Wales Highway Journey – the ONLY Itinerary (with Route Map) you Want!
Planning a tour of Wales? Wish to know the perfect locations to go to on a Wales street journey? Listed here are a number of the finest routes and locations to go to to create an unbelievable Welsh street journey itinerary, plus a map that will help you see the place every part is!
Don’t overlook to seize your free downloadable Wales road trip guide that will help you plan your journey.
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Wales street journey concepts
I really like touring and exploring Wales. It’s certainly one of my favorite locations to street journey within the UK and each time I go to I discover one thing new to take pleasure in, whether or not it’s a coastal stroll, cute impartial retailers, medieval castles or the endless pure magnificence.
From my very first journey there, I’ve at all times discovered the folks pleasant, the roads enjoyable and the surroundings jawdropping. On that first journey with the motorhome I visited a few the perfect motorhome websites in Wales and it began a love of the nation that’s by no means pale.
I’ve now visited quite a few instances and may’t wait to return once more. Certainly, I’ve been again a number of instances alone and just lately spent a while exploring the Gower peninsula with my canine and had a good time.
Like many locations the place there’s a lot to do outdoor, the climate could make or break a visit, however the benefit of a street journey round Wales is you possibly can at all times drive to a special space the place the climate is perhaps higher!
Wales street journey – most scenic drives
The Welsh vacationer board have created 3 nationwide driving routes known as the Wales Method and they’re all incredible. One explores the fabulous north coast, one the wilder center part and one the breathtaking south.
However these driving routes can take longer than you might need on your journey, so we’ve put collectively some various Wales street journey itinerary concepts for you.
When you’ve solely received 2 or 3 days, or an extended weekend, stick to at least one space. In case you have per week or longer to discover, you might simply do a number of locations on these itineraries or discover certainly one of them in additional depth. Nonetheless you intend your Welsh street journey, you’ll have a superb time.
Planning a visit to Wales?
Seize your FREE information to the Wales Method street journey routes, together with:
- instructed routes round Wales
- finest locations to see in your journey
- campsites to remain at alongside the way in which
- and different suggestions for touring Wales
When is the perfect time to street journey round Wales?
One of many causes we love Wales a lot is all of the out of doors actions it gives. For that cause, we advocate visiting Wales anytime between Easter and mid-October, to actually reap the benefits of the highlights.
Having stated that, Wales will not be as seasonal as someplace like Cornwall, and lots of vacationer points of interest and historic websites don’t shut for the winter, so you might exit of season and benefit from the lack of vacationers. It’s completely as much as you!
Wales Highway Journey Map- plan of our Welsh itinerary
This can be a map of our instructed Wales street journey itinerary in full. I discover it so irritating when folks point out all the perfect locations to go… and you haven’t any thought the place any of them are! I hope this Wales street journey map helps you get extra acquainted with the locations we share on this publish.
How lengthy to do a Wales Highway Journey?
We advocate at the very least 10-14 days to do the complete route. In case you have a shorter time, simply decide a component of it – certainly one of many good causes to return again for the remaining later!!
Doing it ALL in per week is perhaps a wrestle, though you possibly can if you happen to drive so much and don’t cease typically throughout the day.
The issue with doing that is you’ll miss some lovely places- in any case, a part of the enjoyment of a street journey is getting out and experiencing the place you’ve simply pushed to.
Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park- the Good South Wales Highway Journey
Advised by Pauline | BeeLoved City
The Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park is ideal for street trippers in search of an journey. It’s probably the most lovely locations within the UK and but so underrated. You will see lovely wild tenting spots the place you possibly can take pleasure in these wide-open areas, lovely landscapes and a sky stuffed with stars!
The Brecon Beacons is certainly one of three nationwide parks in Wales. All of them provide breath-taking landscapes and superb mountaineering alternatives for nature lovers.
Brecon Beacon street trip- driving the best mountain street in Wales
The best driving street in Wales is known as the Gospel Go- snaking over the Black Mountains from Abergavenny to Hay-on-wye on the east of the Beacons
The way to get to the Gospel Go
From Abergavenny, flip off the A465 at Llanvihangel Crucorney and comply with indicators for the ruins of Llanthony Priory. From Hay-on-Wye, the Gospel cross is sign-posted.
CAUTION- The Go is 22 miles of typically single observe, very steep (1/4) and isn’t cleared in winter. Motorhomes would possibly discover it powerful and snow chains are important in winter.
Driving the High Gear Highway
It’s also possible to drive one other of the perfect driving roads in Wales- the A4069 (to the west of the Brecon Beacons.) This street was made well-known by Jeremy Clarkson and High Gear (no, that is NOT the identical street because the Gospel Go!)
The street runs from Brynamman to Llangadog (I swear I’m not making these names up!) That is one other extremely scenic road- and most of it’s 2-way you’ll be happy to know. We did it on a motorbike- it was spectacular.
What else is there to do on a Brecon Beacons street journey?
- Climbing. Heaps and plenty and many mountaineering
- Pen-Y-Fan- the best peak in South Wales (on the street from Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon) Attempt a Beacons Horseshoe ridge stroll which can take you as much as the summit of Pen Y Fan- a preferred spot with 360-degree views on the Cwm Llwch valley. This 3 to 4 hours stroll is the right option to expertise the true fantastic thing about the Beacons.
- Waterfalls! There are some unbelievable waterfalls all around the Brecon Beacon Nationwide Park. One of the standard waterfalls is Sgwd Gwladys. On some there’s a small fee for entry and a few is usually a lengthy stroll to get there!
- Kayaking, rafting and bouldering are additionally standard
- Present Caves- go to a number of the largest showcases within the UK
- Go to superb castles corresponding to Carreg Cennen or Brecon Fort. The world has a wealthy historical past and guided excursions are a good way to find superb Welsh native legends and tales.
- Go to cute cities like Brecon, Crickhowell or Hye-on-Wye.
In case you have time earlier than you begin your Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park street journey, you’ll want to go to the capital metropolis of Cardiff, Castell Coch, Cardiff Fort and close by Barry Island.
Gower Peninsula – Wales Highway Journey spotlight
Really useful by Clemens | Travellers Archive
The Gower peninsula is an ideal cease on a Wales Highway Journey. It’s a small peninsula on the south coast, simply west of Swansea. Do you know, it was the first area in Nice Britain to be recognised as an “Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence”.
Why ought to I embrace Gower in a Welsh Highway Journey itinerary?
“The Gower”, because the peninsula can be known as, is an ideal place for out of doors/ nature lovers and is tremendous standard with:
- hikers
- chook watchers
- solar worshippers
- surfers
- watersports lovers
- campers and motorhomers
It’s a brief however scenic drive from the principle motorway all the way down to Gower Island, the place you’ll discover an idyllic scene of sandy seashores, high quality eating, distinctive retailers and conventional pubs. Above all, it’s topped with the relaxed vibe of a browsing village – the ocean is close to and so is the recent air. It’s the right place to loosen up and have a great time.
Okay, so it’s pretty- however what’s there to DO?
You possibly can simply spend an entire week on the Gower Peninsula.
- Worm’s Head is an effective start line; a weird tidal island on the southwest tip of the peninsula in Rhossili Bay. This is likely one of the Gower’s most well-known attractions- though it’s not completely clear why!
- Positively put in a cease on the small city of Rhossili, the place you possibly can hire a surfboard at PJ’s Surfshop and in addition take pleasure in scrumptious fish and chips on the ‘The King’s Head’ pub.
- Gower additionally has a number of of the perfect seashores in Wales the place you possibly can spend relaxed days within the solar. Our favourites are Caswell and Landland, the right base for every part you want for a day on the seashore: ice cream, parking and retailers.
- Additionally, don’t overlook to go on a correct coastal hike. The best of all of them is definitely the hike between the 2 aforementioned seashores.
- The Mumbles is the place we spent our very first evening ‘off-grid’ in our motorhome in late spring. DEFINITELY price a go to.
Pembrokeshire Highway Journey
Really useful by Suzanne | Meandering Wild
The Pembrokeshire Coast is positioned within the far south-west of Wales. It’s simply accessible from the tip of the M4 at Swansea. The street follows the coastal means with quite a few little seashores, lovely castles and small cities. Additional across the west Wales coast, the roads turn out to be smaller and the panorama extra rugged.
Highlights of Pembrokeshire- what to incorporate in your Wales street journey?
- Seaside city of Tenby
- Caldey Island
- Pembroke and Pembroke Fort
- Pembrokeshire coast nationwide park
- Manobier Fort
- Skomer Island (puffins!)
- St Davids- the smallest metropolis within the UK
Pembrokeshire street journey itinerary
Tenby is likely one of the small seaside cities in Pembrokeshire and has lovely golden seashores. In the summertime months you possibly can take a brief boat trip to the monastic island of Caldey Island. That is the right escape and you’ll stroll to the lighthouse in addition to attempt the chocolate made by the monks.
A brief distance from Tenby is Pembroke. This is likely one of the bigger cities and has a spectacular citadel that sits overlooking the river that flows via the city. Pembroke Fort is spectacular, however much more spectacular is the close by Manobier Fort that appears over a small bay excellent for browsing.
If seeing puffins is in your bucket record then don’t miss the character reserve of Skomer Island. In the summertime months this small island is residence to 1000’s of puffins and it’s virtually assured to see them. There are day journeys to the island through a ship which runs in good climate (not within the winter months sadly) and can’t be booked prematurely. You’ll need to reach in St Martins Haven automotive park very early to get a ticket for the boat journey.
The ultimate place to go to in Pembrokeshire is St David’s. That is the smallest metropolis within the UK however is a good place to go to. Don’t miss the attractive cathedral and small winding streets- in addition to among the finest pasty retailers we’ve ever discovered!
How lengthy do you have to plan for a Pembrokeshire street journey?
A street journey round Pembrokeshire wants at the very least three days to actually discover, however the longer you possibly can spend there the extra you possibly can see. In the summertime months it’s busy however the climate is better- particularly for the seashores. Within the winter it’s wild and desolate however points of interest are empty.
It’s also possible to seize our interactive map and on-line information stuffed with locations to go to in Wales- check it out here
Wales Highway Journey- driving the coast from south Wales to North
As with most nations, there are many routes to go north via Wales from south to North. You possibly can select the Cambrian Method nevertheless, on this occasion we extremely advocate the coastal route across the west coast of Wales.
Head up from Anglesey, you possibly can benefit from the magnificent views of
- Cardigan Bay- well-known for clear water and frequent sightings of bottlenose dolphins
- Fishguard- a fairly harbour and village
- Strumble Head lighthouse
- The coastal city of Aberystwyth- an historic market city and residential of the Nationwide Library of Wales. In case you have time, detour inland and go to the customer centre of Elan Valley.
- Menai Straits- notorious stretch of water and really harmful!
- Snowdonia Nationwide Park- this requires at the very least 3 days to do it justice, but when nothing else you’ll want to go to Mt Snowdon- Wales’ highest peak. You possibly can make a journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway or select a strolling path and discover the area.
- While in Snowdonia, you’ll want to go to Swallow Falls close to Betws-y-coed. It’s the one highest steady waterfall in Wales, only a quick stroll from the automotive park. When you’re right here, Capel Curig can be price a go to.
Isle of Anglesey, North Wales Highway Journey
Really useful by Sophia | The Wanderful Me
That includes unbelievable hikes, beautiful inexperienced rolling hills, limitless seaside coastlines, cool castles, lovely seashores and cute little Welsh villages (stuffed with scrumptious meals!), it is best to positively embrace Anglesey in your Wales street journey itinerary.
Greatest Issues to do in Anglesey
Throughout the Menai Strait in North West Wales you’ll discover Anglesey- commonly talked about as one of many best places to visit in Wales. Listed here are a number of the highlights you possibly can embrace in your driving itinerary:
- Coastal hikes — there are SO many to select from and all will ship unbelievable views over the ocean.
- Parys Mountain — an deserted copper mine that now seems just like the floor of Mars.
- Beaumaris Fort — A Unesco World Heritage website constructed throughout the late thirteenth century and regarded to be essentially the most technically excellent citadel (its symmetry is extremely correct)
- Go to a lighthouse — dotted all throughout the shoreline of Anglesey, you’ll discover quite a lot of lovely lighthouses. You possibly can even take pleasure in an in a single day keep in a single!
How lengthy ought to an Anglesey street journey take?
Since Anglesey is fairly small, a street journey shouldn’t take too lengthy! It may simply be accomplished in 1-2 days (particularly if you happen to’re not a giant mountaineering fan). After all, you might decelerate and take a couple of days to see all this island has to supply.
Does it price cash to get to Anglesey if it’s an island?
No- there’s a suspension bridge (the Menai bridge – though generally known as the Telford Bridge by locals), and it’s free to cross. Vehicles and motorhomes can get throughout no problem- simply comply with the street indicators.
When is the perfect time to plan a street journey to Anglesey?
Questioning what time of the 12 months is finest for a go to? Although summers are blissful on Anglesey, it’s unbelievable packed presently with UK vacationers and households. Thus, I like to recommend both doing an Anglesey street journey within the fall or spring, when it’s not too chilly or overrun with guests!
Need extra locations to go to in Europe in Autumn? Listed here are a number of the finest!
In your means again from Anglesey, there are many unbelievable locations to go to:
- Caernarfon Fort (proper up close to Anglesey)
- Llangollen Canal – we employed a narrowboat from right here for a couple of days to go over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct- which is one of the best ways to expertise it! You are able to do this as a day journey too.
- Dinas Bran Fort (close to Llangollen)
- Chester- certainly one of my favorite cities in the UK; proper on the border between England and Wales- we visited as a part of our epic England Highway journey
- Chirk Fort- a Nationwide Belief property properly price a go to
- Conwy- we stayed right here for a number of nights on a yacht MANY years in the past and it was beautiful- an important cease.
- Wye Valley – Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence (AONB)
Planning a visit to Wales?
Seize your FREE information to the Wales Method street journey routes, together with:
- instructed routes round Wales
- finest locations to see in your journey
- campsites to remain at alongside the way in which
- and different suggestions for touring Wales
Helpful issues to know on your Wales Highway Journey planning
Do they actually communicate Welsh?
Yep. All indicators shall be in Welsh, then English. The Welsh are a small nation however fiercely happy with their heritage and language. Nonetheless, practically each individual in Wales speaks at the very least some English, and positively everybody who offers with vacationers.
Do they take £/ GBP?
Sure, Wales does NOT have its personal forex. They use pound sterling, similar to the remainder of the UK.
Do they drive on the left or the suitable?
Within the UK, we drive on the left in every single place.
When you’re hiring a rental automotive, Cardiff metropolis or Swansea is an effective base to gather it from within the south, or Chester within the north.
Is it straightforward to seek out tenting spots for motorhomes/ campervans?
Sure- if you happen to don’t go in excessive summer time. We went within the Easter holidays a couple of years in the past and had no issues discovering a campsite, however I’ve heard in the summertime they get VERY booked- particularly close to the ocean and Cardiff metropolis.
Books to assist your Wales Highway Journey
When you choose a bodily e book, you would possibly discover these useful:
Is wild tenting authorized in Wales?
It’s tolerated, as a lot as wild tenting is anyplace within the UK. Keep away from the principle vacationer areas and try to be high quality. You would possibly be capable of use providers at campsites for an additional price.
Having stated that, we have been in Wales when all of it went somewhat wrong- watch the video under:
In order for you a free wild camping checklist, grab it here.
It’s also possible to seize our interactive map and on-line information stuffed with locations to go to in Wales- check it out here
I hope this publish has helped you discover unbelievable locations to go to and luxuriate in. Been already? The place’s your favorite Wales Highway journey? Tell us!
