A 7 to 10 Day Wales Road Trip Itinerary with Map

Regardless of being born in Wales and spending a few years residing within the nation, I haven’t as but shared any content material about Wales on this web site. Effectively, that’s about to alter.

Wales is a spectacular nation with rather a lot to supply and its comparatively small dimension means which you can see rather a lot in a 1-week street journey. On this information we’re going to share our thought of the proper Wales street journey you probably have 7 to 10 days.

This itinerary features a little little bit of the whole lot Wales has to supply, which incorporates gorgeous coastlines, mountain hikes, seashores, castles, museums, Welsh cultural points of interest, and extra. The itinerary was designed to offer you a style of one of the best of Wales and consists of the whole lot from tiny rural villages to the capital metropolis of Cardiff.

Wales actually does have one thing to supply everybody, and this street journey goes to take you throughout Wales. We’ll share a few of our favorite issues to see and do, and in addition provide recommendations on the place to remain, and what to eat. However you may after all regulate it the way you need.

Personally, we predict Wales has surroundings to rival different common street journeys within the UK, like Scotland’s North Coast 500, however we’ll allow you to determine if that’s the case as you learn the information.

By the tip of this submit, you’ll be able to set off in your very personal Welsh street journey! Let’s begin by answering some questions you might need.

How Lengthy to Highway Journey in Wales?

Wales shouldn’t be an enormous nation, however there’s a big quantity to see. We’d say that the minimal period of time for a street journey protecting part of the nation could be three to 5 days. For those who don’t have plenty of time we’d maybe counsel focusing both on North Wales or South Wales.

If you wish to see extra of what’s on provide, and discover the nation from prime to backside, then we’d suggest at the least 7 – 10 days.

The itinerary on this information is for a 7 to 10-day street journey, however after all you may regulate it primarily based in your pursuits and time. You probably have extra time, there’s at all times extra to see and we’d suggest spending longer in every space of curiosity.

 

How you can Embody Wales as A part of a Longer UK journey?

Many individuals are visiting Wales as a part of an extended tour of Nice Britain that will additionally embrace England, Scotland, Northern Eire, and/or Eire. It’s simple to incorporate Wales as half of a bigger journey.

Once more, we’d suggest at the least 3 days if you wish to go to Wales and should you solely have 3 to five days we’d simply stick with specializing in both North Wales or South Wales.

However ideally you’ll have at the least 5 to 7 days to dedicate to Wales if you wish to see quite a lot of its highlights coated on this itinerary.

In case you are following our 2 week UK itinerary, you may add time in Wales. Round day 3 or 4 of that itinerary, I’d begin this Wales itinerary and comply with Days 1 by way of 8 after which head north to Chester after which up in direction of Manchster.

See our detailed UK itinerary guide for extra data on that.

In case you are additionally wanting to go to different elements of the UK or Eire as a part of a tour, you would possibly think about becoming a member of up excursions comparable to with native tour firm Rabbie’sthe place you may take a sequence of excursions exploring completely different elements of England, Wales, Scotland, and Eire.

 

What’s the Finest Approach to Get Round in Wales?

There are just a few completely different choices for getting round in Wales, together with native buses and a regional prepare community. Nevertheless, because the title of this submit suggests, my really helpful technique to journey round Wales is by automotive.

There are a fantastic many sights and points of interest in Wales that may actually solely be visited in a car as there’s no public transport to succeed in them. Suppose distant castles, far-flung stretches of shoreline, and so forth.

The street journey we’ve put collectively is predicated on you having a automotive. For those who don’t have your personal automotive, we’d extremely suggest choosing up a automotive rental, or think about becoming a member of a tour.

Because it’s less expensive to select up and drop off a automotive in the identical spot, we’ve chosen Cardiff as one of the best location to start out and finish this journey. Cardiff could be simply reached by rail and coach from areas across the UK.

On a latest journey to Wales we rented a automotive from Enterprise as they’d a location close to Cardiff’s primary prepare station, which made choose up and drop off simple. Nevertheless, we’d additionally recommending utilizing a value comparability service like Rental Cars or Discover Cars, to see if there’s a greater choice to your journey.

For those who would favor to not drive, then we might as an alternative counsel trying into taking a tour of Wales. These could be performed as personal excursions or you may be a part of a gaggle tour and the excursions.

 

Excursions of Wales

For those who like the thought of visiting Wales however would reasonably not drive, then your only option is to take a tour. While there’s some public transportation, lots of the sights and points of interest are a bit of off the crushed monitor and aren’t properly served by public transport.

There are nevertheless some glorious excursions we are able to suggest. While none of them will precisely mirror our recommended Wales street journey itinerary, plenty of them do embrace at the least among the primary points of interest we cowl.

You’ll be able to be a part of a guided tour or you probably have a much bigger price range or a big group, you may additionally think about a non-public tour. The longer Wales excursions usually depart from London, Bristol, or Cardiff.

Some we propose are as follows:

• This 5 day road trip with Rabbies could be our first choose of obtainable excursions. We’ve taken a fantastic many excursions with Rabbie’s and we love their educated driver guides and small group sizes. This tour departs from London and canopy plenty of the identical floor as our route, from Snowdonia all the way down to south west Wales.
• This 8 day tour from Cardiff follows the same path to our recommended Wales itinerary, and consists of time in Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons mountains, Snowdonia Nationwide Park, Conwy Fortress, St. Davids, Tenby, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Nationwide Park.
• This 3 day tour with Rabbies departs from Bristol and focuses on the highlights of south Wales, together with Carreg Cennen Fortress, Hay on Wye, St. Davids, Tenby and the Pembrokeshire Coast Nationwide Park. You probably have extra time, it’s also possible to do their North Wales tour.
• This 3 day tour with Rabbies departs from Bristol and covers the highlights of North Wales. It consists of Snowdonia Nationwide Parks, Conwy Fortress, Harlech Fortress, the Slate Museum, and Portmeirion. You probably have extra time, it’s also possible to do their North Wales tour.

There are after all extra excursions to select from in Wales. See this selection from a range of operators on TourRadar which is able to allow you to kind and filter by length, locations visited and value.

 

 

10 Day Wales Highway Journey Itinerary

Okay, let’s get on with this street journey round Wales! The rationale we are saying this street journey is 7 – 10 days is as a result of I’ve added a few days in Cardiff initially.

The Welsh capital metropolis has rather a lot to supply, from glorious museums to fort ruins and sporting points of interest.

There’s actually sufficient right here to fill at the least two days. Nevertheless, you probably have much less time or would reasonably simply hit the street and never concentrate on metropolis points of interest, it’s possible you’ll choose to concentrate on the street journey part of this itinerary reasonably than the time in Cardiff. It’s as much as you!

Jess and I did this actual street journey, with two full days in Cardiff after which eight days on the street round Wales. We began and resulted in Cardiff. It was an excellent journey, and one we’re delighted to have the ability to share with you.

Elements of this street journey comply with the Wales Manner driving tour routes (you may see more about those here), that are promoted by the Go to Wales tourism board to focus on among the greatest surroundings and points of interest that Wales has to supply.

They embrace The Cambrian Manner, The Coastal Manner, and The North Wales Manner. You’ll be driving sections of all these routes utilizing our itinerary however we now have adjusted it to additionally embrace a lot of my different favourite sights and points of interest.

Notice that this itinerary covers plenty of floor and every day has quite a lot of recommended points of interest. Relying in your pursuits you’ll want to regulate it to go well with what you actually need to see and do reasonably than making an attempt to do completely the whole lot.

If you’d like a extra slower paced journey, we’d counsel seeing much less every day and spending at the least 2 nights at every location. You would simply do that full itinerary in 2 weeks and have extra time to loosen up and see issues extra slowly.

 

Day 1 – Cardiff

Your first day has you beginning in Cardiff, the Welsh capital since 1955. Cardiff is simple to get to from areas across the UK and overseas, with rail, street, and air hyperlinks that can allow you to get right here in the way in which that most accurately fits your journey.

We’d counsel that to your time in Cardiff you get round both on foot or by public transport. The vast majority of points of interest within the metropolis centre are simple to stroll to, or to go to by bus. I’d advise towards driving across the metropolis centre as you’ll need to cope with navigation and discovering parking.

In your first day within the metropolis, our really helpful first cease could be the Museum of Cardiff.

This glorious free museum tells the story of town over the centuries, from the Neolithic interval to the current day. It’s a wonderful technique to orient your self to town and rise up to hurry with its historical past. It’s one in every of our favorite museums in Cardiff.

Subsequent, we’d suggest popping throughout the street to the Cardiff Market. It is a 2 storey Victorian shopping center, opened in 1891, the place you’ll discover a wide range of retailers promoting all method of products.

There are additionally meals stalls right here in case you are hungry.

From Cardiff Market, proceed north to Cardiff Castle, your subsequent cease for the day.

On this street journey, you will see fairly just a few castles. Wales has a panorama that lends itself to constructing castles, and a historical past of princes and wars that required these defensive buildings. In actual fact there are over 400 castles within the nation! So that you do must be selective during which castles you select to go to.

Nevertheless, we’d argue that you just’re not going to see something fairly like Cardiff Fortress wherever else in your Welsh street journey.

Cardiff Fortress takes you on a journey of chateau constructing by way of the ages. There was some form of fortified development right here because the Romans constructed a fort right here within the third century. In actual fact, a part of the previous Roman wall can nonetheless be seen.

Nevertheless, the big stone hold atop the hill that can catch your eye as you stroll in dates from the twelfth century.

Round the remainder of fort grounds you’ll discover a vary of buildings from numerous intervals in historical past, together with a nineteenth century gothic revivalist addition that features a large clock tower and gorgeous interiors.

There’s a lot to see and do at Cardiff Fortress, together with numerous excursions and displays that vary from world warfare two air raid shelters to a regimental museum. We’d suggest planning on spending at the least two or three hours right here as there’s tons to see right here.

You’ll be able to stroll by way of the grounds of Cardiff Fortress without spending a dime, however to go inside, stroll the partitions, or go to the displays you will want to pay for a ticket. The ticket value is properly value it in our opinion.

Relying on how your day goes you should still have time for one more sight. If that’s the case, we’d counsel strolling over to the National Museum Cardiff. This huge free museum (donations welcome) has displays of artwork, pure historical past and geology, and is an effective technique to end off your first day in Wales.

 

 

Day 2 – Cardiff

For those who’d choose to go out of city at the moment you may after all try this, and spend extra time on the street. Nevertheless, assuming you want to do some extra sightseeing in Cardiff we’re going to suggest you head to the Cardiff Bay space of city.

Cardiff is situated on the Bristol Channel, though you gained’t have seen the water but as town heart space is a few mile away. Nevertheless, you may simply attain this space in a 20 minute stroll or a brief bus experience.

The Baycar bus (service 6) runs from central Cardiff to the Cardiff Bay space 4 or 5 occasions an hour and the journey is only a few minutes. Alternatively, you would possibly choose to take the Cardiff hop on hop off bus which may even convey you right here as a part of its sightseeing route round Cardiff.

At Cardiff Bay there’s loads to see. First, you’ll probably see the big Wales Millenium Centre. This nationwide arts centre is a venue for the performing arts and is the place to return to see reside performances of the whole lot from music to bounce. There are additionally retailers, bars, and cafes on web site, and it’s value popping inside to see if there are any short-term displays occurring if you go to.

From right here you may stroll throughout to the Roald Dahl plaza. Named for the well-known youngsters’s books creator who was born in Cardiff (books embrace Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility, James and the Big Peach, and Matilda), this sunken plaza usually performs host to varied festivals, festivals, and reside music performances.

You’ll now be close to the waterline. For those who head east, you’ll first move the Pierhead building, an enormous pink brick constructing with a clock tower which is tough to overlook. That is house to a museum the place you may be taught concerning the historical past of Wales.

Subsequent door to the Pierhead constructing is the Senedd building, house of the Welsh parliament. It is a placing fashionable constructing which you’ll go to in case you are keen on studying concerning the strategy of democracy in Wales. There are additionally usually exhibitions of Welsh artwork and crafts inside, so it’s properly value taking a cease right here.

From the Senedd, you may proceed alongside the coastal path to the east on the Cardiff Bay path stroll. There are numerous highlights alongside the route, together with the Norwegian Church Arts Centre which presents a restaurant, pretty views of the Bay, and an artwork gallery.

It’s as much as you if you wish to proceed at this level. The path continues for miles alongside the bay and if it’s a pleasant day it’s actually a stunning stroll all the way in which to the Cardiff Bay Barrage. It was the development of the barrage within the Nineteen Nineties which created this pretty harbour space.

From right here, reasonably than stroll all the way in which again, you may as an alternative hop on a ship that can take you again to the Quay space. You’ll undoubtedly need to verify the working timetables upfront, which you are able to do here. You’ll be able to book tickets online in advance here.

In fact, as an alternative of (or in addition to!) strolling all the way in which to the barrage you may discover the realm across the Senedd, often known as Mermaid’s Quay. Right here you’re going to search out all method of retailers and eating places, in addition to a ship quay the place you may take boat tours of Cardiff Bay.

There are additionally a few different points of interest within the space. First is the reasonably eclectic Ianto’s Shrine. In case you are not acquainted with the TV present “Torchwood”, which was set in Cardiff, then it will probably be considerably complicated. The shrine is to Ianto, a personality who dies within the present.

It’s really one of the largest and most well-maintained shrines to a fictional character wherever on the earth, so value just a few moments of your time!

The opposite attraction within the space is Techniquest, which is a family-friendly science museum. In case you are visiting Wales with children, then this paid attraction will certainly hold them entertained for a while as there are over 100 hand-on displays to see, contact, and discover.

That appears like sufficient to your second day in Cardiff, though there’s nonetheless loads to see together with extra museums and loads of retailers. Cardiff can also be house to the Principality Stadium which performs host to main sporting and music occasions all year long.

There are additionally numerous different venues across the metropolis for reside music and leisure if that’s one thing you have an interest in. On a latest go to to Cardiff we loved watching a reside efficiency at Porter’s Cardiff for instance.

And naturally there are plenty of pubs, golf equipment, and different nightlife hangouts in Cardiff. For those who’re into historic pubs, among the oldest in Cardiff are The Rummer Tavern, Cardiff Cottage, The Goat Main, and The Nice Western. So you should have no scarcity of locations to go for a drink or a chew to eat!

 

Day 3 – Cardiff to Tenby

It’s time to hit the street! In case you are choosing up a rental automotive, you’ll need to guide this for earlier within the morning as you’re going to have a busy day at the moment.

Your first cease for the day is simply outdoors of Cardiff, the St. Fagan’s National Museum of History. It’s about 20 minutes’ drive from central Cardiff.

It is a good free outside museum which options over forty authentic buildings unfold out throughout 100 acres of parkland. These buildings span a large time interval, and gives you an actual perception into how Welsh individuals have lived, labored, discovered, and performed over time.

There are farmhouses, schoolhouses, pubs, and union buildings, the vast majority of which you’ll go inside and discover. It’s additionally a residing museum, with reside workshops and demonstrations of conventional expertise and crafts like ironmongery and farming.

It’s a giant web site with rather a lot to see, so we’d suggest planning on spending at the least 90 minutes to 2 hours right here. There’s additionally a restaurant on-site which serves good meals in addition to espresso and different scorching drinks. There’s a big carpark on web site with a modest payment for parking.

From Cardiff you will proceed to go west to your subsequent cease, Castell Carreg Cennen.

The quickest choice to get to right here will usually be to comply with the M4 round Swansea, which is what we might suggest you do. In fact, should you would favor a extra scenic route be at liberty to comply with the roads as much as Glynneath and throughout. Simply concentrate on timing as you might have rather a lot to see at the moment.

Castell Carreg Cennen, or Carreg Cennen Fortress, is a dramatically positioned crumbling fort which dates from the early 14th century. There’s a little bit of an uphill stroll to get to the fort, however we’d say the views of the encircling panorama and the fort itself are properly well worth the effort.

Fairly a little bit of the fort survives, together with lots of the towers, partitions and hold. There are data panels on web site and there’s a wonderful cafe on the backside of the hill the place you park as properly. We’d estimate you’ll want round an hour on web site.

The Fortress does have an entry payment. It’s managed by Cadw, a department of the Welsh Authorities chargeable for preservation of historic websites in Wales.

Cadw presents an annual membership, which supplies you free entry to all of the Cadw areas, amongst different advantages.

Loads of the sights you’re going to be seeing on this journey are going to be coated by the membership and should you go to the vast majority of them you’ll undoubtedly avoid wasting cash. You should buy this online here, or in individual at most Cadw websites.

We expect that is very a lot value it and we at all times get a CADW membership if we plan on sightseeing in Wales.

From Castell Carreg it’s a 20 minute drive to the following cease for the day, the National Trust Dinefwr site. That is really two sights, the seventeenth century Newton Home and the twelfth century Dinefwr Fortress, discovered round a mile aside.

If the climate is sweet, we are able to extremely suggest taking a while to discover the grounds right here and to stroll as much as Dinefwr Fortress. There are some actually pretty strolling trails across the grounds, which wend their means by way of stunning mature woodlands.

You may also go to Newton Home itself after all, which has a separate entry payment (free for Nationwide Belief members). There’s paid parking on web site (additionally free to Nationwide Belief members).

It’s round an hour’s drive to the final cease of the day, the lovable seaside city of Tenby. If you’d like one thing further to see on the way in which, and you actually love castles, be at liberty to detour to Laugharne Castle, though we really feel you might have seen sufficient castles for the day and be able to loosen up by this level.

Tenby is a well-liked and picturesque seaside city with colourful homes forming a line above the big seashore and curved harbour. There are many locations to eat, store ,and keep. In case you are not too drained, we’d suggest a stroll to the headland to see the ruins of Tenby Fortress and a stroll on the seashore.

In fact, it’s also possible to do these items on the morning of your fourth day as properly. And that’s the tip of your first day on the street!

 

Day 4 – Tenby to St. David’s

At the moment you’re going to be exploring the far southwestern nook of Wales, house to the smallest metropolis within the UK and a shocking coastal Nationwide Park.

Let’s get going.

From Tenby, take a 15 minute drive west to Carew Castle & Tidal Mill. Because the title suggests, right here you’re going to search out two points of interest in a single place.

The primary is Carew Fortress, a fort which dates from the Norman conquest of Britain within the eleventh century. Over time it has had many updates and enhancements, with the ultimate addition being an Elizabethan manor home within the sixteenth century! That makes this fairly the distinctive location to go to in Wales.

The second attraction on the positioning is the Carew Tidal Mill, which is the one restored tidal mill in Wales. This dates from the nineteenth century, and when in operation it used the ability of the tide to energy the mill wheel. It’s now not working however it’s open for excursions.

As you may see there’s loads to see and do right here, so I’d counsel allocating at the least 90 minutes – 2 hours to your go to. There’s free parking on web site and a payment for admission. It’s not a part of Cadw or some other membership program that we’re conscious of.

From Carew Fortress you might have just a few choices, all of which contain visiting the Pembrokeshire Nationwide Park. This Nationwide Park stretches throughout the Pembrokeshire coast and presents dramatic clifftop strolling, splendid sea vistas, and wildlife recognizing alternatives.

One good stroll alternative, round a 25 minute drive from Carew Fortress, is the Stack Rock stroll (carpark here on Google Maps). The automotive park (free) is simply a few hundred metres from the cliff prime stroll, and there are nice views of some rock stacks in addition to a rock arch right here.

That is additionally a great place to see seals and seal pups within the breeding season (often August by way of January).

For those who’d wish to take a hike right here, there’s a stunning stroll alongside the coast to St. Govan’s Chapel. It’s a 6.3 mile stroll, and you may see instructions here.

An alternative choice should you’d choose to spend extra time on the seashore could be to drive additional west to Freshwater West seashore. It is a common browsing spot the place you’ll discover a lengthy stretch of golden sand backed by dunes.

It’s additionally a Harry Potter filming location – followers of the flicks will certainly need to go to the positioning of Dobby’s Grave. There’s a mound of rocks right here which followers have written tributes on, which makes for a pleasant image. There’s a small automotive park right here in addition to parking alongside the street.

There are after all many different walks that you could possibly do at the moment as you head in direction of St. David’s, and you may see a full choice here.

My private favorite, and the one I might suggest, is the Marloes Peninsula walk. That is about an hour’s drive from the Stack Rocks carpark, or 25 minutes from Carew Fortress, relying on what you select to go to at the moment.

The Marloes Peninsula stroll is a 4.4 mile (7.1km) loop stroll which loops across the attractive Marloes peninsula. The stroll is essentially flat with only a few gradients to sort out. There’s a car-park at Marloes Sands (paid).

This stroll was my favorite of all of the walks we did on this space as a result of it provided such spectacular views, in addition to some glorious wildlife recognizing alternatives. We noticed numerous seals and seal pups in addition to a fantastic many sea birds.

There have been additionally attractive coastal views and even an iron age hill fort. It took us round 3 hours in complete with numerous picture stops and was properly well worth the effort.

From Marloes, one other hour’s drive will convey you to the tiny metropolis of St. David’s the place you’ll spend the evening. Positively spend a while exploring the city, both this night or on the morning of Day 5.

You’ll discover a pretty previous cathedral, in addition to numerous galleries and retailers. The town is tiny, and it doesn’t take lengthy to stroll round and discover.

For those who nonetheless need to discover, then we’d counsel strolling the 20 minutes or so out of city to St. Non’s Chapel and Well, reputed to be the birthplace of Wales’s patron saint, Saint David, for whom town is called.

One other close by attraction is the gorgeous seashore of Whitesands, which makes for a great place to look at the sundown.

For meals, there are many good eating choices on the town, from eating places to pubs. We’ve had a fantastic pub meal at The Bishops, however the Farmer’s Arms can also be a well-liked choice for pub meals.

We’d suggest asking your native lodging supplier for suggestions as they’ll know one of the best native choices open throughout your go to.

 

 

Day 5 – St. David’s to Aberystwyth

At the moment you’re going to drive up the sweeping curve of Wales’s west coast. There’s loads to see alongside the way in which, together with historical burial chambers, iron age villages, ruined castles, a wildlife heart, stunning seashores, and extra.

We’d counsel choosing some sights that sound probably the most fascinating to you from our recommendations as there’s undoubtedly extra to see than you are able to do in a day! Or think about doing this over 2 days if you wish to do and see the whole lot. For those who choose to do this, we’d counsel overnighting round Cardigan.

After ending up any sightseeing or memento purchasing in St. David’s, comply with the A487 for about 45 minutes, simply previous Fishguard. The primary cease for the day is the Pentre Ifan burial chamber.

This 5,000 12 months previous tomb has a 16.5ft capstone rigorously balanced atop three uprights. It’s a few minutes stroll from the free parking place on the street and entry is free. Simply bear in mind that there the parking spot is kind of small and the street right here is kind of slender.

From Pentre Ifan, return to the primary street. In case you are keen on studying about life within the Stone Age, then undoubtedly think about a go to to Castell Henllys Iron Age Village.

This attraction includes a sequence of Iron Age roundhouses, constructed the place they initially stood 2,000 years in the past. On web site you’ll find quite a lot of costumed interpreters who will share particulars of how individuals lived right here throughout the Iron Age.

Now, proceed on in direction of Cardigan. There are just a few sights you would possibly think about stopping at, relying in your pursuits.

Nature lovers will probably need to go to the Welsh Wildlife Centre, the place there’s an interpretive heart, numerous trails, and fowl watching hides. It’s free to go to however there’s a small payment for parking. A great location for birdwatching on the Tefi Marshes.

A 5 minute drive from the Welsh Wildlife Middle is Cilgerran Castle. This Norman age fort initially dates from 1108, though the construction at the moment largely dates from the thirteenth century. It occupies a commanding location above the gorge of the River Tefi and is properly value a go to.

Free for CADW and Nationwide Belief members, small payment in any other case. There’s no parking on web site, comply with indicators to the automotive park. We parked in Cilgerran Lower car park from the place there’s a stunning stroll alongside the river and up the hill to the fort.

We’d additionally suggest stopping in Cardigan itself. The community-run Cardigan Fortress right here is properly value a go to for a small payment.

You’ll be able to really stay overnight here, which we now have performed, and it has a great cafe on web site as properly. You probably have extra time, or just need to regulate your schedule, it makes for a great in a single day keep choice.

From Cardigan, proceed alongside the A487. If you want to take a stroll at the moment, we’d counsel heading as much as Mwnt. There’s a small automotive park at Mwnt head seashore (payment) and you may go to fairly Holy Cross Church. There’s additionally a brief path up the hill right here which presents good views of the coast.

Different good spots alongside the coast to cease as you proceed north embrace Penbryn Seashore and the beautiful seaside fishing village of New Quay.

New Quay is an effective location for taking seal-watching boat journeys, in addition to to select up a scorching plate of fish and chips.

Simply past New Quay you’ll find the Nationwide Belief property of Llanerchaeron. It is a pretty Georgian villa which additionally presents strolling trails, a walled backyard, and a farmyard house to varied Welsh breeds of livestock. There’s a payment to go to, and it’s free for Nationwide belief members.

Lastly, proceed on up the coast to Aberystwyth, the place you’ll spend the evening. It is a mid-size coastal city which is understood for its college. There are additionally quite a lot of glorious points of interest within the city itself which you’ll both go to at the moment or on the morning of day 6, relying on how your time goes.

We’d undoubtedly suggest visiting the Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum. That is situated in a preserved Edwardian period theatre, which makes for fairly a novel museum location!

The museum has shows on all types of issues, protecting native life, artwork, geography, and tradition throughout the ages. It’s additionally free (donations really helpful).

We will additionally suggest the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway on the north finish of the promenade. This steep funicular railway has been ferrying individuals up and all the way down to the clifftop viewpoint since 1896.

There’s a payment to make use of it, we’d counsel taking the railway up after which strolling down for pretty views of the bay and city under.

A stroll across the very ruined Aberystwyth Castle in the midst of city can also be properly value a couple of minutes of your time. It’s free to go to.

 

Day 6 – Aberystwyth to Porthmadog

At the moment you’re going to proceed touring up the Welsh shoreline, and also you’re going to have choices at the moment for issues to do which is able to rely upon whether or not you need to do a mountain hike or not. Or should you’d choose wildlife watching and coastal cities as an alternative.

You can begin the day by ending any exploration that you just didn’t get spherical to in Aberystwyth. In your means out of city we are able to extremely suggest dropping in on the National Library of Wales.

This big constructing has some glorious displays together with an interactive archive of TV and audio footage, shows of uncommon books, and extra. Free to go to with parking on web site.

Now, you must determine between coastal exploration and wildlife viewing, or a hike up a mountain.

If you wish to hike up a mountain at the moment, our advice is to drive an hour or so north to the Dôl Idris carpark subsequent to Minffordd. From right here there’s a spectacular stroll up Cadair Idris.

That is one in every of my favorite hikes in Wales, with views from the highest throughout the entire of the Snowdonia Nationwide Park, together with the shoreline, Snowdon itself, the Mawddach Valley and extra.

I might say that this can be a pretty demanding hike, particularly if tackled from the Minffordd aspect as I like to recommend. Nevertheless, it’s actually value it you probably have the time and bodily capability to take action.

It’s attainable to do that largely as a loop stroll, ascending up one aspect of the lake after which again down the opposite. The paths are properly marked however we might suggest bringing a map and dressing appropriately for mountain climbing situations. You’ll additionally need to pay attention to the climate and forecast as you’ll need to skip this in unhealthy climate situations.

You’ll be able to see an summary of the Minffordd trail here. It’s about 9km (5.59 miles) lengthy. Count on the entire hike to take 4 – 6 hours, relying in your health stage and the way usually you cease.

In fact there are a great deal of different hikes on this space that you could possibly do as an alternative. In case you are in search of a a lot simpler and shorter hike right here, think about the Dôl Idris path which is an all-abilities path that’s a few 1.25 km (0.77 miles) lengthy and is paved in order that it may be accessed by wheelchair customers and people with pushchairs.

For those who would reasonably not sort out a giant hike at the moment (there shall be extra alternatives afterward within the itinerary!), then there are plenty of choices to think about as you head as much as Porthmadog.

We’d counsel choosing these choices which enchantment most to you from the choices out there as you gained’t be capable of match the whole lot in.

First, head up the coast to the coastal city of Borth, the place there’s an extended promenade you may stroll alongside. In case you are fortunate, you is perhaps on the town on one of many days the Borth Station Musuem is open.

It is a pretty tiny museum devoted to the historical past of the railway, recreating the station because it was within the early 1900s. It’s free to go to.

From Borth, drive a few miles additional up the B4353 alongside the coast, and take the turning for Ynyslas Customer Centre, which is a part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve.

Right here there are some pretty walks by way of the dunes, that are among the largest within the space.

There’s additionally a pleasant customer heart right here the place you may study what you’re prone to see, in addition to a store and cafe promoting snacks and drinks. Count on to spend round an hour right here should you do the round dune stroll.

From Ynyslas head again to the A487 and proceed north. We’d counsel a fast cease on the Dyfi Furnace (here on Google Maps), an previous charcoal fired blast furnace which dates from 1755.

It’s free to go to and there are a selection of data panels to elucidate what you’re seeing. It’s solely a ten minute cease however properly value it. There’s additionally a pleasant waterfall right here.

The eager birdwatchers amongst additionally, you will need to make a cease at close by RSPB Ynys-hir. This reserve has a variety of habitats, from woodland to saltmarsh to grassland.

Meaning there’s a massively various vary of wildlife that calls the reserve house. There’s a small payment to go to, with entry free for RSPB members.

One other wildlife heart it’s possible you’ll think about visiting is Cors Dyfi, just a bit additional alongside the street. It is a nature reserve and wildlife heart which can also be house to the Dyfi Osprey Venture. There’s a small payment to go to.

Persevering with up the A487 you’ll come to the city of Machynlleth. There are a variety of cafes and eating places right here in addition to a fairly city clock and city heart. There’s additionally a free museum of modern art right here.

North of Machynlleth are two common points of interest. The primary is the Centre for Alternative Technology, the place you may be taught all about various vitality choices, sustainability, and extra.

One other common choice, particularly with households, is King Arthur’s Labyrinth. Present in a former slate mine, this can be a guided story telling tour which takes you thru the story of King Arthur. It’s plenty of enjoyable however you should definitely gown warmly because the mine is a cold place! There’s additionally a very nice artwork and craft heart on web site right here, in addition to a restaurant with good native meals.

Persevering with on to Porthmadog you’ll move by way of the city of Dolgellau, the place we suggest driving the coastal route down the Mawddach estuary to the seaside city of Barmouth.

This has a stunning sandy seashore and is a superb spot to cease for an ice cream or fish and chips.

Proceed up the coast and also you’ll come to the city of Harlech. That is house to the spectacular Harlech Castle, a mighty thirteenth century fortress constructed by Edward I throughout his invasion of Wales.

This fort, together with Beaumaris, Conwy and Caernarfon castles, is rated by UNESCO to be one of many most interesting examples of late thirteenth century army structure in Europe. So we are able to extremely suggest a go to to this, or one (or all!) of the opposite three. There’s a payment to go to Harlech, and it’s free for CADW members.

From Harlech it’s a brief drive to your vacation spot for the evening, the city of Porthmadog.

 

Day 7 – Porthmadog to Caernarfon

My primary advice at the moment is to take one of many scenic slender gauge rail journeys that depart from Porthmadog. These provide spectacular views of the Snowdonia Nationwide Park, and you may simply loosen up and let the surroundings roll on by.

There are two railway routes to select from, each of which function from Porthmadog. There’s the Ffestiniog Railway, a 13.5 mile lengthy route which runs from Porthmadog to the city of Blaenau Ffestiniog. That is the oldest surviving railway firm on the earth.

Then there’s the Welsh Highland Railway. That is really operated by the Ffestiniog Railway Firm, so the expertise could be very comparable. The primary distinction is the route.

This 25 mile stretch of monitor goes from Porthmadog all the way in which to Caernarfon, and it’s also possible to do a visit to and from the beautiful village of Beddgelert on this prepare.

There’s no “greatest” choice truthfully, each trains provide nice views and sightseeing alternatives. We loved taking the half-day journey on the Welsh Highland Railway to Beddgelert and again once more, nevertheless the journey to Blaenau Ffestiniog can also be properly value it.

Whichever journey you select, we suggest reserving upfront on the official website here, because the route could be very common and may promote out.

One other common attraction close to Porthmadog that you could be think about is Portmeirion Village. It is a purpose-built vacationer village, constructed between 1925 and 1975 to emulate a Mediterranean seaside city, and significantly the city of Portofino in Italy.

It’s actually an uncommon attraction, as you wander previous colourful homes with ornate designs. If not for the Welsh mountains within the background and the upper likelihood of rain, you would possibly even suppose you might have left Wales totally.

While this can be a common attraction, I’ll admit that Jess and I didn’t totally fall for it. It was a reasonably expensive place to go to, and apart from trying on the buildings, having fun with the views, and dropping into the retailers, there wasn’t an enormous quantity to do.

In fact, everybody may have a unique expertise, so it’s as much as you. Now there are about 20 miles of paths you may stroll that are good, however a few of these had been closed after we visited and it rained a lot of our go to. So I feel the climate actually put a damper on our go to.

I feel the expertise at Portmerion Village is greatest on a pleasant sunny day and should you spend the evening. There are a number of sorts of lodging right here and close by should you determine to remain the evening.

Relying on what you might have chosen to do at the moment, it’s possible you’ll or could not have extra time to spare. In case you are in search of extra to do, then I’d counsel taking a street journey across the Llŷn Peninsula.

This presents attractive shoreline views, cute seaside villages, and extra castles to discover. As an example, you may go get ice cream at Cadwaladers in Criccieth, go to Criccieth Castle, and do some coastal walks at Aberdaron. There’s additionally a stunning free art gallery with cafe in Llanbedrgo.

Lastly, head to Caernarfon the place you’ll in a single day. The primary attraction right here is the gorgeous Caernarfon Castle which you must undoubtedly go to you probably have time and nonetheless have an urge for food for Welsh castles!

It is a fairly spectacular late eleventh century motte and bailey fashion fort. Free to CADW members, in any other case there’s an entry payment.

Relying in your schedule you might have to do that on the next day.

 

 

Day 8 – Caernarfon to Conwy

To your eighth day you once more have numerous choices, because the northern a part of Wales has an enormous quantity to supply.

One very fashionable choice is after all to sort out the best mountain in Wales, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh). You’ve a few choices for going to the summit.

First, and most clearly maybe, you may stroll. There are a minimum of six routes to select from, and you may see all of them outlined here. The Llanberis path tends to be the most well-liked because it’s considered the best, though that is nonetheless a strenuous hike.

My private favorite routes are the quieter Snowdon Ranger or Rhyd Ddu paths. I’ve performed these paths and solely handed just a few different walkers, even when the summit is busy.

Whichever route you select, you’ll want to permit between 5 to eight hours for the hike, relying on the route selected and your health stage. So that you’ll need to mainly plan your full day round your hike as you gained’t have an excessive amount of time to suit a lot else in and can probably be exhausted after your hike.

Notice that the automotive parks within the space are all pay and show, and a few require advance bookings. Make sure you verify forward.

So do you should definitely plan forward in case you are contemplating a hike up Snowdon as you’ll have to you should definitely pack accordingly for a mountain hike, know which route you need to do, and plan head for parking. You additionally need to begin early to make sure you get a parking spot and are again earlier than sunset.

Lastly, you should definitely verify the native climate forecast from the Met Office earlier than your hike as climate situations could make these paths very harmful. You’ll need to keep away from this hike in unhealthy climate.

The opposite technique to get to the highest of Snowdon is to take the prepare. Sure, there’s a prepare that can take you to the highest of the mountain.

The Snowdon Mountain railway has been whisking individuals to the summit of Snowdon since 1896, and its a beautiful technique to attain the highest, with epic views all the way in which up.

It is a paid service, and you may select to go a technique or return. If you wish to do that we strongly suggest reserving tickets upfront because it’s a very fashionable service. You are able to do that on the Snowdon Mountain railway website.

For this one you may park both on the Snowdon Mountain railway station on Victoria Terrace (postcode LL55 4TU). If that is full, there are a selection of automotive parks a brief stroll away in Llanberis.

In comparison with a Snowden hike which generally takes between 6 and eight hours, a spherical journey prepare experience is round 2.5 hours, which incorporates half-hour on the prime. In order that’s a great choice if you wish to match extra in at the moment.

Talking of which, there’s loads extra to see and do within the space, whether or not or not you select to ascend Snowdon.

First, in Llanberis we are able to extremely suggest visiting the superb and free National Slate Museum. This tells the story of slate mining in Wales, which has formed the panorama and the life-style of the individuals right here for lots of of years.

Present in a former slate quarry, you’ll discover displays protecting all points of slate mining in addition to reside demonstrations of assorted slate mining processes.

We will additionally extremely suggest heading throughout the bridge over the Menai Straits to the island of Anglesey. There are two common points of interest right here that we suggest. The primary is the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, which is house to the longest railway station signal on the earth.

The signal, which reads Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, means “The Church of St Mary in a hole of white hazel, close to to a fast whirlpool, and to St Tysilio’s Church close to to a pink cave”.

The signal title was totally invented to draw vacationers within the 1860s, and has been a well-liked customer attraction ever since. So clearly that was a profitable plan!

It’s free to go to, and there’s a wonderful and large souvenir store here the place you should purchase all method of issues.

The opposite attraction we suggest visiting on Anglesey is the spectacular thirteenth century Beaumaris Castle.

This splendidly symmetrical fort is surrounded on most sides by a water crammed moat. Curiously, the fort was by no means really accomplished, however there’s nonetheless loads to see and do. Free for CADW members, in any other case there’s a payment.

Lastly, if you want to do a stroll however would favor one thing a bit of shorter and flatter than the Snowdon ascent, then we might suggest the hike to Aber Falls. That is roughly a 4 mile spherical journey hike on pretty stage terrain that takes most individuals 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Your reward for the hassle is the gorgeous 120 foot excessive Aber Falls. There’s paid parking on the stroll begin level.

One other good waterfall which is simply off the street and requires solely a really temporary stroll are the Swallow Falls, as seen on the picture under. So it’s as much as you what you select to do.

You’re going to complete your day with an in a single day within the seaside city of Conwy. That is additionally house to a shocking fort, which can also be value visiting though we’d counsel in all probability shortlisting just a few castles from this itinerary, so that you don’t get castled out!

Conwy Castle is free to CADW members and there’s a payment for visiting in any other case. It’s proper in the midst of Conwy and there’s no on-site parking, however you may simply stroll right here from many of the city automotive parks.

That is one other of Edward I constructions, and it dates from the thirteenth century. For those who go to, we extremely suggest climbing to the highest of the tower staircases for one of the best views.

Lastly, in a single day in Conwy. Once more, you would possibly want to maneuver some sightseeing to Day 9 relying in your schedule.

 

Day 9 – Conwy to Hay-on-Wye

At the moment it’s time to start out heading again down south to finish our loop of Wales. Heading again to Cardiff through Hay-on-Wye.

Earlier than you set off, be sure you go to any points of interest you haven’t but seen in Conwy and surrounds. Nationwide Belief members will probably need to try Penrhyn Castle and Garden for instance.

Now you might have two completely different route choices at the moment, the primary is heading alongside the northern shoreline and the second is following an inland route south.

Each routes have you ever spend the evening in Hay-on-Wye. Each routes are nice and I’d try the highlights alongside each to see which sounds higher to you.

For those who determine to comply with the northern shoreline, then your first cease shall be Rhuddlan Castle. That is one other of Edward I’s castles, which dates from 1277.

From Rhuddlan it’s a brief drive to Rhaeadr Dyserth Waterfall, the place a minute’s stroll from the automotive park will reward you with a fairly view of a stunning little waterfall.

The subsequent cease alongside the northern shoreline that we suggest is St Winefride’s Well & Shrine, a web site which has been welcoming pilgrims for over 1300 years. It’s additionally distinctive in that it’s the one pilgrimage web site within the UK that was capable of proceed working even throughout the Reformation.

The properly itself is discovered on the location the place St. Winefride was stated to have been decapitated after which introduced again to life. There’s a pool right here which is open at particular occasions of the day for individuals to wash in.

It’s stated to have therapeutic properties. There’s a small museum on web site as properly the place you may study St. Winefride. A small payment applies for visiting.

Lastly, the final attraction on the northern shoreline we suggest earlier than you flip south is the ruinous Flint Castle. That is noteworthy as being the closest fort to the English border, and subsequently the primary to be constructed throughout Edward I’s marketing campaign towards the Welsh. Free to go to.

From Flint, you’d head south passing by way of by way of Wrexham, Oswestry and Newtown till you attain Hay on Wye.

This northern shoreline route takes about 3 hours with out stops. This may undoubtedly be faster than the route under, even when elements of the journey have you ever leaving Wales.

A second choice is to go south instantly, skipping the northern shoreline and as an alternative visiting extra of japanese Wales. Highlights alongside this route embrace Merion Mill, Pont Minllyn, Bryntail Lead Mining buildings, and the Elan Valley. This route takes about 3.5 hours to drive with out stops.

For the inland route, head from Conwy all the way down to Dolgellau, then out to Minllyn on the A470.

At Minllyn, take a break at Merion Mill, a wool crafting mill the place you may peruse all method of authentic merchandise that will make for a wonderful memento or present. There’s free parking and a restaurant on web site as properly.

We’d additionally extremely suggest speaking a one-minute stroll to the doorway of the automotive park the place you may see what stays of the attractive previous stone bridge which crosses the river right here, Pont Minllyn.

Now proceed south in direction of Llandiloes. A short detour will take you to the Bryntail Lead Mining buildings. Right here you may see the stays of this former lead mining neighborhood.

There are additionally strolling trails within the space if you wish to stretch your legs. Free parking, and it’s simply a few minutes’ stroll from the automotive park to the positioning. Extra data on the official CADW site here. It’s free to go to.

Persevering with on, one other good cease at the moment is the Elan Valley. This seventy sq. mile space covers a variety of hills, valleys and man-made reservoirs which kind 5 lakes. These lakes present ingesting water for town of Birmingham.

There’s a customer heart right here the place you may be taught all concerning the space. The preferred activitiy right here is to cycle across the reseviors on the Elan Valley Path. Bikes can be found for rent at the visitor center.

Nevertheless, it’s also possible to stroll or drive to quite a lot of viewpoints should you choose. Notice the customer heart is free to go to however there’s a cost for parking.

Lastly, proceed on to the attractive city of Hay-on-Wye the place you can be spending the evening. That is proper on the border of England and Wales, and the city is legendary for its bookshops.

There are over twenty bookshops within the city protecting just about each style and magnificence of literature, and each new and used books can be found.

We extremely suggest taking a while to wander the city and go to a few of these bookshops earlier than discovering a pleasant spot for dinner and delivering for the evening.

 

 

Day 10 – Hay-on-Wye to Cardiff

We now have reached the ultimate day of your Welsh street journey! At the moment you’re heading again to Cardiff the place you may drop off your rental automotive (if wanted) after which journey onwards.

How your day at the moment seems will after all rely in your schedule. You probably have an early prepare or flight, then you’ll want to head straight again to Cardiff, which is round a 90 minute drive away.

Nevertheless, you probably have time to spare then there are some good choices for stops alongside the way in which.

First, head instantly south alongside tiny nation lanes from Hay on Wye to Llanthony Priory. This spectacular Grade I listed 900 12 months previous destroy was as soon as one of many biggest medieval buildings in Wales, and it flourished till Henry VIII put an end to the monasteries. At the moment the positioning is free to go to.

Persevering with on to Cardiff, you might have a few choices. First, it’s possible you’ll choose to go to the previous coal mining village of Aberfan. This was the positioning of the tragic Aberfan disaster in 1966, when a spoil tip collapsed into the village, killing 116 youngsters and 28 adults. There’s a transferring memorial you may go to should you want to pay your respects.

Lastly, if you want to see one other fort, we are able to extremely suggest dropping by Caerphilly Castle as you come to Cardiff. This thirteenth century medieval fortress was the biggest in Wales, and in reality is the second largest within the UK, second solely to Windsor Fortress.

Overlaying 30 acres, the positioning options big defensive partitions, towers, gatehouses and a variety of water defenses. It’s actually a web site to behold, and a very good technique to end off your Welsh street journey. There’s a payment to go to, and it’s free for CADW members.

Now, on to Cardiff the place this street journey wraps up! You probably have extra time in Cardiff, you may go and go to any of the points of interest you didn’t have time to go to initially of your journey.

 

Map of Wales Highway Journey Itinerary

Right here’s a map of the route that can assist you visualise the place you’ll be going. You’ll be able to see a full model of this map on Google Maps here, which incorporates all of the highlights in addition to lodging listings.

 

Wales Highway Journey Itinerary Overview

Right here’s an summary of the itinerary for reference.

• Day 1: Cardiff
• Day 2: Cardiff
• Day 3: Cardiff to Tenby
• Day 4: Tenby to St. David’s
• Day 5: St. David’s to Aberystwyth
• Day 6: Aberystwyth to Porthmadog
• Day 7: Porthmadog to Caernarfon
• Day 8: Caernarfon to Conwy
• Day 9: Conwy to Hay-on-Wye
• Day 10: Hay on Wye to Cardiff

 

Additional Studying

And that’s it for our detailed Wales street journey itinerary! We hope you discovered this information helpful. We additionally wished to share some extra assets we predict would possibly enable you with planning this and future journeys within the UK.

• For those who’re in search of extra street journey inspiration within the UK, try our North Coast 500 planning guide and North Coast 500 seven day itinerary
• For those who’re heading to Scotland, try our 2 day Edinburgh itinerary, our Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary, our information to the best day trips from Glasgow, our information to things to do in Edinburgh, our itinerary for Skye and the Highlands, our information to the best day trips from Aberdeen, and our information to one of the best day trips from Edinburgh to get you began.
• We now have a two week UK road trip itinerary and a one week UK road trip itinerary
• We even have a one week Cornwall itinerary
• For those who’re not acquainted with driving within the UK, see my guide to driving in the UK for useful suggestions.
• We now have guides to many cities within the UK you may try! See our guides to things to do in Manchester,  things to do in Stratford upon Avon,  things to do in Bristol,  things to do in Portsmouth, recommendations on a weekend in York, recommendations on Visiting Oxford on a Day Trip, and things to do in Cambridge to get began
• For those who’re in search of a guidebook to your journey, try the Rough Guide to Wales

And that’s it! Have you ever ever visited Wales? Do you might have something you’d add to the above? Simply tell us within the feedback under, and protected travels!