So with taking opinions and more research into consideration (thanks James!) I have decided if we get to Conwy Castle we get to it, if not we don't. We'll still be seeing Caernarfon and now Ludlow. My question now is which do you prefer, Tintern Abbey or Gloucester Cathedral? I'm trying to decide if we should take the day to do Bath to Tintern Abbey to Ludlow Castle to Conwy for the night. Or if we should do Bath to Gloucester Cathedral to Ludlow Castle to Conwy for the night. I've checked the driving times and estimated on the long side how much time we would need to see each spot and it is totally doable for us. The plus for Gloucester is that it opens earlier than Tintern. Thoughts? Thanks!
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7168 posts
That depends on what type of experience you're looking for. Tintern Abbey is a ruins, scenic and atmospheric; Gloucester Cathedral is a beautiful cathedral building (15th c). Personally if I could only see one, I'd go to Gloucester Cathedral but that's just me. I love visiting cathedrals all over the world.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
You don't have to 'enter' Tintern Abbey to experience the atmosphere of the ruins, which are just by the road that runs up the, in itself, very scenic Wye Valley. So I would leave Bath early and travel this route to Gloucester.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
Since you will be in Bath and seeing the Cathedral there I would suggest Tintern Abbey the ruins are so beautiful, you could spend a few hours there looking at it.
Posted by
2599 posts
I would not go to Gloucester Cathedral. For one thing, it can be difficult getting in and out of Gloucester due to traffic congestion. Secondly, Gloucester is not particularly attractive. Should you go to Gloucester en route to north Wales, you might just as well take the motorway (freeway/ Interstate) system up through the Midlands & then across to north Wales rather than the A49 route via Hereford. So, you would have better roads but they would be more boring and can jam up in the Birmingham area.
Far better, in my opinion, to take A46 north out of Bath to join the M4 & head west. On approaching the Severn estuary, be careful to follow the signs for the M48 bridge & Chepstow. (Toll is £6.60). Leave at first opportunity on Welsh side and follow A466. Tintern Abbey is a ruin but in a beautiful setting. You don’t have to pay to enter the building - best to see it for free from the outside. (Be careful of sharp bends in the Wye Valley). You will come to far more interesting places on the A49 route than by going via the Midlands - see my answer in the Wales forum.
If you want a day trip out of Bath, consider going to Wells Cathedral and perhaps Cheddar Gorge.
http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/visit/
If you do not wish to drive to Conwy, note that the journey can also be easily done by train - with 1 change at Newport. If you pre-book specific trains, fares are lower but this would not allow you to jump off en-route at places like Ludlow or Shrewsbury & then hop back on a later service. For that, you would need split tickets. www.nationalrail.co.uk
Posted by
OP
1262 posts
Thanks all for your replies. I think we will stick with our original plan of Tintern Abbey. I love atmospheric ruins! Then to Ludlow as my love of ruins is not limited to Abbey's, and up to North Wales.
Posted by
OP
1262 posts
I forgot, James, we will be doing a day trip out to Glastonbury and Wells from Bath. Thanks for the suggestion!