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My name is Rhys, a first time dad blogging about my adventures and experiences of being a parent. [email protected]

15 romantic places to celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day

Although many people across the world celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th, here in Wales we have our very patron saint of love called Saint Dwynwen – celebrated annually on January 25th.

Lovers may celebrate Saint Dwynwen, without knowing the story of how the daughter of a medieval king became the Welsh patron saint of love.

In fact, Dwynwen’s own story isn’t what you might call a romantic one. Legend has it that she was deeply in love with a man called Maelon Dafodrill, but when she turned down his premarital gestures, he left her.

Calling upon God in her prays, her former lover was turned into a block of ice, and as a reward to Dwynwen’s for not succumbing to Maelon’s advances, God rewarded her with three wishes – to defrost Maelon, for “all true-hearted lovers” prays to be listened to, and for her to never have to marry. Legend has it Dwynwen remained as a nun at an isolated church in Llanddwyn, Anglesey until her death.

Every year, thousands of people visit the now ruined church named after Saint Dwynwen.

These are our favourite places for a romantic stroll, walk and canoe in Wales:

1. Llanddwyn, Anglesey

Sunset at Ynys Llanddwyn island on the coast of Anglesey in North Wales

2. Castell Coch

Castell Coch. Photo credit: Cadw

3.  Laugharne

Laugharne Castle

4. Sgwd yr Eira waterfall

Sgwd yr Eira waterfall

5. Village of Portmeirion

Portmeirion

6.  Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

Three Cliffs Bay Gower Peninsula

7. The River Teifi, Carmarthenshire

The River Teifi

8. Llangorse Lake

Aerial drone view of sailing boats on Llangorse Lake in Powys, Wales

9. Tintern Abbey

Aerial View of The Tintern Abbey, dating back to a.d. 1131

10. The Mumbles

Stunning sunrise over the Mumbles lighthouse in Swansea Bay

11. Rhandirmwyn woodland

RSPB Nature Reserve Rhandirmwyn. Credit: wayofthewhitehorse.com

12.  Pen Y Fan

Pan Y Fan in Brecon Beacons

13. Worm’s Head Tidal Island

Worms Head at Rhossili

14. Llechwedd Caverns, Gwynedd

Llechwedd Deep Mine

15. Carreg Cennen

Carreg Cennen castle sits high on a hill near the River Cennen