Liven up your morning commute, lunch break or evening bath by taking a quick trip to Cymru, with the help of the Pod of Wales podcast.

Pod of Wales is the audio equivalent of hitching a ride around Wales with two of the country's funniest people, visiting well known landmarks and attractions, sampling regional cuisine, meeting local characters, and staying in the most stunning locations.

The show is co-hosted by Welsh comedians Kiri Pritchard-McLean, whose voice may be familiar to listeners from stints on popular panel shows such as Would I Lie to You?, and Esyllt Sears, as heard on BBC Radio 4 and 4 Extra. 

Produced by Little Wander, the team behind the internationally renowned Machynlleth Comedy Festival, the podcast follows the duo as they voyage across the country, from Wrexham in the north to Pontypridd in the south.

Esyllt says, ‘I always knew Wales was something special but allowing myself to be a tourist in my own country has opened my eyes to so much that I had never encountered or dared explore before. We have eaten, drank, laughed and spoken to so many passionate advocates across the length and breadth of this land in the hope it inspires others to come and experience it for themselves.’

Two women on a tarmacked road up a mountain.

Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Esyllt Sears on tour in Wales

I always knew Wales was something special but allowing myself to be a tourist in my own country has opened my eyes to so much that I had never encountered or dared explore before."

Stops on the pair’s action-packed itinerary include gin-tasting sessions at farms, paddleboard yoga lessons on lakes and one rather perilous narrow boat journey in Llangollen, which threatens to make Kiri 'violently ill'. 

Thankfully, this brief brush with nausea didn’t sour Kiri’s experience while working on the podcast. 

‘I already think Wales is the best country in the world,' she says, 'but as we’ve been travelling around and discovering just how many wonderful places she has to offer, I’m now confident I’d fight to the death over it.’

Episodes of the podcast are embedded below. It’s a fun-filled, whirlwind tour of the nation that should provide ample inspiration for your own Welsh overland odyssey.

Episode 1: Wrexham and Llangollen

The inaugural episode of the podcast sees Kiri and Esyllt crossing the precipitous, UNESCO-listed Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on a narrowboat. Safely back on dry land, the pair join the home crowd at the Racecourse, home of Wrexham AFC (owned by Hollywood stars, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney), and sample some of the top tipples on offer at Gales, the oldest wine bar in Wales.

Pod of Wales: Wrexham and Llangollen

Kiri and Esyllt sample some of the delights that Wrexham and Llangollen have to offer. 

Episode 2: Portmeirion and Blaenau Ffestiniog

Kiri and Esyllt visit Portmeirion, an Italian-styled village on the Welsh coast, where they sample the tasting menu at the historic Hotel Portmeirion, prepared by head chef Mark Threadgill, a finalist on the BBC’s Great British Menu. From here, the pair hitch a ride along the Ffestiniog Railway, the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway, before testing their nerve on the high wires at Zip World Llechwedd.

Two women reading a map.
Two women having a cup of tea in ornate gardens.

Esyllt Sears and Kiri Pritchard-McLean exploring Portmeirion, North Wales

Pod of Wales: Portmeirion to Blaenau Ffestiniog

Kiri and Esyllt visit the Italianate village of Portmeirion, ride a steam train from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and take on the zip wires at Zip World Llechwedd.

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