COASTAL UPLANDS

Revive | Explore

Embark on a journey that matters. Explore the Coastal Uplands of Ireland and Wales. Admire awe-inspiring landscapes, unique flora and fauna, fascinating archaeology and local history, and vibrant local communities. Developed with local communities in the Blackstairs Mountains and Wicklow Mountains in Ireland, and the Cambrian Mountains and Mynydd Preseli in Wales, the Coastal Uplands offer a different tourist experience.

Cambrian Mountains

The Cambrian Mountains are some of the most remote areas in Europe, and at night the dark skies make it a fascinating place to stargaze. It is an area full of magnificent landforms, formed by the glaciers of the past and rivers of the present.

Mynydd Preseli

Mynydd Preseli is a striking upland area in Pembrokeshire, forming a relatively unexplored yet beautiful part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It is an area of open pasture in its upper reaches surrounded by villages and enclosed fields.

Blackstairs Mountains

The Blackstairs Mountains are striking uplands that rise from the plains of Ireland’s southeast. From the summits, spectacular views unfold across the midlands to the west, and over Wexford and the Irish Sea to the east.

Wicklow Mountains

Carved out by the glaciers of the past, the Wicklow Mountains offer stunning landscapes from remote uplands to the rich wooded valleys that give Wicklow its reputation as the ‘Garden of Ireland.'

These four areas share many links stretching back into prehistory. From the geological processes that shaped the initial landscapes, to the climate and weather processes that continue to alter them, these areas boast diverse, yet similar, landforms and features. Unique plants and animals thrive here and there is a long history of both natural and human-driven migration of species between these areas. The links shared over thousands of years as people criss-crossed the Irish Sea have given rise to similar archaeological remains but with unique regional differences. There are similarities between our national languages and in our myths and legends. Today, these largely rural areas with strong farming traditions are home to vibrant communities that have a rich appreciation of local history, heritage, and tradition. They are lively, busy places with diverse communities that are constantly changing and evolving.

In an attempt to highlight this breadth of natural and cultural heritage, the content here focuses on four key themes: Geology & Landforms; Biodiversity; Archaeology; and Community Lives.

Geology & Landforms

The awe-inspiring landscapes around us have been created by thousands of years of natural processes that more recently have been altered by human activity. Follow this theme to learn more about how the spectacular valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes of these areas have formed.

Archaeology

From hill forts and abbeys to the remains of mining industry, we can read the history of past generations from the landscape. The Coastal Uplands are rich in evidence from the people who lived here before us. Follow this theme to find out more about how and where they lived, the objects they used and the challenges they faced.

Biodiversity

The range of habitats formed across these landscapes are home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Learn more about the fascinating wildlife in these areas, including insect-eating plants, forgetful birds, and the clever ways species have adapted to live here.

Community Lives

Surrounded by magnificent landscapes and steeped in history and tradition, the communities who live within the Coastal Uplands have strong connections to the places they call home. Follow this theme to learn about everyday life in these vibrant communities.