Wales
5
Day Itinerary •
UK
Five days in Wales gives you the full extraordinary range of the finest landscape in Britain pound for pound. Beyond Snowdon and the Brecon Beacons lie the extraordinary Pembrokeshire Coast with its hermit chapel carved into a sea cave, the finest beach in Wales at Marloes, the Dylan Thomas country of Swansea and the world's most extraordinary book town at Hay-on-Wye on the border with England. This route moves the length of Wales from Snowdonia to the Pembrokeshire coast and back through the Gower to Hay-on-Wye, covering the finest mountain landscape, the most dramatic coastal scenery and the most extraordinary literary heritage in the country. Five days that reveal why Wales punches far above its weight as a destination.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Car from Manchester or Bristol, train to Bangor or Cardiff
Getting Around
Car essential. A470 is the finest north-south road in Wales
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 230 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, mountain and coastal walking
DAY 1
SNOWDONIA
MORNING
SNOWDON VIA THE PYG TRACK, THE FINEST MOUNTAIN IN WALES
Snowdon at 3,560 feet is the highest mountain in Wales and England combined south of Scotland, its extraordinary summit giving views over Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Brecon Beacons and the Lake District on clear days. The Pyg Track from Pen-y-Pass is the finest ascent, its extraordinary route above Llyn Llydaw and below the north ridge giving the most dramatic approach to the summit. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is an alternative at approx 30 pounds return. Walking entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LLANBERIS PASS AND THE EXTRAORDINARY GLACIAL VALLEY
The Llanberis Pass below the Pyg Track is the finest glacial valley in Wales, its extraordinary U-shaped profile, the twin lakes of Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn and the Dinorwic slate quarry carved into the mountainside above giving it a landscape of quite remarkable drama. The Welsh Slate Museum at Dinorwic quarry is the finest industrial museum in Wales, its working slate-splitting demonstrations extraordinary. Museum entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE OGWEN VALLEY AND TRYFAN, THE FINEST ROCK CLIMB IN WALES
Tryfan above Llyn Ogwen is the most distinctive mountain in Wales, its extraordinary jagged north ridge and the Adam and Eve summit stones making it the most photographed summit in Snowdonia. The Ogwen Valley walk along the shores of Llyn Idwal beneath the extraordinary Devil's Kitchen cliff cirque is the finest accessible walk in the park. The view from Llyn Idwal to the Glyder range is extraordinary. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve above Llyn Idwal contains the finest assemblage of arctic-alpine plants in Wales, including the extraordinary Snowdon Lily found at only one other location in Britain. The extraordinary hanging valley with its cirque of cliffs and the Devil's Kitchen waterfall chasm is accessible by a 30-minute walk from the Ogwen car park. Charles Darwin visited in 1831 and failed to recognise the glacial evidence around him. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pete's Eats, Llanberis The finest walkers cafe in Wales. Outstanding full Welsh breakfast and the biggest mugs of tea in Britain. | Lunch: Plas y Brenin cafe, Capel Curig Outstanding mountain food at the National Mountain Centre. Local produce throughout. | Dinner: The Heights, Llanberis Outstanding local food and Welsh ales at the finest pub in Llanberis after a day on the mountain.
DAY 2
THE WEST COAST
MORNING
PORTMEIRION, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ARCHITECTURAL FANTASY IN BRITAIN
Portmeirion is the most extraordinary and extraordinary man-made place in Wales, an Italianate village built between 1925 and 1976 by the eccentric architect Clough Williams-Ellis on a private peninsula above the Dwyryd Estuary. The extraordinary collection of architectural salvage, the Baroque cupolas and the extraordinary setting above the estuary sands make it the finest folly in Britain. The Prisoner television series was filmed here. Entry approx 14 pounds. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
HARLECH CASTLE AND THE FINEST VIEW OF ANY CASTLE IN BRITAIN
Harlech Castle on its extraordinary 200-foot rock above Tremadog Bay is the finest castle viewpoint in Britain, its extraordinary concentric walls giving views over the Llyn Peninsula, the Rhinog mountains and Cardigan Bay in a panorama of quite remarkable breadth. The castle was built by Edward I between 1283 and 1289 and withstood the longest siege in British history during the Wars of the Roses. Entry approx 9 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE MAWDDACH ESTUARY AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL RAILWAY IN BRITAIN
The Cambrian Coast railway line between Barmouth and Pwllheli is the finest coastal railway in Britain, its extraordinary Barmouth Bridge over the Mawddach Estuary giving views of the extraordinary estuary sands, the Cader Idris range and the distant Snowdonia peaks that rival any railway view in Europe. The walk across the Barmouth Bridge is extraordinary. Entry free, bridge toll approx 1 pound.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Cwm Bychan above Llanbedr in the Rhinog mountains is one of the most extraordinary and least visited hidden valleys in Wales, its extraordinary Roman Steps, a medieval paved packhorse route climbing through ancient oak woodland and heather moorland to the Rhinog Fawr ridge, giving the finest walking in south Snowdonia entirely free of other walkers. The lake of Llyn Cwm Bychan below the steps is one of the finest hidden gems in Wales. Parking at the lake approx 3 pounds.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Portmeirion Hotel Outstanding breakfast at the extraordinary Italianate hotel before the village opens to day visitors. | Lunch: The Old Vaults, Harlech Outstanding Welsh pub lunch below the castle. Local Welsh lamb and traditional Welsh rarebit. | Dinner: Ty'r Graig Castle Hotel, Barmouth The finest dinner in Barmouth. Outstanding local seafood from Cardigan Bay.
DAY 3
BRECON AND THE WYE VALLEY
MORNING
BRECON BEACONS AND PEN Y FAN, THE FINEST SUMMIT IN SOUTH WALES
Pen y Fan at 2,907 feet is the highest point in the Brecon Beacons and the most southerly peak over 2,000 feet in Britain. The extraordinary horseshoe walk from the Neuadd reservoirs gives the finest circuit in the Beacons, its extraordinary views over the Black Mountains, the Vale of Usk and on clear days to the Pembrokeshire coast and the Bristol Channel making it the finest mountain day in south Wales. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
BRECON AND THE FINEST MARKET TOWN IN MID WALES
Brecon is the finest market town in mid Wales, its extraordinary Cathedral of St John the Evangelist with its medieval leper chapel, the Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery and the extraordinary Tuesday and Friday markets making it the finest urban centre in the Beacons. The town is the base for the annual Brecon Jazz Festival, the finest jazz event in Wales. The riverside walk along the Usk is extraordinary. Entry to cathedral free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE WYE VALLEY AND TINTERN ABBEY, THE MOST ROMANTIC RUIN IN BRITAIN
Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley is the most romantic and beautiful ruined abbey in Britain, its extraordinary Gothic arches rising from the valley floor beside the River Wye in a setting that inspired Wordsworth, Turner and countless subsequent artists. The Wye Valley Walk along the cliff top above the abbey gives the finest view of the ruins from above. The drive down the Wye Valley from Monmouth is extraordinary. Entry approx 7 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Sgwd yr Eira waterfall in the Vale of Neath, accessible by a 2-mile walk from Pontneddfechan through extraordinary limestone gorge woodland, is the most extraordinary waterfall in Wales, its ledge path behind the curtain of water allowing walkers to pass behind the 45-foot cascade entirely dry. The waterfall is the finest of the four waterfalls circuit in the Neath valley. The gorge woodland in spring bluebells is extraordinary. Entirely free. Car parking at Pontneddfechan approx 2 pounds.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon The finest breakfast in the Beacons at the best pub with rooms in Wales. Outstanding local produce. | Lunch: The White Swan, Llanfrynach Outstanding Welsh country pub lunch near Brecon. Local lamb and Breconshire ales. | Dinner: Tintern Old Rectory Outstanding dinner in the most extraordinary setting in the Wye Valley. Book well ahead.
DAY 4
PEMBROKESHIRE COAST
MORNING
PEMBROKESHIRE COAST AND THE FINEST COASTAL PATH IN BRITAIN
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park contains the most extraordinary coastal scenery in Wales, its 186-mile Coast Path passing extraordinary sea stacks, blowhole geos, seal colonies and the finest beaches in Britain. Stackpole Head near Bosherston with its extraordinary limestone arches, the chough-haunted cliffs above St Govan's Chapel carved into a sea cave and the extraordinary Barafundle Bay accessible only on foot are all extraordinary. Coast Path entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
ST GOVAN'S CHAPEL AND THE MOST DRAMATIC HERMITAGE IN BRITAIN
St Govan's Chapel near Bosherston is built into a sea cave in the cliff face above the extraordinary limestone coastline of south Pembrokeshire, its extraordinary 13th-century chapel barely large enough for three people at once, its staircase cut into the living rock and the extraordinary sound of the sea echoing through the cave below making it the finest small sacred site in Britain. Access subject to military range opening. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
MARLOES PENINSULA AND THE FINEST HIDDEN BEACH IN WALES
Marloes Sands on the Pembrokeshire coast is the finest beach in Wales, its extraordinary 2-mile curve of red sandstone cliffs, rock arches and the extraordinary three-chimney rock stack of the Gateholm Island making it the most dramatically beautiful beach in Britain outside the Scottish islands. The 30-minute cliff walk from the Deer Park car park is extraordinary. At low tide the extraordinary rock pools are the finest in Wales. Entry free, parking approx 4 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bosherston Lily Ponds, three interconnected limestone lily lakes created in the 18th century behind the Pembrokeshire dunes, are the finest freshwater wildlife site in Wales, their extraordinary white water lily display in June and July one of the finest natural spectacles in Britain. The lakes support otters, kingfishers, the rare glutinous snail and the finest assemblage of dragonflies in Wales. The walk from Bosherston to Broad Haven South across the dunes is extraordinary. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: St Brides Inn, Little Haven Outstanding coastal breakfast at the finest small inn on the Pembrokeshire coast. | Lunch: The Stackpole Inn Outstanding Welsh pub lunch in the finest pub in south Pembrokeshire. Local crab and seasonal veg. | Dinner: The St Brides Hotel, Saundersfoot Outstanding dinner above the extraordinary Carmarthen Bay. Local lobster and Pembrokeshire crab.
DAY 5
GOWER AND HAY-ON-WYE
MORNING
RHOSILI BAY AND THE GOWER PENINSULA, THE FIRST AONB IN BRITAIN
Rhosili Bay on the tip of the Gower Peninsula was the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designated in Britain in 1956. Its extraordinary 3-mile arc of beach below the extraordinary Rhosili Down ridge, the worm's head tidal island and the extraordinary Helvetia wreck exposed at low tide make it the finest beach view in Wales. The Gower walk from Rhosili to Worm's Head is the finest coastal walk in south Wales. Entry free, parking approx 5 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SWANSEA AND THE DYLAN THOMAS TRAIL
Swansea is the birthplace of Dylan Thomas and the finest city in south Wales for literary heritage, its extraordinary Dylan Thomas Centre, the birthplace at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive and the extraordinary Cwmdonkin Park where Thomas played as a child creating the finest small literary landscape in Wales. The coastal path from the city centre around Swansea Bay to Mumbles is the finest urban coastal walk in Britain. Entry to centre free. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
HAY-ON-WYE AND THE WORLD'S GREATEST SECONDHAND BOOKSHOP TOWN
Hay-on-Wye is the most extraordinary book town in the world, its 30-plus secondhand and antiquarian bookshops filling an entire small market town on the Wales-England border with an extraordinary collection estimated at over a million books. The Hay Festival each May is the finest literary festival in Britain. The town itself, with its extraordinary Norman castle and the Wye gorge backdrop, is remarkable. Entry to shops free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Carreg Cennen Castle near Llandeilo in the Brecon Beacons is the most dramatically sited castle in Wales, its extraordinary ruins on a vertical limestone crag 300 feet above the River Cennen creating the finest castle silhouette in Britain. The castle is accessible by a 1-mile walk through farmland from the car park below and its extraordinary cave passage beneath the south tower is accessible with a torch. The view from the battlements over the Brecon Beacons is extraordinary. Entry approx 7 pounds.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bay Bistro, Rhosili Outstanding Welsh breakfast at the cafe above the finest beach in Wales. Local produce throughout. | Lunch: The Mermaid, Mumbles Outstanding seafood lunch in the finest village on the Gower. Local oysters and Penclawdd cockles. | Dinner: The Old Black Lion, Hay-on-Wye The finest inn in Hay-on-Wye. Outstanding local Welsh food since the 17th century.
Where To Stay
Llanberis, Night 1 Royal Victoria Hotel or Snowdon Lodge. Approx 70 to 150 GBP per night. Harlech, Night 2 Harlech Castle Hotel. Approx 80 to 150 GBP per night. Brecon, Night 3 The Felin Fach Griffin. Approx 90 to 180 GBP per night. Pembrokeshire, Night 4 The St Brides Hotel or Stackpole Inn. Approx 80 to 180 GBP per night. Hay-on-Wye, Night 5 The Old Black Lion. Approx 80 to 140 GBP per night.
Top Tips
1. St Govan's Chapel access: check the Castlemartin Range firing schedule before visiting. Closed on exercise days.
2. Marloes Sands: visit at low tide for the finest rock pools and the clearest view of Gateholm Island.
3. Bosherston Lily Ponds in June: the white lily display peaks in the second week of June. Go early morning.
4. Hay-on-Wye: arrive on market day (Thursday) for the finest combination of book hunting and local produce.
5. Carreg Cennen cave passage: bring a torch or hire one at the farm. The cave is extraordinary and free.
6. Rhosili Worm's Head tidal walk: check tide tables. The causeway is accessible for 2.5 hours either side of low tide.
Total Budget
90 to 225 GBP/day