What’s doing in Wales for 2010?
As 2009 draws to a close, Wales has plenty to look forward to in 2010.
Need I mention the Ryder Cup? In early October, 600 million people around the world will see Wales on TV. A dream come true for Sir Terry Matthews and his Celtic Manor Resort, and an exciting showcase for Wales’ golf offerings. Did I mention that Wales has 200 golf courses? And did you know that West Monmouthshire Golf Club is the highest course in Britain with the 14th tee standing more than 1,500 ft above sea level? I could regale you with 17 more amazing facts about golf in Wales, but let’s save those for another time!
You know the Welsh cooking lady? We love Angela Gray - - Welsh food writer, broadcaster and regular TV and radio guest chef. She is set to open three new cooking schools in 2010. One at Slebech Park, a Georgian mansion in Pembrokeshire; a second at Fonmon Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan; and the third at Ffin Parc in North Wales which will launch in the spring. Angela’s cooking schools will offer great short-break activities in these perfect locations. Check out www.angelagray.co.uk for more information.
Whenever I visit a new city, I like to check out the local history museum for fascinating insights and stories through the years. We have only to wait until November 2010, when The Cardiff Story is set to open in the Old Library building. The museum will feature important artifacts, interactive displays and will provide a neat introduction to the city for folks before they explore the historic castle and more modern Millennium Stadium and Wales Millennium Centre for themselves. Keep check on www.cardiffmuseum.com for more information as the project progresses.
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways in North Wales almost join up! There’s still a bit of kerfuffle over the final furlong but, for the 2010 season, trains will run along the new stretch of track to Hafod y Llyn, which includes passing through the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass after the village of Beddgelert. Some train services will run even further along the new track extension to Pont Croesor offering even more Snowdonia National Park scenery. Check the website www.festrail.co.uk for updates.
Dylan Thomas connections abound in Laugharne, of course. In 2009, Dylan and Caitlin Thomas’ seaside home, Seaview (www.seaview-laugharne.co.uk), opened as a restaurant with four luxury five-star rooms. In 2010, it is likely that Brown’s Hotel – the pub Dylan frequented – will be converted into an 11-room guesthouse. The pub was sold to a new owner in August 2009, and Carmarthenshire Council approved plans for accommodation and renovation work.
Out on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, Nant Gwrtheyrn is a Welsh language center providing residential courses on Welsh heritage and language. It is set within a former Victorian Company Village in a coastal valley. Many of the buildings have been completely renovated so that, in 2010, the center will provide four-star quality accommodation for up to 76 people in 33 ensuite bedrooms and four cottages. There will also be new heritage displays for visitors to see by June. For more information on the center, including scheduled 2010 Welsh language course dates, visit: www.nantgwrtheyrn.org.
Wales’ roster of festivals never fails to impress. In 2010, expect Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival to return; while the Brecon Jazz Festival should be back to formidable form with the announcement last year that it will now be under the stewardship of Hay Festival organizers.
2010 marks the tenth anniversary for the National Botanic Garden of Wales. To celebrate, admission to the garden is free for everyone throughout January 2010. There will be a festival of local food and drink on the last weekend of January (January 30th - 31st) taking place in the Great Glasshouse. www.gardenofwales.org.uk
Finally, in the Canton neighborhood of Cardiff, the Chapter Arts Centre just re-opened. Cinemas and the theater have been refurbished and will show the best world and independent film and innovative performance. The entrance leads into a 60-foot “lightbox” space which showcases new art from Welsh artists. And the Chapter Gallery has been refurbished too. The center’s café-bar has been extended, and there’s also a new landscaped courtyard. The new interiors have been designed by leading Welsh designer Angela Gidden and award-winning performer, Marc Rees. More about Chapter Arts Centre on their website - - www.chapter.org.
We'll be keeping you up-to-date on what's going on for visitors to Wales during 2010 on our websites. Be sure to check out http://blog.visitwales.co.uk and www.travelwales.org/blog. And follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/visitwales.