I have taken off a couple of places for my 28 day visit to Wales in Oct - beginning of Nov. ( includes very briefly starting and ending in London) but I still am having difficulty making a relaxing holiday . I do have 4 beach days each on Anglesey and Tenby . My main problem is I only have 2 days in Chester at my relatives at the beginning and want two more near the end . I may have to ask them to meet me somewhere.
The amount of train and bus connections are a bit mind boggling even with relatives driving me twice.
Here’s my tentative itinerary if anyone has suggestions::
These are already booked and non negotiable:
London- Chester- Llandudno - Rhosneigr - Ruthin - Aberwystwyth
Here’s where I can make changes :
Tenby - ( need 4 beach days ) - Pontypridd ( must be here at relatives. 27th, 28th, 29th ) - Chester ( 2nd two days here with family - London .
I want this to be relaxing but am struggling balancing my need for beach walks and spending time with dear famiky .
Posted by
Lake District, England
8463 posts
Tenby to Pontypridd is easy.
If travelling on 26 October either the
0729 train to Cardiff Central, change there for Pontypridd arrive 1156 (Advance train specific fare tonight £7.20)
or 0939 (change Swansea and Cardiff) arrive 1326 Advance Fare £14.50
If on 27 October the first train is at 1229, 2 changes as above, arrive 1617 Advance Fare £9.70
Pontypridd to Chester 30 October-
I would like to say to you take the 2 hour bus ride to Abergavenny, then train to Chester, but you've done plenty of those long bus rides so
the 0839 train to Cardiff Central, change, 0922 direct to Chester arrive 1226 Advance Fare £54.30;
then every 2 hours to 1439 for £48.80.
If you don't leave until the 1619 from Pontypridd (the 1714 from Cardiff direct to Chester, the train is bound for Holyhead) you can treat yourself and travel 1st class for just £5 more than 2nd class (the only train of the day on that route with 1st class) for £48.60.
Then have a chef cooked 2 course meal on board for £21.95 or 3 course for £24.95- https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/rail/food-and-drink/first-class-dining/first-class
Some of the journeys on this trip have not been the easiest or the shortest so now is the time for probably the best 1st class service on a scheduled UK train.
Or leave earlier, have the day seeing the sights in Cardiff then the 1714 as above.
Posted by
OP
Canada
60 posts
Thanks isn31c ! The Tenby to Pontrypridd on the 27th sounds very doable.
I’ve now changed my plan, thinking of going from Aberwystwyth to Chester now on the 19th .
Chester to Tenby on the 22nd.
If you or anyone has tops about making this the easiest please advise.
Your idea about treating myself with the meal on the Cardiff to Chester train trip would have been great though .
Posted by
Lake District, England
8463 posts
The Aberystwyth to Chester train runs every 2 hours, one change at Shrewsbury- 0929 Shrewsbury arrive 1129, depart 1138 Chester arrive 1221- £31 Advance Fare
If you want the cheapest fare and a 1 hour change in Shrewsbury take the 1229 Aber. to Shrewsbury for £7.70, then the 1528 Shrewsbury to Chester for £12.40, arrive 1622. Book as 2 tickets, that way you can relax about the tight connection on the other trains.
On 22 October there are trains at
0732 arrive 1340, 0930 arrive 1538 and 1136 arrive 1740 (all change at Shrewsbury and Swansea), but the easy train is
1338 arrive 1953 (20 minute change at Shrewsbury only, through train from Shrewsbury to Tenby for the nearly 5 hour ride)- the Advance Fare tonight on all those trains is £30.70.
It should be a cross platform change at Shrewsbury, and the train terminates at Tenby.
So as it is not a surprise to you the Shrewsbury to Tenby train changes direction of travel at the dead end stations of Swansea and Carmarthen.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2404 posts
Can I ask the idiots question - what do you mean by 'beach days'? October to the beginning of November isn't the time of year to sit on a beach.... It is tramping weather along a beach, assuming it isn't raining!!!
Posted by
OP
Canada
60 posts
Thanks so much isn31c ! Great info., much appreciated!
Posted by
OP
Canada
60 posts
To wasleys. By “beach days” I mean walking along the beach no matter the weather . If it’s chucking it down and blasting wind I’m prepared to dress for it . I’ve been twice before in May which was lovely but I know it’s not the Caribbean in October .
Probably “ beach days” wasn’t the best description, I won’t be lounging on a towel in my swimsuit ! Lol
Posted by
2625 posts
For Chester - Manchester is the nearest airport with trans Atlantic flights. I guess it was not available from your start point.
When changing trains at Cardiff Central for Pontypridd - transfer to platform 6/7 - which are adjoined. You need a train going to Merthyr, Aberdare or Treherbert as these all go via Pontypridd. One should come along roughly every 10 minutes for Pontypridd.
If you have not already seen these places when in the Cardiff / Pontypridd area - suggest you check them out:>
Caerphilly Castle; Castell Coch; St. Fagans Castle & Museum of Welsh Life; Cardiff Castle; Museum of Cardiff (in centre of city); National Museum of Wales (on N side of city centre); Cardiff Bay (not beach but waterfront which has the Senedd = Welsh Parliament - which you can go inside for free). For coal mine experience - Rhondda Heritage Park.