Wales – 2nd preparatory trip, May 2026

For the planned photography trip to Wales in early summer 2027, I travelled with Marc Bovard, the passionate photographer, to Wales again at the beginning of May. Along the advertised route – from the wild coast of Pembrokeshire via the magical island of Anglesey to the green heart of Wales, the Brecon Beacons National Park – we explored additional photo spots and searched for the best locations for impressive shots.

Wales greeted us warmly, but everything else was friendly. When we arrived in Cardiff, it was drizzling, and ominous grey-black clouds hung in the sky.

As we picked up our rental car, a thunderstorm broke out, and before our journey had even begun, we were soaked to the bone. It rained incessantly on the drive to our first stop, the pretty harbor town of Tenby.

Things could only get better! During a late dinner at the hotel, we consulted the various weather apps and made plans for the next day.

The alarm rang early, as a highlight was already on the agenda: the Green Bridge of Wales, an impressive rock arch on the rugged Prembrokeshire coast. The weather was a bit more promising; the rain had stopped, and we were full of optimism. During the drive to the photo location, visibility worsened, and thick fog rolled in from the sea. A sunrise at the arch seemed unlikely. Upon arriving at our destination, we were met with a peculiar atmosphere: the sea, which usually crashes against the shore in large waves, was almost completely still. The fog drifted along the coastline, lending the entire scene an unreal, mystical quality. Initially, I wasn't particularly taken with the atmosphere, but Marc's enthusiasm and his photos quickly won me over.

Right next to the rock arch are striking sea stacks off the coast, where numerous oystercatchers and guillemots nest. Even early in the morning, there was a flurry of activity. I quickly got out my long lens and photographed the feathered friends.

On our way back to breakfast, we wanted to take a quick look at a small patch of wild garlic – just briefly, really just briefly – as our stomachs were rumbling. But that brief visit turned into something much longer 😉. The forest along a narrow stream completely enchanted us. The rain and the dampness made the delicate spring green and the white blossoms glow brilliantly.

After breakfast, we explored the charming harbor town of Tenby with its colorful houses along the harbor. The tide was just going low, allowing us to capture magnificent reflections in the tidal pools.

Our afternoon plan was to circumnavigate the Gower Peninsula. This peninsula offers a wealth of photographic opportunities: steep, rugged coastlines, miles of sandy beaches, and rivers winding their way through verdant valleys to the sea. The weather was steadily improving, but we knew it would be short-lived. Rain was forecast for the evening. So we made the best of it and explored all the photo locations. The lighting wasn't ideal, but we knew the spots were perfect. The forecast proved accurate, and the rain started again in the late afternoon, continuing until mid-morning the following day. After that, this decidedly "British weather" was over. Therefore, we decided to check the weather forecast at 5:20 a.m. the next morning and otherwise sleep in a little longer one last time.

From Tenby, our journey continued along the Pembrokeshire coast. We made brief stops at Carew Castle and Pembroke Castle. Both would have been magnificent subjects for photographs, as the castles would normally be reflected in their moats, but unfortunately, not today. So, we only made a quick visit. As compensation, we repeatedly encountered enchanting forests in the spring-green Wales, carpeted with blooming bluebells, wild garlic, and chervil.

The further northwest we traveled, the better the weather became, and we were finally able to put on our sunglasses and have a picnic outdoors.

Our destination was the area around St. David's. This place – situated on a promontory – is a small village with just 1800 inhabitants, but boasts a cathedral so magnificent it could just as easily be found in a major British city.

The coastline around this headland is one of the wildest and most rugged in Wales, offering superb photographic opportunities. Shortly after checking into the hotel, we studied the tide tables again and set off to explore the photo spots for the evening and the following morning. We were looking for the best locations to take advantage of the different tidal ranges. The tidal range on the south coast of Wales is among the highest in Europe. The difference between high and low tide can be up to 10 meters.

We captured the sunset at the Blue Lagoon, where the evening provided us with a truly beautiful atmosphere. A thunderstorm was brewing in the distance opposite us, allowing us to photograph in two directions, which in turn led to a few moments of stress. Every landscape photographer knows the feeling: the long wait for the perfect light – and then, when it finally arrives, time suddenly seems to fly. And when there's a spectacular scene unfolding in the other direction as well... Phew! 😉

The alarm rang at 4:45 a.m. the next morning – off to watch the sunrise! After a bit of a detour through the still almost dark St. David's (how can you get lost in a town of 1,800 inhabitants??), we reached our morning spots. The first light bathed the cliffs and the view of the lovely Welsh landscape in shades of pink and gold – simply magnificent.

Back at the hotel, we treated ourselves to a hearty English breakfast before packing up and continuing our journey. Our drive took us along the Irish Sea to Caernarfon. Along the way, we stopped at numerous photo spots, which we'll also be visiting on our photography tour. These included the Welsh seaside resort of Aberystwyth, lighthouses, and waterfalls. We were particularly taken with a waterfall that cascades through a small village. Opposite, a charming old stone house with a wooden waterwheel stands. Once again, we lost track of time; we still had several kilometers to go before reaching Caernarfon. There, another highlight awaited us at sunset: the solitary tree. The photography gods and the weather were kind to us – golden light, picturesque clouds – what more could a photographer ask for!

That morning, the alarm clock rang even earlier, at 3:20 a.m.! A 40-minute drive, a 40-minute walk, to arrive in the best light at a magical place: the tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn with its lighthouse. No one really likes getting up early, but the walk to the lighthouse in the dawn light is a meditative, almost calming moment amidst the coastal landscape.

We spent the rest of the day on the island of Anglesey, Ynys Môn, or Island of the Druids – the Welsh island of Anglesey has many names, and each one sounds mystical. Hardly any other place in Wales is as steeped in myth and legend as Anglesey, which is separated from the Welsh mainland by the Menai Strait. One thinks of Avalon when one hears of Anglesey, that fabled Celtic island of the afterlife.

We got up early again this morning, as another lighthouse in the morning light was on the agenda. After breakfast, we said goodbye to the coast and drove through the impressive mountain scenery of Snowdonia to the green heart of Wales, the Brecon Beacons National Park. Numerous great photo opportunities awaited us along the way, including a picturesque mountain village and a special treat: the Elan Valley with its dams and reservoirs.

The reservoirs and dams are some of the most impressive examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture. They were built to secure Birmingham's drinking water supply. With their walls and sweeping lines, they blend beautifully into the landscape. The drifting clouds added to the fascinating interplay of light and shadow across the stark mountain scenery.

The theme of today, and sadly our last day, was waterfalls. On a circular hike, we visited and photographed three magnificent waterfalls (the fourth was unfortunately closed due to trail repairs). The ascents and descents were strenuous, with numerous steps leading down to the waterfalls and, consequently, back up again. However, it offered a fantastic opportunity for photography, allowing you to experiment with long exposures from various perspectives.

As an added bonus, or perhaps a welcome break, many robins, almost tame by now, posed for us. Marc took enchanting photos of these feathered friends. A nature photographer usually lugs all their equipment around – you never know! For once, I left my long lens in the car to save weight; I wanted to photograph waterfalls. Stupid, very stupid indeed 😉.

We spent our last evening at an Italian restaurant enjoying delicious pasta and reminiscing about our trip. The program was intense and required early mornings – but we were rewarded daily with extraordinary light and unforgettable experiences.

The diversity of Wales has once again captivated Marc and me. We are all the more excited to accompany the guests of the 2027 photo tour to these impressive locations and to experience unforgettable photographic moments together.