Museums and castles

Not sure what Pendragon is?

Powis Castle is at Welshpool = the first train stop W of Shrewsbury. The Castle is about 2 miles from the station and has fine gardens - especially in July.

North West Wales has wonderful medieval Castles. From Welshpool, you could continue west on the railway to Harlech. The castle is up a steep hill from the station so hope you are fit! Other fine medieval castles are at Caernarvon & Conway (Conwy). You could reach both of these from a base at Porthmadog.
http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/home
http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/maps-and-itineraries/?lang=en
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden
www.festrail.co.uk
http://www.portmeirion-http:
//www.snowdonrailway.co.uk

There are 3 and 7 day CADW Explorer Passes available for sale at most historic Welsh Castles. It many save you money depending on how many historic sites you plan to visit. We did 2-3 a day. We drove ourselves.

we visited a number of castles in the UK last year but one standout was Powis castle. we really enjoyed it and the gardens were excellent in june.

James,

Thank you. May base in Porthmadog as it will be less travel time to Cardiff. I appreciate the wonderful and plentiful links.

TK

Emma,

Thank you. Plenty to do, indeed! I found a wool mill near Cardiff and have e mailed them a request for a tour. Having a Welsh surname in the family tree (In laws,) the opportunity to purchase a tartan plaid directly from a regional business will be an additional highlight. I am excited to have a side trip from all the castles in my to do list. Here is the link for interested parties:https://www.welsh-tartan.com/about-mill.php

TK

Kathleen,

Thank you for info on CADW 3 day. I'll give it a look see!

TK

Hi Glenn!

Appreciate the thumbs up for Powis. Think I will also include Caerphilly and Caenarfon.

TK

The Cambrian Woolen Mill is located at Llanwrtyd Wells - which is deep in the heart of rural Wales. If you intend to visit this place, note that it is on the Heart of Wales Railway = a slow single track line that has infrequent trains running between Swansea (with fast frequent connections from Cardiff) and Shrewsbury. The HoW is very scenic. http://www.heart-of-wales.co.uk
The Woolen Mill is about 1 mile north of Llanwrtyd Wells on the A483. If you do intend to visit, I would definately request that they send someone to pick you up a the station - and return you to the town or station. (Bear in mind that the trains are usually 4 hours apart and that this would massively eat into your limited time in Wales).

If you did use the Heart of Wales Railway, it would be silly to return to your starting point - far better to keep going and use it as your link between south & north Wales via Shrewsbury. The quickest way to get from Cardiff to Shrewsbury is via the Marches Line which follows the Wales / England border (roughly). Cardiff to Shrewsbury on a fast train is 1 hour 45 minutes.

You can find train times and fares here:> www.nationalrail.co.uk (On longer journeys, book specific trains in advance will get you cheaper fares than turn up & go fares). You should also check the fares against Passes :>http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ExploreWalesPass/

Buses can be found here:>http://www.traveline.cymru

When in Cardiff, I would definately visit this place - which is 5 miles west of the city centre. (Bus 32 or 320).
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/stfagans/castle-and-gardens/

Also visit the waterfront in Cardiff:> http://www.visitwales.com/explore/south-wales/cardiff/must-do-cardiff-bay

www.visitwales.co.uk

Hello James,

Thank you (again). I haven't had response via e mail from the mill yet (sent inquiry Sunday). Glad to know preferred train route. I had thought it would be half day trip from Cardiff, but as you suggested, it may be a better option to make a stop en route from Shrewsbury. Hopefully, the infrequency of the trains will be daily so as not to have to readjust itinerary again.

The suggestions to see water front and elsewhere may not be possible given my three day limit. It all depends on how many hours I can manage away from my hotel. Sharing this journey with another person and that person having their own wish list also cuts into the possibilities. But, as RS says "Keep on traveling"!

Appreciate your wealth of knowledge.

TK

Some of the best castles are in northern Wales. I particularly enjoyed Caernarfon, Beaumaris, and Conwy. If you like gardens, you'll love Bodnant Garden, and if you want to tour a woolen mill, there's one nearby called Trefriw Woolen Mills. Plus the villages in and near the mountains are oozing with charm, such as Betws-y-Coed and Beddgelert. So don't pass on a chance to visit northern Wales as well.

I think that going to the Cambrian Woollen Mill at Llanwrtyd Wells is going to eat too much into your limited time. It would probably mean leaving Cardiff on the 8.05 to Swansea where you change for the Heart of Wales train that will take you to Llanwrtyd (are.11.18).
You then have to get to the Woollen Mill and then return to Llanwrtyd station for the 16.24 to Shrewsbury (are.18.28). There is nothing much to see in Llanwrtyd - look at it (& mill) on Google Streetview.

By contrast, you could go from Cardiff to Conway (Conwy in Welsh) in 4 hours. Shrewsbury to Portmadog takes 3 hours 23 minutes as it is a slow line - especially once you reach the west cost at Dovey Junction. (It is very scenic).

Hello James,

My purpose for visiting Cambrian Woolen Mill is to purchase a locally made tartan for our family. Can you direct me to a retailer in the Cardiff or Conwy area as an alternative?. I am trying to support the local artisans.

Thank you

TK

The Cambrian Woollen Mill at Llanwrtyd only appears to sell Welsh scarfs on site. They have a close relationship with The Welsh Tartan Centre in Swansea to whom they supply made to measure kilts. What you would need to do is contact them with your measurements and required Tartan name. They will then contact the Cambrian Mill to get your request made. (Make sure room is allowed for waist expansion).

The address of the Wales Tartan Centre = Unit 13, Cwmdu Parc, Carmarthen Road, Swansea, SA5 8JF.

So, you could catch a train from Cardiff to Swansea. (This is a mainline with frequent trains travelling at up to 100 mph). A pay on the day off-peak return is only £9.30. Journey takes about 1 hour. You could take a taxi from the train station to the Wales Tartan Centre - it is about 2 miles from the station. Having collected your tartan, you may wish to take a bus (or taxi) back into Swansea Bus Station and then take another bus down the Gower Peninsula - providing the weather is good. If so, I would head for the furthest point out = Rhosilli. Such a journey would take about 1 hour. (If you want to go for a walk without the kilt, ask someone to look after it for you in the shop or hotel that you see at Rhosilli). Here is line of the bus timetables for the Swansea to Rhosilli route. (Check new timetable for summer timings). http://www.natgroup.co.uk/sites/www.natgroup.co.uk/files/118%20-%20Swansea%20-%20Rhossili%20MARCH_0.pdf
http://www.the-gower.com/villages/Rhossili/rhossili.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-26625340

James,

Thank you. I'm not interested in a kilt, but will check their online for other items in their product line. I am printing all your valuable information and will take with.

TK

You will find a very good Welsh Craft Shop directly across the street from the main entrance to Cardiff Castle.
http://www.castlewelshcrafts.co.uk
http://www.cardiffcastle.com

Thanks.

TK

Hello Emma,

I have forgotten my source for thinking that there are Welsh tartans. A family surname is "Morgan" which is not rooted in Scotland. Who knows. Anyway the marketing strategy worked because I have a reference to a stunning plaid in mustard, red and black. I guess I'll play the game.

I'm still in the midst of planning where and when and the thought of stretching my already long days to include retail therapy makes me want for a long afternoon's nap.

Thank you for your suggestions.

TK

Emma,

I had read about the wooden love spoons. Lovely tradition. Wish I could include mementos in my travels, I'd bring along another suitcase!

TK