National Parkland covers much of the countryside. The advocacy of naturalists and acts of government protection have meant threatened species such as the red kite, Snowdon lily and bottlenose dolphins are coming back while hikers and climbers face stiff penalties if they litter, pluck or deface. Charles, Prince of Wales , makes an official visit to Wales every summer kicking off a conference on behalf of environmental causes. In Pembrokeshire, Britain's only coastal National Park , a 299 kilometer National Trail Coastal Path winds by golden beaches and seaside holiday villages, but also tops sheer cliffs and smugglers coves. You can join an expedition to visit seabird and Atlantic grey seal sanctuaries on offshore islands named for 9th century Viking invaders.
Estuaries named for Celtic heroes, on the other hand, are peaceful and easily navigated.
Victorian naturalists and poets sang the praises of viewpoints as they followed towpaths along the canals or clambered up mountains. June is the month for wildflowers including fields of bluebells and daisies. That makes a 6th century Welsh nobleman named Arthur and his mentor, a Druid chief named Merlin , all but contemporary. Merlin was born in Cardiff , while the city of Caerleon is claimed to have been the site of King Arthur s Court. In a country where the symbol is a red dragon, strange things have happened.