7 of the Friendliest Towns To Retire In Wales
Books take over Hay-on-Wye, jazz spills over the sidewalks in Brecon, and food stalls fill the grounds of Oystermouth Castle. Wales' friendliest side often comes out when there is something to celebrate, especially in smaller towns where festivals quickly turn into a community affair. This strong sense of belonging is exactly what makes these towns perfect for retirees looking to put down roots in a place with an active local life. These seven locals offer much more beyond a pretty backdrop. No matter the time of year, they will welcome you with arms wide open.
Hay-on-Wye
Academics, bookworms, and artists will love Hay-on-Wye for its Hay Festival every spring, having celebrated its 39th anniversary this year. Hay Festival brings in celebrity speakers from around the world, ranging from politicians to activists to authors and actors. The festival also hosts creative workshops and classes for people of all ages. And right on the border between England and Wales, although properly in Powys, Wales, Hay-on-Wye proudly boasts a minimum of 15 bookshops, like the true crime and Agatha Christie novels at Murder & Mayhem, meaning you should have plenty of time to find just the right story. Hay-on-Wye also has its Hay Thursday Market for browsing local producers' fresh veg and cheese, as well as handmade crafts and beauty products. Last but not least, 17th-century Hay Castle welcomes tourists through its medieval doors, hosting daily tours around lunchtime, as well as interesting mixed-media exhibitions. Not to mention booking a table at Hay Castle's cafe, where you can directly support the surrounding Welsh landscape by having your food composted and returned to the environment.
Abergavenny
Foodies will rejoice in Abergavenny, set against the backdrop of Wales' Black Mountains, for every September, the town prepares for its annual Abergavenny Food Festival. While your bellies may be full of delicious food, your hearts will be full of the sonorous music echoing from the town center. Stay out late and grab a pint at their evening Party at the Castle, watch live chef demonstrations, or participate in their rousing Food Quiz. Or try all three! As well as all the delectable options awaiting you with the abundance of street food vendors and market stalls here. Open five days a week, Abergavenny Museum, which is part of Abergavenny Castle's grounds, is worth checking out for a deeper understanding of the area. And take a break from the crowds at sprawling Linda Vista Gardens, where fall colors and paved walkways provide room for more quiet contemplation and stillness amongst the beauty of nature.
Brecon
Get your groove on at the annual Brecon Jazz Festival, smack in the center of Wales beneath the impressive mountain majesty of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Whether indoors at The Muse or outdoors on the Bulwark Stage, there are multiple opportunities for fantastic music, as well as other annual festivities. The Brecon Baroque Festival returns each October with performances by leading period musicians, as well as opportunities for students and younger musicians to perform. It takes place at Theatr Brycheiniog and at Brecon Cathedral, which is nearly 1,000 years old. Speaking of which, no matter which festival you are attending, Brecon Cathedral will demand your attention with its ancient presence, and it is a great place to visit if you are keen on identifying Norman architectural styles. Try a walk on Y Promenâd with your new watery companion, the River Usk, beside you. Pop into one of the cutesy cafes in town, such as Coffee Box, for a hot drink and a pastry, in between the live performances you might be seeing.
Llanelli
Take a trip back in time at Llanelli Vintage Festival in Llanelli's town center, brought to you every year by events organizer Ymlaen Llanelli. Listen to your favorite oldies come to life onstage, let your vintage staples that have been hiding away in your closet for ages get some fresh air, and take a look at the classic cars that seem to shine as good as new. Also, there is free parking! Head to the Millennium Coastal Park, which stretches for roughly 13 miles along the Carmarthenshire coast and forms part of the Wales Coast Path. There is also the Gorsedd Circle to see, a special formation of stones, about a 10-minute walk from Llanelli Beach. Alternatively, spend an hour or two at Parc Howard Museum, a former Italian-style mansion with an accommodating gift shop, cafe, and superb landscaping that showcases the best floral designs, depending on the time of year you visit Llanelli.
Mumbles
Head to the little South Wales town of Mumbles for its annual Oystermouth Food and Drink Festival at Oystermouth Castle, built in the 12th century and, at one point, controlled by Owain Glyndwr and the Herbert family. It is now in the hands of Swansea Council. Get your oyster fix satiated at the festival, not to mention your ale and cheese fixes, too. And there is great live music. For the children, there is a bouncy castle and colorful face painting. Concerning the rest of Mumbles, well, it is by the seaside, so there is lots of sand and water to dip your toes into. Go for a walk down to Grade II listed Mumbles Pier, standing on the water since the Victorian era, now giving locals and tourists alike the opportunity to go go-karting or try their hand at fishing in Swansea Bay. Mumbles has some cool art galleries closer to the town center, too, like the vivid mixed-media of Bulljam Gallery, which most certainly draws on the area's maritime influence.
Tenby
What is better than music by the Welsh seaside? Tenby International Music Festival brings in classical performers from around the world each August, not just from Great Britain but also from countries like Japan and the US. If you are in town for a couple of days, Tenby Castle, on the same headland as Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, is a good idea for an afternoon, offering a chance to take in the local history and art. The tattered 12th-century Norman castle is placed in such a great spot for views of Carmarthen Bay, and the museum offers an insight into the creative scene here in Pembrokeshire. Then, there is Tenby North Beach with its standout Goskar Rock, which is the perfect location for beachcombing, sun tanning, picnicking, and swimming in the water, all of which should be available to you in the month of August, unless the weather is unpredictable.
St Davids
Experience live music in wonderful West Wales, set up on the grand stage of St Davids Cathedral in St Davids in Pembrokeshire, at the St Davids Cathedral Music Festival, bringing together classical and choral musicians every spring. The cathedral itself was begun in 1181, believe it or not, and serves as an important part of the community's living religious and spiritual history. If you still are not satisfied with the cathedral you have seen, take a trip to St Non's Well and Chapel on the southern coastline of the waters of St Non's Bay. Legend has it that this is where St David was born, and you will likely run into many other visitors on their pilgrimages to what is deemed a holy site. One more thing to do in St Davids is to pick up a few scrumptious Welsh cakes at MamGu Welshcakes Bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Befriend Wales
These community events will open you up to a new circle of connections and memories woven with music, food, drink, and maybe even oysters, all set against the stunning natural scenery of Wales. Let the Welsh hospitality and generosity follow you wherever you may go in this Celtic land, whether in the Black Mountains of Abergavenny close to the Wales and England border, or the spiritual aura of St Davids to the west. And be sure to get your cwtch in before you leave!
