Voortrekker Monument -- Its Towering Significance to South Africa

Voortrekker Monument

Voortrekker Monument stands South of Pretoria, South Africa. More specifically, the huge granite building eminently situated on a hilltop, was constructed to honor the Voortrekkers, leaving the Cape Colony during the years 1835 and 1854.

The whole concept to erect Voortrekker Monument to demonstrate respect to God, was initially communicated on December 16, 1888, when the then South African President Paul Kruger was present on the Day of the Covenant Celebrations at Blood River in Natal. But the genuine movement to construct Voortrekker Monument just began in 1931 at the time the Sentrale Volks Monument Komitee (SVK) was created to cause this idea to materialize.

Construction commenced on July 13, 1937, with SVK chairman Ernest George Jansen performing a sod turning ceremony, which later was regarded as Monument Hill. On December 16, 1938, three of the Voortrekker leaders' descendants laid the cornerstone; they included Mrs. J.C. Preller, Mrs. K.F. Ackerman, and Mrs. J.C. Muller. 

Voortrekker Monument was inaugurated by the then prime minister Malan on December 16, 1949. The whopping construction expense of the Monument was approximately £ 360,000, of which the majority was provided by the government of South Africa.

A big Amphitheater, seating about 20,000 people, was built and completed by 1949, standing to the North-East of Voortrekker Monument.

The Cenotaph, located in the heart of the Cenotaph Hall, happens to be the monument's main focus. Besides being observable from the Hall of Heroes, it could also be viewed from the Dome as if standing on the structure's "roof," and from where a lot of Voortrekker Monument's Interior could be seen. Via an opening in the Dome, a streak of sunlight flows, at 12:00 on December 16 yearly, landing onto the midpoint of the Cenotaph. Calling out 'Ons vir Jou, Suid-Afrika' (Afrikaans for 'Us for you, South Africa'). In fact, the streak of sunlight is believed to symbolize God's grace on the lives as well as the efforts of the Voortrekkers. December 16, 1838, was the actual date of the Battle of Blood River, honored in South Africa prior to 1994 as the Day of the Vow.

The Cenotaph Hall which is adorned with the flags representing various Voortrekker Republics, contains many showcases with Great Trek artifacts and wall tapestries that depict the Voortrekkers. Against the Hall's northern wall is a niche where lies a lantern and in which a flame has continuously been burning since 1938. It was precisely in this year which the symbolic Ox Wagon Trek began in Cape Town, ending at Monument Hill, where the laying of the monument's foundation stone occurred.

At the base of the Voortrekker Monument, you'll see standing Anton van Wouw's, a bronze-molded sculpture of a Voortrekker woman with her two children, offering tribute to the bravery and fortitude of the Voortrekker women. On the two sides of the sculpture black-colored Wildebeest are engraved into the monument's walls. Symbolically, the Wildebeest narrates Africa's perils as well as their symbolic flight means that the woman, bearer of Western Civilization, is victorious.

On every outer corner found on the Voortrekker Monument you'll see a statue, appropriately representing personalities such as Hendrik Potgieter, Andries Pretorius, Piet Retief. Every statue weighs about 6 tons.

On the monument's eastern corner, where its entry is, you'll find the Foundation Stone, and under it, was buried a copy of the Trekker Vow on the year December 16, 1838, a copy of the anthem "Die Stem," and a copy of the Land Deal between the Trekkers under Piet Retief and the Zulus under King Dingane.

 

Years after its construction, the entire monument complex saw expansion many times, today including:

1) An indigenous lovely garden surrounding Voortrekker Monument.

2) The Wall of Remembrance in dedication to everyone losing their lives when serving in the South African Defence Force.

3) Fort Schanskop, a close by Fort that the South African government constructed in 1897, following the Jameson Raid. Today a museum.

4) The Schanskop out-of-doors amphitheater, seating for only 357 people, became officially open on January 30, 2001.

5) A Garden of Remembrance.

6) A nature Reserve was announced in 1992 on 3.41 km² surrounding Voortrekker Monument. Game seen on the Reserve range from zebras, mountain reedbuck, Blesbok, impala, to springbok.

7) A Wall of Remembrance was built in 2009 near Voortrekker Monument in 2009 in order to honor the courageous soldiers belonging to the South African Defence Force, dying while serving their country during 1961 and 1994 time period.

8) Afrikaner Heritage Centre, constructed for preserving the Heritage of the South African population slice, the Afrikaans-speaking citizens as well as their historical contribution to the country. 

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in South Africa

Blyde River Canyon -- See the World's Third Largest Canyon

Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

 

Blyde River Canyon, sometimes also called the Motlae Canyon, lies at the convergence of the Treur and Blyde rivers. Blyde River Canyon is a stunning geological jewel, enhance and further beautified by the excessive and intoxicating greenery which sticks to its walls.

Blyde River Canyon’s mysterious mist-covered rock formations rise over the lush canyon slopes, offering superb vistas of this river below. It is without a doubt one of the world's most lovely canyons as well as one of South Africa’s most spectacular natural attractions.

Almost every person alive today already knows about Arizona’s incredible Grand Canyon—perhaps the planet’s best geological wonder without rival. And those who have yet not seen this natural wonder in person are aware of its mind-blowing depth, its many layers of color, and, of course, its international fame. Still, just as Olympic athletes winning silver and bronze medals frequently feel eclipsed by those who win the gold, so also are the smaller canyons frequently overshadowed by the United States’ greatest natural attraction.

However, despite the Grand Canyon claiming first place, doesn’t mean either silver and bronze runner-ups are far behind.

Spend a week or longer in the eastern provinces of South Africa and, be sure to pull over somewhere by the Blyde River Canyon before continuing to other popular attractions like Kruger National Park. 

It's a sight to die for! The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve expands almost 30,000 hectares as far as the eye can see in the northern province of Mpumalanga, at the outskirts of the Drakensberg escarpment. The canyon winds its way in a nearly zigzag fashion via red sandstone cliffs which are covered in greenery. It's certainly a must-see highlight, particularly if you are going to Kruger.

Top Attractions in Blyde River Canyon

The Blyde River Canyon is home to a number of excellent lookout angles that would be a crime to miss. Every sight is distinct and breathtaking. By including a good range of them during a visit to Blyde River canyon, you will admire the geological diversity everywhere, brimming with verdant mountainsides, unique rock formations, and stratifications of color.

Some of Blyde River canyon’s best attractions consist of God’s Window, the Three Rondavels and Pinnacle Rock.

• God’s Window

Explore the routes near the canyon rim, weaving via the thick vegetation so you may see the gorge below.

From God’s Window, the canyon's harsh cliffs plummet more than 700 meters into the lowveld. But from the escarpment, amazing views of the prevailing scenery stretch outward and towards Kruger Park, going then into Mozambique.

With time and a little luck, if the clouds part, from God's Window you'll catch a jaw-dropping panoramic view. Take in fully the canyon views for two or three minutes. But do not lose yourself here, if you also plan on visiting the other world-renowned lookout points prior to sunset.

• The Three Rondavels

The Three Rondavels comprise three round and grass-dusted mountaintops which are thought to resemble the conventional rondavel huts that dot the whole South African countryside. They make up one of the Blyde River Canyon’s best-ranking attractions, plus could be seen from a viewing place which happens to branch off the R-532.

• Pinnacle Rock

Pinnacle Rock is yet another major attraction located in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Just behind the rock spire, you'll observe a waterfall pouring into a majestic, lush valley below.

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in South Africa

Cango Caves -- Africa's Greatest Attraction -- First in Many Things

Cango Caves, South Africa

 

In fact, the Cango Caves have become Africa's biggest show caves as well as one of the Seven Wonders situated in Southern Africa, and which causes the Cango Caves to be a historical and archaeological attraction of the Klein Karoo.

Cango Caves lie 29 kilometers from Oudtshoorn precisely in the beautiful Cango Valley, plus is located in a limestone ridge which runs alongside to the famous Swartberg Mountains and moreover, here you’ll see the lovely dripstone caves, with their vast far-reaching halls and very high limestone formations in a wide range of colors.

Previously, it was believed to be just around 1 kilometer long, except the caves now have been confirmed to stretch normally for way over 5 kilometers, but it can be somewhat longer, bigger and even more puzzling than recent estimations. You could visit about 1/4 of the whole 5 kilometers system of interconnecting tunnels. The remainder is currently shut for conservation purposes.

Experience the Cango Caves

While entering the caves, an immediate splash of warm humidity and temperature will greet you. The chambers are well lit so you can admire all the raw and natural charm of the cave chambers.

From the entry point, a set of stairs takes you below to the massive Van Zyl’s Hall, an unbelievable cave that’s 107 meters in length, 54 meters at its broadest and reaching as high as 17 meters. Also, you could anticipate finding other formations such as the 10-meter-tall Cleopatra’s Needle, the Organ Pipes, the Ballerina and the Frozen Waterfall.

The Cango Caves pioneered the following:

• It’s today South Africa’s earliest tourist attraction. Actually, the first tour here happened in 1891, becoming an instant hit and a favorite tourist attraction.
• It was really the first cave to get serious attention by the government, which then led to the cave receiving protection by environmental legislation. Lord Charles Somerset in 1820 published the very first Caves Regulation, which went on to become the first law drafted to protect a rare environmentally related resource situated in South Africa. It even went so far as banning the accumulation of souvenirs and penalizing anyone discovered harming the cave’s formations.
• It’s also the first to come up with a full-time tourist-like guide. Several of the most important discoveries in the Cango Caves occurred through the hands of its first full-time tourist guide, Johnnie van Wassenaar, employed for 43 years, beginning from 1891 to his retirement in the year 1934. Johnnie opened several side chambers, introducing the first wave of people to tour through the caves.

• It's even the first show cave given a radio communication system which permits the tourist guides to communicate freely with the world through these radios, meaning that whatever happens during the tours are communicated at once to the outside, plus anything needed to be addressed could be done literally in only seconds, helping to make the overall journey much safer as well as more comfortable.

---

Daily tours

The Cango Caves now offer a fair range of daily tours that are conducted by accredited, knowledgeable, and experienced cave guides. Moreover, tours are provided in English. Also, languages such as Afrikaans, German, French are now available. 

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in South Africa

Pagsanjan Falls -- a Natural Wonder in the Philippines

  Pagsanjan Falls

Pagsanjan Falls, also called Cavinti Falls, and locally, Magdapio Falls, is one of the Philippines' most famous waterfalls. Gracefully descending in a nearly magical site, it's without a doubt a very early tourist attraction in the Philippines, that was introduced to the outside world via an American missionary visiting it in 1902. And it was this early tourist who initially gave it that name, "Pagsanjan Falls," although its name was originally Magdapio Falls. A legend exists giving credence to all this name business, told by Dr. Gregorio Zaide, narrating Magdapio who, after losing his brother in a drought, grew sad and roamed through the lush gorges searching for water. But locating none, he screamed to the gods. Sympathizing with him, the gods made a waterfall to start pouring out in what is today the renowned waterfall. However, the name Pagsanjan derives from the Tagalog term “Pinagsangahan” that translates to “where it branches," which refers to two rivers, Balanac and Bumbungan, branching off.

Pagsanjan Falls Tour

Despite the waterfalls itself belongs to the jurisdiction of the nearby Cavinti town, the boat ride to the falls, an extremely important part of the experience, is in Pagsanjan town. From this point, you can book your trip with whichever tour guide provided by resorts. As of the year 2007, the going rate was at P660 (or $56.49) due to so much haggling. In addition, there's a toll fee which goes to the town. Then you have to pay another P90, or $10.00, to rent the bamboo raft which takes you quite close to the falls so that you can even feel them descending and splashing. Permit at least a budget of P1,000 ($150) for the whole experience, plus a small tip to offer the boatman, which is customary there.

Make no mistake: the “shooting the rapids” tour is an exciting adventure filled with visual rewards. Many years ago, the whitewater travel of Cagayan de Oro and then Chico River got developed, and skilled boatmen navigated their bancas right through the rough rapids of the wild Bumbungan River. In fact, this has grown into a sort of art, but today a license is even needed for certifying your skill. An additional incredible bonus is the Pagsanjan Gorge that lies on two sides of the river. Since the forests are still much the way they always were, you can catch monkeys everywhere across the river. A word of caution: tourists may be required to put on helmets on account of monkeys throwing rocks at people. A side trip to consider is Talahib Falls, which can be taken before going to the Pagsanjan Falls. When it rains other waterfalls begin to swell and thus become highlights as well: Wedding Veil Falls, Kalukuy Falls, and other waterfalls.

And finally, the raft trip to the Pagsanjan Falls starts, as the trip's climax. Usually a bamboo raft and a skilled boatman will take visitors through the waterfalls to get uncommonly close to the Devil’s cave. This adventure, along with the "shooting the rapids," puts Pagsanjan Falls in an entirely different category from the other waterfalls to continue to be the most sensational waterfall experience found in Luzon. 

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in the Philippines

Temppeliaukio Church -- One of Finland's Most Popular Attractions

Temppeliaukio church often stuns tourists seeing it for the first time with its unusual and distinctive appearance as if from an earlier era. Half a million visitors come here to tour through this interesting-looking building.

Sitting in the center of Helsinki, Finland, Temppeliaukio church's construction was completed in 1969. It's quite distant from the more conventional structures which churches are often connected with. Temppeliaukio church has been excavated straight into bedrock and receive natural light which enters via the glazed dome. Because of its superb acoustics it has become a popular locality for concerts.

Known as Rock Church, a copper dome covers Temppeliaukio church, and its walls in the interior are made of rugged rock. In fact, its unique architecture has been attracting not only ordinary people but also of architects everywhere.

After upgrading its lighting system to a more efficient one, a wireless lighting control system, the improvement helped significantly reduce the total usage of electricity, now only using 15% of electric consumption. 

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in Finland

Glenfinnan Viaduct -- Scotland's Stunning Piece of Architecture

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland

Glenfinnan Viaduct, built during the years 1897 and 1901, is essentially a railway viaduct that acts like a bridge for trains, traveling in Glenfinnan along the West Highland Line. In fact, Glenfinnan Viaduct is a 19th-century derivation from the ancient Roman aqueducts, and that is why several early viaducts have a series of arches, mostly of equal length. Since Glenfinnan Viaduct is 380 meters long, it's Scotland's longest railway bridge of concrete, crossing the River Finnan at the amazing height of 30 meters.

But today a lot of people recognize it as "the Harry Potter bridge" because of being filmed in the Harry Potter's movie. Glenfinnan Viaduct is an indisputably impressive work of architecture and even the breathtaking nearby scenery only adds to the overall impression. 

Viaduct Defined

If you are uncertain what the word means, viaduct is a sort of bridge, but one which especially stands out on account of its arrangement of columns, piers, and arches that support a lengthy elevated stretch of road or railway.

Generally, a viaduct is constructed in order to permit transport across a river or a low-lying valley or another type of hindrance, by linking two points of about equal elevation. It's common to find a structure constructed with a succession of arches of approximately equal length, the evenness of which could frequently look extraordinary.

Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in Scotland

Top 15 Things to Do in Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons National Park 

If you enjoy exploring and discovering new glowing gems hidden in the most unexpected places in the great outdoors, Brecon Beacons National Park would make the perfect playground. Here, you can really get active, put yourself on overdrive. It's not a fenced-off area with barbed wire everywhere, but a living and working massive parkland that'll inspire the inner adventurer in you.

Covering 520 square miles in South Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park is packed from rocky remnants of long-dead volcanoes, heather-covered escarpments, old Red Sandstone peaks, grassy moorlands, mountain plateaus, formidable and challenging mountains to conquer like Pen y Fan, Black Mountain, and Craig Cerrig-gleisiad, huge network of diverse cycling trails, mysterious caves and caverns, tranquil lakes for fishing, raging rivers for rafting and canoeing, ancient castles such as Grosmont, Raglan Castle, and Llanthony Priory to 20 waterfalls constantly gushing and splashing.

When you step into Brecon Beacons National Park, you'll find countless trails and paths for joggers, walkers, mountain cyclists, wildlife-watchers, and horse riders. Also, there's a fabulous selection of well-organized activities available, ranging from photography, rafting to paragliding.

Have that ceaseless itch to attempt something new and exciting? The Brecon Beacons National Park promises to deliver complete satisfaction. 

If you are not sure what activity you want to try yet, review our list of top 15 things to do in Brecon Beacons National Park.

Top 15 Things to Do in Brecon Beacons National Park

1) Horse-Back Adventures

The park is the ideal spot for all horse lovers. They have more than 600 miles of both bridle tracks and paths. Their incredible scenery together with a broad diversity of wildlife help provide some of Europe's best riding. Though near superb rail and road transport, it's far enough from urban life's hustle and bustle. The only delays around this neck of the woods are for relaxed pub lunches as your horse grazes close by. 

They got 1000s of acres comprising fields, moors, and hills which can be crossed via old lanes and tracks. You could literally ride the whole day, and even share breathtaking views with the soaring eagles.

Their trekking and riding centers are working actively to provide the very best short rides, pony trekking, ordinary trekking and riding.

2) Fish to Your Heart's Content

Now, Brecon Beacons is making available remarkable game as well as course fishing all over its several lovely rivers, canals, lakes, and reservoirs. Record-smashing grayling on the Wye, the best brown trout fishing in England on the Usk, and a pinch of well-stocked lakes and reservoirs make fishing an exceedingly popular outdoor activity in this park.

The park now offers superb game fishing or course fishing in reservoirs, lakes, and rivers. Also, they provide a fine range of country hotels which even go so far to give a unique welcoming experience to all outdoor guests.

But bear in mind that you'll need a Rod License to fish with a rod and line in Wales.

3) Hop on a Bike & Explore the National Park's Beauties

Imagine, now you can race hill-filled tracks passing woodland and moorlands, rivers and lakes, all without having to worry about crammed automobiles constantly honking behind you. Indeed, the park has it all, from gentle and easy off-road paths to rapid, exhilarating and even scary descents.

The park's bike guides could arrange from a day's bicycle hire option all the way to a full package deal that includes equipment, lodging, routes, and guides.

4) It's a Bird, it's a Kite...No, it's a Paraglider!

If you enjoy gliding through the sky but have trouble finding the right places to do so without worrying about getting entangled in telephone cords, Brecon Beacons is your solution.

For experienced, licensed gliders to anyone wanting to raise his heartbeat, the park is a must for soaring above beautiful verdant rolling valleys. The park has five regional clubs which invite newcomers and seasoned gliders.

Their many grasslands serve as fine launching and landing spots for hang gliders and paragliders. For example, some pilots make regular cross-country flights outstripping 300 miles and flying up to four miles high.

Or you can always enroll in their schools to receive complete training, which are very good places for observing from the safe distance.

5) Gaze into the Dark Sky

The park happens to be the first Dark Sky Reserve in Wales, and the whole park is devoted to both in reducing energy wastage and nocturnal preservation.

In fact, the National Park Visitor Centre, Usk Reservoir, and Hay Bluff offer the top-rated stargazing sites. The park in addition has 10 great locations marked for further stargazing.

6) Are You a Water Addict?

The park is a paradise for all water sport fanatics. The park now offers an excellent range of choices for paddle sports, all from the calmness of reservoirs and canals to hardcore kayaking over thrilling waterfalls!

You could go paddleboarding, canoeing, White-Water rafting, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing to plain boating. How? Just choose what you want and go rowing immediately. But if you prefer only a smooth and gentle cruise through the canal in a canoe, you'll find both daily trips and self-drive boat options available, too.

The navigation range is divided up into six grades, from Grade 1 to Grade 6, which could be located within most towns.

7) Cave Exploring, Anyone?

Brecon Beacons offers Britain's most fascinating and diverse types of caves, including four of the five limestone cave systems.

You can now explore amazing caves that extend seemingly forever, but with professional guides and instructors. For example, Dan yr Ogof Showcaves provides an excellent opportunity to venture out into caves and behold their natural rock formations. Also, they offer what's called Big Pit, situated by the park boundary to the South. The central attraction is hidden underground, but do not overlook the galleries positioned on the hill--well worth the visit.

Enter the 3 most popular caves which include the Dan yr Ogof Cave, Cathedral Cave, and the creepy Bone Cave. Plus, you could stop by the dinosaur park where you'll find more than 200 full-scale dinosaur models. (Nearby there's a shire horse farm and center where you could admire the magnificent horses, shetland ponies, chipmunks, and alpacas, and kids of all ages will love meeting all these animals.)

The park is currently giving the public three caving options: Tasters, intended for beginners, but you'll have to book either half or a full day and, exploring sites which are approved for novices, you'll learn both vertical and horizontal caving skills. Improvers, for those now hooked on caving. If you desire something a little more challenging, this is for you, and you'll need to be with a qualified cave instructor the whole time. 

8) Is Hiking Your Cup of Tea?

The park has more than 1,200 miles of beautiful landscape, providing hikers endless opportunities to travel deep into its high country that was carved by ice long, long ago. Or go exploring through wooded gorges where even today rivers are shaping limestone rocks while tumbling down stunning waterfalls. 

Also, the park is home to forests, lakes, gorgeous spots, hidden places, and trails to suit everyone, whether you're a serious outdoor enthusiast, or a father taking the whole family out for a Sunday noon stroll in the park to teach the little ones about nature.

When here, you won't be able to resist all the Brecon Beacons walking & hiking opportunities.

9) Want to Sharpen Your Wilderness Skills?

The park now invites the more advanced to test their skills and push themselves to the limits by improving their wilderness and survival skills.

The park provides many ways to prepare oneself to be able to survive in almost any environment. The park is the perfect setting for honing your survival skills. The park itself is full of vegetation, woodland, and wildlife. In fact, it's where elite SAS army come to learn about survival, plus the forests, mountainsides, rivers, and hedgerow are packed with wild foods which are in fact edible.

You can book for a bushcraft guide for only one day.

10) Who Wants to Rock Climb or Abseil?

The park is a little paradise for all rock climbers, who can reach new heights scaling up high cliffs. The park offers a wide selection of challenging levels for climbers and abseilers, including old quarries, sheltered crags, and rocky escarpments with fantastic sights.

11) Retreat in the Great Outdoors

Enjoy the great outdoors by going on a retreat in the world's best national park. 

Imagine, waking up in the morning and experiencing nature everywhere you lay your eyes on. Well, now you can either enjoy Brecon Beacons wild camping or stay in a cottage for a few days near a river so you can canoe or raft after finishing breakfast.

Here are a few Brecon Beacons cottages: 

• Plough Cottage, on Wye, which permits up to six people and two dogs. 
• Buzzard Lodge, on Usk, allows up to six people and one dog. 
• Readers Retreat, on Wye, sleeps 2 people. 

12) Visit the Owl Sanctuary

As a family-friendly attraction, it's the ideal place to admire large-sized birds up close, for free, but they accept donations. The Owl Sanctuary at Festival Park work at rehabilitating and caring for wounded and abandoned wild owls, falcons, and hawks, and frequently visit local events and schools to educate about their animals.

From little owls, parrots, eagles to vultures, there is an entire host of beautiful birds to see in person. After touring the site, you could visit the nearby town of Ebbw Vale to enjoy lunch.

13) Go Back in Time!

Believe it or not, people have been residing in the area that's today Brecon Beacons for nearly 5,000 years. You could actually find hard proof of the distant past, which include items such as Roman ruins, Iron Age hillforts, Bronze Age burial caims, standing stones, and much more. In fact, there are 351 ancient monuments within this national park. It's a treasure chest bursting with priceless gems.

You can begin by visiting Y Garn Goch, which is really two hillforts, the smaller being called Y Gaer Fach, and the larger Y Gaer Fawr, and each standing on a different summit but on the same ridge. Combined, they make up the biggest hillfort located in South Wales, and you could yet observe the actual stones that created the walls. It's believed that these hillforts go as far back as the Iron Age, but now new research says they might be Neolithic and played a religious role.

14) Visit Carreg Cennen Castle

Situated far up on top of a hill, the spectacular ruins of what remain of this castle could yet be spotted from a good distance. It's about a 15-minute stroll from the parking lot to the castle. You can also enjoy the views of the countryside as you make your way to the ruins.

The site used to be home to an Iron Age hillfort, and Lord Rhys erected the masonry castle in the 12th century. But throughout the 13th century, this castle saw many owners. However, it was under English rule in 1283. Next, Edward l gave the castle to John Giffard, who perhaps was the person responsible for choosing not to restore it.

Also, take the 3.5-mile scenic circular pathway near the castle as a bonus.

15) Visit Raglan Castle

There's the belief held that this old building is today the finest castle ever erected by the Welsh. Indeed, it possesses a unique design with its great tower being surrounded by a moat and the remainder of the castle standing on the opposite side.

This castle also has a distinctive history. The powerful Herbert and Somerset families owned it once and it was Henry Vll's childhood home. Although Charles l lived in the castle during the English Civil War, Parliamentary forces took it in 1646 before destroying it. Since the Somerset family did not restore the castle, it remained in ruins to this very day.

When you come here, explore the ruins and move around the moat. The views from the towers are breathtaking.

All visitors must book in advance.

Fired Travel Agent Tells the Public the Airline's Dirty Secrets, How to Turn Them Around In Your Favor, Including How to Fly Practically Free! 

10 Best Tips to Save Money for a Trip to England