The Wales A-Z Quiz (Featuring Generous Clues)

The largest island in Wales, on the north west tip. It's the seventh largest island of the British Isles.

A

The Celtic people that lived throughout Britain in the Iron Age, but were pushed into the north and west by the Romans.

B

The mining of this fossil fuel was hugely important to the Industrial Revolution in Wales. Its peak extraction was in the early C20th.

C

The Welsh alphabet has 29 letters. Some of them have two characters. This one sounds like the 'th' in 'them'.

D

A festival celebrating Welsh music, poetry, literature, etc. The national competition is held every August.

E

A coastal town in Pembrokeshire from which you can catch the ferry to Ireland (if you can stand the seasickness).

F

This precious metal was (and is) mined on a small scale across the country. It's apparently traditionally used in the wedding rings of the English royal family. Hmmm.

G

Wales allegedly has 600 castles! A siege on this one in the C15th is immortalised in a song, "The Men Of H______". It's such a good example that it's a World Heritage Site.

H

The three-feather badge of the (non-native) Prince of Wales features this two word motto. It means 'I serve' - weirdly, in German. You can find it on a 2 pence coin.

I

The most common surname in Wales.

J

One of the most popular sports in Wales is rugby. What's the phrase for the start of the game?

K

English title of the national anthem of Wales (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau), often heard sung at rugby matches. (extra clue at top of page)

L

A rock band from South Wales that became famous in the 1990s with their album 'Everything Must Go'.

M

The Pontcysyllte aqueduct is the highest in the world (and the longest in Britain). What mode of transport could you cross it using?

N

Bryn Terfel is a famous Welsh bass-baritone who performs this type of music.

O

An area of South America settled by Welsh emigrants in the 1860s. Several thousand people still speak Welsh there. (The area is also the name of an outdoor clothing company).

P

New South Wales was colonised in Australia in 1788. What name was given to the state to its north?

Q

The colour of the dragon that features on the Welsh flag.

R

This fine-grained rock has been quarried in north-west Wales since at least Roman times. It can be split and used to cover roofs.

S

Along with Shirley Bassey, probably the most famous Welsh singer.

T

There are 8 of these establishments in Wales. They include those at Cardiff, Bangor, Swansea and Aberystwyth.

U

St Dwynwen's Day is celebrated on the 25th of January. A fish in her well near Anglesey can predict the future of your lovelife. What is the equivalent saint's day in the UK/US?

V

Merlin is a famous Welsh example. The word has also been applied to Prime minister David Lloyd George and footballer Gareth Bale.

W

There isn't a letter X in the Welsh alphabet. But perhaps you can tell me where most Welsh goods were eXported to in 2019 (no it doesn't start with an X).

-

The colour of the Welsh poppy that is the symbol of the political party Plaid Cymru.

Y

Penrhyn Quarry is home to the fastest one of these in the world, and the longest in Europe. If you want to travel 125mph while dangling off a steel thread, go for it.

Z