The Stories Behind Wales’s Most Timeless Landmarks (New Paperback Edition)

What is it that makes Wales feel like, well… Wales?

Is it the castles – more than 600 of them scattered across the landscape? The breathtaking 870-mile Coast Path, the only one of its kind in the world? Or perhaps it’s the stories – the myths, the folklore, the poets and bards who spoke in hushed tones of fire-breathing dragons and Arthurian adventures?

These are the questions I found myself asking while working on The Little Book of Welsh Landmarks, the new paperback edition of one of my earliest books, which is published today. (For clarity, this is the updated paperback – not to be confused with the outdated hardback edition!)

In many ways, this book serves as a companion piece to my very first, The Little Book of Welsh Culture. That book explored Wales’ rich arts and traditions – music, film, visual arts, theatre and more. This new edition of Welsh Landmarks takes us outdoors and off the beaten track, uncovering the places where those stories come to life – from the golden sands of Gower to the snow-capped peaks of Yr Wyddfa.

Some locations are truly epic; others are small and unassuming. But what makes them special isn’t just their grandeur – it’s the stories they hold.

Take Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech and Beaumaris – some of the most stunning medieval castles in the world. Scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll uncover tales of conquest, rebellion, and centuries of history carved into stone.

Then there’s Dylan Thomas’s writing shed in Laugharne – as humble a space as you could imagine. Yet, within those walls, he crafted Under Milk Wood and so much more. Would it feel the same without the words he left behind?

Places don’t just exist – they hold meaning because of the stories woven into them. And that’s true far beyond Wales’ landscapes. The best brands, businesses, and artistic projects thrive on the same principle: Narrative is what makes people care.

This is a concept that has always fascinated me – how storytelling connects us to places, ideas, and to each other.

So, if you have a passion for heritage, history, and the stories that breathe life into places, I think you’ll enjoy this book.

You can find it here: The Little Book of Welsh Landmarks.

Of course, one of the challenges of writing a "little" book is the space limitation – there’s never enough room for everything, and you always risk overlooking somebody's favourite. What’s a place that’s always stuck with you, and why?