The 25 January is a special day in the Welsh calendar, as it honours the legacy of St Dwynwen, a 5th century princess turned hermit nun, who became the patron saint of Welsh lovers. She sacrificed her own chance of romantic love to grant God’s favour to all true lovers.

In Wales, the day is celebrated in the same spirit as Valentine’s Day, with romantic gifts and gestures. If you are looking for a meaningful alternative to the usual choices of flowers or chocolates, then you might like to consider a Welsh lovespoon. 

These were traditionally carved by young men hoping to win the heart of a certain lady, and the artform has been revived in recent years with symbolic designs such as hearts, keys, and angels. 

Another wonderful way to celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day is to visit the ‘Seven Wonders of Wales.’ Most of these may not be too familiar for modern visitors, because they were based on a poem that was probably written as an early form of marketing material in the 18th century. The poem reads:

“Pistyll Rhaeadr and Wrexham steeple,

Snowdon’s mountain without its people,

Overton yew trees, St Winefride’s well,

Llangollen bridge and Gresford bells.”

Here’s a closer look at two of the places named in the poem, St Winefride’s Well and Snowdon, that would make a delightful day out with someone special. 

St Winefride’s Shrine and Well, Holywell, Flintshire

Holywell is a market town in north east Wales named after St Winefride’s Holy Well, which dates back to the 7th century, is an ancient site of pilgrimage and healing. St Winefride was a real nun who lived and worshipped in the area, and there are various stories that offer a version of events leading to her veneration as a saint. 

Whatever the truth, St Winefride’s Shrine and Well are testament to her enduring power. The shrine was constructed in the Late Perpendicular Gothic style in the early 16th century, and is a Grade I Listed Building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. 

It’s also very beautiful, as the natural spring water bubbles up in a star-shaped basin in the chapel, and flows into an outdoor pool where pilgrims can bathe in the healing waters. At one time, the spring waters were said to bubble with furious activity, but today the spring is more serene. 

Mount Snowdon

Snowdon, also known by its Welsh name of Yr Wyddfa, is the highest mountain in Wales, and is probably the most well-known landmark on the list. 

It is set amidst the stunning Snowdonia National Park, and is a popular tourist destination: about 600,000 people make the climb to the summit each year, and a further 130,000 make the journey to the top on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. 

The most popular route for walkers is the Llanberis Path, but this can get very busy, so it’s  worth exploring lesser trodden routes such as the Watkin path.