Wales road trip – Cardiff and the Gower Peninsula

Wales road trip – Cardiff and the Gower Peninsula

Grey skies swiftly rolled in as the minivan ferried us about on our Wales road trip. Excited we pulled up outside the haunting shell of Weobley Castle, a 14th Century fortified manor house.

One of 641 castles in Wales, it might otherwise appear unremarkable compared with its larger counterparts. Surprisingly, what sets Weobley apart is its hilltop position above the expansive and desolate salt marshes of Llanrhidian Sands.

Adrian, our enthusiastic See Wales guide was mid-story when for the first time that day our small group interrupted him with excited cries of, ‘oh wow look at that!’.

Transpiring behind him on a scene set across flat salty lands, was the fervent galloping of about ten wild horses. All heading towards a lone 4WD which must have meant ‘food’ to the motley band of brothers (pictured below).

Wales road trip - Welsh salt marshes

The wonders of a Wales road trip

The scene was so darkly enchanting, we could very well have landed back in time Outlander-style. The only giveaway, a vehicle that appeared out of place in such rugged old terrain.

As an Aussie adventurer, I now feel compelled to spread the good word about Wales. This is why you should embark on your own Wales road trip.

On the travel grapevine, I quite often hear of people’s love for England. Their desire to tour Ireland’s Atlantic way and Scotland’s mysterious valleys, lochs and mountains. But rarely do I hear about the drive to visit here.

Yet, I’m captivated.

Wales road trip - Cardiff in Wales

Visiting Cardiff on your Wales road trip

While our last stop on this lovely day trip was Weobley, we’d begun at 9.30am in Cardiff.  A city that – typical of our Wales experience – took us entirely by surprise!

A beautiful and contemporary place. Complete with exquisite buildings, parks, waterways, a fabulous bay and castle, world-class university and sporting areas.

Cardiff is an up-and-coming star of the region. One of the fastest growing capital cities in Europe. Its ‘cool’ factor shines bright. Despite a long history dating back thousands of years.

Over 40 per cent of Cardiff’s population is under 30, which is probably why the place feels so fresh and vibrant.

Wales road trip - Cardiff is a must

Some of the Civic Centre and national museum buildings actually remind me of the grand Westminster dwellings situated around Victoria in London.

I was pleased for a bit of early morning sunshine. I eagerly snapped a few digital mementos before meeting up with my tour group to head off on our Gower Peninsula adventure.

Wales road trip - explore Wales

The Gower Peninsula in Wales

The Gower is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in South Wales that projects westwards into the Bristol Channel. It’s brimming with mysterious old stone ruins, historical castles and churches, ocean-ways, green valleys, marshes, caves, beaches and soaring cliffs.

The following map shows where in the country we were. I’ve highlighted some of the key stops we visited on the See Wales day trip.

Striking Swansea Bay

During the adventure we visited the charming Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea which celebrates the famous Welsh writer. We then drove through the Mumbles and stopped at Langland Bay where a cliff top walk was in order.

We were happy to brave a rather ferocious wind in order to make our way along the coast towards Caswell Bay. Home to jaw-dropping natural landscapes. One can only hope to experience in a lifetime.

2016 is deemed the ‘year of adventure’ in Wales, and visitors plus locals alike are encouraged to explore the Wales Coast Path. 

A walking/hiking route which has been developed to link all of the country’s most wonderful landscapes and points of interest.

Our half hour trek presented a small taste of what is on offer – and it is striking!

Wales road trip - the gorgeous Gower

I’d spent the better part of this day trip around Wales’ extraordinary Gower Peninsula. Excitedly capturing photos and video, gossiping with fellow travel bloggers and gasping at the dramatic landscapes.

It happened to be a surprisingly sunny Sunday. The day before I was set to go back to work after a lovely break away exploring southern Wales.

When I wasn’t clicking to create digital memorie. My mind was chatting incessantly with ideas on what I wanted to write about. As usual I was anxiously mulling over my to-do list. Concerned about how I was going to get back into the swing of work the next day.

A must visit on you Wales road trip is Rhossili Bay

Breathtaking, Rhossili Bay

As our mini touring coach gently bumped along a narrow country road. I finally realised that actually I didn’t need to keep the mental chatter up; in fact, I could simply gaze out the window and be wonderfully mindful about where I was and what I had the opportunity to do and see on this breezy April day.

Just when I decided to stop and smell the roses, so to speak, my eyes widened as we slowly rolled by a spectacular green field sprinkled with sheep and baby lambs skipping around. As the setting opened up further, I spotted a number of horses casually grazing on a hilly piece of land overlooking the sparkling sea. It was incredibly beautiful, and like scenery I’ve only ever seen in films like 2015’s Far From the Madding Crowd (although I am aware it was filmed in England).

Being from Australia, I’m used to landscapes generally falling into the categories of country (inland), city or coastal, so to have pastoral blend with dramatic ocean views was a novel experience.

We drove into iconic Rhossili Bay (pictured above) for lunch – a genuine treat being that this beach is consistently voted within lists counting the world’s top ten (apparently something that has bothered the odd Australian travel journalist, but I’m happy to accept it as true)!

Wales road trip stunning scenery

Rhossili village and Worm’s Head (pictured above) were the first spots to be designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the United Kingdom,.

If you have the chance to visit here I strongly encourage you to.

A number of nice pubs sit atop the cliffs so you can experience the true meaning of ‘meal with a view’, but do leave plenty of time for exploring. And obviously, don’t forget your camera.

Here’s a video snapshot of our fabulous day…

 

Wales road trip travel tips

Stay 

Loved the location of the Holiday Inn in Cardiff – we had a nice room overlooking the castle and Bute park and I can’t wait to book a city break back here.

Play

Up the road from the Holiday Inn is a very cool bar and nightclub called Revolution. We had a chance to enjoy post-conference drinks here and liked the music playlist and spacious layout.

Adventure

See Wales is a great option if you’re wanting to explore without the hassle of hiring a car. Our day trip began and ended in Cardiff and took us to Swansea, the Mumbles, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay, Parc Le Breos ancient woodland and ruins, Rhossili and Worm’s Head on the west coast of the Gower Peninsula, then to Weobley Castle positioned above Llanrhidian Sands.

City Sightseeing red bus tours is a good idea for getting your bearings in Cardiff. If you buy your day pass on the ground it is usually valid for 48 hours so will double as your transport ticket around the city. The hop-on-hop-off coach begins its route outside Cardiff Castle every half hour, and ticks off the city’s must-see attractions including:

  • Cardiff Castle
  • National Museum
  • Doctor Who Experience
  • Cardiff Bay and Mermaid Quay
  • Techniquest
  • Craft in the Bay
  • Millennium stadium

Have you been to Wales? We plan on returning so if you have travel tips please leave them in the comments below.

Find out more about the other areas we visited in Wales, including the quaint town of Tenby and how to spend 24 hours in Swansea.

Tenby travel – the best of Welsh seaside charm

Tenby travel – the best of Welsh seaside charm

There are several things Sarah and I have in common: our passion for dogs (we love all kinds), food (my favourite is Thai) and travel, and they pretty much follow in that order.

With the Easter holidays finally upon us we jumped at the chance to get back on the road and Wales was on the radar, particularly Tenby and travel around the southern coast. Dogs and Thai food an expected bonus.

We arrive by train (book on Trainline or National Rail three months in advance for the best rates), having travelled from London’s Paddington station, via Swansea and across the southern coast.

As always we were eager to explore our new surroundings and everything Tenby might hold for us. Sarah and I decided to base ourselves at Croyland guest house which is conveniently just a five minute walk from Tenby train station, a stone’s throw from the centre of town and the dramatic cliff-top ocean views of Wales’ stunning coastline.

Tenby harbour

Armed with our cameras we strode into town excited by what lay ahead. Within minutes of our departure we are confronted by Tenby’s iconic coastline.

The first thing that catches my eye is the sheer expanse of the sea which looks like a rippling blanket of aqua-blue embracing the coastline’s vertical rocky cliffs.

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Tenby’s picturesque harbour can’t be missed. I’d seen it many times on postcards, pictures and advertisements, but there’s nothing like witnessing the real thing. Lean fisherman unload their haul while squabbling seagulls cry overhead, keen to scavenge whatever is left of the loot. We drink in our surroundings and click happily, capturing the scene which is dominated by the famous pastel tinted houses perched along the overhead hills.

Our trip to Wales 2016

The beautiful beach below reminds us of our fine sandy offerings back in Australia. I discovered it was during the Georgian and Victorian (19th Century) period that Tenby became popular with tourists because they believed the waters had therapeutic healing powers.

The appreciation of families and the abundance of happily barking dogs enjoying the cascading waves on the shore below was certainly leaving the impression that this place never fails to impress.

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A foody aroma entertains our senses so we set off in pursuit of a meal. For lunch we eventually chose the cosy family-run Caffe Llew – homely and highly recommended! It’s situated just down from the 800 year old St Mary’s Church. Of course, we later discovered many pubs, cafes and restaurants offer meal and drink deals, and we didn’t have a negative dining experience here, so would suggest all are worth a try.

The medieval town of Tenby is encased by an imposing stone wall – a reminder of an earlier period when it was once fortified by the Normans. Its maze of narrow cobbled streets, colourful houses and medieval buildings is wonderful, and it’s easy to envy those who get to dwell here just a little bit longer.

Tenby truly tops our list of most charming seaside stops, and not only is the town itself well worth hanging out in for a few days, but it’s the ideal place to explore the surrounding southern coastal region of Pembrokeshire.

Travellers tips

Cash

We’re used to using cards for everything, but we discovered more often than not in Wales (especially the smaller towns like Tenby) cash is king, so don’t be caught short because swiping ain’t going to get you far here.

Wifi

Actually, we had great difficulty with coverage and internet in Wales (bit challenging when you’re a travel blogger). Let’s just say that you need to have an idea of where you’re trying to go, because it’s not really helpful if you’re relying on Siri and just as she’s explaining how to navigate the Google map you’ve got open, she gives you the silent treatment because your coverage has disappeared in the middle of the Welsh countryside.

Train travel

Be organised here because while the train network is extensive, the timetable often has gaps of two to three hours, so you do need to be on time for connections. The upside though, is that they do have ticket facilities on board, so you can jump on at the last minute without fear of being penalised for not having paid the appropriate fare.

Car hire

Despite its status as a tourist destination, you can’t hire a car in Tenby. You can however, source hire options in nearby Kilgetty, Pembroke Dock or Carmarthen. If like us you’re coming to the area by train, from Swansea or Cardiff you’re likely to pass through Carmathen on the train anyway, so could get off there and pick up your car then drive to Tenby. Alternatively, you could catch a train from Tenby to Kilgetty or Pembroke Dock as we did, and hire from there. Book in advance though, as this whole area is popular and a car is essential so they do book out.

Here’s a glimpse of our southern coast adventure and the kinds of places you can explore from a base in Tenby including St Govan’s Chapel, Stackpole and Carew Castle…


Don’t miss the Gower Peninsular and Cardiff – read about it here.

Budget travel Swansea in 24 hours

Budget travel Swansea in 24 hours

Grey skies and the rhythmic rumble of the train had us lulled into a calm, dreamy state – understandable coming into our third hour since boarding in London.

I enjoy the countryside in the UK and I’m a total advocate of train travel here because you have the chance to enjoy it to the fullest. I love how it’s possible to identify where a town begins and ends, interspersed between vast rolling green spaces, broken down ruins of centuries-old structures, and historical steeples standing proudly.

Swansea travellivelearn castle in city 2

Onward, and I spied the pretty-looking outskirts of a city with homes neatly displayed upon the hillsides. As we crossed a romantic river with arched bridges stretching across the water and on into the distance, it occurred to me that it might be nice to stop here for a while and explore. I began to wonder where we might be and squealed a little with excitement as I pointed out to Cooper that we must have crossed over the border from England into Wales, because all of a sudden street, shop, train station and advertising signs all appeared in not just one language but two – the customary English and Welsh options evident across this country.

Next, to our surprise the conductor announced we had arrived in Swansea and it was time to alight. As it turned out, I would have the chance to explore this lovely little city more. Aptly too, Swansea was home to the world’s very first passenger railway service.

We were in Wales for our very first visit!

Swansea travellivelearn river

Wales’ second largest city and the twenty-fifth largest in the UK, Swansea lies within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Once a prosperous market village with medieval roots, later gaining prominence as a spa town, and evolving successfully into the industrial revolution, Swansea enjoyed positive growth for many years. While remnants of this history remains, sadly much of the city centre was destroyed during WWII when Swansea suffered numerous devastating bombing attacks due to its perfect positioning as a military port. Perhaps this is why much of the city felt to me like it was quite new. However, it has undergone heavy redevelopment recently and rundown port-side precincts are now being turned into housing, university campus sites plus film and television studios (an emerging industry in Wales right now).

Swansea was our first stop en-route to Tenby, then back to Cardiff and the Gower. Here for 24 hours and keen to keep the spending to a minimum, here’s our guide to budget travel in Swansea.

See in Swansea

The best value option here is definitely the bus. For £4.20 a day (as at April 2016) you can hop on and off the local bus which offers a multitude of routes around the entire area.

Our best tip is to get yourself on a number 2 express (easy to find at the city’s central bus station) and head over to a gorgeous coastal precinct called ‘the Mumbles’. Imagine pretty houses, extraordinary views across Swansea Bay, boutique shopping, fish and chips, and a grand old castle called Oystermouth. The Mumbles is just 25 minutes bus ride from the city centre, and you can wander along the promenade up to the lighthouse, or discover where the clifftop walks begin and take yourself off on a windswept adventure.

Swansea travellivelearn Sarah and Cooper

Stroll in Swansea

There’s much to see and do in Swansea and most of it is accessible on foot. The main mall presents shopping, pubs and eateries of all types. This is a university city, so as you’d expect there’s plenty of great deals on food and beer to be had. We don’t mind the odd meal at Pizza Express or a stop-over at Aussie-themed Walkabout (both particularly good value if you’re taking advantage of UK-wide TasteCard or Gourmet Society 2-4-1 deals as we do), and it’s not hard to discover something to fit a tight budget and your unique taste.

Across Swansea there’s lovely open areas, parks, waterways, interesting historical architecture and even an old castle (although it’s not hard to find castles in Wales – apparently there’s 641 of them).

The city is well signed with regards to directing visitors to its most important attractions and facilities, so see where your feet and imagination take you.

Swansea travellivelearn with flag Oystermouth Castle

Sleep in Swansea

We chose to stay at the Premier Inn on the waterfront. It’s positioned in a quiet, recently-redeveloped part of town overlooking the marina, and set below the hills decorated with locals’ homes that I originally noticed on the train. Book well in advance for a neat deal that includes a contemporary, well-appointed room plus breakfast. Conveniently there’s a Tesco Express with an ATM and a bus stop outside; the hotel is just a ten to fifteen minute walk from the city centre, a large Sainsburys supermarket and the enchanting museum dedicated to writer and poet, Dylan Thomas.

Swansea the Mumbles waterfront travellivelearn

 

Our enchanting next port of call – Tenby in Wales – read about it here, and view a sneak peek below…


Love the Welsh coastline? You need to visit Cardiff and the Gower Peninsula!