Driving Trips Around Wales

ROUTE OVERVIEW

Visitors to the North Wales Way will traverse thousands of years of Welsh history, including some of the most famous castles in Wales, as well as taking in the gorgeous scenery. The North Wales Way starts in the ancient border town of Mold, moving on to Rhuddlan, before heading up the coast towards the seaside town of Llandudno. It’s a short journey down to Conwy and its brooding castle, followed by Wales’ largest island – Anglesey. From Beaumaris, you continue west across the whole of Anglesey to finish on the far coast at Holyhead.

LENGTH AND TIME

The total route for this North Wales road trip is 75 miles/120km. You can speed through it in 4 days, but will need at least 6 days to take it in fully. You can also take some detours around Snowdon to extend your trip and see more of the beautiful Welsh scenery.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

March – October

HIGHLIGHTS

• Theatr Clwyd is Wales’ major drama production house and produces staged productions throughout the year – book in advance!
• Bathe in St Winefride’s Well or simply top up your water bottles at this holy well and national shrine.
• Gwrych Castle is a Grade I listed 19th-century country house, whose castle was home to ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! You can visit several areas that were used for filming in recent years.
• The Welsh Mountain Zoo is an ideal child-friendly activity where they are prioritising conservation.
• Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard produces award-winning wines as well as Welsh hampers. They offer guided tours and wine tasting experiences.
• Conwy Castle dominates the local town and offers stunning views from the tops of its towers.
• At Ynys Lawd South Stack you can see the sea birds close up, tour the 200-year-old lighthouse and learn about its history.

TRAVEL TIPS

• Some coastal attractions have seasonal opening times, especially by the coast, so check before you travel
• Grab your walking boots – much of the North Wales scenery is best experienced on foot and there are plenty of walking routes.

ROUTE OVERVIEW

Starting in the country’s capital of Cardiff, you’ll head north into the South Wales Valleys, on to Merthyr, the gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park. Experience breathtaking natural and man-made scenery as you travel through Mid Wales up to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Eventually you’ll reach Betws-y-Coed and Snowdonia’s mountains, a great base camp for lots of activities before you finish the route in Llandudno.

LENGTH AND TIME

An ideal 7 day Wales road trip, covering 185 miles/300km. There are plenty of options for detours , or travel slower on this driving tour of Wales while stopping to explore more of the Cambrian Way on bikes or the many walking trails.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

March – October

HIGHLIGHTS

• St Fagans National Museum of History is Wales’ most popular heritage attraction. over 50 historic buildings from all over Wales have been rebuilt at the museum. See a medieval prince’s hall, say hello to the animals on Llwyn-yr-eos Farm or watch blacksmiths and clogmakers at work.
• Go behind the scenes at The Royal Mint to discover over 1,100 years of coinage history.
• Caerphilly Castle is the biggest castle in Wales and only the second largest in the whole of the UK. The fortress’s passageways, towers and grounds have been used for filming several episodes of Doctor Who.
• The Welsh Coal Mining Experience at Rhondda Heritage Park Museum is a living-history museum that vividly recreates the hardships and camaraderie of the mining community.
• Bodnant Garden offers terraces, sweeping lawns and a superb wild garden. Its sloped ground looks out across the valleys towards Snowdonia.

TRAVEL TIPS

• If you plan any detours while travelling through Mid Wales, ensure you have a printed or downloaded map as phone signals can be less reliable.
• The Royal Mint offers Autism Friendly Tours on the first Sunday of the month.
• You might benefit from National Trust membership, which gives you free entry to numerous gardens, houses and castles. Junior Memberships can be particularly good value if you’re travelling with children.

ROUTE OVERVIEW

From the A55 near Bangor, you’ll exit at Junction 11 to join the A5 towards Bethesda, travelling down towards Capel Curig and across to Llanberis in the heart of the slate industry. You’ll then head to Penygroes before heading back north to Caernarfon and rejoining the North Wales Expressway (and the North Wales Way) at Capel-y-graig. Of course, being a circular route, you could do it in the other direction too!

LENGTH AND TIME

If you’ve enough time for a lengthier North Wales road trip, this circular driving route is an ideal addition to the North Wales Way. Otherwise, it packs in plenty on its own, taking in around 60 miles/96.5km over 6 days.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

April – October

HIGHLIGHTS

• Penrhyn Castle is a stunning neo-Norman castle with spectacular architecture and luxurious rooms. An example of how wealth derived from slavery shaped the Welsh built environment, it’s also linked to the longest-running industrial dispute in British history.
• Zip World Penrhyn Quarry is home to the fastest zip line in the world! Soar over Penrhyn Slate Quarry and get fantastic views of Snowdonia.
• Snowdon Mountain Railway offers one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world. This heritage railway will take you to the summit of Snowdon.
• The National Slate Museum is a living working museum based on the former site of the vast Dinorwig quarry. Explore the industry’s past and way of life, and watch slate splitting demonstrations.
• Inigo Jones Slate Works have been producing slate items since 1861. Their showroom and workshop are open, with expertly crafted products available to buy.
• GreenWood Family Park is an eco-friendly adventure park offering a range of activities including rollercoasters, animal petting and a barefoot sensory trail.

TRAVEL TIPS

• Some attractions have peak and off-peak ticket prices – a few days can make a difference so check the dates before planning your trip
• Take layers including a waterproof if you head to the top of Snowdon on the railway. Even when it is sunny and warm in the valley, you lose several degrees going up and it can be misty at the top.

ROUTE OVERVIEW

Your Pembrokshire coast road trip starts in Tenby, with its beautiful harbour. From the charm and bustle of Tenby you’ll go to the quieter Saundersfoot Beach, then there’s Barafundle Bay Beach and Broad Haven South Beach, nearby to the tiny chapel at St Govan’s. On to Watwick Bay and St Anne’s Head, before heading towards Martins Haven for the ferry to Skomer Island. After returning to the mainland, you’ll gradually move up the coast to St Davids, then Abereiddy, before finishing at Nevern.

LENGTH AND TIME

You can speed through the 127 miles/204km in a week if you don’t plan to spend time on the beaches, but you’ll need at least 10 days to explore this Pembrokeshire coastal drive fully. This can offer you some of the best scenic drives in South Wales.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

June – August if you want to enjoy the beaches in warmer weather, but if you want a quieter trip then September-October is your best bet.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tenby Harbour: grab fish and chips and enjoy the colourful houses and harbour views.
• St Govan’s Head and Green Bridge coastal walk: explore stunning rock formations along this popular stretch.
• Skomer Island’s wildlife: home to Britain’s largest puffin colony, you can only see them from April-July, but there’s other wildlife to see all year round.
• Sweet Home Alpaca: this farm and campsite is open all year and offers daily meet and greets with the alpacas!
• St Davids Cathedral: a church has stood on this site since the 6th century and the Shrine of St David lies at the heart of the cathedral.
• Ramsey Island: enjoy numerous walking routes on Ramsey Island, which is also ideal for nature lovers, being a famous RSPB nature reserve.
• Blue Lagoon: near the tiny village of Abereiddy, this is the perfect place if you fancy paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing, or any other water activities!

TRAVEL TIPS

• If you’re planning any boat trips, be aware that some will only run in mid-high season.
• Entry to Ramsey Island is free for RSPB members, though you’ll still need to pay for the boat crossing. Book in advance as the numbers allowed on the island are limited.
• Saundersfoot is a great alternative to Tenby if you prefer somewhere a little quieter that still has plenty of amenities.
• Whitesands Beach has a campsite right next to it where you can just turn up and pitch up. It is also just 6 minutes from St Davids, with bus and taxi options available.

ROUTE OVERVIEW

Starting in the border town of Chepstow in Southeast Wales, wend your way northward through the lush Wye Valley, stopping to admire the roofless ruins of Tintern Abbey and lesser-known castles Skenfrith and Grosmont, until you reach Hay-on-Wye for a spot of second-hand book shopping. This is also a fine spot to stretch your legs along Offa’s Dyke Path before driving on to explore the fabulous gardens at Welshpool’s Powis Castle.

Don’t miss the chance to walk across Unesco-listed Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near Llangollen – at 125ft high, it’s the highest canal aqueduct ever built. Finish up in Wrexham, where you can climb the tower of the largest medieval church in Wales and explore Erddig, a large stately home on the outskirts of town.

LENGTH AND TIME

You can cover the 140 miles/225km for this Welsh road trip in about 5 days.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Year round!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Chepstow Castle: on a limestone cliff surrounded by countryside with mountain views, this is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain.
• Tintern Abbey: this national icon was created as a Gothic masterpiece and now remains a romantic roofless beauty.
• The Oldest Pub in Wales: the 900-year-old The Skirrid Mountain Inn near Abergavenny is steeped in history and supposedly haunted.
• Llanthony Priory: the remains of one of Wales’s greatest medieval buildings sits in isolation surrounded by the Black Mountains. Outside the priory grounds is a dog friendly area with plenty of walks.
• Hay-on-Wye bookshops: whether you fancy the crime fiction of Murder and Mayhem, antique books from Francis Edwards or getting lost in the famous Richard Booth’s Bookshop, there’s something for every bookworm, Younger readers can also explore The Children’s Bookshop or Rose’s Books.
• Baskerville Hall Hotel: explore the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes’ The Hound of the Baskervilles. The hotel offers accommodation, camping, a bar and restaurant, plus a range of outdoor activities.
• Offa’s Dyke Path: following an 8th century dyke commissioned by King Offa, the path is 177 miles long and links three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are various shorter trails along Offa’s Dyke Path.
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: the highest canal aqueduct ever built, you can explore in peace yourself, take a guided tour or go on a boat cruise along the aqueduct.

TRAVEL TIPS

• The annual Hay Festival of Literature & Arts takes place in late May/early June and attracts writers and creativity from around the world. Book ahead as the big names sell out quickly.
• At Chepstow Castle, head to the Great Tower and look up carefully at the fancy arches to see faces looking down on you. On the wall opposite, you can hunt for a small carving that appears to be of Venus, the Roman goddess.
• From Llanthony to Hay-on-Wye, make sure you take the single-track road instead of the more direct route. This is one of the most scenic roads in Wales and will take you high into the Brecon Beacons, giving you gorgeous unspoilt views on both sides.
• Join Cadw to get unlimited access to over 130 historical places in Wales, plus 10% discount in gift shops.