We are driving (car), doing a day trip from Bath to Wales. We realize this is just a short trip and not much can be seen but would appreciate any suggestions of 2 -3 stops/sites we should include in our short itinerary.
Thanx
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1005 posts
Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey would be easy to do as both just over the bridge that connects England to Wales.
Alternatively, you could also get to Abergavenny and the Brecon Beacons quite easily although it’s a bit further.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6539 posts
Caerphilly and Coch castles are 48 minutes or so further west from Chepstow and Tintern. Both are worth visiting too. Monmouth is nice to walk around for an hour or so.
Posted by
2406 posts
The most obvious thing would be to cross the Severn Estuary on the M48 bridge (Follow signs carefully on English side as you descend to estuary to make sure you choose the M48 bridge). Leave at first junction on Welsh side & go into Chepstow and go through town to car park by Castle. (It is well worth the short walk around the corner to the historic bridge over the river - which is the border between Wales & England).
On leaving Chepstow Castle - follow the one-way system back to the town & go through arch of town wall & turn R. This will take you to the A466 for the drive up the lovely Wye Valley. Just after the village of St.Arvans - a single track road goes off to L and you soon reach a small parking area from where you can hike for 20 minutes to The Eagle’s Nest Viewpoint. Then return to A466 & continue to Tintern & see the famous ruined Abbey which was built in the 1100’s.
Continuing N on A466 towards Monmouth - you may like to detour to Yat Rock viewpoint which is where the map says ‘Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. If you do visit Yat Rock - note that the road down the hill is very narrow & suggest you check it out on street view if likely to use it. The alternative better road to Monmouth is to the south - and this has many sharp bends. Of course, you could skip that altogether & just join the A40 from the A466 and head west to RAGLAN.
To see Raglan Castle proceed west on A40 to first roundabout & loop back before turning L up to the castle. Once done - return to A40 and follow signs for A449 southbound. That will take you to the M4 just E of Newport & thence your journey back across the M4 crossing over the Severn & on to Bath.
Of course, there is much more to see in southern Wales but I reckon that the above trip is best advice for what is easily doable from Bath as a day trip by car. (Anyone reading this & not with car - best advice would be day trip to Cardiff by train).