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Three Weeks in Wales

My wife and I are planning to spend three weeks in Wales in September/October. We are 72 years old so not interested in surfing or so-called adventure tourism. While I love walking my wife’s health doesn’t allow her long or too strenuous walks.

I am not really interested in cities so will probably avoid Cardiff and even Swansea. While we are interested to see a few castles, grand houses etc, we are particularly interested in small towns and villages, whether coastal fishing villages or rural hamlets, and more off the tourist trail places. I know it sounds ridiculous, and to a large extent it is, especially in just 3 weeks, but we would like to see the Wales that exists beneath the tourism veneer. We are both retired historians and keen photographers but our interest lies more with the ‘common’ people than the rich and famous.

We will have a car and my initial inclination is to stay for about 4 nights in each of 5 locations, thinking that the drives between these bases together with day trips from them should enable us to experience a fair bit.

We will fly in to Heathrow, arriving about lunch time so my thought is to pick up the car there and drive to somewhere like Chepstow for the first night - not thought of as one of our 5 bases. From there I thought we could take a broad anti-clockwise direction up through Brecon Beacons (possibly our first base) to North Wales and Anglesey before heading south (along the coast perhaps) to a final base in the south-west. From there we would head direct back to Heathrow.

While I am wading through guidebooks it would be great to hear from anyone with advice as to whether this sounds like a reasonable plan and, more importantly, any suggestions as to where we should make our 5 bases.

Thanks in advance, Paul

Posted by
11846 posts

I don’t have much to say about the order you visit these places in but would call your tension to two areas we have enjoyed, Conwy in the north and Pembrokeshire at the other end of the country.

Near Conwy, you can day trip to the amazing Bodnant Gardens and take the train to Betws-y-Coed, a charming little village. Conwy is close to Anglesey and I would suggest it is a better base than on Angelsey. We enjoyed St. David‘s as a base with a car but be sure to include Pembroke Castle as a day trip.

Posted by
8412 posts

It’s been almost 30 years since I’ve been to Wales, except for one brief visit for lunch in April of this year, so I won’t be able to give you any recommendations.

However, I would like you to at least think twice about your idea of picking up a car at Heathrow and immediately driving to Chepstow. Keep in mind that you may be jet lagged, and probably will be sleep deprived, unless you are one of those rare individuals that can get a full eight hours on a flight.

I’m not and I would never dream of driving for any distance immediately after flying in from the states. It’s going to be difficult enough driving on the left side of the road, getting used to a new car, and paying attention to the different traffic signals, roundabouts and so on. And if you’re sleep deprived or have jet leg, it will be worse.

I would seriously consider spending the night in London. You could even stay at Heathrow if you don’t want to go into the city. There are a number of nice hotels connected to the airport. Then you can leave fresh and early the next morning and head to Chepstow.

Posted by
3 posts

In general Mardee that's good advice but our flight to Heathrow is only 4 hours after having spent some time in Turkey so jetlag won't be an issue. I'm from Australia where we too drive on the left and where we think nothing of driving 120 miles for a coffee. I've also driven in the UK before so am not concerned about the traffic conditions. They can't be any worse than those I've encountered in places like India and Thailand.

Posted by
2625 posts

Heading to Chepstow first seems pretty sensible and you can see the castle and historic river bridge. You may also like to consider going a few miles N on A466 to Tintern to see the abbey ruins - which are covered in scaffolding at the moment.https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/tintern-abbey

The ruins of Raglan Castle are also worth a look when heading to the Brecon area - but look carefully at the road configuration to get in and out of this castle if heading west as it is confusing.

Between Raglan Castle & Brecon area, you might like to take a detour to see Big Pit coal mine. (Or do as a trip from Brecon base).

If heading back to Heathrow from Pembrokeshire, you may like to call in at the Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagans on the NW edge of Cardiff - use M4 junction 33 to A4232 - beware that turning into Museum is very sharp (10 mph suggested). Also consider seeing Castell Coch - which is just above M4 J32 north Cardiff. The National Botanic Garden of Wales - route A48 just E of Carmarthen is also worth seeing. To do all the above, you won’t get from Pembrokeshire to Heathrow in one go.

Always make sure you have parking when choosing accommodation.

Posted by
1496 posts

Wales is not over run with tourists apart from in certain very popular places. By the end of September you’ll be fine.

I only know South Wales. The Gower, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire are all worth exploring. St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life is a must do. You won’t miss out by avoiding those cities. The countryside and coast is the best part of Wales.

Posted by
7292 posts

The drive from Heathrow to Chepstow takes about 2.5 hours and is easy, minus traffic and construction. I drove to Tintern after an overnight flight with no trouble, so you should have no issue after a 4 hour flight. We spent a few nights in Tintern and took day trips from it to see a number of castles (Coch, Caerphilly, Raglan, Skenfrith, White, and Grosmont). On a previous trip we visited a number of other castles. We also went to the abbey and visited nearby Monmouth. We also stayed in each Tenby, St. Davids, Aberystwyth, and Caernarfon before heading back into England. One day was spent on Anglesey, but there are enough things to see for it to merit a second day.

Posted by
2400 posts

Paul, I have added a very detailed reply on your thread on Trip Advisor, so I won't repeat it here.

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks for the responses and advice. I now need to digest it all. I appreciate your time in responding. Thanks again

Posted by
41 posts

I just got back from my UK trip and we only had four days in Wales. I second Conwy and day trip to the amazing Bodnant Gardens. Conwy is a great base for north Wales. Llandudno has so much Victorian charm.

Consider Abergavenny and walking along the Mont Bec Canal. It is flat and you can go as long as you want bus back. We walked all the way to Crickhowell, which is a great tiny town.

Things I wish I had time to do:
Drive from Vale of Ewyas Hay on Wye (book lovers dream) stop at Llanthony, Skirrd mountian Inn and end in Abergavenny.
Adele Nozedar foraging tour
Northern Castle Tour Harlech, Caernarforn, Beaumaris, and Conwy
Plas Newydd 18th centery house that two ladies lived together in.
St. Winefride Holy Well
Ynys Llanddwyn most romantic place in Wales
Offa's Dyke Path
National Botanic Garden's of Wales in Meander

Check Postcard and a Pint on YouTube. I love the Loney Planet Experience Wales and Rough Guides to Wales.