- An Autumn Escape Through South East Wales | Black Mountains, Hay-on-Wye & Raglan Castle -
Date: 20/05/26
Author: Kat - Wispy Willow Creations Creator
To this day, this remains my most treasured trip — and the one that truly started everything for me photographically. Exploring Wales in the midst of a rainy autumn, alongside good company and a furry friend, felt almost magical.
We based ourselves in a small cottage amongst the misty hills of South East Wales, surrounded by silence and rolling countryside. This journey not only became one of my favourite memories, but also inspired many of the photographs I now use within my collection of fine art landscape prints and countryside greeting cards.
The hills here feel mythical — as though they’ve been lifted straight from the pages of a novel — glowing with shades of amber, copper, and deep green. This trip was filled with winding roads, sheep-covered hillsides, ruined abbeys hidden within valleys, ancient castles, market towns, and peaceful evenings spent beside the fire with good food.
Raglan Castle
We began our trip at Raglan Castle — the most impressive castle ruins I have ever been lucky enough to see.
The weather was kind to us, allowing time to properly explore the grounds, ancient archways, and towering ruins. Wandering through the castle, it was impossible not to imagine what life may once have been like here many centuries ago.
The ruins, framed by autumn trees and misty countryside, created some of my favourite photographs from the entire Wales trip. For anyone interested in Wales landscape photography, Raglan Castle is an unforgettable location in autumn.
Exploring the Black Mountains in Autumn
On one rare day when the rain seemed to subside, we made our way towards Hay-on-Wye, travelling through the breath-taking Black Mountains.
I have never seen anything so daunting yet magnificent.
The roads twist and climb through vast countryside that feels wonderfully untouched. Autumn had fully settled in, and the landscape glowed with colour — deep green valleys scattered with fiery brown and orange ferns.
Every turn revealed a new view: sheep scattered across the hillsides, tiny stone cottages hidden amongst the valleys, and wild ponies standing against the dramatic landscape.
I felt completely at home here.
The dramatic scenery made it impossible to put the camera down, with every viewpoint offering another perfect scene for landscape photography in Wales.
Black Mountain Ponies -
LLANTHONY PRIORY RUINS
As we travelled deeper into the mountains, we came across the ruins of Llanthony Priory, tucked away at the bottom of the Vale of Ewyas.
This became another unforgettable stop on the trip. Surrounded by towering hills and autumn colour, the abbey felt secluded, silent, and timeless.
For those exploring South East Wales in autumn, Llanthony Priory is one of the most peaceful and atmospheric places you can visit.
Hay-on-Wye — The Famous Town of Bookshops
Emerging from the mountains, we continued our drive towards the famous “Town of Bookshops”.
Rain began to fall again just as we arrived, but luckily a market was in full swing that day. To wait for the shower to pass, we tucked ourselves away in a tiny restaurant hidden amongst the bookshops. They specialised in Greek-inspired box meals, and we ended up tasting some of the best falafels I’ve ever had.
Once we’d regained our energy, we wandered through the charming streets lined with cosy cafés, endless bookshops, and independent stores. There’s something wonderfully slow-paced about Hay-on-Wye — the sort of place where you can lose track of time for hours.
For lovers of books, slow travel, and cosy autumn weekends, Hay-on-Wye feels like stepping into another world.
Autumn at Westonbirt Arboretum
On our journey home, we stopped halfway to wander through the beautiful grounds of Westonbirt Arboretum.
What an incredible sight it was.
Bright red leaves blazed overhead, golden foliage carpeted the ground beneath our feet, and towering trees stood dramatically against the grey autumn sky while birdsong echoed through the woodland.
We spent a couple of hours stretching our legs amongst the winding woodland trails, listening to the crunch of leaves beneath our boots and stopping constantly for photographs.
The air felt crisp, the silence calming, and by the time we left I felt completely refreshed for the rest of the journey home.
For autumn photography in the UK, Westonbirt Arboretum truly is one of the most beautiful places to experience the changing season.
Inspired by Wales
Many of the photographs captured throughout this journey have since inspired pieces within my collection of fine art landscape prints and countryside greeting cards. I love turning these quiet moments from nature and travel into artwork that can be shared within people’s homes.
The landscapes of Wales — from mist-covered hills to ancient ruins hidden amongst autumn trees — continue to inspire both my photography and creative work today.
Take aways’
South East Wales in autumn is truly something special. Between the dramatic landscapes of the Black Mountains, the quiet beauty of Llanthony Priory, the grandeur of Raglan Castle, and the charm of Hay-on-Wye, this trip left me never wanting to return to ordinary day-to-day life.
If you ever get the chance to explore Wales, don’t hesitate. Take the slower roads, allow yourself time to wander, and let the landscape guide you towards its hidden wonders.
It’s a place that stays with you long after you leave — along with that unforgettable feeling of peace.
