A 7 to 10 Day Wales Highway Journey Itinerary with Map

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

Wales is a spectacular nation with loads to supply and its comparatively small measurement means you could see loads in a 1-week highway journey. On this information we’re going to share our concept of the right Wales highway journey if in case you have 7 to 10 days.

This itinerary features a little little bit of every little thing 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 provide you a style of the very best of Wales and consists of every little thing from tiny rural villages to the capital metropolis of Cardiff.

Wales actually does have one thing to supply everybody, and this highway 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 in fact alter it the way you need.

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

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

How Lengthy to Highway Journey in Wales?

Wales is just not an enormous nation, however there’s a big quantity to see. We’d say that the minimal period of time for a highway journey overlaying part of the nation could be three to 5 days. If you happen to don’t have a variety 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 high to backside, then we’d advocate no less than 7 – 10 days.

The itinerary on this information is for a 7 to 10-day highway journey, however in fact you may alter it based mostly in your pursuits and time. In case you have extra time, there’s at all times extra to see and we’d advocate spending longer in every space of curiosity.

 

The best way to 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 advocate no less than 3 days if you wish to go to Wales and in case 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 no less than 5 to 7 days to dedicate to Wales if you wish to see a lot of its highlights lined 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 observe Days 1 by 8 after which head north to Chester after which up in the direction of Manchster.

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

In case you are additionally wanting to go to different components of the UK or Eire as a part of a tour, you would possibly take into account becoming a member of up excursions resembling with native tour firm Rabbie’sthe place you may take a collection of excursions exploring totally different components of England, Wales, Scotland, and Eire.

 

What’s the Greatest Strategy to Get Round in Wales?

There are a number of totally different choices for getting round in Wales, together with native buses and a regional prepare community. Nonetheless, because the title of this submit suggests, my really helpful solution to journey round Wales is by automotive.

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

The highway journey we’ve put collectively relies on you having a automotive. If you happen to don’t have your personal automotive, we’d extremely advocate selecting up a automotive rental, or take into account becoming a member of a tour.

Because it’s more economical to choose up and drop off a automotive in the identical spot, we’ve chosen Cardiff as the very best location to begin and finish this journey. Cardiff may 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 that they had a location close to Cardiff’s important prepare station, which made decide up and drop off simple. Nonetheless, we’d typically first advocate utilizing a value comparability service like Uncover Vehicles, which compares costs throughout a lot of suppliers, to see if there’s a greater choice to your journey.

If you happen to would like to not drive, then we’d as an alternative counsel wanting into taking a tour of Wales. These may be accomplished as non-public excursions or you may be part of a bunch tour and the excursions.

 

Excursions of Wales

If you happen to like the concept of visiting Wales however would quite 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 observe and aren’t effectively served by public transport.

There are nonetheless some glorious excursions we are able to advocate. While none of them will precisely mirror our steered Wales highway journey itinerary, a variety of them do embrace no less than a number of the important points of interest we cowl.

You may be part of a guided tour or if in case you have an even bigger price range or a big group, you may additionally take into account a non-public tour. The longer Wales excursions typically depart from London, Bristol, or Cardiff.

Some we advise are as follows:

• This 5 day highway journey with Rabbies could be our first decide of accessible excursions. We’ve taken an awesome many excursions with Rabbie’s and we love their educated driver guides and small group sizes. This tour departs from London and canopy a variety of the identical floor as our route, from Snowdonia right down to south west Wales.
• This 8 day tour from Cardiff follows the same path to our steered Wales itinerary, and consists of time in Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons mountains, Snowdonia Nationwide Park, Conwy Fort, 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 Fort, Hay on Wye, St. Davids, Tenby and the Pembrokeshire Coast Nationwide Park. In case you 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 Fort, Harlech Fort, the Slate Museum, and Portmeirion.

There are in fact extra excursions to select from in Wales. See this choice from a variety of operators on TourRadar which is able to allow you to kind and filter by period, locations visited and value.

 

 

10 Day Wales Highway Journey Itinerary

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

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

There’s actually sufficient right here to fill no less than two days. Nonetheless, if in case you have much less time or would quite simply hit the highway and never concentrate on metropolis points of interest, you might want to concentrate on the highway journey part of this itinerary quite than the time in Cardiff. It’s as much as you!

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

Elements of this highway journey observe the Wales Approach driving tour routes (you may see extra about these right here), that are promoted by the Go to Wales tourism board to focus on a number of the finest surroundings and points of interest that Wales has to supply.

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

Notice that this itinerary covers a variety of floor and every day has a lot of steered points of interest. Relying in your pursuits it would be best to alter it to go well with what you actually wish to see and do quite than attempting to do completely every little thing.

In order for you a extra slower paced journey, we’d counsel seeing much less every day and spending no less than 2 nights at every location. You can simply do that full itinerary in 2 weeks and have extra time to calm down and see issues extra slowly.

 

Day 1 – Cardiff

Your first day has you beginning in Cardiff, the Welsh capital since 1955. Cardiff is straightforward to get to from areas across the UK and overseas, with rail, highway, and air hyperlinks that can allow you to get right here in the way in which that most closely 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 solution to orient your self to town and rise up to hurry with its historical past. It’s certainly one of our favorite museums in Cardiff.

Subsequent, we’d advocate popping throughout the highway to the Cardiff Market. This can be 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 if you’re hungry.

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

On this highway journey, you’ll see fairly a number of castles. Wales has a panorama that lends itself to constructing castles, and a historical past of princes and wars that required these defensive constructions. The truth is there are over 400 castles within the nation! So that you do have to be selective by which castles you select to go to.

Nonetheless, we’d argue that you simply’re not going to see something fairly like Cardiff Fort wherever else in your Welsh highway journey.

Cardiff Fort takes you on a journey of chateau constructing by the ages. There was some form of fortified development right here for the reason that Romans constructed a fort right here within the third century. The truth is, a part of the previous Roman wall can nonetheless be seen.

Nonetheless, the massive stone maintain 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 durations in historical past, together with a nineteenth century gothic revivalist addition that features a huge clock tower and gorgeous interiors.

There’s a lot to see and do at Cardiff Fort, together with numerous excursions and reveals that vary from world warfare two air raid shelters to a regimental museum. We’d advocate planning on spending no less than two or three hours right here as there’s heaps to see right here.

You may stroll by the grounds of Cardiff Fort at no cost, however to go inside, stroll the partitions, or go to the reveals you’ll need to pay for a ticket. The ticket value is effectively value it in our opinion.

Relying on how your day goes you should still have time for an additional sight. In that case, we’d counsel strolling over to the Nationwide Museum Cardiff. This massive free museum (donations welcome) has reveals of artwork, pure historical past and geology, and is an efficient solution to end off your first day in Wales.

 

 

Day 2 – Cardiff

If you happen to’d want to go out of city in the present day you may in fact try this, and spend extra time on the highway. Nonetheless, assuming you wish to do some extra sightseeing in Cardiff we’re going to advocate you head to the Cardiff Bay space of city.

Cardiff is positioned on the Bristol Channel, though you gained’t have seen the water but as town heart space is a couple of mile away. Nonetheless, you may simply attain this space in a 20 minute stroll or a brief bus trip.

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 want to take the Cardiff hop on hop off bus which can even convey you right here as a part of its sightseeing route round Cardiff.

At Cardiff Bay there’s a lot to see. First, you’ll doubtless see the massive Wales Millenium Centre. This nationwide arts centre is a venue for the performing arts and is the place to return to see dwell performances of every little thing from music to bounce. There are additionally retailers, bars, and cafes on website, and it’s value popping inside to see if there are any momentary reveals happening while you go to.

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

You’ll now be close to the waterline. If you happen to head east, you’ll first go the Pierhead constructing, an enormous purple 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 constructing, house of the Welsh parliament. This can be a placing fashionable constructing which you’ll go to if you’re keen on studying concerning the means of democracy in Wales. There are additionally usually exhibitions of Welsh artwork and crafts inside, so it’s effectively 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, beautiful 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 beautiful harbour space.

From right here, quite 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 positively wish to test the working timetables upfront, which you are able to do right here. You may e book tickets on-line upfront right here.

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

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

It’s truly one of many largest and most well-maintained shrines to a fictional character wherever on the planet, so value a number of 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 maintain them entertained for a while as there are over 100 hand-on reveals to see, contact, and discover.

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

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

And naturally there are a variety of pubs, golf equipment, and different nightlife hangouts in Cardiff.

If you happen to’re into historic pubs, a number of the oldest in Cardiff are The Rummer Tavern, Cardiff Cottage, The Goat Main, and The Nice Western. So you’ll have no scarcity of locations to go for a drink or a chunk to eat!

Talking of meals, if you wish to attempt some conventional Welsh dishes resembling Lamb Cawl or Welsh rarebit, The Welsh Home in Cardiff is a favorite of ours. They normally have a lot of conventional dishes on the menu, and the costs are additionally cheap.

 

Day 3 – Cardiff to Tenby

It’s time to hit the highway! In case you are selecting up a rental automotive, you’ll wish to e book this for earlier within the morning as you’re going to have a busy day in the present day.

Your first cease for the day is simply exterior of Cardiff, the St. Fagan’s Nationwide Museum of Historical past. It’s about 20 minutes’ drive from central Cardiff.

This can be a good free out of doors museum which options over forty authentic buildings unfold out throughout 100 acres of parkland. These buildings span a large time interval, and will provide you with an actual perception into how Welsh folks have lived, labored, realized, and performed through the years.

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

It’s a giant website with loads to see, so we’d advocate planning on spending no less than 90 minutes to 2 hours right here. There’s additionally a restaurant on-site which serves good meals in addition to espresso and different sizzling drinks. There’s a big carpark on website with a modest price for parking.

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

The quickest choice to get to right here will usually be to observe the M4 round Swansea, which is what we’d advocate you do. In fact, in case you would like a extra scenic route be at liberty to observe the roads as much as Glynneath and throughout. Simply concentrate on timing as you may have loads to see in the present day.

Castell Carreg Cennen, or Carreg Cennen Fort, 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 encompassing panorama and the fort itself are effectively well worth the effort.

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

The Fort does have an entry price. It’s managed by Cadw, a department of the Welsh Authorities answerable 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.

Plenty of the sights you’re going to be seeing on this journey are going to be lined by the membership and in case you go to the vast majority of them you’ll positively avoid wasting cash. You should buy this on-line right 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 Nationwide Belief Dinefwr website. That is truly two sights, the seventeenth century Newton Home and the twelfth century Dinefwr Fort, discovered round a mile aside.

If the climate is sweet, we are able to extremely advocate taking a while to discover the grounds right here and to stroll as much as Dinefwr Fort. There are some actually beautiful strolling trails across the grounds, which wend their approach by lovely mature woodlands.

You can even go to Newton Home itself in fact, which has a separate entry price (free for Nationwide Belief members). There’s paid parking on website (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. In order for you one thing further to see on the way in which, and you actually love castles, be at liberty to detour to Laugharne Fort, though we really feel you’ll have seen sufficient castles for the day and be able to calm down by this level.

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

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

 

Day 4 – Tenby to St. David’s

At present 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 Fort & Tidal Mill. Because the identify suggests, right here you’re going to seek out two points of interest in a single place.

The primary is Carew Fort, a fort which dates from the Norman conquest of Britain within the eleventh century. Through the years 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 location 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 a lot to see and do right here, so I’d counsel allocating no less than 90 minutes – 2 hours to your go to. There’s free parking on website and a price for admission. It’s not a part of Cadw or every other membership program that we’re conscious of.

From Carew Fort you may have a number of 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 Fort, is the Stack Rock stroll (carpark right here on Google Maps). The automotive park (free) is simply a few hundred metres from the cliff high stroll, and there are nice views of some rock stacks in addition to a rock arch right here.

That is additionally place to see seals and seal pups within the breeding season (normally August by January).

If you happen to’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’ll see instructions right here.

Another choice in case you’d want to spend extra time on the seaside could be to drive additional west to Freshwater West seaside. This can be a fashionable 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 wish to go to the location 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 highway.

There are in fact many different walks that you would do in the present day as you head in the direction of St. David’s, and you’ll see a full choice right here.

My private favorite, and the one I might advocate, is the Marloes Peninsula stroll. That is about an hour’s drive from the Stack Rocks carpark, or 25 minutes from Carew Fort, relying on what you select to go to in the present day.

The Marloes Peninsula stroll is a 4.4 mile (7.1km) loop stroll which loops across the beautiful Marloes peninsula. The stroll is essentially flat with only a few gradients to deal with. 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 supplied such spectacular views, in addition to some glorious wildlife recognizing alternatives. We noticed numerous seals and seal pups in addition to an awesome many sea birds.

There have been additionally beautiful coastal views and even an iron age hill fort. It took us round 3 hours in whole with a lot of picture stops and was effectively 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. Undoubtedly spend a while exploring the city, both this night or on the morning of Day 5.

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

If you happen to nonetheless wish to discover, then we’d counsel strolling the 20 minutes or so out of city to St. Non’s Chapel and Effectively, 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 seaside of Whitesands, which makes for 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 an awesome pub meal at The Bishops, however the Farmer’s Arms can be a preferred choice for pub meals.

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

 

 

Day 5 – St. David’s to Aberystwyth

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

We’d counsel selecting some sights that sound essentially the most attention-grabbing to you from our solutions as there’s positively extra to see than you are able to do in a day! Or take into account doing this over 2 days if you wish to do and see every little thing. If you happen to choose to try this, we’d counsel overnighting round Cardigan.

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

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

From Pentre Ifan, return to the primary highway. In case you are keen on studying about life within the Stone Age, then positively take into account a go to to Castell Henllys Iron Age Village.

This attraction incorporates a collection of Iron Age roundhouses, constructed the place they initially stood 2,000 years in the past. On website you can find a lot of costumed interpreters who will share particulars of how folks lived right here in the course of the Iron Age.

Now, proceed on in the direction of Cardigan. There are a number of sights you would possibly take into account stopping at, relying in your pursuits.

Nature lovers will doubtless wish 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 price for parking. A very good location for birdwatching on the Tefi Marshes.

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

Free for CADW and Nationwide Belief members, small price in any other case. There’s no parking on website, observe indicators to the automotive park. We parked in Cilgerran Decrease automotive park from the place there’s a stunning stroll alongside the river and up the hill to the fort.

We’d additionally advocate stopping in Cardigan itself. The community-run Cardigan Fort right here is effectively value a go to for a small price.

You may truly keep in a single day right here, which we’ve accomplished, and it has cafe on website as effectively. In case you have extra time, or just wish to alter your schedule, it makes for in a single day keep choice.

From Cardigan, proceed alongside the A487. If you want to take a stroll in the present day, we’d counsel heading as much as Mwnt. There’s a small automotive park at Mwnt head seaside (price) and you’ll 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 efficient location for taking seal-watching boat journeys, in addition to to choose up a sizzling plate of fish and chips.

Simply past New Quay you can find the Nationwide Belief property of Llanerchaeron. This can be a beautiful Georgian villa which additionally presents strolling trails, a walled backyard, and a farmyard house to varied Welsh breeds of cattle. There’s a price 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. This can be a mid-size coastal city which is thought for its college. There are additionally a lot of glorious points of interest within the city itself which you’ll both go to in the present day or on the morning of day 6, relying on how your time goes.

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

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

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

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

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

 

Day 6 – Aberystwyth to Porthmadog

At present you’re going to proceed touring up the Welsh shoreline, and also you’re going to have choices in the present day for issues to do which is able to depend upon whether or not you wish to do a mountain hike or not. Or in case you’d want wildlife watching and coastal cities as an alternative.

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

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

Now, it’s essential to determine between coastal exploration and wildlife viewing, or a hike up a mountain.

If you wish to hike up a mountain in the present day, our suggestion 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 certainly one 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 facet as I like to recommend. Nonetheless, it’s actually value it if in case you have the time and bodily capability to take action.

It’s attainable to do that largely as a loop stroll, ascending up one facet of the lake after which again down the opposite. The paths are effectively marked however we’d advocate bringing a map and dressing appropriately for mountain climbing circumstances. You’ll additionally need to pay attention to the climate and forecast as you’ll wish to skip this in dangerous climate circumstances.

You may see an outline of the Minffordd path right here. It’s about 9km (5.59 miles) lengthy. Anticipate the overall 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 would do as an alternative. In case you are in search of a a lot simpler and shorter hike right here, take into account the Dôl Idris path which is an all-abilities path that’s a couple of 1.25 km (0.77 miles) lengthy and is paved in order that it may be accessed by wheelchair customers and people with pushchairs.

If you happen to would quite not deal with a giant hike in the present day (there will likely be extra alternatives in a while within the itinerary!), then there are a variety of choices to think about as you head as much as Porthmadog.

We’d counsel selecting these choices which attraction most to you from the choices accessible as you gained’t be capable of match every little thing in.

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

This can be a beautiful 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 Nationwide Nature Reserve.

Right here there are some beautiful walks by the dunes, that are a number of the largest within the space.

There’s additionally a pleasant customer heart right here the place you may study what you might be prone to see, in addition to a store and cafe promoting snacks and drinks. Anticipate to spend round an hour right here in case 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 (right here on Google Maps), an previous charcoal fired blast furnace which dates from 1755.

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

The eager birdwatchers amongst additionally, you will wish 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 vastly various vary of wildlife that calls the reserve house. There’s a small price to go to, with entry free for RSPB members.

One other wildlife heart you might take into account visiting is Cors Dyfi, just a bit additional alongside the highway. This can be a nature reserve and wildlife heart which can be house to the Dyfi Osprey Mission. There’s a small price 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 contemporary artwork right here.

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

One other fashionable 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 a variety of enjoyable however you’ll want to gown warmly because the mine is a cold place! There’s additionally a very nice artwork and craft heart on website right here, in addition to a restaurant with good native meals.

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

This has a stunning sandy seaside 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 Fort, 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 best examples of late thirteenth century army structure in Europe. So we are able to extremely advocate a go to to this, or one (or all!) of the opposite three. There’s a price 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 important suggestion in the present day is to take one of many scenic slim gauge rail journeys that depart from Porthmadog. These provide spectacular views of the Snowdonia Nationwide Park, and you’ll simply calm down 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 planet.

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

This 25 mile stretch of observe 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 “finest” 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, nonetheless the journey to Blaenau Ffestiniog can be effectively value it.

Whichever journey you select, we advocate reserving upfront on the official web site right here, because the route may be very fashionable and might promote out.

One other fashionable attraction close to Porthmadog that you could be take into account is Portmeirion Village. This can be 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 chance of rain, you would possibly even assume you may have left Wales solely.

While this can be a fashionable attraction, I’ll admit that Jess and I didn’t solely fall for it. It was a reasonably expensive place to go to, and apart from wanting 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 special 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 have been closed once we visited and it rained a lot of our go to. So I believe the climate actually put a damper on our go to.

I believe the expertise at Portmerion Village is finest on a pleasant sunny day and in case you spend the evening. There are a number of kinds of lodging right here and close by in case you determine to remain the evening.

Relying on what you may have chosen to do in the present day, you might or might not have extra time to spare. In case you are in search of extra to do, then I’d counsel taking a highway journey across the Llŷn Peninsula.

This presents beautiful 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 Fort, and do some coastal walks at Aberdaron. There’s additionally a stunning free artwork 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 Fort which it’s best to positively go to if in case you have time and nonetheless have an urge for food for Welsh castles!

This can be a fairly spectacular late eleventh century motte and bailey model fort. Free to CADW members, in any other case there’s an entry price.

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

 

 

Day 8 – Caernarfon to Conwy

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

One highly regarded choice is in fact to deal with the very best mountain in Wales, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh). You have got a few choices for going to the summit.

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

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

Whichever route you select, it would be best to permit between 5 to eight hours for the hike, relying on the route selected and your health stage. So that you’ll wish 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 doubtless be exhausted after your hike.

Notice that the automotive parks within the space are all pay and show, and a few require advance bookings. You’ll want to test forward.

So do you’ll want to plan forward if you’re contemplating a hike up Snowdon as you’ll must you’ll want to pack accordingly for a mountain hike, know which route you wish to do, and plan head for parking. You additionally wish to begin early to make sure you get a parking spot and are again earlier than sunset.

Lastly, you’ll want to test the native climate forecast from the Met Workplace earlier than your hike as climate circumstances could make these paths very harmful. You’ll wish to keep away from this hike in dangerous climate.

The opposite solution 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 folks to the summit of Snowdon since 1896, and its an exquisite solution to attain the highest, with epic views all the way in which up.

This can be a paid service, and you’ll select to go a technique or return. If you wish to do that we strongly advocate reserving tickets upfront because it’s a highly regarded service. You are able to do that on the Snowdon Mountain railway web site.

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 variety 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 trip is round 2.5 hours, which incorporates half-hour on the high. In order that’s choice if you wish to match extra in in the present day.

Talking of which, there’s a lot 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 advocate visiting the superb and free Nationwide Slate Museum. This tells the story of slate mining in Wales, which has formed the panorama and the life-style of the folks right here for a whole bunch of years.

Present in a former slate quarry, you’ll discover reveals overlaying all features of slate mining in addition to dwell demonstrations of varied slate mining processes.

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

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

The signal identify was solely invented to draw vacationers within the 1860s, and has been a preferred customer attraction ever since. So clearly that was a profitable plan!

It’s free to go to, and there’s a wonderful and big memento retailer right here the place you should purchase all method of issues.

The opposite attraction we advocate visiting on Anglesey is the spectacular thirteenth century Beaumaris Fort.

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

Lastly, if you want to do a stroll however would like one thing a bit of shorter and flatter than the Snowdon ascent, then we’d advocate 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 trouble 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 highway and requires solely a really temporary stroll are the Swallow Falls, as seen on the picture beneath. 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 be value visiting though we’d counsel most likely shortlisting a number of castles from this itinerary, so that you don’t get castled out!

Conwy Fort is free to CADW members and there’s a price 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. If you happen to go to, we extremely advocate climbing to the highest of the tower staircases for the very 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 present it’s time to begin heading again down south to finish our loop of Wales. Heading again to Cardiff by way of Hay-on-Wye.

Earlier than you set off, ensure you go to any points of interest you haven’t but seen in Conwy and surrounds. Nationwide Belief members will doubtless wish to take a look at Penrhyn Fort and Backyard for instance.

Now you may have two totally different route choices in the present day, 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 take a look at the highlights alongside each to see which sounds higher to you.

If you happen to determine to observe the northern shoreline, then your first cease will likely be Rhuddlan Fort. 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 advocate is St Winefride’s Effectively & Shrine, a website which has been welcoming pilgrims for over 1300 years. It’s additionally distinctive in that it’s the one pilgrimage website within the UK that was capable of proceed working even in the course of the Reformation.

The effectively itself is discovered on the location the place St. Winefride was mentioned 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 folks to wash in.

It’s mentioned to have therapeutic properties. There’s a small museum on website as effectively the place you may study St. Winefride. A small price applies for visiting.

Lastly, the final attraction on the northern shoreline we advocate earlier than you flip south is the ruinous Flint Fort. 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 by Wrexham, Oswestry and Newtown till you attain Hay on Wye.

This northern shoreline route takes about 3 hours with out stops. This can positively be faster than the route beneath, even when components of the journey have you ever leaving Wales.

A second choice is to go south straight, skipping the northern shoreline and as an alternative visiting extra of jap 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 right 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 may make for a wonderful memento or present. There’s free parking and a restaurant on website as effectively.

We’d additionally extremely advocate 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 the 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 location. Extra data on the official CADW website right here. It’s free to go to.

Persevering with on, one other good cease in the present day is the Elan Valley. This seventy sq. mile space covers a variety of hills, valleys and man-made reservoirs which type 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 most well-liked activitiy right here is to cycle across the reseviors on the Elan Valley Path. Bikes can be found for rent on the customer heart.

Nonetheless, it’s also possible to stroll or drive to a lot of viewpoints in case you want. 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 overlaying just about each style and elegance of literature, and each new and used books can be found.

We extremely advocate 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 highway journey! At present you’re heading again to Cardiff the place you may drop off your rental automotive (if wanted) after which journey onwards.

How your day in the present day appears to be like will in fact rely in your schedule. In case you have an early prepare or flight, then it would be best to head straight again to Cardiff, which is round a 90 minute drive away.

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

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

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

Lastly, if you want to see one other fort, we are able to extremely advocate dropping by Caerphilly Fort as you come to Cardiff. This thirteenth century medieval fortress was the most important in Wales, and actually is the second largest within the UK, second solely to Windsor Fort.

Protecting 30 acres, the location options big defensive partitions, towers, gatehouses and a variety of water defenses. It’s actually a website to behold, and a very good solution to end off your Welsh highway journey. There’s a price to go to, and it’s free for CADW members.

Now, on to Cardiff the place this highway journey wraps up! In case you 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 at first 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 may see a full model of this map on Google Maps right here, which incorporates all of the highlights in addition to lodging listings.

 

Wales Highway Journey Itinerary Overview

Right here’s an outline 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 highway journey itinerary! We hope you discovered this information helpful. We additionally needed to share some extra assets we predict would possibly enable you to with planning this and future journeys within the UK.

• If you happen to’re in search of extra highway journey inspiration within the UK, take a look at our North Coast 500 planning information and North Coast 500 seven day itinerary
• If you happen to’re heading to Scotland, take a look at our 2 day Edinburgh itinerary, our Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary, our information to the finest day journeys from Glasgow, our information to issues to do in Edinburgh, our itinerary for Skye and the Highlands, our information to the finest day journeys from Aberdeen, and our information to the very best day journeys from Edinburgh to get you began.
• We now have a two week UK highway journey itinerary and a one week UK highway journey itinerary
• We even have a one week Cornwall itinerary
• If you happen to’re not aware of driving within the UK, see my information to driving within the UK for useful suggestions.
• We now have guides to many cities within the UK you may take a look at! See our guides to issues to do in Manchester,  issues to do in Stratford upon Avon,  issues to do in Bristol,  issues to do in Portsmouth, recommendations on a weekend in York, recommendations on Visiting Oxford on a Day Journey, and issues to do in Cambridge to get began
• If you happen to’re in search of a guidebook to your journey, take a look at the Tough Information to Wales

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