Betwixt Bath and Conwy . . . ideas?

A 20-minute detour (per ViaMichelin) would allow you to travel via Ludlow, a small town with some half-timbered buildings that has become quite the foodie destination. I happened to hit it on a weekend and wasn't too thrilled at the rate for my single room; I'm thinking it's a popular weekend getaway for locals within driving distance.

I see Shrewsbury on the map and think it's supposed to be very pretty (more half-timbered buildings), though I haven't been there.

Gloucester and Worcester have fine cathedrals if that floats your boat. Wrexham has a fine church.

Or, with two days to get there, you might take the long way through Wales -- Cardiff, St. David's, Aberyswyth, Porthmadog, Harlech, and points north. The mountains and castles of north Wales are outstanding, but maybe your Conwy-based plans already include that area.

Thanks for the suggestions! Somewhere else I heard that Ludlow was a "foodie" town . . . but maybe overpriced from your experience??
And, yes, Dick, we are planning to use Conwy as a base for some of those northern Wales sites (depending what we can squeeze in). I hate having to decide what things to leave out in order to accommodate a schedule, but . . . . Hopefully folks here can help us out in setting some priorities!

Ludlow, Ludlow or Ludlow would be my suggestion. One of the loveliest most beautiful towns I know.

I found this Canadian article about the town’s foodie reputation, which might interest you: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/activities-and-interests/in-ludlow-england-foodie-heavenawaits/article38352636/

I had an inexpensive casual meal in Ludlow that was priced just fine. I like food but don't frequent high-end spots because above a certain level, I don't think I'd appreciate the food enough to justify the additional cost. It was the hotel room that seemed sort of pricey, but I suspect it would have been noticeably cheaper mid-week.

I was disappointed by Ludlow.

Ironbridge could be an option to see the old bridge and its Museum.

The black and white timbered houses in the villages of Herefordshire can be seen on a drive - blackandwhitetrail.org. Stay in one of the pretty villages en route.

Alternatively, stay in Chirk and explore its Castle or the Llangollen Canal and walk over the amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Last summer we picked up our narrow boats in Chirk. We stayed at the Hand Hotel which was inexpensive and the staff was very nice. It is a short walk from the Hand to the Llangollen Canal and the Chirk Aqueduct and one end of the Chirk tunnel.

Chirk Castle is one of Edward I castles. It is not real big but well preserved. In the armory we heard an excellent talk about Medieval weapons and the surgery that was required to remove an arrow from the face of Henry V.

The photos of Chirk Castle that I saw gave me the impression that it was just a fortified manor house. It is not, It is a real castle.

Look at this map:>https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.718674,-2.9377295,10.06z/data=!5m1!1e1

You will see Bath at the bottom. You leave Bath on A46 to join M4 and head for Wales. Cross estuary on M48 bridge and leave at first junction on Welsh side. Take A466 up the Wye Valley and you soon reach TINTERN ABBEY (ruin). Then proceed N up A466 towards Monmouth. Now you have a choice of 2 routes:>
1. Turn left and follow A40 to Raglan (castle but you have to loop back at roundabout to see it. On leaving, be sure to Turn left and first chance and then loop around an island to get back onto westbound A40 for Abergavenny*). Then proceed via Crickhowell on A40 before reaching the A479 junction for Talgarth. About 1 mile further- visit TRETOWER COURT (on left). Then proceed N on A479 to eventually join A470 - which you follow all the way to NW Wales - most of this route is scenic. If you want somewhere to stay, consider Dolgellau or detour down the very scenic Mawddach estuary to Barmouth for accommodation. Next day - visit HARLECH CASTLE & PORTMEIRION before anywhere else.

1. From Monmouth, proceed north to Hereford - has a cathedral but very congested with traffic. Then up A49 to LUDLOW for a look around. Back to A49 - 1 mile N STOKESAY CASTLE. Then up A49 towards Shrewsbury - then A5 towards Chirk and then try and find the road to Trefor for the famous PONTCYSYLLTE AQUADUCT. See map:>https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.9501292,-3.0687929,9459m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e1 Then head for LLANGOLLEN. I suggest accommodation in the Chirk / Llangollen area for 1 night. If doing this, on the following day, you could take the A5 straight NW towards Snowdonia but I would consider heading into south Snowdonia first via A494 to BALA and going all the way to the west coast at BARMOUTH before visiting HARLECH CASTLE & PORTMEIRION.

• Road configuration at Raglan. (Also note that you can get to this point from Bath by staying on the M4 to Newport east and then using A449 - this cuts out Tintern etc.) https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Raglan,+Usk/@51.7681274,-2.8434981,1291m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x4871c44875752625:0x138f3d69154df748!8m2!3d51.7647959!4d-2.852011!5m1!1e1Google the places mentioned.

Google the places mentioned. Also note that it is possible to go from Bath to Conwy by train with the cheapest and most scenic route involving 1 change at Newport. www.nationalrail.co.uk (Can be done for about £36 by advance booking and split ticket at Newport).

Wow, James . . . all I can say (and it feels inadequate) is thank you very much. Extremely useful!!

Message read. Thank you.

On the A470 route through the middle of Wales, toilets are few & far between. Suggest you stop for a coffee at the Little Chef/Burger King by the river bridge at Builth Wells - if using that route.