
This is what I saw at the summit:
This is what I was supposed to see:
Especially around where Pont-y-Pair Bridge is. After a little walk, you’ll find ample atmospheric pubs and cafes to sit in around this area, overlooking the rocky river and very small but powerful waterfalls. You can climb down onto the rocks by the river, and one of those rocks can even make for a great writing spot if it’s not crowded and you have nice weather (rather a rarity in Wales).
Also, make sure you explore the gorgeous nature surrounding this small but bustling town!
Located outside of town, the lovely forest walk leading to the waterfalls truly feels like you’re navigating in a world of fairies. The forest was lush green when I was there in late summer, and it looked absolutely magical.
If the power of waterfalls inspires you, bring a notebook along and stop on a nice *comfy* rock to sit on and write for a while.
This might seem an odd addition, but hear me out! Although not a particularly special spot to see, this is the alleged grave of a faithful dog from a traditional folk tale.
In a quick summary, a lord comes home to find his baby’s cradle empty. He sees his dog, Gelert, covered in blood, and he thinks the dog ate his baby. In rage and grief he slays his dog, only to find his baby safe and alive next to the dead body of the wolf that had tried killing the baby, but that Gelert fought off.
Any other writers who love collecting folk tales in their travels?
Anyway, even if this doesn’t interest you, the walk to this grave from the historic and charming town of Beddgelert is beautiful. Make sure to have a walk around Beddgelert too!
I had a great lunch here before heading out in search for Gelert’s grave. The pub has that typical homey atmosphere and the view of the bridge and town across the river was a plus.
This pub was recommended to us at the fish and chips place in town where we got food there. Even at night, this pub has a lovely atmosphere for some writing. It’s also quite spacey, and the table we took in a back room was quiet enough for me to write.
(By the way, as you may have noticed, you’ll be getting quite a few pubs as writing spot recommendations in this Wales guide. I love how welcoming and cozy the pubs there are!)
Hiking up Snowden from Llanberis? You’ll pass by this cozy tea house near the start of the trail. The cozy 18th century cottage is so inviting, and you’ll want to stop by for a tea or beer after all that hard work hiking up! It’s a great place to reflect and jot down thoughts you had while hiking, since you’re still in the tranquility of the countryside and not quite in town yet.
Thought the train carriage tea room in Llangollen was cool? Well, Bewts-y-Coed has one too, except the interior still looks like a coach car of a train! It’s also right by the Railway Museum if you’re interested in that.
This gorgeous campsite is a great place to just chill out for a few days while writing. It also is just a good base for exploring all that Snowdonia has to offer.
If you’re hiking up Snowden, I’d recommend this campsite. It was just a few-minute drive to Llanberis, and the views from the view were pretty (although that must be true of all Snowdonia campsites!) There’s no website that I know of; we just showed up and paid for a spot at the house.
If you’re not a camper, this hotel option is great. It’s located just outside of Bewts-y-Coed so it’s really peaceful, but it’s also a short walk to town. And the views are lovely– the perfect scenery for a writing retreat! (Also, the pool is great for a writing break.)
And this hotel in Llanberis is ideal if you’re planning to hike up Snowden, since it’s right by the start of the trail. It’s a bigger hotel and houses a beautiful restaurant. Added bonus: the rooms have a desk where you can write.
I’d like to end the Snowdonia section off by saying that this vast region of Wales has so many other inspiring writing spots! I hope one day to explore them all so that I could give Snowdonia its own Writer’s Travel Guide. But for now, do you have any recommendations? Please share in the comments below!
Another nature-focused writing destination in Wales is located to the south. This lower area is called Breacon Beacons. You won’t find very high mountain peaks here, but you will find huge hills rolling throughout and fascinating nature attractions.
This gorgeous hike takes you on a loop to four very different but very beautiful waterfalls. If you’re brave, bring a swimsuit and take a dip in the cold pools!
This waterfall is perhaps the most famous one in Wales because it was featured in the Dark Knight movie as the entrance to the Bat Cave. Even if you’re not a superhero fan, this waterfall is quite a sight!
You can walk behind the waterfall, which really makes you appreciate its power. There are also other waterfalls you can hike to from here, but this one shouldn’t be missed!
A red kite is a majestic bird of prey that could be seen in Wales, specifically prevalent in Brecon Beacons. There is a feeding station where for five pounds, you can see one up close.
Alternatively, make sure you keep an eye out for them on your walks in Brecon Beacons. They’re really big, so you won’t miss them!
Writing Prompt: A past Voyage Scribe writing prompt was “Write a story set in a place you traveled to from the perspective of a bird.”
Can you use this prompt to write about red kite flying over Brecon Beacons?
Also, check out the current month’s writing prompt here, and sign up to get a new travel-inspired writing prompt sent to your inbox every month!
There are various castle ruins to see throughout Brecon Beacons, and I’m sure many writers would find inspiration exploring these ruins.
The castle we saw was Cerreg Cennen Castle. It sits atop a limestone crag and is quite impressive in size. After exploring this castle, make sure you leave time to take walks around the area. (You can get a map/guide from the castle shop.)
When the weather is nice, there’s no better place to write than out in nature! Maybe bring along a blanket to sit on, find one of the gorgeous views Wales is famous for and start writing!
This pub had amazing food! The atmosphere was great, and you won’t mind spending hours here writing and enjoying truly delicious meals. (Try the chips!)
This teeny tiny tea house is absolutely adorable! Despite its small size, it does have a few cute spots where you can sit, write and enjoy a tea and sweet treats.
Located near Carreg Cennen Castle, this is a great spot for food after walking around the area. Put your ideas from the inspiring walk and castle visit down on paper as you wait for you food here.
This campsite was in a great location and located on a farm. It also had beautiful views from the land it was located on, right next to the owners’ beautiful farmhouse. And it had a surprisingly excellent (and heated: amazing for cold nights!) bathroom.
For a hotel, I’d recommend this one, as it’s in a great location (Waterfall Country). The rooms are modern and it has an excellent café and restaurant onsite: a perfect spot to write!
This student seaside town is a bit far from everywhere, but it’s the kind of place that has everything you need.
The huge and beautiful library is a great place for writers to both get research on Wales and writing inspiration. There are also various exhibitions throughout the year, and the library itself is not a bad writing spot!
This renowned university gives the old city a youthful vibe. The Old College, right across the street from the coastline, is particularly gorgeous and worth a look.
Aberystwyth also has a wide stretch of castle ruins to explore! If you haven’t noticed already, Wales has lots of castle ruins, so it’s the perfect for ruin exploring and castle loving writers.
Love combing through shelves of old books during a writing break? This secondhand store will surely satisfy your needs! It has lots of character, both with its exterior and interior.
Take a walk on the promenade along the shoreline and then stop at the Royal Pier. Here you’ll find an arcade (unleash your inner child!), nightclub, snooker club and restaurant. If it’s a nice day, there is a pretty outdoor seating area where you can also write while enjoying a good meal and views.
For a bit of nature and exercise, hike up this hill for a beautiful view of the town and Cardigan Bay. Alternatively, you can also take the funicular railway up.
At the top of Constitution Hill, this café offers refreshments and an outdoor seating area. It’s the perfect spot for some outdoor writing! And if the weather suddenly takes a bad turn, there is also indoor seating.
As a university town, there are of course many coffeeshop options. This one stands out with gourmet drinks and food, as well as a welcoming, open interior.
Now, I’m not promising you’ll find the same to be true when you visit, but the city had a scheme to promote tourism by allowing vans to park in the Aberystwyth Car Park. Given that we were traveling low budget in a van, this was the most ideal stay possible.
We were parked with a view of sea, a few feet from the beach, surrounded by other fellow van campers, right in the middle of the city. This was amazing because we didn’t have to move the van to drive somewhere when we woke up; we simply got out the van, locked it and set off to explore the city. Oh, and there were toilets (locked during the night, but nice to have right before bed and when waking up).
For those traveling to Aberystwyth during another time, or without a van/ car to sleep in, this hotel is perfect for hosting a writer. Offering rooms with desks, a central location and the option of a seaside view, you will love taking a solo writing retreat here.
I felt as though I had left the UK when I arrived in Tenby.
The combination of colorful seaside buildings above the walled cliffs bordering the sandy beach, the medieval buildings and the quaint, narrow roads made me feel as though I was on the coast of Southern Europe. It helped perhaps that it was an uncharacteristically sunny day when I went, but it felt like we had somehow driven from Wales into Italy or Spain.
This castle is in ruins, but it’s still cool to see. The best part, though, are views of Tenby, its beaches and the coastline that can be seen from there.
This tidal island houses a fortress that looks very impressive on the rocky island it’s perched on. You can either marvel at it from afar, or you can even go onto the island and visit the fortress.
Take a walk along this beach, from which you can see St. Catherine’s Island up close. You’ll also be impressed with the impressive cliffs where the beach ends and the town begins.
The whole town is great place to stroll around, but walking along the harbor and coastline is particularly nice.
If you’re up for a longer walk, the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path will not disappoint with the views.
This 500-year-old building is not a place to miss for history writing lovers! You can go inside and see firsthand what life was once like in this old town.
For a reprieve from the sun, this cute little café is located in an underground space on the harbor once used to store boats. No wi-fi, so no distractions! Bring your laptop without worrying that you’ll stop writing to browse social media or go down the research black hole.
Beaches are a great place to write, so take along a blanket or chair, lounge with your feet in the sand and start writing!
Castle Beach and North Beach were the two I visited, and I recommend visiting both, as they’re both so close to the city center. Make sure you take a nice, long walk for a writing break!
This is one of the many adorable cafes that you’ll find on those quaint little streets of Tenby– all perfect for writing! I liked this one because it was open later than the other ones.
The highlight of this café is definitely the balcony. Enjoying this writing spot while looking out at the beaches and the sea view down below will make you fall in love with Wales.
What better way to make you stay seated in your room and writing than gorgeous seaside views? These apartments are great if you’re not a fan of writing in hotel rooms. The kitchens are plus too if you want to save on not eating out.
And for a super luxurious solo writing retreat, turn it into a spa retreat too! With big, beautiful rooms, a pool, a spa and a high-end restaurant, you’ll feel so pampered as you’re writing on your retreat in Wales.
I think this town would be universally loved by every single writer reading this. Because all writers of books have a love of books, right? Enter, then, to the first literary town: Hay-on-Wye.
Remember Brecon Beacons? Hay-on-Wye is located in it, but because it’s such a perfect place for all literary lovers that it’s getting its own section.
This will keep you occupied and inspired for days and days. With over twenty bookshops, highlights include Hay-on-Wye Booksellers, Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Murder & Mayhem (mystery books) and Addyman’s Books.
Although under restoration while I was there, I certainly plan to visit this medieval fortification and 17th century mansion once it’s open again! It also has a bookstore, so stop by that one too.
The river this town lies next to is a great place to walk along and enjoy the Welsh countryside. I just had a peek and then turned back into town where the books were. The magic of the bookstores in this heavenly town were too powerful to resist!
This place has the most delicious ice cream! It also has seating where you can enjoy your ice cream and write, provided that it’s not too busy.
With lots of food and drink options, this is a great spot to fuel up on your day of bookstore exploring. And you know, maybe writing. If you haven’t already got sucked in to the books you bought!
There are lots of comfy chairs in one of the rooms of this bookstore, perfect for writing (or reading!).
This bookstore actually has a cafe, so you really have no reason to ever leave! (Well, until they kick you out.)
You have food, you have tea, you have books and you have your writing. What more do you need for the perfect day of writing?
With beautiful rooms and views, this peaceful little B&B is perfect for a solo writing retreat stay. The rooms come with a balcony or patio so you can enjoy writing outside too as you enjoy the gorgeous Welsh countryside.
Newport apparently has a bad rep, but I don’t see why. I was told not to expect much, yet I really enjoyed this city! Maybe because it’s my boyfriend’s hometown, and because I visited during COVID when going out wasn’t allowed, but I loved Newport!
The rolling green hills, with the tall building of the Newport Council towering over everything, made for a lovely view.
This might not sound exciting, but it’s actually very cool and one of the top attractions in Newport, Wales. It allowed tall ships to pass under it, and the suspended ferry carries cars and people across the river.
Only a few transporter bridges still remain today, and the one in Newport is still operational!
Still not tired of old ruined castles? Me neither. They’re so fascinating!
The one in Newport is from the 14th century, and therefore holds a lot of history in between the walls which still stand.
This 17th century mansion is a good place to step back in time, but the surrounding gardens are equally as worth a visit. I arrived after the mansion was closed for visiting, but the area is very peaceful and great for a walk.
Like exploring old graves? Check out the cathedral grounds. Also, the building itself holds a lot of history, so make sure you take a peek inside there too.
For more Newport history, stop by this abandoned hotel. It was the place where Chartist protestors were held prisoner and where demonstrators calling for their release were shot dead in the Newport Rising. A grim but important history to remember, this was the site of the last large-scale armed protest in Great Britain.
This colorful interior is cheery even on a rainy day (frequent in Wales) and is therefore perfect for writing all year round. The food is great too, so come hungry and get fueled to write here.
This greenhouse-looking tea room is a gorgeous writing spot, and there is also outdoor seating for sunny days.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to buy anything, find yourself a bench to sit on at Belle Vue Park to write.
This is meant to be THE place to stay in Newport, having hosted famous people like Obama. This giant, five-star hotel is located a bit outside of Newport, but for this reason it offers beautiful, lusciously green views. With 332 rooms, 6 restaurants, 5 bars, 2 spas and 3 golf courses, this is the ultimate luxury bubble to host your next solo writing retreat.
And finally: Cardiff, the capitol of Wales. I wasn’t quite as impressed with this city, but a lot of attractions were closed due to Covid, so I’ll have to revisit one day when they’re open. A lot of these recommendations I haven’t personally tried myself, but from what I heard, Cardiff is a great urban writing destination in Wales! (I think most capitols are.)
The bay of this industrial city has been transformed into one of the nicest places to hang out in the city. Full of hip restaurants and bars, the area around the bay also has a path where you could get some exercise. The Millennium Centre is nearby, and this unique and modern building is worth checking out.
Also, look out for the Roald Dahl Plass. This plaza is named after perhaps the most famous writer from Cardiff. The author of books like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, most people probably don’t know this writer is from Wales! I certainly didn’t.
Are you inspired by Roald Dahl as a writer? Check out this church. Why? Although Dahl was born in Cardiff, his parents were Norwegian immigrants and he was baptized in this church.
Admission is free, and there’s even a café (good writing spot!).
Housed in a gorgeous building, this museum has art galleries, natural history galleries and the Evolution of Wales galleries. Best of all? It’s free!
Cardiff’s castle is one of the bigger attractions in the city, and although it was closed when I was there, it’s surrounded by a park that was a very nice place to walk around!
Are you a sporting fan? Apparently the days that there’s a rugby game on at this stadium, the city is a sight to see! Even if you’re not a sports fan, I’m sure you can find writing inspiration as you people watch and observe the city erupt with life from the presence of fans.
This café is located on Cardiff Bay and it’s a great place to stop for a tea, coffee or beer and write outside while looking out at the water.
Another great place to write outside is this café located near the National Museum. Pick up a tea or coffee and find a seat in this mini park within the city. It’s a peaceful place, and you can take a tiny stroll around the standing stones to stretch your legs.
Since Cardiff is so close to Newport, I returned to stay the night there after visiting Cardiff. But here are places I found that (based on pictures and reviews) look ideal for a solo writing retreat in Wales.
This hotel is perfect for the writer looking for a luxurious room to write in. With desks to write on and a pool, gym, spa and restaurant to take a break from writing in, you’ll have everything you need within the hotel while on a solo writing retreat. If you do decide to leave, then you’re in the perfect location, within walking distance of attractions like the castle.
For a more boutique hotel stay, this hotel offers stunning rooms. It has a homier vibe, but it still manages to be luxurious.
Which place in Wales would you most like to visit for a writing retreat?
Have you ever been to any of these places?
Let me know in the comments below!
And when you do visit Wales, check out my 2-week road trip itinerary through Wales.
Amazon Prime Day is here, so here is a list of deals every travel lover…
Are you planning to travel through Australia but worried about safety? So was I when…
What I love about Sydney is that it’s so vast and packed with exciting things…
Perth is the biggest city in Western Australia, which boasts some of Australia’s most beautiful…
Lightning Ridge is one of the most unique places in Australia—nowhere else is quite like…
Australia is a massive country, much bigger than most expect. As such, most travelers in…
View Comments
Love your writers travel guides. Wales sounds like such a good place for travels and writing.
Thank you! It definitely is :) I think Wales is super underrated!
I love that this guide focuses on where you can write while you travel around Wales. I always struggle to find spots to write my blog so I end up staying up really late in my hotel room to visit a post.
Oh same! I usually stay in cheap accommodation so I don't always have nice hotel rooms to write in, so I always try to find great places to write while I travel- and then I share them in these guides! :)
I totally loved this travel guide. :) Keep up the awesome work.
Aww thanks so much! :)
The scenery in Wales is so stunning, it looks like an amazing place to find inspiration to write. I'd really love to visit Snowdonia, it looks perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, Snowdonia is gorgeous! Even when it's rainy and foggy haha
I love the different angle on this!
What a unique writer's guide. Makes me want to write my way through Wales since it's the one place in the UK I haven't been. Thabks for sharing.
Hope you get to visit one day! It's my favorite :)
Oh my gosh, this is such a comprehensive guide and your photos are so gorgeous. I’m definitely pinning this for future travel inspiration.
Thanks so much! :D