Ironbridge Gorge is snubbed by tourism guide

A new survey says Wales has something for everyone – with a museum, a cathedral, a pair of national parks and even a whole town listed.

But Shropshire misses out completely, despite being home to the Ironbridge Gorge, a World Heritage site.

• Snowdonia, North Wales

• Portmeirion, North Wales

• St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire

• Caernarfon Castle, North Wales

• Brecon Beacons National Park, Powys

• Tintern Abbey, Gwent

• St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff

Councillor Heather Oldershaw, member of The Gorge Parish Council, said she is "disappointed" it failed the list.

She said: "We have got everything you need here.

"A World Heritage site, walking status, beautiful scenery, fantastic restaurants and a lovely playground for the children.

"I think anybody who has visited will know what a special place Ironbridge is and it should be on the list."

Snowdonia National Park, which attracts thousands of visitors from Shropshire and Mid Wales each year, was the top Welsh attraction in the Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travelist, ranked at number 181.

The list describes Snowdonia as being "full of beauty and myth" with special mentions for mountains Tryfan and Cadair Idris along with its zipwire and newly-opened inland surfing lagoon.

Emyr Williams, chief executive of Snowdonia National Park Authority, said: "We are very fortunate to have spectacular and diverse scenery, a wealth of wildlife and a strong cultural heritage and identity which has been carefully managed over the centuries and continues to be managed by conscientious and caring landowners."

Portmeirion, in North Wales, which came 207th, is famously home to cult 1960s television show The Prisoner. Home to a series of colourful Italianate buildings, it is described as "all rather captivating and slightly odd – it could only be in Britain."

St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire made 294th on the list, with Caernarfon Castle in North Wales at 315th.

Powys made the list at 365, with the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Mel Doel, chair of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, said: "There is always a warm welcome here so we hope people won't wait to visit us."

Tintern Abbey in Gwent, made famous by Wordsworth, was listed at 373, described as being "cloaked in romance" and "nibbled by lichen and ruined to just the right degree".

Finally, St Fagans National History Museum, near Cardiff, came in at 373, described by Lonely Planet as "still-smoky-scented 16th Century farmhouses."

Britain's highest ranked place was London's British Museum at 15th, while The Temples of Angkor in Cambodia came out top overall.

Ken Skates, Clwyd South AM, which covers Chirk, and deputy tourism minister in the Welsh Assembly, said: "This recognition from a well-known and respected travel expert such as the Lonely Planet is excellent news for Wales."