The magazine was first established in 1970 by Ned Thomas, author of The Welsh Extremist, with the aim of creating a forum for debate about Wales in English, as well as encouraging a dialogue between English-speaking Wales and Welsh-speaking Wales.

After a short break following the discouraging referendum result of 1979, the magazine was re-established in 1985, and went from strength to strength under the editorship of John Barnie.

Thirty years after it was first published and with a new editor, Helle Michelsen, Planet finds itself in an increasingly sympathetic and lively political climate in Wales.

Planet is published with the support of the Welsh Books Council