£5m investment in tourism projects in Wales will enhance visitor experience

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