logo
Inside Wales' most popular houses for sale

Inside Wales' most popular houses for sale

Wales Online4 days ago
So many people enjoy rummaging around looking at unusual and dream homes on the numerous online property portals - even if they're not interested in finding a new place to live.
From looking for interior design ideas to dreaming about how they would renovate and improve a rundown home, from pretending to flounce around a huge country mansion to finding unique features to share on social media and shock your followers, Rightmove has become the central properties for sale to find them all
The UK's largest property platform has revealed exclusively to WalesOnline the top eight of the most viewed homes in Wales so far this year and a historic gem in Wales has hit the number one spot as the most popular home to have an online tour around. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here .
READ MORE: Inside one of Wales' finest Georgian homes which offers far more than first appears
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: "From a stiletto-shaped bathtub abode in Conwy to an £8m mansion, to an auction property with views, this year's most viewed homes so far on Rightmove highlight the unique charm and diversity of the Welsh housing market.
"With the UK's largest choice of homes, there's a home to meet any unique requirement on Rightmove, from historic estates to modern mega-mansions. It's no wonder that home seekers spent over 16.4 billion minutes on our platform last year, exploring these incredible properties."
For more property stories and home content join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I found the perfect Welsh coast walk with secluded swim spot and food right on the beach
I found the perfect Welsh coast walk with secluded swim spot and food right on the beach

Wales Online

timean hour ago

  • Wales Online

I found the perfect Welsh coast walk with secluded swim spot and food right on the beach

I found the perfect Welsh coast walk with secluded swim spot and food right on the beach Combine beaches, woodlands, and a pancake stop on this straightforward coastal hike The 180-mile Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is a well-established National Trail within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Image: Shared Content Unit ) There's no better way to embrace the great outdoors than lacing up your hiking boots and heading for the Welsh coast. With the salty breeze in your hair, the crash of waves and dreamy sea views stretching to the horizon, walking along the bracing Welsh coastline invigorates the senses. Wales has an extraordinary 870-mile-long coast path – the first in the world to trace an entire nation's shoreline. The famous trail bursts with dramatic headlands, hidden coves, ancient ruins, and wildlife. While walking its full length is a bucket-list challenge you don't need to be an ultra-hiker to enjoy its best bits. ‌ Throughout the long-distance route countless short walks and circular trails offer epic coastal scenery without requiring a full expedition. One of my favourite treks, which I recently discovered, is in Pembrokeshire. It features sandy shores, secluded bays, and a pancake and waffle hut right on the beach. ‌ The 5.1-km out-and-back walk is from Saundersfoot Beach to Monkstone Point and features some inclines through a wooded area as you trace the shore. You can follow the coast's path signs or download the trail on the AllTrails app. It starts at the coastal village of Saundersfoot. Considered a "compact version of Tenby" the swish seaside town has a sandy beach that has just been crowned among the best in the UK in The Times' annual Best UK Beaches guide and is described as a beach that "rewards explorers". The 17th edition of the list was compiled by chief travel writer Chris Haslam, who visited and inspected 756 beaches across the UK. Chris' selection was based on an exhaustive 11-point inspection checklist. Article continues below The criteria encompassed water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene standards at toilets and showers, and dog-friendliness. Outside of the acclaimed beach the town and surrounding area have plenty of things to see and do including a coastal trail, proper pubs, independent shops, and cafes. If you want to experience the scenic shoreline, though, the best thing to do is lace up your hiking boots and hit the coast path. ‌ Saundersfoot Beach to Monkstone Point hike The walk starts on the beach (Image: St Brides Spa Hotel ) From Saundersfoot Beach head towards the harbour. This marine hub, completed in 1834, primarily served Pembrokeshire's burgeoning coal industry. The harbour facilitated coal exports, significantly contributing to the local economy. In recent years Saundersfoot Harbour has undergone significant redevelopment to modernise its facilities, establish new business ventures, and promote local heritage through the Welcome and Heritage Centre. ‌ From the harbour follow the B1436 and you'll soon reach the award-winning clifftop St Bride's Hotel and Spa, where you can gaze over Saundersfoot Bay from their jaw-dropping infinity swimming pool and elevated rooms. This privately-owned hotel is a few minutes from the beach allowing guests to enjoy ocean therapy before indulging in the many spa treatments. I highly recommend this swish coastal bolthole if you want to stay longer in Saundersfoot. You'll continue along the Glen Road from the hotel until you reach the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which you'll follow through the peaceful Glen Woods as it ascends over the craggy shoreline. ‌ Part of the walk goes through beautiful woodlands (Image: Portia Jones ) As you climb higher you'll see the sandy Glen Beach. This woodland and cliff-backed beach has two main access points: Saundersfoot Harbour at low tide and Glen Woods when the tide is in. Visit early, during the off-season, and you'll have a secluded spot where you can swim in clear waters or enjoy a picnic with sweeping coastal views. ‌ Keep going and you'll soon pass Swallow Tree Gardens behind you – a small holiday park situated yards from the beach and sheltered by pinewoods. The perfect spot for a breather (Image: Portia Jones ) Follow the coast path and soon reach Monkstone Point – a secluded rocky headland with golden sands and naturally-formed pools. You can spend a good few hours here swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the unusual rock formations. ‌ To return to Saundersfoot follow the coast path back the way you came and look for a pancake hut on the beach and a mobile sauna overlooking the shore. Have pancakes on the beach On Saundersfoot's golden sands you'll find Crêp Da (Image: Portia Jones ) Hungry after your hike? On Saundersfoot's golden sands you'll find Crêp Da, a cutesy pop-up pancake van run by Courtney and Anouk. This compact green van sells a delectable selection of freshly-made pancakes and waffles along with iced coffee, hot chocolate, and hot drinks. ‌ Their fresh-off-the-griddle crepes and golden waffles come piled high with your pick of sweet gooey goodness. Expect melty Nutella and strawberries, maple syrup with sliced banana, or simple sugar and lemon. Craving something extra? There are also plenty of drool-worthy specials like Smarties-studded waffles, Twix-packed crepes, and Bounty-topped beauties. Each one is as outrageously delicious as it is Instagrammable. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here . There are also plenty of drool-worthy specials (Image: Portia Jones ) ‌ Hwyl Outdoor Sauna If you need a moment to unwind after hiking and feasting on pancakes why not book a sauna session with a sea view? You can enjoy wellness by the water at Hwyl Outdoor Sauna – a mobile wood-fired sauna overlooking the award-winning blue-flagged beach. This sustainability-focused sauna sources its wood locally and has the cleanest-burning sauna fire available, keeping its carbon footprint low. Who doesn't love a steamy sesh with eco credentials? ‌ A treat awaits (Image: @sillbillsocial ) Bookable for 25-minute and 50-minute sessions, enjoy the invigorating experience of deep healing and mindfulness using the heat of the sauna and the bracing cold of the sea. You can book slots for a shared sauna or a private session to rent the whole six-person sauna just for yourself and your friends and family for a steam and epic sea view. ‌ Pint with a view The perfect finale (Image: harbwrbarandkitchen/Facebook ) Round off your trip to Saundersfoot with a lovely pint with a view. Pull up a chair at Harbwr Bar & Kitchen, perfectly perched on Saundersfoot Harbour, and settle in for a laid-back pub sesh with some lovely Welsh brews. This stylish seaside spot is the swish sister venue of Tenby's award-winning Harbwr Brewery, which is pouring the good stuff straight from the source. Article continues below If you're more into your spirits don't miss the Harbwr Dry Gin, crafted in west Wales and distilled with actual beer. It's crisp, coastal, and perfect with tonic and a slice of citrus.

Holiday park voted worst in UK as Center Parcs, Haven and Butlins all rank lower than winner
Holiday park voted worst in UK as Center Parcs, Haven and Butlins all rank lower than winner

Wales Online

timean hour ago

  • Wales Online

Holiday park voted worst in UK as Center Parcs, Haven and Butlins all rank lower than winner

Holiday park voted worst in UK as Center Parcs, Haven and Butlins all rank lower than winner A new survey by Which? has revealed the best and worst holiday parks in the UK, according to visitors, with Potters Resorts taking the top spot, Pontins once again scoring badly and a Welsh resort doing very well too The Pontins near Weston-Super-Mare is the only one in the holiday park chain currently open to the public (Image: Rowan Griffiths ) A survey has unveiled the top and bottom UK holiday parks for 2025, with household names like Haven and Center Parcs being outshone by smaller operators. The survey gathered insights from 1,700 Which? members who rated their stays at various UK holiday parks and resorts. Participants evaluated aspects such as park cleanliness, accommodation quality, the range of free activities available, and the overall value for money of their trip. ‌ Leading the pack with the highest "customer score" was Potters Resorts, known for its all-inclusive holidays at two locations in Essex and Norfolk. Although predominantly an adults-only destination, Potters welcomes children during the summer holidays in Norfolk. ‌ It achieved a stellar 87% customer score, earning five stars for both facility and accommodation quality, and a perfect score for the diversity of complimentary activities. Despite being the priciest option in the Which? survey, Potters' cost includes all meals and beverages, a variety of activities from pickleball to archery, and 'West End' standard evening entertainment, which earned the resort a four-star rating for value for money. Forest Holidays secured the second spot, with an overall customer score of 80%. The brand boasts eight parks in England, three in Scotland, and two in Wales, offering rural locations and unique accommodation such as log cabins and treehouses. Forest Holidays clinched second place (Image: Leicester Mercury ) Article continues below Customers praised the quality of the accommodation and cleanliness, although they only awarded three-stars for value for money. Another top performer was Bluestone Wales, nestled in the scenic Pembrokeshire. Bluestone provides luxury lodges and cottages, also earning high marks for the quality of accommodation on offer — go here to read what one visitor who drove 2.5 hours to stay there thought. While they scored well for the variety of children's activities available and the entertainment, they also received a three-star rating for value for money, resulting in an overall score of 77%. ‌ Potters Resorts have two locations including the beautiful Hopton-on-Sea in Norfolk (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto ) Bluestone Wales in Pembrokeshire came third in the list (Image: Western Daily Press ) Pontins found themselves at the bottom of the chart once again, having also come last in 2024. The brand currently has just one holiday park open to guests, the adults-only Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare. Their other two parks in Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Pakefield, Suffolk are temporarily closed to accommodate construction workers. ‌ With 56% for customer satisfaction, Pontins earned just two-stars in most areas and, despite being the cheapest option, customers still felt they received poor value for money. In a scathing Tripadvisor review, one customer didn't hold back about their Pakefield park experience, stating: "Worst place I have ever visited, chalet was old unkempt and dirty, holes in sheets, beds pushed together with terrible mattress and pillows, to shower you had to keep pushing a button in, it leaked all over the floor." Another visitor expressed dissatisfaction, noting: "Rooms are shabby and quite dirty. Dirt on the baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and behind doors, our shower curtain had pink mold growing along the bottom seam, clearly not laundered between guests." ‌ Not all feedback was negative, as some holidaymakers enjoyed their stay, with one reviewer commenting: "We went beginning of October had a brilliant week! Food was great, swimming pool was really good and for the price you really can't get any better!" Pontins - who were bottom of the list - have closed locations including Camber Sands in East Sussex (Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror ) Entertainment at Pontins also received commendations, with a guest remarking: "The Bluecoats show Vegas was amazing! They are all so talented and are always doing some activity or joining in on the dance floor and having a laugh or chatting with people." ‌ Largo Leisure Parks, which operates six parks in Scotland, found itself at the lower end of the satisfaction scale with a score of 64%. It should be noted, however, that this rating was based on a relatively small sample size of just 30 respondents who had visited their parks. A spokesperson for Largo Leisure commented: "Whilst this is of course disappointing, this relates to only 30 people who were surveyed about Largo Leisure over 12 months ago. On both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews, where we have thousands of reviews for each of our six Scotland holiday parks, all of them are rated 4.3 or above out of 5. "We regularly get 5 star reviews on both TripAdvisor and Google reviews and we would encourage people to take a look on both to see a true reflection of the guest experiences at our parks. We are very proud of our track record for providing exceptional holidays for our guests but we never stop trying to improve. We are enjoying a busy year across all our parks and if people read the online reviews they will see why." ‌ Meanwhile, Away Resorts scored similarly. It operates 25 parks in locations such as the popular south-west of England and the Isle of Wight. Away Resorts received just two stars for value for money, in spite of offering a broad selection of accommodation including caravans, glamping options, and luxury lodges. The company also had unsatisfactory ratings in customer service but earned three stars for cleanliness and accommodation quality. Away Resorts have 25 family-friendly resorts including one in Newquay (Image: William Dax / SWNS ) Center Parcs in Elveden Forest - their parks received high scores for quality but were described as 'expensive' (Image: Publicity Picture ) ‌ Center Parcs, the most popular holiday park provider in the survey, scored 69%, putting it on par with Haven. Despite high scores for its facilities and accommodation quality, it received lower marks for the range of complimentary activities and overall value for money. It was the third priciest on the list, following Potters and Warner Leisure Villages, who cater to adults-only breaks. A Which? member commented: "Very expensive for what it is. Accommodation excellent, apart from the oasis pool, everything was extra. Staff were very helpful and the children enjoyed their stay. I will not be going back." Haven, with 38 parks across the UK, matched Center Parcs' score, although they did receive three stars for value for money. Which? readers awarded them two-star ratings for food and drink and the variety of free activities available. You can read what one mum thought of Haven here. Article continues below Best and worst holiday parks in the UK - ranked Pontins, Away Resorts, Park Holidays, Butlins, Center Parcs, and Haven have been approached for comment.

First All-Wales Female Rowing Team to Cross Atlantic in Aid of Local Charities
First All-Wales Female Rowing Team to Cross Atlantic in Aid of Local Charities

Business News Wales

time10 hours ago

  • Business News Wales

First All-Wales Female Rowing Team to Cross Atlantic in Aid of Local Charities

A four-woman team from Wales – Denise Leonard, Helen Heaton, Heledd Williams, and Liz Collyer – will become the first all-female Welsh crew to compete in the World's Toughest Row – Atlantic Challenge, a 3,000-mile unaided race across the Atlantic Ocean. The Merched y Môr team, whose name fittingly means 'Women of the Sea' in Welsh, will row from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, enduring up to 60 days of continuous rowing in shifts, navigating unpredictable weather, 20-foot waves, and total physical and mental exhaustion. Their goal is to raise £125,000 to support the costs of the challenge and to fund four vital charities: Popham Kidney Support, which provides essential help for kidney patients and their families in Wales; Sea Trust Wales, which focuses on marine conservation and protecting Welsh coastal biodiversity; Action for Children, which supports vulnerable children, young people and families across the UK; and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), whose crews deliver life-saving rescue services around the Welsh and British coastline. As part of their campaign, the team will visit the Senedd to raise awareness of the challenge and highlight the work of their chosen charities. The Atlantic Challenge is one of the most demanding endurance races in the world. Fewer people have rowed across the Atlantic than have climbed Mount Everest or travelled to space.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store