Cardigan residents urged to back local places in national competition

The study showed places of natural beauty and where we can escape stresses of everyday life as also rating highly in making a place ‘special’ to us – and that people feel most special when they’re out with the family than with anyone else – as part of a survey of more than 1,000 people across Wales.

The research was conducted to launch the conservation charity’s Special Places summer campaign, aiming to start a national conversation across Wales to find the country’s top ‘Special Place’.

As part of the campaign, the National Trust has enlisted a panel of official Special Places judges, a mixture of travel and heritage experts who will spearhead the campaign and call on the public to join in and help get their own top places in the shortlist and to become the ultimate winner. Each judge will be involved in whittling down the nominations down to a shortlist of ten – with voting re-opening in the lead up to the National Eisteddfod where the winner will be revealed.

The panel is urging the public to submit their votes via Twitter, online, or by filling in a voting slip at National Trust places – ahead of them meeting to decide on a top ten shortlist of places to put out to public voting for a final time.

Special Places panel member and National Trust’s Director for Wales, Justin Albert, said: “As a conservation charity, we care for special places all over Wales. This research shows everyone has their own special place too, and we want to start a national conversation that gets everyone involved and shouting about their own – from school children to grandparents, to well-known names and politicians.

“Special Places aims to mark a summer of celebrating our favourite places and sharing them with the nation for everyone else to enjoy too. We can’t wait to see which location comes out on top!”

The nominations phase runs until June 29. Vote via Twitter using #lleoeddarbennig / #specialplaces @NTWales.