South Wales is known for its lively cities offering first-class shopping, interesting museums, and delicious gourmet dining. However, if you look a little further, South Wales is also full of beautiful and historic National Trust properties and places to visit and explore during your holiday.
The National Trust in South Wales cares for a multitude of remarkable properties and landscapes to ensure everyone can enjoy them now and for generations to come, and as Wales is known for its variety of spectacular landscapes and impressive castles, you’ll soon find a place you’d like to visit on your break to the south. After you have read this blog, why not head over to our guide to National Trust places to visit in North Wales for more ideas?
If you’re planning a holiday to South Wales and South West Wales close to National Trust properties, choose from our fantastic collection of cottages across this spectacular region by clicking the button below.
South Wales cottages
Skip to South Wales' National Trust properties
National Trust stately homes and castles in South Wales
Skenfrith Castle, Abergavenny
Skenfrith Castle near Abergavenny is now a beautiful ruin and fantastic National Trust site in Monmouthshire that was originally built in the 13th century to oversee and command the main routes to and from England.
With the River Monnow flowing past and the rural, idyllic village of Skenfrith surrounding these remains, it’s a delightful place to visit for a walk or a picnic on the grounds.
It fell into disuse in the 16th century and was passed into the care of the National Trust in 1939 for everyone to enjoy. The village is also home to a beautiful old church and a restaurant you could stop by during your time here. This ‘land of castles’ is overflowing with these magnificent structures - discover more with our guide to ten magnificent castles in Wales you should visit.
- Facilities: Car park, shop, local restaurant and church in the village (no public WC).
- Access: There’s a gentle grassy slope up to the castle ruins so it may be accessible to those with limited mobility, however, it may be unsuitable for wheelchair users.
- Stay nearby: The Corn Store | Sleeps: 2 guests
Abergavenny cottages
Dinefwr Park and Newton House, Llandeilo
Dinefwr Park National Nature Reserve, near Llandeilo, is an 800-acre estate with plenty to explore including the remains of two Roman forts, meadows and bog woods providing vital habitats for birds and animals, an ancient woodland containing oaks that are over 400 years old, and a 100-acre medieval deer park home to over 100 fallow deer.
Meanwhile, the National Trust property in South Wales of Newton House was built back in 1660 and sits at the heart of the estate. Take a tour of this house and see the variety of decor throughout, such as the grand staircase and ornate ceilings, as this property has undergone various redesigns over the centuries.
- Facilities: Tearoom, shop, car park, dogs welcome on leads.
- Access: Adapted WCs, long level boardwalk to the Mill Pond, a drop-off point, ramped entrance to the property, and a lift to take wheelchair users to the first floor making both the ground and first floors accessible - however there are steep steps to the basement. Two wheelchairs are available to book ahead.
- Stay nearby: Rhiannydd's Stable, Gwynfe | Sleeps: 4 guests + 1 dog
Llandeilo cottages
Tredegar House, Duffryn
Tredegar House is a stunning 17th-century National Trust house in South Wales near Newport. The house is an architectural wonder of Wales and it is bound to impress you. Within the walls, you can see Tredegar’s life through history and peek down ‘below the stairs’ to see how the housekeeper and servants lived and worked.
Tredegar House is set in 90 acres of stunning grounds and gardens with three distinctly different formal gardens to wander through while the rest of the grounds provide a wonderful place to spend a sunny day. Still stuck for ideas on how to spend your time in Wales? Take a look at our guide to ten top things to do in Wales.
- Facilities: There is parking, although a small charge for non-members is required. You can stop for a bite to eat in the Brewhouse tearoom. There is also a children’s play area within the grounds. Only assistance dogs are permitted here.
- Access: The Brewhouse tearoom is fully accessible. Tredegar house is equipped with lifts and stairlifts but the upper floors of the house are not accessible for wheelchair users. There is allocated parking and accessible facilities on site.
- Stay nearby: Ton Barn | Sleeps: 6 guests + 2 dogs
Newport cottages
National Trust beaches in South Wales
Rhossili Bay, Rhossili
Rhossili Bay is a wonderfully popular sandy beach that stretches for 3 miles and even includes the unique sight of a shipwreck that’s revealed when the tide is out – it’s a great place to take the children for a day out exploring the coastline. Continue your journey by following the coast path that winds its way around much of the country.
Read our guide to walks on the Wales Coast Path and pick out a few places by the sea to explore further. Another highlight of Rhossili is the causeway, a gem revealed when the tide is out, which you can venture across to the tidal island of Worms Head where grey seals are often spotted. Just behind the sand sits Rhossili Down, the highest point on the Gower Peninsula; a landscape full of lowland heath and a wealth of wildlife.
- Facilities: Car park (EV charger), WC, café in the village, NT visitor centre with shop and Gower exhibition, local pub.
- Access: There are fantastic views across the bay from the car park which has a rough surface in some areas, however, if you park close to the entrance or WC block there’s access to a flat path along the cliffs.
- Stay nearby: Tiller Cottage | Sleeps: 6 guests + 1 dog
Rhossili cottages
Pwll Du, Gower
Pwll Du in the Gower is a fantastic stretch of coastline that offers a variety of sights such as the spectacular cliffs riddled with caves where mammoths once lived and is now home to a variety of bats and birds and with an underground river running through.
Then there’s the bay itself, which was once a limestone quarry and a smuggler’s cove, now offering a sandy dog-friendly beach backed by a pebble bank. Finally, Pwll Du Head is the highest headland on Gower with far-reaching views. Don’t stop your holiday planning here. Discover more dog-friendly places in South Wales by checking our top dog-friendly Wales beaches guide.
- Facilities: Car park, WC, shop, café – all in Southgate. Dogs are welcome on the beach too!
- Access: There is disabled parking at Southgate Car Park and there are some paths along the beautiful Pennard Cliffs suitable for wheelchairs.
- Stay nearby: Hills Farmhouse | Sleeps: 7 guests
Gower cottages
National Trust landmarks in South Wales
Pen y Fan and Corn Du, The Brecon Beacons
Pen y Fan, in the Brecon Beacons National Park, is the tallest mountain in southern Britain at 886m, a welcome challenge for many walkers who travel to this beautiful region, and Corn Du (873m) is its neighbouring peak which is also worth a climb if you still have any energy left.
Follow the National Trust’s circular walk that takes in both of these spectacular summits and along the way, you’ll come across wonderful wildlife, idyllic scenery and breathtaking views which on clear days encompass parts of the Cambrian Mountains, Black Mountains, Gower, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset. Why not check out our blog focusing on great days out and activities in South Wales?
- Facilities: There is limited parking at Pont ar Daf, otherwise there are no facilities – it’s just you and the wild outdoors!
- Access: Due to the nature of this region there are lots of steep and muddy tracks to navigate. It’s free to visit these unspoiled mountains and there are a couple of tracks that pass through including the footpath that begins at the Pont ar Daf car park.
- Stay nearby: Beacons View | Sleeps: 12 guests
Brecon Beacons cottages
Aberdulais Waterfall and Tin Works, Neath
Aberdulais is an immensely powerful waterfall that tumbles into a deep gorge and is a fine example of how water power once shaped the industry.
In the past, this waterfall powered a tin works and you can learn all about its 400-year history in the short film in the cinema, accessed by a lift above the falls and also offering beautiful views. You can see the remains of the old tin works which prospered here, including the tinning house and the old chimney stack.
- Facilities: Parking is on site and free of charge. There are baby changing facilities and pushchairs are admitted. There is a tearoom selling traditional Welsh cakes and bara brith, and a gift and souvenir shop.
- Access: There is separate accessible parking and a drop of service can be arranged. The whole area is accessible by lifts, gravel stone and slab paths. There are adapted WCs on site.
- Stay nearby: Ty Hiraeth | Sleeps: 4 guests + 3 dogs
Neath cottages
National Trust gardens and estates in South Wales
Stackpole Estate, Pembrokeshire
Another wonderful stretch of coastline, this time on the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, that boasts the renowned 200-year-old Bosherston Lakes at Stackpole Estate for you to discover as well as 8 miles of coast containing cliffs, dunes and secret coves. Footpaths crisscross this landscape and pass through woodland, meadows, and down to the charming harbour of Stackpole Quay in this National Trust site in South Wales.
Follow the trails around the lakes - famous for the resident waterlilies and otters - to take in the idyllic scenery. At the foot of the Bosherston Lake sits Broadhaven South, a beach where you can enjoy a swim with the family, while Freshwater West is an impressive surfer beach located a few miles down the coast.
- Facilities: Court site with exhibition centre, refreshments and WC, tearoom, picnic areas, and car parks located throughout the area made up of Bosherston Lakes and Broad Haven South car parks: SA71 5DR, Stackpole Court car park: SA71 5DE, Stackpole Quay car park: SA71 5LS
- Access: There are a wealth of wonderful facilities at this National Trust site in Pembrokeshire for anyone with limited mobility including fine gravel pathways and tarmac trails suitable for off-road wheelchairs, an adapted bird hide near Eight Arch Bridge, beach wheelchair and tramper available to borrow (check ahead), mobility parking at Stackpole Quay, Broad Haven South, Bosherston and at Stackpole Centre. Visit Accessibility at Stackpole for more information.
- Stay nearby: Boathouse On The Beach | Sleeps: 6 guests + 2 dogs
Pembrokeshire cottages
Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff
Reaching over 55 acres, Dyffryn Gardens near Cardiff is a beautiful National Trust garden in South Wales made up of formal lawns, intimate gardens, and a stunning arboretum that on its own covers more than 22 acres.
These fantastic grounds change with the seasons so you will always see something new with each visit, and there are plenty of themed areas to see like the Pompeiian Garden, Paved Court and Mediterranean Garden. Head to the reflecting pool, explore the large glasshouse or look out for the statuary collection. A grand Victorian mansion overlooks the gardens, whose ground and first floors are open to the public.
- Facilities: There is a tearoom and shop selling gifts and seasonal plants. You can also take home your pick of the walled garden’s organic produce! There is a children’s play area on site and dogs are welcome on leads.
- Access: There is wheelchair access around most of the gardens, and courtesy wheelchairs can be hired in advance. There are adapted facilities available.
- Stay nearby: Nash | Sleeps: 4 guests + 1 dog
Cardiff cottages
Henrhyd Falls and Graig Llech Woods, Neath
The magical 90-foot-high Henrhyd Falls in Graig Llech Woods is the highest waterfall in South Wales and a spectacular sight, ideal for a family or group excursion during your holiday to the Brecon Beacons.
The idyllic woodland that you’ll pass through on your way to the falls is full of wildlife - keep an eye out for birds hopping through the branches - and is the perfect place for a bit of peace and quiet. Try to visit just after heavy rainfall to see the full force of this impressive waterfall.
- Facilities: There’s a car park and delightful places to settle down for a woodland picnic, but otherwise no facilities.
- Access: The track is muddy and steep in places, and there is a bridge and steps to navigate.
- Stay nearby: Heol Giedd | Sleeps: 4 guests + 2 dogs
Swansea cottages
Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in South Wales
Which of these fantastic National Trust places will you visit during your time away? The National Trust boasts so many wonderful properties and landscapes that you’ll be spoilt for choice on your South Wales holiday.
If you’ve yet to pick out your perfect holiday cottage in South Wales, browse through our collection which offers a great choice of large houses, romantic boltholes and family escapes all across the region.
Browse our cottages