South Wales

South Wales is the southern region of Wales that includes major urban centres, coastal cities and upland national parks. It has a mix of post-industrial coastal conurbations, rural uplands and river valleys.

The region contains Wales’s capital, Cardiff, and other principal cities such as Swansea, along with former coalfield valleys that were central to the area’s industrial development in the 19th and 20th centuries. Recreational uplands such as the Brecon Beacons National Park provide hiking, reservoir and scenic attractions.

Historically South Wales became one of Europe’s major coal-producing regions during the Industrial Revolution, which drove rapid urban growth, port expansion and railway development. Since the late 20th century the economy has diversified away from heavy industry toward services, education, and tourism.

Geographically South Wales stretches across the southern third of Wales from the Bristol Channel coast north into upland areas; the region is served by major road and rail links to London and the rest of the UK and contains a mix of coastal and inland landscapes.

• Transport corridor: the M4 corridor links the region's major urban centres and is the principal east-west road connection for South Wales.

What to See #

• Cardiff: the capital city and administrative centre of Wales, containing Cardiff Castle, waterfront and cultural institutions; it is the largest city in the region.
• Swansea: a coastal city and port on the Swansea Bay with industrial heritage and a significant university presence.
• Brecon Beacons National Park: a national park of upland moorland and sandstone peaks in the region, with the highest point Pen y Fan at 886 metres and popular walking routes.
• The South Wales Valleys: a network of former coal-mining valleys that stretch north from the coastal plain, historically central to the region's 19th and 20th century industrial development.