Original subtitles

(wind whooshing)

(bright orchestral music)

(upbeat orchestral music)

- Our journey begins

on the northwest coast of Wales, in Snowdonia,

home to the famous Italian-inspired village of Portmeirion.

And find examples of medieval castle architecture.

Next we travel through Mid Wales, where we explore

the cultural and educational center at Aberystwyth,

and also find intriguing examples

of the country's prehistoric existence.

(light chiming music)

We enter the county of Pembrokeshire and fly across

the United Kingdom's only coastal national park,

which is also home to St. David's Cathedral,

one of the world's most sacred venues.

From the U.K.'s oil and gas capital

at the port of Milford Haven,

we end our journey,

at the delightful seaside town,

of Tenby.

(bright orchestral music)

This, is the dramatic landscape of Snowdonia in North Wales.

The 21-hundred-square-kilometer national park

hosts 6 million annual visitors

drawn to its mountainous terrain,

lush valleys, and steep river gorges.

As we make our way across this landscape,

we take the opportunity to accompany

two Army Lynx attack helicopters, out on a routine exercise.

It's not an uncommon sight over Snowdonia,

whose expansive wilderness lends itself well

to training combat pilots.

And in the case of these machines,

highly specialized skills,

are required to fly them.

they're still used in battle zones around the world.

A far cry from the tranquil backdrop

of this magnificent Welsh landscape.

We journey south towards a coastal relic

in the ** area of Gwynedd, North Wales.

Resting atop a rocky headland between two beaches,

Criccieth Castle overlooks Tremadog Bay.

The spectacular views from the promontory

hint at the strategic benefit

of the garrison's towering position.

Estimated to have been constructed

by Llywelyn the Great in the early 13th century,

the castle's most dominating feature

is the twin-towered gatehouse,

which was later built during the reign of Edward I.

Criccieth had a very brief lifespan,

eventually brought down and burnt

in the early 15th century by a Welsh rebellion.

The site has been maintained by the Welsh government

as a popular attraction, providing excellent panoramas

of the seaside resort town and countryside.

Along the coast and tucked away

along an estuary of the River Dwyryd

is a Mediterranean style village of Portmeirion.

Inspired by the fishing harbors of the Italian Riviera,

architect Sir Kluff William Ellis set out to create

his own visionary attraction, right here on the Welsh coast.

Construction began in 1925,

in his early arts and crafts style.

And later turned to more classical, paladian architecture.

In what turned out to be a staggaring 50 year project,

Portmeirion was finally completed in the 1970's,

shortly before William Ellis' death.

The charm of this place drew film and TV producers.

It's most famous role was as a mysterious village

in the 1960's spy drama, 'The Prisoner'.

And to this day, Portmeirion hosts annual fan conventions

of the cult classic TV series.

(seagulls calling) (waves gently crashing)

Moving south, we examine another

of Edward the First's Iron Ring of fortresses

along the fringe of the Snowdonia coastline.

Harlech Castle was constructed 61 meters high

upon a spur of rock called Harlech Dome,

gazing down upon the sea.

The structure is one of the finest examples

of medieval military architecture classified by UNESCO

as a world heritage site.

And although these days, it is set back from the sea.

The tidal level once lapped the castle rock.

A water gate provided access down a stairway

of a hundred and twenty-seven steps

to vital supplies delivered from the sea during seizures.

The uplands of Snowdonia have been shaped by farming

over thousands of years, and this can clearly

be seen on the slopes of the Rinogydd mountains.

This rich, coastal strip with its irregular patchwork

of fields and cultivation ridges, provides magnificent

examples of prehistoric agricultural activity.

And nestled between the Snowdonian mountains

and the sea, along the mouth of the river Mawdacch

is the resort town of Bamath.

With roots in the ship building and slate industries

dating back to the eighteen century,

it is now famous for its Three Peaks Yacht Race.

The town offers several hotels and guest houses,

serving as a tourist attraction for many

in the English west midlands, who enjoy

the long sandy beaches and picturesque harbor.

The town first prospered as a resort in 1867

with the construction of the Barmouth bridge.

An 820 metre wooden viaduct across the Barmouth .

It's allowed for a passenger train service

along the single track railway.

A footbridge allows pedestrians to cross

on the land wood side.

The Crossing also features a swing bridge

for passage of tall ships.

This iconic structure,

is one of the most photographed in Wales.

And marks and ending point for the Mouthac trail,

a 13 kilometer bike path along the estuary.

The river Mouthac,

is an important source of salmon and trout fishing.

Yet it does have a legacy of pollution.

With a history of gold mining and forestry,

as well as the use of hillsides for artillery ranges,

the soil is very acidic.

Still, the river closest,

through some of the United Kingdom's

most scenic countryside.

On a tributary of the Mouthac,

lies the ancient market town of Doggethli.

Built on a site originally occupied

by Romans in the first century,

the town also has a history in the world trade,

as well as once experiencing a minor Gold Rush.

But today, It serves as a base for hikers,

and as a place of pilgrimage for American Quakers,

as it played a major role in the religions development.

One of the most popular peaks for hikers

is that of Cata address.

Because khadiyah means chair, it is thought,

that it derived its name, from its childlike shape

formed by glaciated erosion.

The summit, reaches nearly 900 meters

at the high point of a massive 11 kilometre long, ridge.

Local law suggests that hikers

not camp in the haunted hills of the mountain,

warning that those who spend the night,

will wake up either a mad man, or a poet.

We arrived at the southern tip of Snowdonia

to find the charming hillside village of Abba Dovie.

It's a thriving harbour resort,

presenting an array of water sports.

In addition,

to the relaxing backdrop of the mountains and valleys.

(upbeat music)

With Dinghy races, yoke regattas, sailing and fishing,

the town offers a haven

for those seeking an energetic holiday.

Abba Dovey, stretches from the beach,

up the steep hillside among the green hills and sheep farms,

with a large proportion of the hoses used as holiday homes.

Suspended beneath the town's pier,

is a bronze time and tide Bell,

which rings by the action of the tide

and pays homage to the popular song,

the bells of Abba Dovey.

We cross the estuary of the river Dovey

and follow its tributaries

to the old fishing village of Bouth.

This three kilometer stretch of golden beach

became the inspiration for the Morrisey hit,

Every day, is like a Sunday,

after the singer visited the seaside village.

Atlantic waves pass through the REC from the south

and break directly on both speeches, and shingle rich.

Making the venue popular, among surface.

Though it becomes a marvel at low tide,

when an ancient submerged forest, is visible.

Another feature that's revealed at low tide,

is the Sun King valin, shingle spit

along Bank of glacial debris

that runs 11 kilometres out to sea.

Along with the sunken forest,

at both, sank and valiant as part of the fabled Kingdom,

of cantrer Gwaelod or Welsh Atlantis.

According to local law,

the Lost lands church bells

can still be heard across the bay.

Our journey continues through Mid Wales

at the confluence of the rivers,

Ystwyth Andrei Dollard, Aberystwyth.

A cultural link between North and South Wales,

This town has been a Welsh Education Center, since 1872.

By the seaside, we see Aberystwyth University's

renowned department of Welsh.

Although relatively modern,

the town still has some historical buildings,

including the remains of an Edwardian era castle.

Aberystwyth, may be relatively isolated

from the rest of Wales,

but has become the administrative center

for many public institutions.

Looming above the town,

is the impressive Celtic Iron Age ring fort.

It's noted as one possible site

where the medieval Welsh princess Nest,

was abducted by a noble,

who was supposedly obsessed with her legendary beauty.

As one of the windiest regions

in the United Kingdom and Europe,

Wales has began to see a large increase

in the production of wind energy.

In particular, mid Wales alone, has over 800

operational and consented and proposed wind farms,

such as this one, near Triventer.

In the western half of Mid Wales,

there is a proposed site every 16 kilometers.

With its high ground facing south westerly winds,

the country is ideal for the development of wind energy.

Entering the country of Pembrokeshire,

we trace the path of the river Tavy,

to what is regarded as Wales first, tourist attraction.

The medieval ruins of kil gallon Castle,

Perched upon a rocky bluff

overlooking both the river and the Tavy gorge.

Victorian visitors arrive by boat,

to see the legendary castle.

Stories link the fortress with the abduction

of the beautiful and unfaithful princess nest,

known as the Helen of Wales,

because of how many amorous adventures.

The council is located at the tidal limit of the Tavy,

Where it meets the pleskok stream,

allowing for control of both and important crossing

and seagoing vessels.

We continue into the Preselian mountains,

of Pembrokeshire coast National Park.

And onto the site, of some Fascinating prehistoric relics.

Lying on top an ancient Hill Fort, named Royal Trigan.

A three man made piles of stones

thought to be buried old cans.

The stones might appear to be stacked randomly,

but they're actually carefully crafted mounds,

three metres high, within which a secular depressions,

dating back to either the bronze or Iron Age,

The Hill fort, has three separate enclosures,

probably representing three different stages of expansion

that continued into Roman times.

Historian suppose, that Royal Trigan was an important Center

in Celtic times, where gifts were exchanged.

further into the Preselian mountains,

we arrived at a quarry,

known as battle rock.

Famous for its link,

to one of England's most famous monuments.

The blue stone used in the inner circles of the stone hinge

has been traced to this craggy outcrop,

the only known source of spotted dolerite.

Recent theories propose, that glaciers,

move the stones to Salzburg plain, some 300 kilometers away.

Despite that name,

the preselia more closely resemble hills than mountains.

The area was a Celtic stronghold,

and its foothills were thought to be the entrance to unknown

the Celtic underworld.

The mountains also have a place in Arthurian law,

thought to be the location where King Arthur was buried.

The Pembrokeshire coast National Park,

is the United Kingdom's only coastal National Park.

A favorite among visitors is a 300 kilometer trail,

mostly at cliff top Level.

Walkers enjoy an amazing array

of maritime landscapes and scenery,

from steep limestone cliffs and volcanic headlines,

to glacier valleys, sandstone coves,

open beaches and harbors.

Like, Abba castle.

In 1876, the village made sailing history

when Alfred Johnson landed here,

having completed the first single handed Atlantic crossing

from Massachusetts in the United States.

Another one of the 14 harbors here is Porthgain.

The village prospered in the slave trade

and later brick making

and played a crucial role in Britain's building boom

in the late 19th century.

While modern walkers along the Pembrokeshire coast path,

traveled from village to village

enjoying the second best coastal destination in the world,

according to National Geographic,

they also follow in the footsteps of middle aged pilgrims

who use the ancient pathways to reach St. David's Cathedral

at the country's Western most tip, where we'll be heading.

Off the coast of some David's peninsula

on the northern side of some brides Bay since Ramsey Island.

Many of the smaller islands soround Ramsey,

such as Ynys Gwelltog, which is tall, grassy and tidal.

Additionally, rock clusters provide excitement for

whitewater kayakers and surface.

Humans and their feathered friends,

flock to Ramsey Island,

which is owned and managed, by the Royal Society

for the Protection of birds.

On boat tours, voyagers can spot not only bird species,

but also porpoises and seals.

As well as being able to explore, rock gorges and caves.

Ramsey's steep cliffs, some 120 metres high,

provide numerous shells that serve as nesting locations

for bird colonies.

Our journey continues, as we make the pilgrimage

to a sheltered Valley,

considered one of the most sacred places in the world.

Names are the patron saint of Wales,

a sixth century Welsh bishop.

St. David's bears the distinction of being Britain's

smallest city in both size and population.

St. David's place of birth,

and the Cathedral that bears his name,

had become one of the most important shrines

and maybe for Christendom.

Reaching back 14 centuries,

the cathedral settlement is Britain's most ancient

Pope Calixtus II

decreed that two pilgrimages to St. David's,

is equal to one to Rome.

Next to the cathedral,

lies the picture as ruin the bishop's palace.

Even after centuries of neglect,

the building's lasting Granger,

gets testimonies,

to the wealth and power of the church

during the Middle Ages.

Originally erected on hollow, to avoid being detected,

by would be invaders from the sea.

Only St. David's tower is visible from afar.

Much of the structure was damaged

or destroyed over its long history.

many myths about St. David himself, have survived.

One such legend surmises,

that he was the nephew of King Arthur,

that his bishopric, was prophesied, by Merlin.

Following the northern coast of this bay,

takes us past the spectacular shoreline of beaches,

and exposed Cambrian rock.

That's a haven for amateur

and professional geologists alike.

The destination for many hikers,

is the ancient village of Salva.

Guarding the entrance to this harbor,

is the Gribbin headland,

which is remains of ramparts built 3000 years ago

by Iron Age dwellers, to defend themselves.

And evidence of Iron Age defenses,

has even been discovered here, on the jagged rocks

of Dyna's Vark, roughly translated as small hill fort.

This panoramic view of the Milfort Haven estuary,

brings us scientists and brides Bay,

where we explore one of Britain's most vital cogs,

to which, energy sector.

From its beginnings, as a whaling port in the 1790s,

Milford Haven boomed in the 1960s

with the construction of an oil refinery.

Today it has several refineries

and is one of the world's biggest terminals, for liquid gas.

From the import and export of oil and gas,

and other cargo, about 59 million gross tones of shipping,

uses Milford Haven each year.

As one of the deepest natural harbours,

and set inside Britain's only coastal National Park,

The Haven, has also become a regular port

for commercial cruise lines.

A popular tourist excursion is Pembroke castle.

This linear fortification,

using the rivers natural defenses, was built on a high Ridge

between two tidal inlets, in 1093

Pembroke, the birthplace of Henry VII,

is the largest private Leone castling Wales.

The relative pristine condition,

is due to major restorations throughout the 19th,

and 20th centuries.

Including work, on the series of well preserved towers

that are connected by a high curtain wall.

With a strategic position along a major water route,

the castle never felt the Welsh.

And was used by the Normans,

as a base from which to stage, their invasions of Ireland.

A few kilometres off the coast of Tenby in Carmarthem Bay,

we find Caldey Island.

Owned and occupied by Cistercian order since 1929.

The island has actually been inhabited by monks

for the past 1500 years.

Back on the mainland, passing the dramatic limestone rocks

of Giltar point reveals our final location.

The harbor town on seaside resort, of Tenby.

Situated on the west side of Carmarthen Bay,

It is known as the little England of Wales.

Be one of the more, anglicized parts of the country.

Tenby's long 10 years of a premier holiday destination

began in the Victorian era.

With the Napoleonic Wars,

restricting access to European spars,

Wealthy British merchants from Swansea and Cardiff,

were forced out here to Tenby, for sea bathing experiences.

The Victorian revival architecture, still remains.

Often in past or color schemes,

giving the town more of an Italian Riviera look.

With over four kilometers of blue flag award,

winning beaches, can be remains to this day,

one of the more popular resort destinations

As we gaze out of this inviting, amiable, seaside resort,

from the vantage point of these ancient ruins,

but tops and Catherine's Island,

we get a sense of Wales appeal, as a whole.

A pleasing blend, of the country's long history,

side by side, with its modern charm.

A perfect place, to end this journey.