Wolters World

Honest Travel Advice

Menu
  • Destinations
  • Don’ts of Traveling
  • Travel Tips
  • Shop
  • About
  • Work with Us
Menu

10 Things That SHOCK Tourists About Visiting Wales

Posted on February 12, 2019May 9, 2019 by admin

Ten Things That Shock Tourists About Wales Culture

Greetings from Wales! We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today we’re sharing the top ten travel shocks of Wales culture.

Wales Culture Shock #1: The Welsh Language

Most travelers assume since they are traveling to Great Britain, that language will not be a barrier to English speakers. They do speak English in Wales, but they also speak Welsh. When you see Welsh written, it’s nearly impossible to tell how to pronounce the words, or to know what they mean. Fortunately, most of the signs are in English and in Welsh.

Wales Culture Shock #2: The Number of Castles and Ruins

There is a shocking number of castles in Wales.  There are the well-known castles like Cardiff Castle, but some of the lesser known ruins are equally cool. If you are driving around Wales, allow plenty of extra time for detours to castles along the way.

Wales Culture Shock #3: Driving in Wales

You’ll probably take the M4 into Wales, but to really explore, you’ll inevitably end up on some of the backroads of Wales. The roads are so narrow, it’s shocking that they actually accommodate traffic in both directions. If you meet an oncoming car on these narrow lanes, you’ll have to look for a pull-out where there’s room to pass. Make sure you also get the GPS with your rental car; it can be a lifesaver. Distances can be deceiving, and it can take twice as long as you might expect to get from point A to point B, because of the winding, hilly roads.

Watch: Driving in the UK

Wales Culture Shock #4: The Weather in Wales

Wales is rainy, no doubt. But it doesn’t rain all the time. It’s more of a mist than a consistent downpour, so it’s not a big deal. Just realize it probably will rain during your visit to Wales, so make sure to pack a rain jacket and umbrella. Good mud boots are also a good idea as you’ll likely be doing some hiking in Wales.

Wales Culture Shock #5: Stargazing in Wales

Once the skies clear, you will be shocked at the night skies of Wales. With very little light pollution, the skies in Wales are amazing. You can see so many stars, and even the Milky Way! It even impressed our 12-year-old son, and parents know how hard it is to impress a “tween.”

Wales Culture Shock #6: The Welsh Natural Beauty

This country is gorgeous! Wales travel is not about the cities; it’s all about the countryside and the outdoor adventure. Hiking, kayaking, cycling and mountain climbing are all popular in Wales. Wales is really a nature lover’s paradise. There are also great scenic train rides to check out, and several national parks. If you are looking for a more urban experience, check out Cardiff, which is a pretty cool city in Wales.

Wales Culture Shock #7: Similarities and Differences Between Wales and England

There are many similarities between Wales and England. The cuisine is similar; you’ll see fish and chips, bangers and mash and sausages. But you’ll also see a very distinct Welsh culture that is very different from England. The language and the people are different, and there are foods specific to Wales, like Welsh cakes, laverbread and mussels. It’s definitely a unique culture, even though you won’t get a different passport stamp.

Read: Ten Things That Will Shock You About England

Wales Culture Shock #8: How Much the English Rip on the Welsh

When you start researching Wales online, you’ll be shocked at how much the English joke about the Welsh. Similar to how in the U.S. the South is often the butt of jokes, that’s the case for Wales and England.

Wales Culture Shock #9: The Starkness Between Towns

Wales once had a lot of mining, so there are many ghost towns and former mining towns that are falling apart. There’s starting to be some redevelopment, but it’s still shocking to see some dilapidated villages as you drive around Wales. Even if you aren’t in a ghost town, any town in Wales will feel like a ghost town after 6 p.m. Everything in the villages, aside from the pubs, shuts down very early in Wales, so don’t expect too much going on in the evening, unless you are in a larger town.

Wales Culture Shock #10: Welsh People

For all of the English jokes, the Welsh people are actually super kind, fun and friendly. They’re often so happy to see visitors in Wales, and they love to chat up tourists and give recommendations.

We hope these ten tips help you better understand Wales culture, and lessens the shocks you have when arriving in Wales. Have you been to Wales? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos:

  • The Don’ts of Visiting Wales
  • Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Visiting England
  • The Don’ts of Visiting England
Tweets by @woltersworld

Hey There Fellow Travelers

If you want HONEST Travel Advice from travelers who have been there, this is the Travel site for you. We focus on giving you the best & the worst parts of traveling, the cultural differences, the do's and don'ts and so much more. Please join us on our journey to help other travelers. Happy Travels!

Wolters World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that is set up to help us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

©2025 Wolters World
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT