London to Holyhead -- need to pick one marvelous side stop for 1-2 days

Posted by pebblekranz on 11/25/24 01:59 PM

Hello wise travelers!

I'm taking my husband on his first trip to the UK (my second) -- we are spending 4 days in London and then going to Holyhead to take the ferry to Dublin from which we will fly home. Our plan is to travel by train from London to Holyhead and make one stop for 1-2 days to get a non-London feel of England and Wales. Where would you stop (convenient to train) for 1-2 days? This is a December/January trip, so a place conducive to the rainy snowy weather is a factor. We have considered Oxford, Chester, Liverpool. (I've previously been to Bath so that's less of an appeal for this trip.) We like natural beauty, history, culture, art, and music. Our budget is midrange (we are splurging a little in London so a beautiful bargain is appreciated).

For extra bonus points-- what would you do for New Years Eve in or around Dublin?

Thank you for your thoughts!

Posted by Larry

11/25/24 02:27 PM

2865 posts

hWhen we went this route our stop was in Conwy. Worked out fine. Can't find an easier and simpler train station to use than Conwy's.
Very pretty town, great castle, prices reasonable.

Posted by James

11/25/24 02:48 PM

2587 posts

The London to Holyhead train stops at Chester - which is well worth seeing.https://www.visitcheshire.com/chester

The London (Euston) to Holyhead expresses go straight through Conwy but they do stop at Llandudno Junction = 1 mile east. However, if you were to have a stop over at Chester for say 1 night, you could continue the next day on a stopping train that does call at Conwy and then spend a night or 2 before heading to Holyhead for the ferry. https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/north-wales/10-brilliant-places-visit-conwy

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

11/25/24 02:50 PM

7976 posts

For the time of year Chester is where I would pick. All trains from London stop there, whereas for Conwy you have to change trains onto a less frequent service.

Being a city plenty of culture, art and music (and more in Liverpool) and Manchester is only an hour away by several trains an hour.

There is a frequent free bus from the station to the City Centre, lots to do in the City. Liverpool is also reachable several times an hour on the Merseyrail electrics system.

If the weather is kind to you Conwy or Llandudno is an easy train ride away. There is also lots of natural beauty on the way to Liverpool with the 37 mile Wirral Circular Trail walk- that can be broken up into easy stages using bus and train. The Wirral is the peninsula between Chester and Liverpool.

Hourly buses to Corwen for great walking as well, in good weather. Corwen is on the A5, the old main road from London to Holyhead, and was one of the homes of Owain Glyndŵr, who was proclaimed Prince of Wales on 16 September 1400, after his 15 year rebellion against English rule of Wales.

Being off season you should get pretty good hotel rates in Chester

Posted by pebblekranz OP

11/27/24 08:37 PM

2 posts

Thanks so much for all your guidance! I think Chester it is with a stop in Conwy and Llandudno!