£5m investment in tourism projects will enhance visitor experience
Buddsoddiad o £5 miliwn mewn prosiectau twristiaeth i wella profiad ymwelwyr
Tourism projects in Wales are set to receive a share of millions of pounds to invest in getting the basics right for visitors.
The £5m Brilliant Basics fund supports schemes that deliver improvements to essential visitor infrastructure at tourism destinations across the length and breadth of the country.
Announcing the full list of projects set to benefit between 2025 and 2027 today (Wednesday 14 May) during Wales Tourism Week, the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for tourism, Rebecca Evans, noted the vital role the fund plays in ensuring all visitors continue to receive a warm Welsh welcome
From new changing facilities on Barry Island to glamping pods in Carmarthenshire and campervan parking facilities across Denbighshire, the latest round of funding will mean the Welsh Government has provided over £15m towards Brilliant Basics since the fund was established in 2021.
The Cabinet Secretary said:
"I am delighted to announce this significant investment in tourism infrastructure as Visit Wales’ latest campaign – ‘Year of Croeso’ – continues to share our warm ‘croeso’ and unique ‘hwyl’ with the world.
“Tourism is a vital part of the Welsh economy, but we recognise that increased visitor numbers can sometimes put pressure on local infrastructure, particularly in popular destinations. This funding will help address these challenges while supporting our commitment to sustainable, inclusive tourism.
“By investing in these basic but essential facilities, we are not only enhancing the visitor experience but also supporting local communities and protecting our natural environment for generations to come."
Priority areas for this funding round included alleviating pressures at tourism 'hot spots', promoting environmentally sustainable destinations, enhancing accessibility, and improving the overall visitor experience.
The Cabinet Secretary recently visited Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd, which was previously awarded £288,000 from the fund to create an accessible event space within the park.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council invested in transforming an under-utilised area into a dynamic event space with an accessible pathway and improved entrance.
The space now provides a flexible venue for cultural events and performances, catering to both community needs and visitors.
Cllr Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Prosperity and Development, said:
“It’s fitting the important Brilliant Basics funding was announced following a visit to the new events space in beautiful Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.
“The space was made possible thanks to past Brilliant Basics funding and has been, or will be, used for a range of important community events in the park, including the Big Welsh Bite, VE Day commemorations and, of course, “the best Eisteddfod ever” – which was held in Pontypridd in 2024 and welcomed tens of thousands of people to the park, to Pontypridd’s shops and eateries of Pontypridd and to attractions across our county borough.
“We are pleased to work with the Welsh Government to secure such funding on behalf of Rhondda Cynon Taf and look forward to the opportunities Brilliant Basics will present for Clydach Vale Countryside Park, for which we have secured funding this year.”
Notes to editors
A full list of projects set to receive funding in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years:
Powys County Council
Sustainable Powys – Pathways and Places
Visitor based infrastructure improvements at key towns in Powys including signage, interpretation and walking trails
Carmarthenshire County Council
Pembrey Country Park - A Sustainable Future Initiative -
The purchase of equipment and infastructure including new glamping pods and weather proofed events infrastructure.
Swansea Council
"Swansea Motorhome Aires"
Campervan parking facilities at 6 locations across Swansea and the Gower
Denbighshire CC
Motorhome/Campervan Aire Provision for Denbighshire
Campervan parking facilities across the County
Vale of Glamorgan Council
Barry Island; Visitor experience improvement project
New changing facilities, beach wheelchairs and water quality digital displays on Barry Island
Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri
Sefydlu canolfan ddarganfod y Parc Cenedlaethol
The establishment of a visitor Discovery Centre at Betws y Coed
Wrexham County Borough Council
Refurbishment of public visitor toilets & wash rooms at Trevor Basin (Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site main arrival point).
Refurbishment of toilet facilities and the addition of a new disabled changing places toilet along with Digital signage
Cyngor Gwynedd
Parc Padarn - Fit for the Future: Active Travel and Tourism Infrastructure Project
Visitor infrastructure, carbon reduction and wayfinding improvements at the Gilfach Ddu site within Parc Padarn Country Park, Llanberis
Monmouthshire County Council
Linda Vista Gardens
Visitor infrastructure at the Linda Vista Gardens in Abergavenny
Conwy County Borough Council
Porth Eirias Visitor Amenities
Improvements to toilets and changing facilities at Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay Watefront including improved facilities for disabled users
Conwy County Borough Council
Llandudno Colonnade Enhancements
The restoration of a scenic ‘viewing platform’ in Llandudno with improved accessibility
Cyngor Gwynedd
Mwyniant ein Arfordir
Improvements to enhance visitors’ enjoyment and safety at key beaches in Gwynedd with a particular focus on Morfa Bychan and Pwllheli
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
Sustainable Steps: Unlocking Nature and History / Camau Cynaliadwy: Datgloi Natur a Hanes
Substantial improvements to the visitor experience at Carew Tidal Mill and Castell Henllys visitor attractions
Swansea Council
Port Eynon High Ropes
The provision of a new high ropes course at the Gower Activity Centre, Port Eynon
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Elidir Trail, Waterfall Country - Pont Melin Fach to Sgwd Gwladys
Key improvements to the walking trail to Sgwd Gwladys in the Waterfall Country
Wrexham County Borough Council
Wrexham City Centre Gateway Pedestrian Wayfinding
Pedestrian wayfinding signs in Wrexham and a new 6ft Wrexham/Wrecsam gateway sign
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
Traeth Mawr / Newport Sands Car Park Redevelopment
Improvements to the visitor parking facilities at Traeth Mawr, Trefdraeth/Newport Pembs
Merthyr Tydfil CBC
Cyfarthfa Museum and Park Project
Improving the visitor experience at Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery and the Castle Park
Neath Port Talbot CBC
Margam Country Park - Transformation of Visitor Arrival
Improvements to the overall sense of arrival at Margam Country Park
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Cwm Clydach Country Park Visitor Infrastructure
Improvements to car and coach parking facilities and addition of EV chargers and Cwm Clydach Country Park.
Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri / Eryri National Park
Public toilet improvements (Llyn Cwellyn, Llangywer and Nant Gwynant)
Toilet and parking improvements at key visitor honey pot sites in Eryri National Park
Flintshire County Council
Connecting Coast to Countryside – Interpretation and Signage Programme
New interpretation and signage at key sites within the Flintshire Coast Park
Carmarthenshire County Council
The WWT Llanelli Croeso - Welcome Project
A project to transform the visitor centre at the WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre to address accessibility issues and enhance the visitors experience
Vale of Glamorgan Council
Toilet Refurbishment for 2 Country Park Destinations
Refurbishment of toilet facilities at Cosmeston and Porthkerry Country Parks to include environmental improvements and improved facilities for disabled users