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 alter.

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

This itinerary features a little little bit of all the pieces 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 present you a style of the most effective of Wales and contains all the pieces from tiny rural villages to the capital metropolis of Cardiff.

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

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

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

How Lengthy to Highway Journey in Wales?

Wales shouldn’t be an enormous nation, however there’s a enormous quantity to see. We’d say that the minimal period of time for a street journey protecting part of the nation can be three to 5 days. In case you don’t have a whole lot 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 at the least 7 – 10 days.

The itinerary on this information is for a 7 to 10-day street journey, however in fact you may modify it primarily based in your pursuits and time. When you’ve got extra time, there’s all the time extra to see and we’d advocate spending longer in every space of curiosity.

 

The way to Embrace 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 simple to incorporate Wales as half of a bigger journey.

Once more, we’d advocate at the least 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 at the least 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 8 after which head north to Chester after which up in the direction of Manchster.

See our detailed UK itinerary guide 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 may contemplate becoming a member of up excursions comparable to with native tour firm Rabbie’sthe place you may take a sequence of excursions exploring totally different components of England, Wales, Scotland, and Eire.

 

What’s the Finest Solution 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 practice community. Nonetheless, because the title of this put up suggests, my advisable method to journey round Wales is by automobile.

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

The street journey we’ve put collectively is predicated on you having a automobile. In case you don’t have your personal automobile, we’d extremely advocate selecting up a automobile rental, or contemplate 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 most effective location to start out and finish this journey. Cardiff could 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 important practice station, which made decide up and drop off simple. Nonetheless, we’d typically first advocate utilizing a worth comparability service like Discover Cars, which compares costs throughout a lot of suppliers, to see if there’s a greater choice in your journey.

In case you would favor to not drive, then we might as an alternative recommend wanting into taking a tour of Wales. These could be performed as non-public excursions or you may be a part of a bunch tour and the excursions.

 

Excursions of Wales

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

There are nevertheless some glorious excursions we will advocate. While none of them will precisely mirror our prompt Wales street journey itinerary, a whole lot of them do embody at the least among the important points of interest we cowl.

You possibly can be a part of a guided tour or you probably have a much bigger funds or a big group, you may also contemplate a personal tour. The longer Wales excursions typically depart from London, Bristol, or Cardiff.

Some we recommend are as follows:

• This 5 day road trip with Rabbies can be our first decide of obtainable 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 whole lot of the identical floor as our route, from Snowdonia right down to south west Wales.
• This 8 day tour from Cardiff follows an analogous path to our prompt 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. When you’ve got extra time, you can even 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 selection from a range of operators on TourRadar which can allow you to kind and filter by length, locations visited and worth.

 

 

10 Day Wales Highway Journey Itinerary

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

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

There’s actually sufficient right here to fill at the least two days. Nonetheless, you probably have much less time or would moderately simply hit the street and never give attention to metropolis points of interest, chances are you’ll desire to give attention to the street journey part of this itinerary moderately than the time in Cardiff. It’s as much as you!

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

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

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

Notice that this itinerary covers a whole lot of floor and every day has a lot of prompt points of interest. Relying in your pursuits it would be best to modify it to swimsuit what you actually wish to see and do moderately than attempting to do completely all the pieces.

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

 

Day 1 – Cardiff

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

We’d recommend that in 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 in opposition to driving across the metropolis centre as you’ll should take care of navigation and discovering parking.

In your first day within the metropolis, our advisable first cease can 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 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. This can be a 2 storey Victorian shopping center, opened in 1891, the place you’ll discover a wide range 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 Castle, your subsequent cease for the day.

On this street 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 buildings. In actual fact there are over 400 castles within the nation! So that you do should be selective through which castles you select to go to.

Nonetheless, 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 the ages. There was some type of fortified building right here because the Romans constructed a fort right here within the third century. In actual fact, a part of the outdated Roman wall can nonetheless be seen.

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

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

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

You possibly can stroll by the grounds of Cardiff Fort without cost, however to go inside, stroll the partitions, or go to the displays you will want to pay for a ticket. The ticket worth is nicely price it in our opinion.

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

 

 

Day 2 – Cardiff

In case you’d desire to move out of city immediately you may in fact do this, and spend extra time on the street. Nonetheless, assuming you want 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 experience.

The Baycar bus (service 6) runs from central Cardiff to the Cardiff Bay space 4 or 5 occasions an hour and the journey is just some minutes. Alternatively, you may desire to take the Cardiff hop on hop off bus which can even carry 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 big Wales Millenium Centre. This nationwide arts centre is a venue for the performing arts and is the place to come back to see dwell performances of all the pieces from music to bop. There are additionally outlets, bars, and cafes on website, and it’s price popping inside to see if there are any short-term displays happening if you go to.

From right here you may stroll throughout to the Roald Dahl plaza. Named for the well-known kids’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 gala’s, festivals, and dwell music performances.

You’ll now be close to the waterline. In case you head east, you’ll first move the Pierhead building, an enormous crimson brick constructing with a clock tower which is tough to overlook. That is residence to a museum the place you may study concerning the historical past of Wales.

Subsequent door to the Pierhead constructing is the Senedd building, residence of the Welsh parliament. This can be a putting fashionable constructing which you’ll go to if you’re keen on studying concerning the means of democracy in Wales. There are additionally typically exhibitions of Welsh artwork and crafts inside, so it’s nicely price 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 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, moderately 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 prematurely, which you are able to do here. You possibly can book tickets online in advance here.

After all, 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, referred to as Mermaid’s Quay. Right here you’re going to search out all method of outlets and eating places, in addition to a ship quay the place you may take boat tours of Cardiff Bay.

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

It’s really one of the largest and most well-maintained shrines to a fictional character anyplace on the earth, so price 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 hold them entertained for a while as there are over 100 hand-on displays to see, contact, and discover.

That seems like sufficient in your second day in Cardiff, though there’s nonetheless a lot to see together with extra museums and loads of outlets. Cardiff can be residence 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 current go to to Cardiff we loved watching a dwell efficiency at Porter’s Cardiff for instance.

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

In case 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 chunk to eat!

Talking of meals, if you wish to attempt some conventional Welsh dishes comparable to Lamb Cawl or Welsh rarebit, The Welsh House 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 immediately.

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

This can be 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 individuals have lived, labored, discovered, and performed over time.

There are farmhouses, schoolhouses, pubs, and union buildings, nearly all of which you’ll go inside and discover. It’s additionally a dwelling museum, with dwell 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 at the least 90 minutes to 2 hours right here. There’s additionally a restaurant on-site which serves good meals in addition to espresso and different scorching drinks. There’s a big carpark on website with a modest price for parking.

From Cardiff you’ll 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 might advocate you do. After all, 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’ve got lots to see immediately.

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

Fairly a little bit of the fortress survives, together with most of the towers, partitions and hold. There are data panels on website and there’s a wonderful 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 price. It’s managed by Cadw, a department of the Welsh Authorities chargeable 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.

Lots 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 purchase this online here, or in particular person at most Cadw websites.

We predict that is very a lot price it and we all the time get a CADW membership if we plan on sightseeing in Wales.

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

If the climate is sweet, we will 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 means by lovely mature woodlands.

You may as well 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. If you would like one thing further to see on the way in which, and you actually love castles, be happy to detour to Laugharne Castle, though we really feel you’ll have seen sufficient castles for the day and be able to loosen up by this level.

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

After all, you can even do these items 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 this moment you’re going to be exploring the far southwestern nook of Wales, residence to the smallest metropolis within the UK and a surprising coastal Nationwide Park.

Let’s get going.

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

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

The second attraction on the 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 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 at the least 90 minutes – 2 hours in 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’ve got a number 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 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 a superb place to see seals and seal pups within the breeding season (normally August by January).

In case you’d prefer 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 here.

Another choice should you’d desire to spend extra time on the seashore can be to drive additional west to Freshwater West seashore. This can be a common browsing spot the place you’ll discover a lengthy stretch of golden sand backed by dunes.

It’s additionally a Harry Potter filming location – followers of the flicks will certainly 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 automobile park right here in addition to parking alongside the street.

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

My private favorite, and the one I might advocate, is the Marloes Peninsula walk. 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 immediately.

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

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

There have been additionally attractive 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 nicely well worth the effort.

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

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

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

One other close by attraction is the gorgeous seashore of Whitesands, which makes for a superb place to observe 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 most effective native choices open throughout your go to.

 

 

Day 5 – St. David’s to Aberystwyth

Right this moment 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 recommend selecting some sights that sound essentially the most fascinating to you from our options as there’s positively extra to see than you are able to do in a day! Or contemplate doing this over 2 days if you wish to do and see all the pieces. In case you decide to do this, we’d recommend overnighting round Cardigan.

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

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

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

This attraction contains a sequence of Iron Age roundhouses, constructed the place they initially stood 2,000 years in the past. On website you will discover a lot of costumed interpreters who will share particulars of how individuals 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 may contemplate 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 hen 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 Castle. This Norman age fortress initially dates from 1108, though the construction immediately largely dates from the thirteenth century. It occupies a commanding location above the gorge of the River Tefi and is nicely price a go to.

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

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

You possibly can really stay overnight here, which we now have performed, and it has a superb cafe on website as nicely. When you’ve got extra time, or just wish to modify your schedule, it makes for a superb in a single day keep choice.

From Cardigan, proceed alongside the A487. If you want to take a stroll immediately, we’d recommend heading as much as Mwnt. There’s a small automobile park at Mwnt head seashore (price) and you’ll 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 Seashore 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 scorching plate of fish and chips.

Simply past New Quay you will discover the Nationwide Belief property of Llanerchaeron. This can be a beautiful Georgian villa which additionally gives strolling trails, a walled backyard, and a farmyard residence to numerous Welsh breeds of livestock. 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 immediately 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 kinds of issues, protecting native life, artwork, geography, and tradition throughout the ages. It’s additionally free (donations advisable).

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

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

A stroll across the very ruined Aberystwyth Castle in the course of city can be nicely price a couple of minutes of your time. It’s free to go to.

 

Day 6 – Aberystwyth to Porthmadog

Right this moment you’re going to proceed touring up the Welsh shoreline, and also you’re going to have choices immediately for issues to do which can depend upon whether or not you wish to do a mountain hike or not. Or should you’d desire 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 means out of city we will extremely advocate dropping in on the National Library of Wales.

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

Now, you want to resolve between coastal exploration and wildlife viewing, or a hike up a mountain.

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

That is 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 price it you probably have the time and bodily capability to take action.

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

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

After all there are a great deal of different hikes on this space that you possibly can do as an alternative. In case you are searching for a a lot simpler and shorter hike right here, contemplate 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.

In case you would moderately not sort out an enormous hike immediately (there might be extra alternatives afterward within the itinerary!), then there are a whole lot of choices to contemplate as you head as much as Porthmadog.

We’d recommend selecting these choices which enchantment most to you from the choices obtainable as you gained’t have the ability to match all the pieces 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 could 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 National Nature Reserve.

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

There’s additionally a pleasant customer heart right here the place you may study what you’re prone to see, in addition to a store and cafe promoting snacks and drinks. Anticipate 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 (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 data panels to clarify what you’re seeing. It’s solely a ten minute cease however nicely price 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 numerous vary of wildlife that calls the reserve residence. There’s a small price to go to, with entry free for RSPB members.

One other wildlife heart chances are you’ll contemplate visiting is Cors Dyfi, just a bit additional alongside the street. This can be a nature reserve and wildlife heart which can be residence to the Dyfi Osprey Undertaking. 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 modern art right here.

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

One other common choice, particularly with households, is King Arthur’s Labyrinth. Present in a former slate mine, this can be a guided story telling tour which takes you thru the story of King Arthur. It’s a whole lot of enjoyable however you’ll want to costume 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 move 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 seashore 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 residence to the spectacular Harlech Castle, a mighty thirteenth century fortress constructed by Edward I throughout his invasion of Wales.

This fortress, 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 will 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 advice immediately 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’ll simply loosen up and let the surroundings roll on by.

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

Then there’s the Welsh Highland Railway. That is really operated by the Ffestiniog Railway Firm, so the expertise 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 you can even do a visit to and from the gorgeous village of Beddgelert on this practice.

There’s no “greatest” 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 be nicely price it.

Whichever journey you select, we advocate reserving prematurely on the official website here, because the route may be very common and might promote out.

One other common attraction close to Porthmadog that you could be contemplate is Portmeirion Village. This can be a purpose-built vacationer village, constructed between 1925 and 1975 to emulate a Mediterranean seaside city, and notably 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 may even suppose you’ve got left Wales solely.

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

After all, everybody could 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 had 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 greatest on a pleasant sunny day and should you spend the evening. There are a number of sorts of lodging right here and close by should you resolve to remain the evening.

Relying on what you’ve got chosen to do immediately, chances are you’ll or might not have extra time to spare. In case you are searching for extra to do, then I’d recommend taking a street journey across the Llŷn Peninsula.

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

Lastly, head to Caernarfon the place you’ll in a single day. The primary attraction right here is the gorgeous Caernarfon Castle which you must positively go to you probably 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 fortress. 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 very talked-about choice is in fact to sort out the very best mountain in Wales, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh). You may have a few choices for going to the summit.

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

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

Whichever route you select, it would be best to enable between 5 to eight hours for the hike, relying on the route selected and your health degree. 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 doubtless be exhausted after your hike.

Notice that the automobile parks within the space are all pay and show, and a few require advance bookings. Make sure you 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 Office earlier than your hike as climate circumstances could make these paths very harmful. You’ll wish to keep away from this hike in unhealthy climate.

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

The Snowdon Mountain railway has been whisking individuals to the summit of Snowdon since 1896, and its a beautiful method 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 method or return. If you wish to do that we strongly advocate reserving tickets prematurely because it’s a very talked-about service. You are able to do that on the Snowdon Mountain railway website.

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

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

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 will extremely advocate visiting the wonderful and free National Slate Museum. This tells the story of slate mining in Wales, which has formed the panorama and the approach to life of the individuals right here for a whole lot of years.

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

We are able to additionally extremely advocate heading throughout the bridge over the Menai Straits to the island of Anglesey. There are two common points of interest right here that we advocate. The primary is the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, which is residence 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 crimson cave”.

The signal title 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 large souvenir store here the place you should buy all method of issues.

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

This splendidly symmetrical fortress is surrounded on most sides by a water crammed moat. Curiously, the fortress was by no means really 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 need to do a stroll however would favor one thing a bit of shorter and flatter than the Snowdon ascent, then we might advocate the hike to Aber Falls. That is roughly a 4 mile spherical journey hike on pretty degree terrain that takes most individuals 90 minutes to 2 hours.

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

One other good waterfall which is simply off the street and requires solely a really transient 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 residence to a surprising fortress, which can be price visiting though we’d recommend in all probability shortlisting a number of castles from this itinerary, so that you don’t get castled out!

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

That is one other of Edward I constructions, and it dates from the thirteenth century. In case you go to, we extremely advocate climbing to the highest of the tower staircases for the most effective views.

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

 

Day 9 – Conwy to Hay-on-Wye

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

Earlier than you set off, be sure to 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 Castle and Garden for instance.

Now you’ve got two totally different route choices immediately, 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.

In case you resolve to comply with the northern shoreline, then your first cease might be Rhuddlan Castle. That is one other of Edward I’s castles, which dates from 1277.

From Rhuddlan it’s a brief drive to Rhaeadr Dyserth Waterfall, the place a minute’s stroll from the automobile 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 Well & 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 nicely itself is discovered on the location the place St. Winefride was stated to have been decapitated after which introduced again to life. There’s a pool right here which is open at particular occasions of the day for individuals to wash in.

It’s stated to have therapeutic properties. There’s a small museum on website as nicely 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 Castle. That is noteworthy as being the closest fortress to the English border, and due to this fact the primary to be constructed throughout Edward I’s marketing campaign in opposition to the Welsh. Free to go to.

From Flint, you’ll 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. It will positively be faster than the route beneath, even when components of the journey have you ever leaving Wales.

A second choice is to move south straight, skipping the northern shoreline and as an alternative visiting extra of japanese 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 wonderful memento or present. 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 attractive 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 group.

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 location. Extra data on the official CADW site here. It’s free to go to.

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

There’s a customer heart right here the place you may study 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 at the visitor center.

Nonetheless, you can even stroll or drive to a lot of viewpoints should you desire. 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’ll be spending the evening. That is proper on the border of England and Wales, and the city is known for its bookshops.

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

We extremely 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 evening.

 

 

Day 10 – Hay-on-Wye to Cardiff

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

How your day immediately seems to be will in fact rely in your schedule. When you’ve got an early practice or flight, then it would be best to head straight again to Cardiff, which is round a 90 minute drive away.

Nonetheless, you probably 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 12 months outdated smash was as soon as one of many biggest medieval buildings in Wales, and it flourished till Henry VIII put an end to the monasteries. Right this moment the location is free to go to.

Persevering with on to Cardiff, you’ve got a few choices. First, chances are you’ll decide to go to the previous coal mining village of Aberfan. This was the location of the tragic Aberfan disaster in 1966, when a spoil tip collapsed into the village, killing 116 kids and 28 adults. There’s a shifting memorial you may go to should you want to pay your respects.

Lastly, if you need to see one other fortress, we will extremely advocate dropping by Caerphilly Castle as you come 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.

Overlaying 30 acres, the location options enormous defensive partitions, towers, gatehouses and a spread 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 price to go to, and it’s free for CADW members.

Now, on to Cardiff the place this street journey wraps up! When you’ve got 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 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 needed to share some extra assets we expect may provide help to with planning this and future journeys within the UK.

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

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