FROM coastal hill forts and castle terraces to garden vistas and Welsh valleys, National Trust Cymru have revealed twelve places in its care where the views will steal your heart this St Dwywen’s Day (January 25).

National Trust Cymru said:

“We’ve chosen a selection of ‘love-at-first-sight’ views that can be easily missed if you don’t know where to look. A turn in the path, a gap in the trees, or a hilltop above the sea provides the idyllic spot to stop, take in the view and say ‘rwy’n dy garu di’ to someone special on the most romantic day in the Welsh calendar.

All places listed are open daily, but please check the website before you travel.

‘OMG corner’ is a viewpoint that lives up to its name, that locals fondly call it. As you head around the bend, the view opens out over Harlech beach and across Bae Ceredigion with a sudden, uplifting sweep of Welsh coastline that will stop you in your tracks.

Good to know: The magic of this view is the reveal. It’s best experienced by approaching the bend slowly and pausing once the view opens up (and it’s especially clear on crisp winter days). This area links with the Wales Coast Path. If you’re doing the Harlech stretch, the Zig Zag path is the route that rewards you with the big coastal views.

Climb to the top of the Iron Age coastal hill fort at Dinas Dinlle for a big, open view along the Welsh coast and far out to sea.

On a clear day you can often pick out Ynys Llanddwyn, the tidal island linked with Santes Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. Welsh tradition says, it’s where she lived and founded a religious community, and the ruins of a church dedicated to her can still be seen.

The pale sands of Llanddwyn stretch out below, and Tŵr Mawr lighthouse sits on the western tip of the island. Closer to home, turn your gaze along the coast towards the peaks of Yr Eifl on the Llŷn Peninsula.

Good to know: Choose a clear winter day when visibility is as its best. The route is paved but it can be steep in places.

From Dinas Emrys, the view opens out across Nant Gwynant into a classic Eryri scene of woodland, water and Welsh mountains.

Stop at the Giant’s Chair, where this elevated viewpoint is as dramatic as the Welsh legend it’s famous for.

Welsh folklore says, Dinas Emrys is where the legendary battle between two dragons took place, one red and one white. The victorious red dragon became the national emblem of Wales, displayed on our country's flag.

Good to know: The viewpoint is reached from the Craflwyn area, but the final approach can be steep and uneven (rocky steps/paths in places). Wear sturdy footwear.

Sitting majestically on the shores of Menai Strait, Plas Newydd is full of hidden corners. Look out across the Menai Strait, the Faenol and the mountains of Eryri. Nearby lies Llanddwyn Island, steeped in the legend of Santes Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers.

On bright winter days, the famous snow-capped mountain peaks in January paint a view that feels extra special.

Good to know: This is one to time for clear winter visibility. On the crispest days the mountains feel closer than you expect.

From the top rose terrace at Bodnant Garden, look out over the Conwy Valley towards the Carneddau, with the garden’s terraces stepping down in front of you.

Created in the early 1900s by Laura, Lady Aberconway and Henry Duncan McLaren, the terraces were shaped to make the most of this mountainside setting. At this time of year, the view is framed by the garden’s vibrant winter colour with big skies beyond.

Good to know: To enjoy this view without tackling steps, follow the garden’s Rose Walk route, which takes in the formal gardens and viewpoints via a step-free option.

Head to the castle’s terrace overlooking the 18th-century ha-ha for a far-reaching view over the parkland towards the Cheshire and Shropshire (Salop) plains.

The ha-ha was designed to keep an interrupted view, so it’s one of the best places on the estate to pause and enjoy the Welsh countryside as far as the horizon.

Good to know: For a step-free way to reach the viewpoint, follow the accessible garden trail, which also takes in the sculpted yews and winter garden highlights.

Erddig is not short of heavenly views that will win your heart. Head to the Cathedral Aisle in Big Wood where the estate opens up, and the house is perfectly framed between the trees.

For a ‘stop and take it in’ view down Erddig’s central canal, stand at the West Front of the house and look past the ha-ha over the formal garden towards the wrought-iron gates at the far end. The canal is lined with double avenues of lime trees and clusters of snowdrops start to spread along the banks at this time of year.

Good to know: Winter is an especially good time for the views at Erddig. The bare winter trees open up sightlines through the parkland, and the low winter light paints interesting silhouettes for capturing photos of the views.

For the best elevated viewpoint at Powis Castle, head up to the Terrace Walk where you’ll be treated to an aerial vista of the formal Italianate Gardens, deer park and the Severn Valley. The Long Mountain and Breidden Hills in the distance sparkle with a fine dusting of winter frost at this time of year.

Behind this spectacular view is a very Welsh story: Powis began as a fortress built by the Welsh prince Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn, and the castle still carries the marks of medieval power struggles — including the drum towers added after an attack in 1312.

Good to know: Stand on the Italianate Terraces at the same level as the Orangery, then turn back to look uphill for the best view of the castle rising above the terraces.

The climb to the top of Foel y Mwnt is rewarded with a spectacular panoramic vista over Cardigan Bay. On a clear day you can pick out landmarks from Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) to Yr Wyddfa. If you’re lucky you might spot bottlenose dolphins, seals, and porpoises from this high vantage point.

Good to know: It’s worth checking the weather forecast for a crisp, bright window when visibility is at its best.

The lake at Tredegar House offers a tranquil escape from the city for unhurried reflective moments with a loved one.

Stop at the bench carved from a fallen tree and look out over the lake. From here, you can catch a picture framed view of Tredegar House through the trees, with changing light and seasonal colour. It’s a romantic place to linger, right in the heart of the city.

Good to know: The best view is from the far side of the lake, where the trees create a natural window. It’s also especially beautiful after rain, when the reflections in the water are at their clearest.

Dyffryn is an Edwardian garden of sweeping lawns and a series of intimate garden rooms, built in the early 1900s for the Cory family on wealth made from Wales’ coal industry.

For a grand view, head to the Causeway at the south end of the Great Lawn. This view leads the eye to the Fountain Pool and sweeps over the Canal to provide a beautiful aspect of the house. On a still winter’s day, the house can appear reflected in the water.

Tucked away just beyond the Great Lawn, one of Dyffryn’s most romantic corners is the Heart Garden, At ground level it’s a charming little garden room; but from a bird’s eye view it’s a hidden heart.

Good to know: There are step-free accessible routes around the garden. Allow at least 60–90 minutes to take in both the main vistas and explore the garden rooms without rushing.

A favourite vantage point at Dinefwr is the wooden bench in the deer park where the designed landscape draws your eye across to Newton House. It’s a picture-perfect place to pause in January, especially on crisp days when the view to the mansion house is at its clearest.

Dinefwr is a place with deep Welsh roots, and its history is part of what makes this view extra special. The land is long associated with the Welsh princes of Deheubarth and with The Lord Rhys (Yr Arglwydd Rhys), who was one of medieval Wales’ most powerful rulers.

Good to know: With the Deer Park open all winter, this is a chance to see the parkland at a quieter time of year. Look out for this bench on the Brown’s Walk, where the woodland edge drops away and the view opens directly towards Newton House.