American visits UK but it's not England she falls in love with
An American tourist's visit to the UK has left viewers absolutely gobsmacked after her heartfelt reaction proved utterly priceless. Sierra Noelle chronicled her travel escapade online, and she certainly had plenty to share about it following her memorable expedition.
She delivered her verdict to her TikTok audience, and it's left people completely stunned by her unfiltered honesty, as it appears Wales truly caters to all tastes, and she was bursting to share her impressions, leaving Welsh people utterly charmed by her glowing tribute to their homeland. In her video, Sierra confessed that Wales had been occupying her thoughts constantly since her return stateside.
It seems Wales has a talent for capturing hearts based on her video. It's not the first time Americans have shared their travel tales from Wales either.
Sierra revealed: "I have one more thing to say. I keep looking back at my photos from my trip to Wales, and it physically pains me that I am so far away it, and I don't know when I'm going to go back.
"But, guys, Wales is so cool. Everyone is so nice there and it's so pretty. Castles are really cool. Everyone needs to go, but be respectful and don't mess it up and be nice to the sheep."
In an earlier post, Sierra disclosed how she'd become completely smitten with Wales during her inaugural summer visit. She's now so besotted that she worries it's transformed into her "entire personality."
Sierra gushed about the medieval castles, explaining these historical treasures simply don't exist back in America. She considers them absolutely "amazing" to wander through.
In total, she managed to explore around eight castles, such was her fondness for them. Despite her enjoyable experience, she recommended that prospective visitors seek travel advice from locals for a more enriching Welsh adventure.
Her exploration was evidently a joyous one, and she's clearly eager to return, even if it might not be possible in the near future. Since sharing her experiences, thousands have tuned into her clips, with many leaving their thoughts in the comments section.
One viewer responded: "As a Welsh person, this is so lush to see someone talking about Wales, which people don't speak about enough. We have the most castles in any country on earth and also have some of the best beaches.
"Also, Welsh people have been voted the friendliest in the UK. I'm so happy you visited and enjoyed."
Another chimed in with: "As a Welsh person, I love this. I feel like Wales is so unknown/underrated both in and outside of the UK. Wales is awesome. Glad you enjoyed."
A third commenter added: "As an Aussie who lived in Wales for seven years, I can't recommend Wales enough. The landscape is so amazing and beautiful."
Meanwhile, another viewer shared: "I love hearing people be excited about the so many castles. Taken for granted when you live here. My local castle is Conwy."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Live
3 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Wales' top 2025 pick for tourists wouldn't have featured in many travel guides a few years ago
Tourism chiefs in Wales have published their top 25 places and events to visit in 2025 – and the number one pick is one that wouldn't have appeared in many travel guides just a few years ago. Heading the list, reflecting its recent change in fortunes, is Wrexham AFC's football stadium. The world's oldest international football venue, now called STōK Cae Ras, is currently bracing for the return of second-tier football for the first time in 43 years. It's home to Wrexham AFC, whose fairytale journey from non-league to the Championship has been scattered with Hollywood stardust since the club's 2021 takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Wrexham AFC's new-found global popularity was driven by the Disney+ 'Welcome to Wrexham ' documentary series. Already it's had a major impact on tourism with visitors from Asia, Australia, North and South America visiting the city to experience the club's history, stadium, pubs and culture. Wrexham has since seen a reported 20% year-on-year increase in visitors. It's prompted the UK Parliament's Welsh Affairs Committee to launch an inquiry into the 'Ryan and Rob effect' – to find measures that could replicate Wrexham AFC's success on the international stage In an update of its '25 in 25' campaign, STōK Cae Ras (Cae Ras is Welsh for 'Racecourse') is now the number one pick of Visit Wales, the Welsh Government's tourism arm. Previously, its top suggestion was a visit to one of the World Heritage castles in Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech. Visit Wales said: 'You've seen the documentary, now visit the home of the world's third oldest football club. We can't guarantee you'll bump into Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but the town has newly become a city – one more reason to have your own Welcome to Wrexham. 'Visit Wrexham Racecourse – the stadium home to Wrexham AFC – for a night game. With the floodlights flickering into action and the anticipation building under the cover of darkness, there's a magical air to these matches.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now On Tripadvisor, STōK Cae Ras attracts mixed reviews. Many visitors – especially from overseas – love the historic site's authenticity, with a Philadelphia couple declaring themselves 'huge fans' of Wrexham AFC. 'We watch every game through National League TV from the States,' they wrote. 'We were not able to tour the grounds, however we went to the club store and met all the wonderful people working there. We were also lucky enough to bump into super Paul Mullin!!' However, not all visiting football fans are impressed with the facilities, noting how parts of the stadium are showing signs of age. A London visitor also believes an opportunity is being missed. 'I looked at this from outside but there was nothing interesting,' he said. 'Please have some story boards put up of Wrexham's history. Maybe even a statue of a famous player from the past. You don't feel like you are at a football club. This has so much history!' Many of these concerns are being addressed. This month, the club submitted updated plans to Wrexham Council for its new Kop Stand. If approved, the stand will have a capacity of 7,750, bringing the stadium's capacity to around 18,000. Architects have designed the stand's roof to 'amplify' sound from home fans towards the pitch. Two dragons from the club's crest will be 'prominently embossed' on its brick façade, while a new public plaza will act as a fan space on match days. Planned on the plaza is a Gresford Colliery sister wheel in memory of the 261 miners who perished in the 1934 disaster. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Visit Wales' '25 in 2025' places and events to visit Wrexham Racecourse (STōK Cae Ras) Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Between the Trees Festival, Candleston Woods, Merthyr Mawr Llyn Padarn, Eryri (Snowdonia) Dolassey Farm's turf-roofed lodge accommodatyion, Powys Hot Air Balloon ride over Raglan Castle Llangrannog's sandy cove (Traeth y Pentref) Tenby, Pembrokeshire The Castles and Town Walls of Edward I (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Wye Valley Principality Stadium, Cardiff Pembrokeshire festivals –Westival music and arts festival, and Fforest Gather, Wales' smallest festival Steelhouse Festival, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent Laugharne, Carmarthenshire - coastal town where Dylan Thomas lived, inspiring Under Milk Wood. Llangollen, home to the International Eisteddfodd festival Caernarfon Castle – Visit Wales says 'this gem deserves a spot in itself' Wild swimming at Keepers Pond, Blaenavon Michelin dining experience at Ynyshir, Machynlleth Sunflower fields at Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula The Hay Festival, literary festival in Hay-on-Wye, Powys The Coastal Way road trip – 180-mile route along Cardigan Bay from St Davids to the Llŷn Peninsula. Portmeirion, Italiante village near Porthmadog, Gwynedd Isle of Anglesey – explore its 'beautiful coastline and great forests' Zip World, North and South Wales
North Wales Live
3 hours ago
- North Wales Live
I drove to visit towns on each side of Welsh border but made one big mistake
As I live not far from the A470 in the north then the usual trip to the capital is straight down the middle of Wales - remaining on that very same road for all but a couple of miles. But I recently decided to mix it up and have a little explore on the border. In part it was to scratch a particular itch to visit the nation's book capital Hay-on-Wye - a place I had read and seen so much about but never ventured. I thought I would take in another spot on the way down and went for Ludlow in Shropshire, with its castle and historic centre. Compared to the A470 the border route is straighter but busier - so any time you gain in faster stretches is lost in queues. It's about a two and a half hour drive from Conwy to Ludlow without breaks so I was ready for a paned when I arrived. Unusually for me it was just myself on the trip rather than with all or any of the family - or some mates. This made it quieter and cheaper and I could pick my own in-car listening. It means you can quietly take things in, but you also miss the banter and sharing the experience, so swings and roundabouts. I parked up in the centre of the town and took a signposted walk around the castle walls. This fortress was built to secure the border against Welsh raids. It was erected by the de Lacy family - starting back in 1085 - with Walter de Lacy part of William the Conqueror invasion force in 1066. Huge town walls were added in the 13th century with Ludlow Castle stood within the circuit of the walls. The place isn't up there with the grandest of the North Wales castles but still an impressive sight. I walked down to a little cafe next to the River Teme - enjoying a coffee and sandwich in an outdoor area overlooking the water. I then wandered to Broadgate, the sole surviving medieval gate and in this area you can see some sections of the remaining town wall. The whole place oozes history and apparently there are almost 500 listed buildings in the town, with medieval and Georgian buildings in the centre. I'm not a huge shopper but did appreciate some of the shop windows and boutique stores. You could easily stay longer but my itinerary demanded I move on and it was back in the car for hour long onwards journey to Hay-on-Wye. This trip sees you cross the border back to Cymru - with Hay-on-Wye sitting literally just on the Welsh side. There is actually another castle with its origins back in the days of Norman conquest and quelling Welsh rebellions. Hay Castle was later strengthened in the 12th century and a mansion added in the 17th Century. The site was mainly derelict at the start of the 2000s but has been revived by the Hay Castle Trust and is now an arts and literature centre. However I was not here for the castle and parked up to explore some of the more than 20 bookshops in the town. It is named the 'World's First Book Town' - its book themed revival inspired by Richard Booth from the 1960s. He had read about some libraries that were closing down in America - went out there with some friends, where they crated up thousands of books and shipped them home. He opened his own second hand bookshop in the former fire station in 1961. This inspired others and soon books from across the world were flowing into the increasing collection of bookshops in the town. It is of course also now famous for its annual Hay Festival. With so much choice it is hard to decide where to start and I went for instinct over any research and popped into one that for no conscious reason drew me in. You can then easily get lost in these places with narrow aisles and towering bookshelves. I was not after anything specific so it was very much a pick and see approach before something sparked. It was one of four bookshops I went into and it was lovely to speak to a couple of the owners/staff and ask about recommendations. I ended up with a book per shop before deciding to do something a bit different. After a day in my car or walking around towns I felt like a nature inspired pick-me-up and had heard about The Warren - a riverside spot for walking or wild swimming. I had some gym shorts with me and decided to go and have a short dip, the cold water a tonic for a sore back from driving. After drying off it was back to the town centre for a quick coffee. Sitting there as the evening drew in and a further couple of hours of driving ahead I thought about my big mistake. I really should have booked a night - ideally with other people/ person. There was a lovely atmosphere in the town and finishing off the day with some food and a few drinks would have rounded off a fascinating day. This is though a very good excuse to come back.
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Cornwall chocolate box village named among England's best
Mousehole, which is known for its "picturesque" harbour and narrow streets, was highlighted as one of the best in England. It was among a selection of spots curated by Independent Cottages, which was aiming to find the most beautiful villages in the country. They compared many places against a list of criteria to come to their conclusions, which were: The number of historic buildings, showing the architectural heritage that gives each village its character The oldest recorded existence of the village, demonstrating its depth of history Whether each village is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), recognising its natural surroundings and protection status How many people search for the village online, indicating public interest and recognition How many TikTok posts feature each village, showing how visually appealing they are Introducing the list, they wrote: "There are lots of things that make England special: castles, stately homes and national parks. But what makes it especially charming is the hundreds of little chocolate box villages scattered across the countryside. "Thatched cottages lining cobblestone streets, church bells marking the time and quaint pubs with roaring fires welcoming locals and travellers alike, just as they have for centuries." The full list of England's best chocolate box villages can be found on the Independent Cottages website here. What makes Mousehole one of England's top 'chocolate box' villages? In terms of how it stacked up against other chocolate box villages, Mousehole is said to have dated back to 1286 and has 124 listed buildings. The village is also located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has had 1,305 TikTok posts made about it. Located fairly close to Penzance, Mousehole is a historic fishing village which has retained its "original character, charm and beauty". Visit Cornwall adds: "Its picturesque harbour is surrounded by narrow streets and lichen covered houses, which huddle together creating a stunning location." You can easily lose yourself for a couple of hours navigating these little lanes, discovering cafes, restaurants, galleries and more. The tourism website says: "With the tide out the harbour becomes a safe sandy beach, popular with families, whilst the sea wall is a great place to promenade and take in the views across to St Michael's Mount." If you're a keen swimmer, then Mousehole Rock Pool, which is a natural tidal pool, would be the ideal spot for you. Meanwhile, Cornwall Guide praised the village for its cottages "built from finely grained Lamorna granite". Recommended reading: It adds: "The area is protected from the force of the sea by two sturdy breakwaters. "Dylan Thomas described the village as the loveliest in England, but there are many Cornishman who would dispute that this part of the world can be classed as England!" Have you explored Mousehole? Let us know what you think of this chocolate box village in the comments below.
