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. Properly, that’s about to vary.

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

This itinerary features a little little bit of every part Wales has to supply, which incorporates beautiful coastlines, mountain hikes, seashores, castles, museums, Welsh cultural points of interest, and extra. The itinerary was designed to present you a style of the very best of Wales and contains every part 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 likewise provide recommendations on the place to remain, and what to eat. However you may in fact regulate it the way you need.

Personally, we expect Wales has surroundings to rival different standard 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 publish, 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 will not 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 overlaying part of the nation could be three to 5 days. Should you don’t have loads of time we’d maybe recommend 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 advocate not less than 7 – 10 days.

The itinerary on this information is for a 7 to 10-day street journey, however in fact you may regulate 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.

 

Methods 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 which will additionally embody England, Scotland, Northern Eire, and/or Eire. It’s straightforward to incorporate Wales as half of a bigger journey.

Once more, we’d advocate not less than 3 days if you wish to go to Wales and should you solely have 3 to five days we’d simply persist with specializing in both North Wales or South Wales.

However ideally you’ll have not less than 5 to 7 days to commit 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 comply with Days 1 by way of 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 elements of the UK or Eire as a part of a tour, you would possibly take into account 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 a couple of completely different choices for getting round in Wales, together with native buses and a regional practice community. Nevertheless, because the title of this publish suggests, my advisable method to journey round Wales is by automobile.

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

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

Because it’s more economical to choose up and drop off a automobile 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 current journey to Wales we rented a automobile from Enterprise as that they had a location close to Cardiff’s foremost practice station, which made choose up and drop off straightforward. Nevertheless, we’d typically first advocate utilizing a worth comparability service like Uncover Automobiles, which compares costs throughout a lot of suppliers, to see if there’s a greater choice on your journey.

Should you would favor to not drive, then we’d as a substitute recommend wanting into taking a tour of Wales. These may be accomplished as personal excursions or you may be a part of a gaggle tour and the excursions.

 

Excursions of Wales

Should you like the concept of visiting Wales however would moderately not drive, then your best choice is to take a tour. While there’s some public transportation, lots of the sights and points of interest are a bit off the overwhelmed observe and aren’t nicely served by public transport.

There are nevertheless some wonderful excursions we are able to advocate. While none of them will precisely mirror our urged Wales street journey itinerary, loads of them do embody not less than among the foremost points of interest we cowl.

You possibly can be a part of a guided tour or in case you have an even bigger finances or a big group, you may also take into account a personal tour. The longer Wales excursions typically depart from London, Bristol, or Cardiff.

Some we recommend are as follows:

• This 5 day street journey 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 loads of the identical floor as our route, from Snowdonia right down to south west Wales.
• This 8 day tour from Cardiff follows an identical path to our urged Wales itinerary, and contains 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, you may as well do their North Wales tour.
• This 3 day tour with Rabbies departs from Bristol and covers the highlights of North Wales. It contains 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 worth.

 

 

10 Day Wales Highway Journey Itinerary

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

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

There’s actually sufficient right here to fill not less than two days. Nevertheless, in case you have much less time or would moderately simply hit the street and never deal with metropolis points of interest, chances are you’ll favor to deal with the street journey part of this itinerary moderately than the time in Cardiff. It’s as much as you!

Jess and I did this precise 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 a superb journey, and one we’re delighted to have the ability to share with you.

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

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

Observe that this itinerary covers loads of floor and every day has a lot of urged points of interest. Relying in your pursuits you’ll want to regulate it to swimsuit what you actually wish to see and do moderately than attempting to do completely every part.

If you need a extra slower paced journey, we’d recommend seeing much less every day and spending not 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, street, and air hyperlinks that may allow you to get right here in the best way that most accurately fits your journey.

We’d recommend that on your time in Cardiff you get round both on foot or by public transport. Nearly all of points of interest within the metropolis centre are straightforward to stroll to, or to go to by bus. I’d advise towards driving across the metropolis centre as you’ll need to take care of navigation and discovering parking.

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

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

Subsequent, we’d advocate popping throughout the street to the Cardiff Market. It is a 2 storey Victorian shopping center, opened in 1891, the place you’ll discover quite a lot of outlets 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 street journey, you will see fairly a couple of 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 have to be selective through which castles you select to go to.

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

Cardiff Fort takes you on a journey of chateau constructing by way of the ages. There was some kind of fortified development right here for the reason that Romans constructed a fort right here within the third century. In actual fact, a part of the outdated Roman wall can nonetheless be seen.

Nevertheless, the big stone maintain atop the hill that may 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 beautiful 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 not less than two or three hours right here as there’s tons to see right here.

You possibly can stroll by way of the grounds of Cardiff Fort totally free, however to go inside, stroll the partitions, or go to the reveals you will have to pay for a ticket. The ticket worth is nicely 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 recommend 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 method to end off your first day in Wales.

 

 

Day 2 – Cardiff

Should you’d favor to move out of city in the present day you may in fact try this, and spend extra time on the street. Nevertheless, 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 middle space is a couple of mile away. Nevertheless, 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 favor to take the Cardiff hop on hop off bus which will even deliver you right here as a part of its sightseeing route round Cardiff.

At Cardiff Bay there’s a lot to see. First, you’ll seemingly 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 stay performances of every part from music to bounce. There are additionally outlets, bars, and cafes on website, and it’s value popping inside to see if there are any non permanent reveals occurring once 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 embody Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility, James and the Large Peach, and Matilda), this sunken plaza typically performs host to numerous festivals, festivals, and stay music performances.

You’ll now be close to the waterline. Should you head east, you’ll first move the Pierhead constructing, an enormous pink brick constructing with a clock tower which is difficult to overlook. That is dwelling to a museum the place you may study in regards to the historical past of Wales.

Subsequent door to the Pierhead constructing is the Senedd constructing, dwelling of the Welsh parliament. It is a placing trendy constructing which you’ll be able to go to if you’re fascinated about studying in regards to the means of democracy in Wales. There are additionally typically exhibitions of Welsh artwork and crafts inside, so it’s nicely 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 gives 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 beautiful stroll all the best way to the Cardiff Bay Barrage. It was the development of the barrage within the Nineties which created this beautiful harbour space.

From right here, moderately than stroll all the best way again, you may as a substitute hop on a ship that may take you again to the Quay space. You’ll positively wish to examine the working timetables upfront, which you are able to do right here. You possibly can e book tickets on-line upfront right here.

In fact, as a substitute of (or in addition to!) strolling all the best way to the barrage you may discover the world across the Senedd, referred to 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 moderately eclectic Ianto’s Shrine. In case you are not conversant in the TV present “Torchwood”, which was set in Cardiff, then this may seemingly 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 anyplace on the earth, so value a couple 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 on your second day in Cardiff, though there’s nonetheless a lot to see together with extra museums and loads of outlets. Cardiff can also be dwelling 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 stay music and leisure if that’s one thing you have an interest in. On a current go to to Cardiff we loved watching a stay efficiency at Porter’s Cardiff for instance.

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

Should you’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!

Talking of meals, if you wish to attempt some conventional Welsh dishes comparable to 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 street! In case you are selecting up a rental automobile, 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 outdoors of Cardiff, the St. Fagan’s Nationwide Museum of Historical past. It’s about 20 minutes’ drive from central Cardiff.

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

There are farmhouses, schoolhouses, pubs, and union buildings, nearly all of which you’ll be able to go inside and discover. It’s additionally a dwelling museum, with stay workshops and demonstrations of conventional expertise and crafts like ironmongery and farming.

It’s an enormous website with lots to see, so we’d advocate planning on spending not 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 payment for parking.

From Cardiff you will proceed to move 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’d advocate you do. In fact, should you would favor a extra scenic route be happy to comply with the roads as much as Glynneath and throughout. Simply pay attention to timing as you have got lots 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 nicely definitely 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 superb cafe on the backside of the hill the place you park as nicely. We’d estimate you’ll want round an hour on website.

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

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

A number of the sights you’re going to be seeing on this journey are going to be lined by the membership and should you go to nearly all of them you’ll positively avoid wasting cash. You should buy this on-line right here, or in particular person 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 nice, 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 way of stunning mature woodlands.

You can even go to Newton Home itself in fact, which has a separate entry payment (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. If you need one thing additional to see on the best way, and you actually love castles, be happy 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 big 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, you may as well do this stuff on the morning of your fourth day as nicely. And that’s the tip of your first day on the street!

 

Day 4 – Tenby to St. David’s

Right now you’re going to be exploring the far southwestern nook of Wales, dwelling 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 title 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 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 facility of the tide to energy the mill wheel. It’s 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 recommend allocating not less than 90 minutes – 2 hours on your go to. There’s free parking on website and a payment for admission. It’s not a part of Cadw or some other membership program that we’re conscious of.

From Carew Fort you have got a couple of choices, all of which contain visiting the Pembrokeshire Nationwide Park. This Nationwide Park stretches throughout the Pembrokeshire coast and gives 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 automobile 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 place to see seals and seal pups within the breeding season (normally August by way of January).

Should you’d prefer to take a hike right here, there’s a beautiful stroll alongside the coast to St. Govan’s Chapel. It’s a 6.3 mile stroll, and you may see instructions right here.

An alternative choice should you’d favor to spend extra time on the seaside could be to drive additional west to Freshwater West seaside. It is a standard 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 films will certainly wish 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 automobile park right here in addition to parking alongside the street.

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

My private favorite, and the one I’d 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 wonderful wildlife recognizing alternatives. We noticed numerous seals and seal pups in addition to a fantastic many sea birds.

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

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

You’ll discover a beautiful outdated cathedral, in addition to numerous galleries and outlets. Town is tiny, and it doesn’t take lengthy to stroll round and discover.

Should you nonetheless wish to discover, then we’d recommend strolling the 20 minutes or so out of city to St. Non’s Chapel and Properly, reputed to be the birthplace of Wales’s patron saint, Saint David, for whom town is known as.

One other close by attraction is the beautiful seaside of Whitesands, which makes for place to observe 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 advocate asking your native lodging supplier for ideas as they’ll know the very best native choices open throughout your go to.

 

 

Day 5 – St. David’s to Aberystwyth

Right now you’re going to drive up the sweeping curve of Wales’s west coast. There’s a lot to see alongside the best way, together with historical burial chambers, iron age villages, ruined castles, a wildlife middle, stunning seashores, and extra.

We’d recommend selecting some sights that sound essentially the most attention-grabbing to you from our options 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 part. Should you decide to try this, we’d recommend overnighting round Cardigan.

After ending up any sightseeing or memento procuring 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 yr outdated 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 fascinated about studying about life within the Stone Age, then positively take into account 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 website you’ll 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 couple of sights you would possibly take into account stopping at, relying in your pursuits.

Nature lovers will seemingly wish to go to the Welsh Wildlife Centre, the place there’s an interpretive middle, numerous trails, and fowl watching hides. It’s free to go to however there’s a small payment for parking. 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 nicely value a go to.

Free for CADW and Nationwide Belief members, small payment in any other case. There’s no parking on website, comply with indicators to the automobile park. We parked in Cilgerran Decrease automobile park from the place there’s a beautiful 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 nicely value a go to for a small payment.

You possibly can truly keep in a single day right here, which now we have accomplished, and it has cafe on website as nicely. In case you have extra time, or just wish to regulate your schedule, it makes for in a single day keep choice.

From Cardigan, proceed alongside the A487. If you need to take a stroll in the present day, we’d recommend heading as much as Mwnt. There’s a small automobile park at Mwnt head seaside (payment) and you may go to fairly Holy Cross Church. There’s additionally a brief path up the hill right here which gives good views of the coast.

Different good spots alongside the coast to cease as you proceed north embody Penbryn Seaside and the gorgeous 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’ll find the Nationwide Belief property of Llanerchaeron. It is a beautiful Georgian villa which additionally gives strolling trails, a walled backyard, and a farmyard dwelling to numerous Welsh breeds of cattle. 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 night time. It is a mid-size coastal city which is thought for its college. There are additionally a lot of wonderful points of interest within the city itself which you’ll be able to 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 singular museum location!

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

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 payment to make use of it, we’d recommend taking the railway up after which strolling down for beautiful views of the bay and city under.

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

 

Day 6 – Aberystwyth to Porthmadog

Right now 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 rely upon whether or not you wish to do a mountain hike or not. Or should you’d favor wildlife watching and coastal cities as a substitute.

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 wonderful 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, you might want 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’d 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 in case you have the time and bodily capability to take action.

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

You possibly can see an outline of the Minffordd path right here. It’s about 9km (5.59 miles) lengthy. Count on the overall hike to take 4 – 6 hours, relying in your health stage and the way typically you cease.

In fact there are a great deal of different hikes on this space that you can do as a substitute. In case you are on the lookout for 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.

Should you would moderately not deal with an enormous hike in the present day (there will probably be extra alternatives afterward within the itinerary!), then there are loads of choices to think about as you head as much as Porthmadog.

We’d recommend selecting these choices which attraction most to you from the choices accessible as you gained’t have the ability to match every part 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 could be on the town on one of many days the Borth Station Musuem is open.

It is 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 way of the dunes, that are among the largest within the space.

There’s additionally a pleasant customer middle 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 recommend a fast cease on the Dyfi Furnace (right here on Google Maps), an outdated charcoal fired blast furnace which dates from 1755.

It’s free to go to and there are a selection of knowledge panels to elucidate what you’re seeing. It’s solely a ten minute cease however nicely 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.

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

One other wildlife middle chances are you’ll take into account visiting is Cors Dyfi, just a bit additional alongside the street. It is a nature reserve and wildlife middle which can also be dwelling to the Dyfi Osprey Undertaking. 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 reasonably city clock and city middle. There’s additionally a free museum of contemporary artwork right here.

North of Machynlleth are two standard points of interest. The primary is the Centre for Different Know-how, the place you may study all about different vitality choices, sustainability, and extra.

One other standard 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 loads of enjoyable however make sure you gown warmly because the mine is a cold place! There’s additionally a very nice artwork and craft middle on website 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 advocate driving the coastal route down the Mawddach estuary to the seaside city of Barmouth.

This has a beautiful sandy seaside and is a good 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 dwelling 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 navy 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 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 night time, the city of Porthmadog.

 

Day 7 – Porthmadog to Caernarfon

My foremost suggestion in the present day 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 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 earth.

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 best way to Caernarfon, and you may as well do a visit to and from the gorgeous village of Beddgelert on this practice.

There’s no “finest” choice actually, 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 nicely value it.

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

One other standard attraction close to Porthmadog that you could be take into account 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 chance of rain, you would possibly even assume you have got left Wales solely.

While this can be a standard 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 outlets, there wasn’t an enormous quantity to do.

In fact, everybody can 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 after 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 should you spend the night time. There are a number of forms of lodging right here and close by should you determine to remain the night time.

Relying on what you have got chosen to do in the present day, chances are you’ll or could not have extra time to spare. In case you are on the lookout for extra to do, then I’d recommend taking a street journey across the Llŷn Peninsula.

This gives beautiful shoreline views, cute seaside villages, and extra castles to discover. For 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 beautiful 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 beautiful Caernarfon Fort which it’s best to positively go to in case you have time and nonetheless have an urge for food for Welsh castles!

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

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

 

 

Day 8 – Caernarfon to Conwy

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

One extremely popular choice is in fact to deal with the very best mountain in Wales, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh). You will have 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 may see all of them outlined right here. The Llanberis path tends to be the preferred because it’s thought to be the best, 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 couple of 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 wish to principally 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 seemingly be exhausted after your hike.

Observe that the automobile parks within the space are all pay and show, and a few require advance bookings. Be sure you examine forward.

So do make sure you plan forward if you’re contemplating a hike up Snowdon as you’ll have to make sure you 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, make sure you examine 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 method to get to the highest of Snowdon is to take the practice. Sure, there’s a practice that may 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 a beautiful method to attain the highest, with epic views all the best way up.

It is a paid service, and you may select to go a technique or return. If you wish to do that we strongly advocate reserving tickets upfront because it’s a extremely popular 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 selection of automobile parks a brief stroll away in Llanberis.

In comparison with a Snowden hike which generally takes between 6 and eight hours, a spherical journey practice trip is round 2.5 hours, which incorporates half-hour on the prime. 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 approach to life of the folks right here for lots of of years.

Present in a former slate quarry, you’ll discover reveals overlaying all features of slate mining in addition to stay 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 standard points of interest right here that we advocate. The primary is the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, which is dwelling 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 solely 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 superb and large 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 crammed moat. Apparently, 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 payment.

Lastly, if you want to do a stroll however would favor one thing a bit 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 hassle is the beautiful 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 dwelling to a shocking fort, which can also be value visiting though we’d recommend in all probability shortlisting a couple of castles from this itinerary, so that you don’t get castled out!

Conwy Fort 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 automobile parks.

That is one other of Edward I constructions, and it dates from the thirteenth century. Should you 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

Right now 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, be sure to go to any points of interest you haven’t but seen in Conwy and surrounds. Nationwide Belief members will seemingly wish to try Penrhyn Fort and Backyard for instance.

Now you have got two completely 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 night time in Hay-on-Wye. Each routes are nice and I’d try the highlights alongside each to see which sounds higher to you.

Should you determine to comply with the northern shoreline, then your first cease will probably 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 automobile park will reward you with a reasonably view of a beautiful little waterfall.

The subsequent cease alongside the northern shoreline that we advocate is St Winefride’s Properly & 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 in a position to proceed working even in the course of the Reformation.

The nicely 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 nicely the place you may study St. Winefride. A small payment 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 due to this fact the primary to be constructed throughout Edward I’s marketing campaign towards the Welsh. Free to go to.

From Flint, you’ll 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 can positively be faster than the route under, even when elements of the journey have you ever leaving Wales.

A second choice is to move south instantly, skipping the northern shoreline and as a substitute visiting extra of jap Wales. Highlights alongside this route embody 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 unique merchandise that will make for a superb memento or reward. There’s free parking and a restaurant on website as nicely.

We’d additionally extremely advocate speaking a one-minute stroll to the doorway of the automobile park the place you may see what stays of the gorgeous outdated 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 automobile park to the positioning. 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 middle right here the place you may study all in regards to 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 middle.

Nevertheless, you may as well stroll or drive to a lot of viewpoints should you favor. Observe the customer middle is free to go to however there’s a cost for parking.

Lastly, proceed on to the gorgeous city of Hay-on-Wye the place you can be spending the night time. 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 handing over for the night time.

 

 

Day 10 – Hay-on-Wye to Cardiff

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

How your day in the present day seems to be will in fact rely in your schedule. In case you have an early practice or flight, then you’ll want to head straight again to Cardiff, which is round a 90 minute drive away.

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

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

Persevering with on to Cardiff, you have got a few choices. First, chances are you’ll decide to go to the previous coal mining village of Aberfan. This was the positioning of the tragic Aberfan catastrophe 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 advocate dropping by Caerphilly Fort as you come back to Cardiff. This thirteenth century medieval fortress was the most important in Wales, and in reality is the second largest within the UK, second solely to Windsor Fort.

Masking 30 acres, the positioning options big defensive partitions, towers, gatehouses and a variety of water defenses. It’s actually a website to behold, and a very good method 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! 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 originally 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 possibly can 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 street journey itinerary! We hope you discovered this information helpful. We additionally wished to share some extra assets we expect would possibly provide help to with planning this and future journeys within the UK.

• Should you’re on the lookout for extra street journey inspiration within the UK, try our North Coast 500 planning information and North Coast 500 seven day itinerary
• Should you’re heading to Scotland, try 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.
• Now we have a two week UK street journey itinerary and a one week UK street journey itinerary
• We even have a one week Cornwall itinerary
• Should you’re not conversant in driving within the UK, see my information to driving within the UK for useful ideas.
• Now we have guides to many cities within the UK you may try! 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
• Should you’re on the lookout for a guidebook on your journey, try the Tough Information to Wales

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