Ten books to help explore Wales

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Books can unlock a subject in all manner of different ways – your imagination, and the creativity of the author, are the only limits on what can be achieved.

Like any other country, Wales has featured in countless books over the years, and we've selected a few below to help you learn more about certain parts of this beautiful country.

We've stopped short of listing works of fiction – although there are plenty of Welsh-set stories to be found in stock at Love Reading – but we've tried to give you a bit of variety in our selection below.

Aberystwyth Through Time – William Troughton

'Aberystwyth Through Time' is the first of several historical works to make this shortlist, putting modern-day Wales into the context of its past, and portraying Aberystwyth through its agricultural and mining heritage, and its growth as a tourist destination.

Brecon Beacons – Ben Giles

Explore the Brecon Beacons with this 2010 paperback by Ben Giles, which covers the four mountain ranges that can all be found within the national park.

Cardiff – John Davies

No exploration of Wales would be complete without a look at Cardiff, and this pocket guide is designed to be handy enough to take with you during your own exploration of the city, from its mediaeval origins to its modern-day form.

Cardigan Bay – Sioned Bannister

The newest title on our list, Sioned Bannister's 'Cardigan Bay' is a guide to walks around the northern part of the Wales Coast Path, which only opened in mid-2012.

Llandudno – Dave Thompson

'Llandudno' is the second historical entry on our list, and the first of two Dave Thompson titles from the Images of Wales series.

Over 200 images paint a picture of life in Llandudno over the past 150 years, from its rise to popularity in the mid-1800s, to its present-day role as a well-preserved glimpse into times past.

Pembrokeshire Coast – Alf Alderson

Alf Alderson's 'Pembrokeshire Coast' is the official guide to the national park, covering everything from the land-based scenery of the region to its aquatic life, including seabirds, seals and dolphins.

Rhyl – Dave Thompson

The last in our trilogy of historical texts, 'Rhyl' – again by Dave Thompson – traces two centuries of history in the seaside resort, portrayed through a collection of over 200 photographs and postcards.

Snowdonia – John Gillham

John Gillham's 'Snowdonia' is part of the AA 50 Walks Series, and gives you a half-century of hikes to choose from in Wales's most famous national park.

Swansea – Thomas Cook

Published by the travel agent Thomas Cook, this pocket guide is part of a series covering 170 global destinations, and is designed to make it easy to discover Swansea's must-see tourist attractions.

Wales – Woodland Trust

The second of our two titles written by organisations rather than individuals, the Woodland Trust's 'Wales' is simply a guide to the woodlands of the country, from the inland areas to the coast, and can be slipped into a bag if you're heading out for a day's hiking.