Lechyd-da!

So, the Project Manager and I have gone out on something of a limb and booked a trip to the UK for this coming Christmas. Please don't get started on masks, injections, Government Policy, Variant D, E or Omega, any of that stuff and let's get happy about the prospect. All dates below are based on what I think will happen.

We'd love some advice on where to go in Wales. We are arriving in the UK the week before Christmas and staying in Hampshire, leaving Winchester on December 26th. We have booked Portmeirion on the 29th, and a hotel in Snowdonia for the 30th and 31st, heading back south on New Year's Day for our flight back on January 3rd. We're pretty set on what we do before Christmas and the days in Wales already booked over New Year, but we've got three other nights in Wales (with a hire car) for the night of the 26th through the morning of the 29th which are open.

I love the idea of the coast road up through New Quay, Aberaeron, Aberystwith and Barmouth as a route. We'll be coming over the Severn Bridge on the M5. A Welsh friend has advised us to avoid Cardiff, Swansea and the southern cities at that time of year for reasons best explained by himself, I'm just passing on instructions.

So the question really is - where do we stay on a leisurely trip up the Welsh coast over three nights? We love quiet, country, peaceful and dramatic scenery and historic cities. We also love good food and a comfortable bed. We don't need 5* hotels, but we also appreciate not having to pee in a field. A decent curry house counts for good food also, but local cuisine would be great.

We're also cool with a city environment, our last two days will probably be right on Trafalgar Square in London, so we don't freak out at the sight of a bus or a taxi.

We've got about 200 miles to drive, I suppose, and we don't want to be dragging the suitcase in and out of the car every five minutes, so where can we go so we have one, maybe two stops overnight on the way north? Bear in mind this is the end of December so "great sunny, sandy beach" probably isn't top of our list. We also won't be packing crampons, so yomping up to the top of the Brecon Beacons with half a bar of Kendal Mint Cake and a thermos of tea isn't on the cards either (been there, done that, Royal Hampshires, winter, 1976 and no thermos of tea).

All suggestions gratefully received and appreciated.

Diolch!

(See, we're getting good at this)

Steve. Hope helps https://www.visitwales.com/inspire-me/days-out/christmas-shopping-and-christmas-markets-wales   I would avoid cardiff, aim for Bangor, Caernarvon, Aberystwyth
,  Harlech.

Thanks, Chris. Great help, as always.

Quote from: LASteve on July 31, 2021, 04:38:52 AM
Thanks, Chris. Great help, as always.

I would email tourist information see what's on and check hotels, markets what's open to avoid disappointments

Well we have a magnificent beach which is as attractive in Winter as it is in Summer. If you like walking, there's a former coal railway along the cliffs, leading to the ruins of a coal mine and iron works.  Normally, we have a New Year's Day Swim event, with up to 2, 000 people taking part, so the village is busy with fireworks the previous night. This year, well who knows? Keep an eye on facebook.com/visitsaundersfoot/

If you like Dylan Thomas, his house, pub and grave can be found in Laugharne (pronounced Larn) not far away.

https://www.dylanthomasboathouse.com/
https://browns.wales/

St David's, Wales' smallest city (pop 1600), has a magnificent cathedral and nearby coves (Solva, Porthgain) and beaches (Newgale, Whitesands) are beautiful whatever the weather. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/St-Davids-Wales/

Nearest steam railway is the Gwili near Carmarthen - https://gwili-railway.co.uk/

Wales has a complete coastal path if walking's your thing. Variable challenges at different points. https://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk

There's so much more though...

Mike

Having just finished watching the heavy but entertaining Welsh police drama series 'Hinterland' on Netflix, I would not recommend Aberystwith.... they have multiple murders there every week, if the show is anything to go by! 

Quote from: maridunian on July 31, 2021, 09:01:09 AM
Well we have a magnificent beach which is as attractive in Winter as it is in Summer ...

Mike

Thanks for all that Mike, exactly the sort of ideas we're looking for. I've never been to that part of Wales, so that's a great area to spend a couple of days before heading north. I'll do some research!

Unfortunately we'll miss the cold-water swim on New Year's Day as we'll be in Betsw-y-Coed. I'm sooo disappointed

Quote from: Bealman on July 31, 2021, 09:17:32 AM
Having just finished watching the heavy but entertaining Welsh police drama series 'Hinterland' on Netflix, I would not recommend Aberystwith.... they have multiple murders there every week, if the show is anything to go by! 

I had a broken leg set in Aberystwyth hospital when I was four, a plaster cast from my toes to my hip. A little emergency room drama to help liven up the family holiday fortnight!

Steve in betswy coed check Ffestiniog, portmeirion , Blaenau   and https://www.glanaberhotel.co.uk/christmas-party-packages/  plus  good luck

Quote from: LASteve on July 31, 2021, 04:31:25 AM
We'll be coming over the Severn Bridge on the M5.

Item 1 on the "to buy" list - a road map 

Quote from: LASteve on July 31, 2021, 03:36:48 PM

Quote from: maridunian on July 31, 2021, 09:01:09 AM
Well we have a magnificent beach which is as attractive in Winter as it is in Summer ...

Mike

Thanks for all that Mike, exactly the sort of ideas we're looking for

You're very welcome Steve. Do message me any follow up / detail questions you may have. Travelling west of Carmarthen, assume 30mph tops when calculating travel times.

Mike

PS We also have a Monterey Cypress which has recently been saved from felling through a public campaign. https://www.tenby-today.co.uk/article.cfm?id=131236&headline=Twelve%20months%20reprieve%20for%20%E2%80%98Saundersfoot%E2%80%99s%20Lonely%20Tree%E2%80%99&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2021

Quote from: chrism on July 31, 2021, 03:53:15 PM

Quote from: LASteve on July 31, 2021, 04:31:25 AM
We'll be coming over the Severn Bridge on the M5.

Item 1 on the "to buy" list - a road map 

Ah right - it's been a while since I've been down that neck of the woods.

Quote from: LASteve on July 31, 2021, 04:39:14 PM

Quote from: chrism on July 31, 2021, 03:53:15 PM

Quote from: LASteve on July 31, 2021, 04:31:25 AM
We'll be coming over the Severn Bridge on the M5.

Item 1 on the "to buy" list - a road map 

Ah right - it's been a while since I've been down that neck of the woods.

It's the M4 that crosses the Severn - using the new Severn crossing. The old Severn Bridge is now on the M48 which loops off the M4 and back but, unless you want to go to Chepstow or Monmouth, the M4 is probably the better route to take.

Incredibly Magor Services, close to where the two join at the Welsh end, is no longer the worst services in the UK, according to the latest Which? survey there are 19 others that are worse !!!!

creeping off topic...i recently discovered how very affordable houses are in the valleys. Friends of mine are moving off this island, from a 1 bed flat--and buying a 3 bed semi--in move-in condition--and putting 40  grand in the bank.

But the M5 is handy if you want to get from Brum to Cornwall 

Not on the coast, or in Wales, but in the general direction from the Welsh Coast to Heathrow.
Ross and Hay on Wye are reputedly very nice spots to stay.

John P