South Wales is the form of place that does drama nicely. Assume rolling inexperienced hills topped with historical fortresses, river valleys hiding romantic abbeys, and fishing villages the place you possibly can swap citadel towers for a pint by the harbour.
In case you’re craving a highway journey that pairs centuries-old historical past with the easy pleasure of an excellent pub lunch and salty sea breeze, this route will match the invoice properly.
This journey begins within the Welsh capital, wanders by way of market cities and riverside ruins, then ends on the western fringe of Pembrokeshire with tiny cathedral cities and wild seashores.
Route Overview
Cardiff → Caerphilly Fortress → Tintern Abbey → Chepstow → Laugharne → Tenby → St Davids
Elective detours: Castell Coch, Porthgain
Ultimate journey size: 4 to 6 days
Finest time to go: Late spring by way of early autumn for fewer downpours and longer evenings
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Begin: Cardiff – a citadel on the coronary heart
Begin in Cardiff the place the citadel sits proper within the metropolis centre.
Cardiff Fortress is a mixture of Norman preserve, Roman partitions and eccentric Gothic Revival structure.
Stroll the battlements, go to the lavish Victorian rooms and catch your first glimpse of the Welsh dragon perched on the towers.
The arcades close by are price a wander too. Unbiased retailers and cafés fill these Victorian passages, and there’s at all times a heat Welsh welcome.
Tip: For a fast native pint, strive Tiny Insurgent, which began as a storage brewery and now runs a few of the metropolis’s finest craft ale bars.
In case you’re a fan of the Physician, be a part of a Physician Who metropolis strolling tour to see iconic filming places round Cardiff.
And in case you fancy a fairytale detour, drive north to Castell Coch, the “Purple Fortress” nestled within the forest above Tongwynlais. Its turrets and painted ceilings seem like one thing from a storybook.
Keep: Base your self at Parador 44, a boutique townhouse with cosy rooms, a small terrace and a Spanish restaurant within the coronary heart of Cardiff.
Cease 1: Caerphilly Fortress – mighty and moated
Only a brief drive from Cardiff is Caerphilly Fortress. Constructed within the thirteenth century, it’s nonetheless one of many largest fortresses in Britain.
Surrounded by a collection of moats and water defences, it has a leaning tower that ideas additional than Pisa’s.
Contained in the thick partitions you possibly can climb towers, cross drawbridges and get a way of what medieval energy appeared like in Wales.
The market city itself is pleasant and unpretentious. The native café scene is easy however stable, or head to The Outdated Library for a pint of native ale and a view of the citadel’s silhouette by way of the home windows.
Cease 2: Tintern Abbey – monks and mist
Go away the citadel behind and observe the River Wye into the valley, the place the ruined arches of Tintern Abbey seem like a ghostly daydream beside the water.
Based within the twelfth century, Tintern was as soon as house to Cistercian monks.
Even in spoil, it feels serene and barely mysterious. Gentle streams by way of stone home windows and timber develop within the outdated cloisters.
Afterwards, you possibly can take the woodland path as much as the Satan’s Pulpit viewpoint in case you’re up for a leg-stretcher.
Eat: For one thing much less energetic, The Anchor Inn proper by the abbey gates serves native pies and cider beside a roaring fireplace when the climate’s chilly.
Keep: Relaxation your head at Parva Farmhouse Riverside Guesthouse, a comfy spot proper by the River Wye.
Cease 3: Chepstow – a citadel above the Wye
Keep it up south to Chepstow, perched above the River Wye. Chepstow Fortress has guarded this border because the eleventh century and claims Britain’s oldest citadel doorways.
Stroll alongside the ramparts for sweeping views of the river winding away beneath.
The city itself has an excellent mixture of vintage retailers and cosy pubs. Strive The Boat Inn for a riverside pint earlier than you push on west.
Cease 4: Laugharne – Dylan’s boathouse and tidal views
Heading deeper into Carmarthenshire brings you to Laugharne, a village eternally linked with Dylan Thomas.
The poet’s boathouse, now a small museum, overlooks the Taf Estuary. You possibly can see the writing shed the place he labored, perched above the tidal flats.
Laugharne Fortress provides one other layer of drama. Its ruined towers stand above the river, as soon as house to Tudor lords and civil battle skirmishes.
The views from the citadel gardens throughout the estuary really feel timeless.
Keep: Make an evening of it at The Brown’s Lodge, Dylan’s outdated watering gap, the place you possibly can get pleasure from a pint and possibly strive a neighborhood ale named in his honour.
Cease 5: Tenby – vibrant harbours and pub gardens
No South Wales highway journey is full with no cease in Tenby.
This medieval walled city is finest identified for its vibrant homes overlooking the harbour, mushy sandy seashores and a vigorous mixture of conventional seaside enjoyable and good meals.
Stroll the city partitions, discover the little retailers, and seize fish and chips on the seashore. There are many cheerful pubs dotted across the outdated lanes.
For one thing extra energetic, be a part of a guided kayaking journey and paddle out alongside the rugged shoreline. It’s a improbable option to spot hidden coves and marine life from the water.
The Hope & Anchor is an easy-going favorite, good for a pint after a swim or boat journey to close by Caldey Island if the ocean is calm.
Keep: Spend the evening at No: 1 The Esplanade Visitor Lodging, a pleasant seafront spot with beautiful views over South Seaside and easy accessibility to Tenby’s vibrant harbour and pubs.
Elective Cease: Porthgain’s Harbour Attraction
When you have time to take a sluggish detour, Porthgain is a gem on the Pembrokeshire coast.
This tiny harbour village was as soon as a slate and brick transport level.
Now it’s identified for the Sloop Inn, a characterful outdated pub that does easy however hearty plates and native ale.
Sit outdoors and watch fishing boats putter out and in of the cove.
Closing cease: St Davids – a tiny metropolis with a giant spirit
End your highway journey in St Davids, the UK’s smallest metropolis. Regardless of its dimension, it has a cathedral that feels prefer it’s been right here eternally, hidden in a inexperienced hole simply again from the ocean.
Pilgrims have made their means right here for hundreds of years and it nonetheless has that peaceable, timeless high quality.
For a lighter take a look at this tiny metropolis’s historical past, be a part of a St Davids comedy strolling tour. You’ll get the within scoop on native legends and hidden corners, all with an excellent dose of Welsh humour.
The close by coast is spectacular. Take a stroll alongside the cliffs to identify seals or puffins relying on the season.
Tip: After a stroll, discover a hearth seat at The Farmers Arms or The Bishops, two basic spots for a celebratory end-of-trip drink.
Keep: Make an evening of it at Twr y Felin Lodge, a recent artwork resort only a brief stroll from the cathedral, with fashionable rooms and easy accessibility to the Pembrokeshire coast path.
Necessities
Driving time with out stops: About 5 hours altogether.
What to pack: Strolling boots, a water-resistant simply in case, and a digicam for these crumbling towers and estuary sunsets.
Driving tip: Some citadel automotive parks are small and slim lanes are frequent, so take it regular and be able to let the sheep move first.
Closing Ideas
This highway journey by way of South Wales will reveal sudden moments: daylight streaming by way of an abbey arch, a sea breeze in a pub backyard, a narrative shared by a neighborhood landlord.
It’s the type of journey that stays with you, boots dusty from citadel trails and the style of fine Welsh ale nonetheless in your lips.
