Current SWish UK plans - feedback welcome

This feels pretty well researched.. On Day 4 if you wanted to visit Chepstow you would need to backtrack from Chepstow to Newport (Gwent) to catch the Exeter train.

Day 5- I assume you are aware of the Starcross Ferry across to Exmouth- https://starcrossexmouthferry.co.uk/
Topsham might be a nice place for lunch. You can do the coastal walk to there- one option is to go from Exmouth up to the private military station (according to the signs) at Lympstone Commando, then walk up to Topsham then the train from Topsham back to Dawlish.
The Commando station is now a public station by the way, it's just the signs that haven't been updated.

On Day 6 the Exeter to Salisbury train goes to Yeovil. For Westbury/Warminster you would either take a Paddington bound GWR to Westbury (or change back towards Bath and Bristol at Salisbury).

Day 8- You want the X5 from Salisbury to Marlborough then the 42 for Avebury

Day 13- The X34 Chippenham to Trowbridge (one station from Bradford oA) runs hourly to Lacock so that's achievable

There are various ways to get to Devizes for the Caen Hill flight of locks- 12 mile walk back to BoA on the towing path.

Day 2 - if you leave the tour at Caerphilly Castle - it is easy to take a train back to Cardiff. (You don't say where this tour is going after Caerphilly). It’s a pretty full day as doing St. Fagans alone takes at least half a day.

Day 3 - not sure where they are taking you on this tour. Henrhyd Waterfall has the highest drop in south Wales but can have a relatively low flow of water in times of low rainfall. Castell Coch interior is well worth seeing - you don’t say where the tour is going after but if leaving the tour, you would need to go down to the village of Tongwynlais and get a Stagecoach 132 bus back to the city.

Day 4 - note that the small Museum of Cardiff is I think closing sometime this year. The National Museum of Wales is the main museum and is next to the City Hall. Being as you have already seen some fine castles, I don't think it is worth you going to see Chepstow Castle - which is quite a walk (hill) from the station. It is also not on the line between Cardiff & Exeter. Best advice - stay on the direct train from Cardiff to Exeter.

This is the smaller Museum of Cardiff:>https://cardiffmuseum.com

This is the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff:>https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/museum/national-museum-cardiff-516383

This is St. Fagans Castle & Museum - located about 7 miles west of Cardiff City Centre (Cardiff Bus 32 but last bus back is 3pm) >https://museum.wales/stfagans/castle-and-gardens/

Thank you for the excellent call outs which helps with the adjustments.

I’m now considering dropping the two mini van tours in Cardiff. Both days end their tours at a castle and figured I could spend more time visiting before close and that I could get myself back to the City Center without too much fuss That said, I booked both tours on the idea I could get to more places in less time but looking at the Fagans link, don’t want to skimp. Might be better off on my own. Will see what I can sort out.

Thanks for the heads up on Cheapstow and calling out the different museums in Cardiff!!!! I’ll drop Cheapstow and either focus on the Wales national museum in Cardiff or the museum in Exeter. I’m assuming this has the potential to put me in Dawlish earlier which is nice for wander potentials.

I love the redirect to take the starcross ferry over for a quayside lunch in Topsham. Thanks for sharing their website - I had only found their FB page which was not as informative. Keeping my activity lighter on this date but see they provide a 90mn boat tour around the estuary which seems great. I’ll have to contact them and run the times but all or part seems doable before afternoon fixed plans.

The bus numbers and logistics are wonderful. Going to finesse my info now! I’m sure I’ll post back. If you or any others have comments I’m happy to continue hearing

Using a small bus/van tour does indeed cover more ground - see more places and you will have a commentary of info.

In the event that you use local transport in the Cardiff area, note that no buses go to St.Fagans on Sundays. As well as Cardiff Bus 32, another company operate buses to St.Fagans but they stop in the village by the church. If using this, walk alongside the wall of the Castle gardens & press the button by the electronic gate and you will be allowed in (after 10am). The timetable for these buses is here:> https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/320%202.pdf

Trains between Cardiff Central (& Queen Street) & Caerphilly are usually at 15 minute intervals. If you buy a return ticket, you may wish to alight at Lisvane & Thornhill station in north Cardiff in order to visit *Cefn Onn Park which is wonderful in May with spring flowers in a temperate rainforest. Then just hop on the next train to continue. * Good pub -restaurant next to entrance. Note that the occasional train goes non stop between Cardiff & Caerphilly so do not board that one if you want the park by stopping off at Lisvane.

The direct train from Cardiff to the south west is a stopping service so just sit back and enjoy the ride and put up with all the stops. Here is one on that run today.

Day 6 Exeter > Salisbury Train- ?? Stopover at Westbury (chalk horse) and/or Warminster (Longleat). Would need to use Taxi??

You’ll also need to think what to do with your luggage as train stations do not have lockers or, outside of the biggest cities, any luggage storage. This can make seeing things en route a little tricky.

I was in Exeter on Monday. I admit to being ambivalent about the city, stemming from two years of constantly passing through the city at inhuman times of the night on mainly working visits to Cornwall for the IWM.
I managed (not by chance) to get into the Guildhall (worth a look in). The West front of the Cathedral is just absolutely stunning, it has the longest barrel vaulted stone ceiling in the world, a unique minstrel's gallery, Captain Scott's sledge flag from the South Pole, Flora MacDonald's grave (she of Skye) and much more.
If in the area then as far as I'm concerned the Cathedral should not be missed.
I stayed for Evensong (planned). The east end is closed off for works, but the Quire was opened up specially for the service.
I also managed to get down to the Canal quay and Customs House and remind myself again now nice and historic it is down there.

Wonderfu info isnc3 and perfect timing as I am looking deep on how I’m spending the limited time in that area . To help streamline things, I decided to rent a car for a portion of my trip which includes this leg. I do think due to time, it’s going to be more atmospheric, that said I would like to get to the cathedral.

Day 1 in area - arrive
Stop to visit Cathedral? There are a couple of luggage holds near station.
Resume train a couple stops south to to pu car on south west side of city (just under 1 mile walk with carryon backpack. Maybe I can do better finding different rental pu near cathedral)
Lunch / afternoon at Powderham
Check in hotel
Dawlish sea walk north / find dinner

Day 2 in area - fixed plans in afternoon and night
Dawlish walk south / ferry to quay (looks like it can be picked up from Dawlish)
Wander / early lunch on Quay
Return to Dawlish

Powderham / dinner

Day 3 in area - depart
Exeter Museum on way out of town or cathedral if I didn’t make it during incoming.
Drive to Salisbury

As far as I am aware all car rentals are on the Industrial estate at the South end of town. If you've been to the City Centre one of the park and ride bus routes sets down a bit closer than the rail station down there.
All main line trains only stop at Exeter St Davids, a steep walk up to the City Centre. Four trains an hour run the 3 minute link to Central - one to London Waterloo, two to Exmouth and one terminator from Okehampton. Normally they all use Platform 1 at St Davids.
I was out of time anyway but Exeter Museum is closed on Monday. There are also free redcoat walking tours of the city.I
Yes at St David's the taxi office does left luggage, and probably the Premier Inn.

I’m finding it difficult to work out where you’re planning to stay each night. Night 4 - are you staying in Exeter? Then Dawlish on Night 5? It looks as if Nights 6-8 is Salisbury and then the ensuing Cotswolds-ish bit is Bath? Bradford-on-Avon?

Day 4 Cardiff > Exeter Train with AM and/or PM activity ??? Cardiff Museum. Cheapsow Castle, Abbey or Exeter museum, abbey or underground passages??

Exeter Cathedral rather than Abbey - but it’s well worth it. Definitely the top choice in Exeter.

Exeter museum - I assume you mean RAM (Royal Albert Museum)? This is nice but doesn’t stand out over any other similar museum in any historic city in England: a real ragbag of stuff from prehistoric relics to a stuffed tiger.

Exeter underground passages - I went here because I’m a sucker for history, forgetting that I’m claustrophobic. And they are literally just - underground passages that you walk in narrow single file with a low roof. There’s nothing more than that. They’re unique and obviously important historically but once you’re in them they manage to be both mundane - and terrifying if you have claustrophobia. Even typing this I feel panicky again.

I like Exeter very much but I think the cathedral is the priority.

By the way the Welsh town you mention a lot is CHEPSTOW, no A.

We were just in this area over the early May bank holiday. I agree with everyone else that the cathedral is amazing and not to be missed- one of the best we've seen in the UK to be honest. We also enjoyed St Nicholas Priory, which was luckily open while we were there (opening hours seem a bit limited)- the remains of a former priory founded by followers of William the Conqueror that was dissolved by Henry VIII, and the remaining part of the building that wasn't destroyed became a residence. It has the oldest complete room in Exeter, from Norman times.

We did a similar walk to where you are planning- we took the train to Dawlish Warren and walked back up to Exeter along the estuary. There is a great pub along that pathway just north of Powderham, The Turf Inn, where we had a wonderful lunch. You can only reach it by walking. In terms of food, Exeter also has a branch of Rockfish, which is an excellent seafood restaurant with locations around the southwest. If you like seafood I definitely recommend it. Good luck as you finish your planning!