Holyhead to Bath and Cornwall then to Heathrow

Check car rentals first, some use age 75 as an age cut-off. Do you have an International Driver's License? Maybe your insurance will cover this. It is not easy do this trip in the time you indicate as the driving will take much longer than you think. Unless, you must go to St. Ives; I would spend more time in the equally scenic Wales and then to Bath and on to (Windsor?). I am of similar vintage, and your trip could be very tiring, even if you split driving. I've been to St. Ives on the train; unless you have more time to drive to Seaside villages, it may not be worth the time spent as it is a real out and backtrack trip. Bon Voyage! P.S, I agree the Wonderful Wales reccommendations of both James and Wasleys! The Castles there are really some of the Best!

Thank you, Kathleen! Our trip is still in planning stages, so I am sure there will be changes! The car rental and International drivers license is secure.

you don't need an IDP (permit not license) to drive in the UK (even Welsh speaking UK) with a license from a US state.

you must, however, have an ETA before travel. Get it from the official UK government website or app not the money making third parties advertising on the internet and on certain airlines' websites.

Thank you, Nigel!

You are planning too much in the time available. For example, to drive from Bath to St.Ives takes the best part of a day. There are places in Wales equally as nice as St.Ives and then you have loads of castles in Wales plus mountainous scenery - especially in the north west.

My advice would be to drop Cornwall, spend more time in Wales as you make your way to Bath.
For example, you should perhaps go and visit Bodnant Gardens in north Wales - you tube video.

How about Caernarfon Castle?

You want to see the coast? How about Barmouth?

Or the Italianate village of Portmeirion?

You won't have time to see all these and more by just spending 1 night in Wales. Neither would have time to see what Cornwall has to offer under your planned schedule.

I also suggest you check the flight prices for doing such a trip in the opposite direction - landing at Heathrow and flying out of Ireland. I say this because Britain has a hefty departure tax for flights - which I presume is added to the flight cost by the airline? So, by flying into Heathrow and out from Ireland might work out cheaper? SEE:> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Passenger_Duty

You could go from Heathrow to Bath by train or bus as you surely won't need a car in Bath - where it can be difficult to park unless your hotel has parking. The disadvantage is that it is harder to pre-book the public transport when you are not exactly sure when you would land. (Walk up fares are more expensive). An advantage of doing this in reverse is that when driving through Wales from south to north - you will have the sun behind you for much of the trip.

As has already been pointed out that is a lot of driving and makes for a tiring holiday. 2 nights only effectively give one day in a place.

Don’t underestimate driving times in the UK. Distances may not look far compared with the US but will take a lot longer to cover than expected. If using google maps it is recommended to allow an extra 25% to their times AND THEN ADD ON TIME FOR STOPS. Cornwall in June will be even slower as lanes are narrow and holiday traffic heavy. St Ives is possibly one of the worst choices.

Seriously think about skipping Cornwall. There are many other places that are equally as attractive. Think about either spending those two nights in Wales (which has some of the best castles) , splitting between North Wales Conwy/LLandudno area in the north nad then Cardiff for the south. James has already given suggestioins for Northb Ales - Bodnant Garden along with either Caernarfon, Conwy or Beaumaris castle

The Cardiff area you have Cardiff castle, Museum of Wales (excellent) and the fairytale Castell Coch. St Fagans National Museum of History is fascinating with its reconstructed old houses and you could easily spend a day here. You can't get more 'quaint' than this...

OR if you don't want to do that think about the North Devon/Somerset coast after Bath rather than flogging all the way to St Ives.

Thank you James and Wasley,
Many good suggestions! Already rethinking St. Ives area for more time in Wales. Will definitely keep Bath. Flights booked already, so can't look into reversing order of trip!

Hello,again.
I have a question regarding rental car in Wales and returning to Heathrow. I have option between Ford Focus and Vauxhall Corsa. The Focus seems a better car, but it is 6 cm wider. Also, it appears Corsa has a covered boot. Will boot accomodate a 26 inch and 21 inch suitcase? Any suggestions? I appreciate any help!

I used to have a Focus and it had a covered boot. I kept a 30 inch suitcase in the boot more or less permanently (I've just been and measured that suitcase), and could get several other suitcases in as well.

I don't see 6cm (2 inches) width as being in any way material.

Even the skinniest of roads in the English Lake District I'm used to taking a 16 seat works minibus over with ease (which has to be wider than a Focus). That's the same size as a Rabbies or Mountain Goat tour bus.

Thank you!

I would be inclined to go with the Focus and the hatchback versions to have a back shelf covering any baggage. However, you may wish to make sure that you are getting an automatic version as manual cars are more common in the UK - that’s assuming that this matters to you.

Whilst James is right in that the majority of cars on UK roads are automatic, something like 2/3rds of current new car sales are for automatics. There has been a steady increase in demand for automatic cars in recent years and this has been exacerbated by the rise in sales of electric cars which are all automatic.

As a result, given hire cars are usually very new it is these days straightforward to find automatics to hire.