Staying in the Liverpool/Chester area

I would advise staying in Chester & taking the train to Liverpool. I did this run in the train and it is a bit slow going for the relatively short distance due to the number of stops. If you hire a rental car, you can expect congestion. I really see no point in hiring a car in a densely populated area. (Look at it on Google Earth).

I would not advise going to Blackpool - it is really downmarket. You would be better off (unless you like slot machines & roller coasters) either driving or taking the train west into Wales. I would head for Conway (Conwy in Welsh) which has a fab medieval castle. (You can do this easily by train or car). Then, you could go the 3 miles or so into Llandudno or visit Bodnant Gardens (best by car for Bodnant as local buses are only hourly, I think).
http://www.visitllandudno.org.uk
http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/conwycastle/?lang=en
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden/
Snowdonia National Park lies in NW Wales:> http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/home
http://www.visitwales.com
Trains = www.nationalrail.uk.uk
Buses = www.traveline.info

Thanks, James. Good information about not driving in Liverpool - I had a feeling that would be the answer. As far as Blackpool, not really into slot machines, etc. I thought it might be quite historical since it was one of the first and worth seeing, but sounds like not. We have been to Conway before (and the castle is magnificent!), but since we've been there I appreciate the suggestion of Bodnant - I'll take a look at that. Perhaps that's a better direction to go. Is Liverpool worth a day - I've heard the museums are quite nice. Thanks!

Thank you Emma! Great to have this perspective!!

I've stayed near Chester a couple of times: once in a Pub on the road to Conwy and the other time in a townhouse b& b on the road to Manchester; both included parking for a car. I wouldn't be that afraid to drive in Liverpool. Although if you are just going to spend the day in the Dock area; taking the train would save parking costs for the car. We drove a circle route from Chester and back and enjoyed stopping by the sites on the way. Did you know that you can drive under the Mersey? I'm afraid I just wasn't excited by Blackpool. I would just spend more time in the Wales/Chester/ Liverpool area. Check the National Trust UK, English Heritage, World Heritage and Church of England sites for things to see in the area.

If going to Bodnant, I would suggest that you also visit the Italian style village of Portmeirion - which is near Porthmadog.http://www.portmeirion-village.com/gallery/photos/architectural-images/
The drive between the 2 places is VERY scenic via this route :> A470 from Bodnant to Bettws-Y-Coed > A5 to Capel Curig > A4086 & A498 to Beddgelert > Aberglaslyn Pass > A4085 Garreg to Minfforrd for Portmeirion. (You can then drive back east to a base in Chester though the routes are hilly).

Also consider staying in North Wales which will give you more time to see other places. The A496 coastal route via Harlech & Barmouth is also scenic. http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/harlechcastle/?lang=en

James has some great suggestions. I would spend more time with Edwards Castles in Wales if you have the time. I loved Betwy-y-coed....it looks like a fairyland.

Thank all of you for your ideas. It's helping me to put my thoughts together for the trip, which has not been an easy thing this time. Thanks!

James is right; head on over to Conwy Castle, Wales. Wales is full of interesting castles and beautiful scenery. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conwy_Castle

When you leave Conwy, drive south west a few miles and see Caernarfon Castle. It's where Prince Charles was crowned Prince of Wales. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caernarfon_Castle
Caernarfon is an ancient town with medieval streets around the base of the castle

The person who got me interested in castles in Wales was Ed, who used to post here. I'm glad I took his advice and visited Conwy and Caernarfon on my last trip to England and Wales. Well worth the journey to see.