Best time to visit Wales

Best for: wildflowers, waterfalls and the International Dylan Thomas Festival

Wales is very pretty in spring. Thanks to spring rains, the paddocks and forests are extra lush and green, and the headlands are blanketed with snowdrops, cuckoo flowers and bluebells. The iconic daffodil (Wales’ national flower) also comes into bloom nationwide.

March and April are active months for wildlife, with adorable lambs and calves in the fields and puffins around the Pembrokeshire coast.

Spring is also the best time to see Wales’ abundant waterfalls, including Pistyll Rhaeadr in Powys’s Berwyn Mountains and Henrhyd Falls in the Brecon Beacons.

Best for: weather, festivals, beaches and hiking

You have the best chance of experiencing good weather from June through August. Summer calls for outdoor activities like cycling, walking and hiking thanks to extended daylight hours. Just note the weather can be unpredictable any time of year in Snowdonia and conditions at higher elevations can change rapidly.

There are ample beaches to explore and waves to catch on a warm day, particularly along the west coast. In fact, Wales is home to some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches from vast stretches of sand to secluded coves.

Wales’ festival calendar is jam-packed in summer, including the highly anticipated National Eisteddfod (held every August). The annual competition showcases the country's best dance, music, poetry and theatre talent and attracts around 150,000 spectators.

Other festivals to check out include Green Man music festival in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and Big Cheese food festival in Caerphilly.

Best for: autumn foliage, Abergavenny Food Festival and wildlife

Autumn weather can be a bit of a mixed bag. Walking through the woodlands is a feast for the senses in autumn with golden scenes and carpets of crunchy leaves to stomp on.

It’s also a great time of year to see wildlife, including grey seal pups on the Ramsey and Skomer Islands. The annual deer rut in Margam Park starts in October, where you can hear and witness herds of male deer bumping heads (quite literally) in an attempt to attract a female mate.

If you're a foodie, you may also be interested in the Abergavenny Food Festival, Gwledd Conwy Feast and Portmeirion Food and Craft Festival – all of which celebrate Wales' best produce and flavours.

Best for: festive markets, Six Nations Rugby and St David’s Day

January and February are the coldest, wettest months. It can feel bitterly cold along the coast where strong winds blow in from the Atlantic, so a warm, waterproof coat and thermals are essential. Snow blankets Snowdonia, and while hiking may be too dangerous unless you're a pro, it creates some brilliant photo opportunities. If you don't mind rugging up, you can enjoy brisk walks followed by cosy pub dinners.

If you’re around on 1st March, you may also experience vibrant St. David’s Day celebrations – St. David is the patron saint of Wales. With spring (and brighter weather) just around the corner, this joyous occasion sees locals donning traditional costumes, dancing and Welsh flag bunting in streets across the country.