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Feedback for South Wales itinerary

Posted by (Utah ) on

After some research I know I could happily spend lots of time exploring South Wales but 4 days is all we can do. We'll arrive mid morning at LHR and train to Bristol to stay the night prior. We no longer drive on arrival after overnight flights.

Day 1 we'll pick up the car and head to Chepstow to begin with and likely end in Cardiff after doing a loop.

My objectives are:
Seeking out castle ruins and ancient sites near Chepstow (Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey, Raglan Castle)

and near Cardiff (Cardiff Castle, Caerphilly Castle, St Lythans Tomb and Tinkinswood Tomb)
and farther afield Carregg Cenan Castle. I may need to edit.

Chasing waterfalls in Brecon Beacons (Four Falls and Henrhyd Falls) with a stop at the Park Visitor Center. Hiking may be weather dependent.

Getting a glimpse of the coast on the Gower peninsula (Three Cliffs Bay, Rhossili Bay, Mumbles)

I'm not yet sure where to do overnights. Recommendations are appreciated. As well as evaluation of my list of sites.

We have 4 full days to tour. We need to return the car in Bristol and be in Bath by noon on Day 5 to begin the RS Best of England tour which does go to a bit of North Wales.

Thanks for any feedback.

Posted by
3068 posts

You have identified some cracking places there...

Also think about adding Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre about 17 miles west of Chepstow on your way to Cardiff. It is the best preseerved Roman amphitheatre in Britain and built to hold 6000 spectators.

I know it isn't a ruined castle, but Castell Coch near Cardiff is worth adding to the list if time allows. The C13th ruins were restored in the C19th by William Burges for the 3rd Marquess of Bute (They were also responsible for the restoration of Cardiff Castle.) It is everyones dream of a fairy tale castle with its turrets and amazing interiors...

If you haven't already done so, check out to see if it is worth buying CADW membership . This gives free admission to Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey, Raglan Castle, Caerphilly Castle, Carreg Cennan as well as Castell Coch and caerleon. You also get 10% off purchases in shoips. You don't need to buy in advance - just buy it at the first staffed property you visit.

Posted by
8685 posts

Other castle ruins, not as nice as Raglan, in the same area are White, Skenfrith, and Grosmont. Monmouth is worth wandering around for an hour or so. The Monnow Bridge is interesting. One can park for free for an hour in the Waitrose parking lot. That whole area experienced severe flooding about a year ago.

When going to Caerphilly castle there is a parking lot directly in front of the castle that is pretty busy. It was full when we went. An alternative car park is behind the castle grounds, Crescent Road Caerphilly CPark. It’s only a few minutes further to reach the entrance, but wasn’t full.

The CADW membership is worth it if you’ll be visiting enough sites for it to pay for itself. In our 15 days there in 2019 it more than paid for itself,

Posted by
2956 posts

Note that the Four Falls Walk takes around 3 hours and you need to be fit. A video showing the falls & route can be seen here.
Henrydd Fall has a small catchment so needs pretty of rain. The area is currently in a drought (July 2026).

Carreg Cennen Castle is a spectacular cliff top ruined castle but note that roads to it are narrow. Llandeilo - a few miles W of the castle has just W of the town Dinefwr Castle (ruin) & Newton House (NT). Aberglasney Gardens is also nearby but I was not impressed. Dryslwyn Castle a little further west agin is another ruin that has lovely views of the Towey (Tywi) Valley. The Emlyn Arms in Llanarthe might be a suitable place to stay in this area - but check Google reviews as I have not stayed in this place. Nearby is the National Botanic Garden of Wales - which is worth seeing - well certainly in summer.

As an alternative to Gower, you might like to consider a day trip from central Carmarthen shire to the seaside town of Tenby? Note that driving on the Gower can be slow going and lack of parking hinders seeing the view of Three Cliffs Bay. If you do wish to stay on Gower, consider - https://oxwichbayhotel.co.uk - though other places should pop up on Airbnb or just scan Google Maps.

If you intend to visit the Tinkinswood and St.Lythans Burial Chambers just west of Cardiff, they are right by Dyffryn Gardens (NT) which are certainly well worth seeing in summer. See this You Tube video of the Gardens in September.

I would not make Caerleon a must see or Monmouth town.

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