Old: Narrow gauge steam trains that still go after 100 years.
There are 14 scenic railways in Wales. Built years ago to transport Welsh slate and Welsh people. Most of the trains are pretty old. That's why they go so slow. The Snowdon Railway never goes above a whopping five miles per hour. Perfect.
Ride the Great Little Trains of Wales
and the Snowdon, Fairbourne, Gwili and Llangollen Railways.
Really old: Castles built in the 12th century.
How would you like your castle? Concentric, square, restored, dilapidated, 10th century, 18th century… And would you like coffee with that? Then we recommend Cardiff Castle. It's an impressive fortress, built in 1106. And it's handy for the Queen Street Starbucks, a much rarer sight around here.
Most of our castles are looked after by CADW. Castles of Wales website lists those and many more.
Older than the hills: Caves and mines that took 35,000 years to form.
Mining must have been close to hell for our first miners 3500 years ago. No helmet lamps back then. No chisels either. They began our vast underground heritage with only bones and stones. Not that it was much easier in the 1900's. Miserable pay, poor light, no room to stand up. Come down and see what it was like to work in hell. Don't worry, it's not quite so bad these days.
The Wales Underground website gives information on all 12 underground attractions in Wales. BBC Wales have recently broadcast a living history series, Coal House. Transporting three families back to the south Wales coalfield of the 1920s. Catch-up on all the latest goings on here.
