Did you know there are 19 places across the world with Welsh names, far from the rolling hills of Wales? 🌍✨ Thanks to Welsh travellers who left their mark, you can find a piece of Wales in the most unexpected corners of the globe!
Take Aberdare National Park in Kenya, known for its majestic elephants and not the town of Rhondda Cynon Taf! Or explore the affluent suburb of Beaumaris in Melbourne, named by James Bickford Moysey, who had roots in North Wales.
How about Cardiff in New Zealand’s North Island? It’s a tiny settlement compared to our bustling capital but proud of its Welsh legacy. Venture to the USA, where Bryn Mawr in Pennsylvania is famous for its prestigious college attended by Katherine Hepburn. The town carries the Welsh name from an estate near Dolgellau.
Swansea isn’t just in South Wales. There’s a less-populated version in Massachusetts, USA, reflecting its Welsh heritage. And did you know about Llandudno in Cape Town with the luxurious homes reminiscent of its Conwy counterpart?
In Argentina, Bagillt Lake draws its name from a town in Flintshire. Its pristine beauty owes thanks to Edward Jones from Bagillt, who “discovered” this gem in Patagonia. Oh, and Bala in Ontario? Known as the ‘Cranberry Capital,’ it channels the spirit of Gwynedd with a passion for watersports and fruit wines!
Pennsylvania also boasts Upper and Lower Gwynedd townships, proudly tracing back to Welsh Quaker settlers. And the coastal town of Carnarvon in Australia may sound familiar – sharing a name from the time of the British Empire.
Bangor has siblings too – in Northern Ireland, Australia, and Maine, USA. Known for a dramatic FBI shootout in 1937, Bangor, Maine, shares the adventurous spirit of its namesake.
Even a small settlement in Alberta, Canada, holds the name Berwyn, mimicking the Denbighshire village. Its unique wooden water tower replica stands as a testament to its quaint charm.
These unexpected connections reveal that wherever you go, a slice of Welsh history awaits exploration. So, next time you travel, look out for a bit of Wales, no matter how far you roam! 🏡❤️