Bath/Cotswolds Easter Weekend 2016

Although a car is actually a hindrance in Bath - lack of parking/congestion and all the sights can be done on foot; you would find it really useful for doing The Cotswolds. Castle Combe is the nearest attractive village to Bath but most of the attractive villages lie well to the NE of Bath - about 50 minutes to an hour's drive: - Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower Slaughter, Broadway, Chipping Campden.

If the weather is good, traffic can be bad on Easter Monday. A lot depends on where you go regarding such congestion.

If I was driving from Bath to Shropshire, I would go N to join the M4 heading west towards Wales. On approaching the Severn estuary - take the M48 route over the Severn Bridge (Toll). Leave M48 at first junction on Welsh side & take A466 up the scenic Wye Valley to Monmouth via Tintern (see Abbey ruins). Hereford is the place you would most likely encounter problems going this way to Shropshire.

You don't say exactly where you are heading for in Shropshire - it is a big county. Make sure that car hire places are open on Easter Monday.

Thanks James, I will confirm with Car rental.
My partners plan was to head out of Bath area on the Monday and make our way in that Shropshire direction as he wants to see Chester on the Tuesday.
So we thought we could find some where to stay on the Monday night and just mooch around that area and enjoy the beautiful area, getting off the roads and making our way up North.

So, heading for Chester is the general idea! I drove up the A49 last September - this is the route that you would be using between Hereford & Shrewsbury - then the A5 & A483. It is quite a busy road for a non dual highway.

Hereford does have a medieval cathedral & some historic buildings but the traffic can be pretty bad. If using the A49, I would definately come off the A49 and drive into the historic town of Ludlow - which has a castle. Just north of Ludlow is Stokesay Castle = well worth the stop and has a toilet that you can use without paying the entry fee.
Shrewsbury also has many historic buildings but finding parking can be tricky. (The old town is compact and lies within a bend of the River Severn).

If you want a quieter but more scenic (& longer route) :> Proceed up the Wye Valley (A466) from the Severn Bridge. (You might wish to detour into Chepstow to see the Castle). Visit Tintern Abbey (ruin). On reaching the traffic lights at Monmouth - turn left and take westbound A40. (This is a fast dual highway). After about 4 miles loop off at Raglan & continue on A40 to Abergavenny. (You will see Raglan Castle on your right. If you wish to visit - loop around at roundabout and turn hard left up the drive. On leaving this Castle - you must turn left but take the FIRST left and when safe - do a U turn in order to get back onto the westbound A40 - look on Google Earth to see what I mean).

From Abergavenny - continue on A40 through Crickhowell. You are now entering the Brecon Beacons National Park. Take right turn onto A479 near Tretower. (You might wish to visit Tretower Court which is just off the main road = a really olde world building). As you approach Talgarth - follow signs 'A470 Builth Wells'.

I would suggest that you continue on the A470 via Builth & Rhayader to Llangurig. Llanidloes has an ancient market hall - so you might like to drive into the town - but watch out for humps. Continue to Newtown and then A483 towards Welshpool. (Powis Castle is worth a visit - check opening times). Near Oswestry, the aforementioned route via Hereford & this more scenic westerly route join.

Going N towards Chester on the A483 - you might like to make a detour to see the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct - just north of Chirk. (one of the wonders of the Victorian age).

I suggest you Google the places mentioned for more info. Also try and follow the 2 routes on Google Earth to try & figure out which you would prefer.

Also check out the Wales Tourist Board website:>http://www.visitwales.com