driving routes Cotswolds to N. Wales

Do you want fastest or scenic? Go to one of these online car trip planning sites: googlemaps google earth (separate download but free) viamichelin.com
or the online route planner that specializes in UK driving is: http://www.theaa.com/ The online maps quickly show you the fastest route. If you want something other than fastest route, reply with more specifics so we can give you a better answer.

I like scenic, we could stop along the way. I don't want it to take 10 hrs though :)

The best way is to go direct to Cardiff/Chepstow and follow the coast clockwise stopping at every castle along the way.......this will take about five days. The fastest is the freeway toward Warrington and then cut west to Conway.....this will take a bit less than four hours. A compromise would be roughly Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Harlech, then though Snowdonia to Conwy. Absolutely some of the best scenery in Wales and you get to see the world's best castle (Harlech). Driving time is about five hours plus an hour (at least) at Harlech. By adding another half hour driving time, you could go through Caernarfon for another great, complex castle........but that would take two hours of looking around plus another two hours in the regimental museum. Pick your poison, it all tastes great.

I would take A44 out of Moreton-in-Marsh, take that to Leominster then get on A49 to Shrewsbury in Shrewsbury get on A5 this will take you to Betws-y-coed then get onto A470 this will take you up to A55 take this left to Conwy just a few miles. Going this way you will see a lot of beautiful areas. This will probably take you 4 1/2 to 5 hrs.

we have done Cotswolds West to Ledbury, up the West of England Weobley, Eardisland (areas of "black and white" timbered buildings) and then cut west to Wales. South of there is Tintern Abbey (on the Wye), and north is chester. Both places worth seeing. Also consider tewkesbury (interesting cathedral) and Shrewsbury. To me Tintern is way up there with Avebury and Stonehenge as a deeply moving site. Stay west of the big Cities like Birmingham. its much more fun to drive through the countryside with farms etc. there is more scenery on the English side of the border.

We did a similar trip in reverse order ( from Betys-n-coed to Stowe on Wold) several years ago. Went through Ludlow and also stopped by Stokesay Castle in that area. Also, in Wales in that area, is Powis Castle which is well worth seeing. The drive was easy and pleasant. We loved Wales-quite under rated.

I forgot to mention Ludlow- very interesting architecture