Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Day 1: Leave London and travel west to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds through England’s prettiest historic villages. Get the best photos and hear the most fascinating local tales. Travel through the Welsh Marches marked out by the ancient Offa’s Dyke. Head into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and beautiful Elan Valley. Finally, head to the beautiful seaside town and cultural center of Aberystwyth, where you spend the next two nights. Day 2: Travel north into the mountainous Snowdonia National Park. You visit the beautiful village of Beddgelert, where you can see the grave of ‘Gelert’, the legendary dog. Later you travel to Harlech Castle. Built by King Edward I during his conquest of Wales nearly 800 years ago, this mighty fortress still stands overlooking the peaks of Snowdonia and the sea. After a fulfilling day in the mountains, you return to Aberystwyth in the late afternoon. Day 3: Travel around the coast of Cardigan Bay through Aberaeron to New Quay. Explore the picturesque harbor and get the chance to spot dolphins and whales. You then go inland to explore the Dinefwr Estate* (Newton House) and its ruined castle before heading for Wales’s south coast to visit Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas lived for the last few years of his life and wrote the famous play “Under Milk Wood”. From here, it’s a short distance to Tenby, the small, charming seaside town that’ll be your base for two nights. *When the Dinefwr Estate is closed, you visit Carreg Cennen Castle instead. Day 4: See some of Britain’s most gorgeous coastlines at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Travel to the tiny cathedral city of St Davids for lunch and exploration, and stop in the county town of Pembroke to enter the thick medieval walls of the castle. From here, return to Tenby for a relaxed evening. Day 5: Leaving Tenby in the morning, begin your return journey to London. Head past the industrial cities of South Wales to the outskirts of Cardiff, and visit the outdoor National History Museum. Take the Severn Bridge back into England, and take a break at Castle Combe, a Cotswold village perfect for a relaxed stroll amongst 16th-century ironstone cottages.

Explore Wales’ Coastal Way your way with this guidebook that illustrates a scenic 222-mile (365 km) point-to-point trip across 17 of the region’s most picturesque destinations. Designed for flexibility, the guide is organised into themed sections—each covering the Llŷn Peninsula, Cardigan Bay, and North Pembrokeshire—so you only visit the places that you choose. __________________________________________________________________ WHAT TO EXPECT • This is an online travel guide – much like a digital book – ready for you to read, browse, and get inspired while planning at home or using your phone on the go. • The guidebook offers an overarching plan to help shape your multi-destination holiday, with different ideas and sample itineraries. It shows how destinations can be combined to suit your timeframe – typically from 3 to 14 days. • It’s designed to help you decide where to go, what to see, where to stay, and to inspire your trip in a way that suits your interests. It also includes helpful tips such as how to get there and where to park. • Please note: the guide itself is not customisable. However, each route includes Uncover Britain’s own pre-populated Google Maps with suggested pins and directions, plus customisable directions by section using Google Maps. __________________________________________________________________GO BEYOND THE CLASSICS WITH: • Llŷn Peninsula – Explore coastal gems like Pwllheli and Aberdaron with spectacular scenery • Cardigan Bay – Visit seaside favourites like Porthmadog, Barmouth, and Aberdovey • Aberystwyth – Enjoy a scenic promenade, cultural landmarks, and mountain views • Heritage Sites – Discover Harlech Castle, Portmeirion, and St David’s Cathedral • North Pembrokeshire – Discover Newport and Fishguard, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park • St. David’s – The UK’s smallest city, rich with history and charm • Breathtaking beaches, historic towns, and hidden coastal paths all await __________________________________________________________________ While you could search for places to go on your own, this guide offers curated context and ready-made itineraries along a recommended journey—so you don’t have to second-guess or piece everything together yourself. HOW TO ACCESS: see Know Before You Go

Day 1 It’s time to explore the beauty and history of south Wales. Leaving Bristol, your first main destination is St Davids, known as the smallest city in Britain. Despite its tiny stature, St Davids has claimed city status thanks to the 12th century cathedral found in the heart of the town. The cathedral is definitely worth a visit, not just for its beauty, but you can learn all about the history of the city inside. In the afternoon, your driver-guide will take you on a beautiful drive along the Pembrokeshire Coast in the south of Wales, choosing the best places to stop depending on what might interest the group. Hills, estuaries, valleys, and woodlands, this stunning region really has it all. Arrive in Tenby in the early evening and this is your destination for the night. Settlement in Tenby town dates back to the 9th century, so no surprise there’s plenty to see here. Day 2 Have the morning to explore Tenby and discover at your own pace. Witness the town's fascinating history and amazing icons, including what's left of Tenby Castle and the medieval town walls. Poetry lovers will enjoy the stop at the lovely town of Laugharne. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas lived in his boathouse here from 1949 until his death in 1953. See the boathouse, open to the public, or perhaps use your time for a quick refreshment since there are plenty of pubs to choose from. In the afternoon you can visit Carreg Cennen Castle. This incredible stronghold sits high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Cennen, so get your camera ready. There’s time here to explore the ruins and even grab a quick bite for lunch. Be treated to a drive through the scenic Brecon Beacons mountain range. A perfect way to end the day before you arrive in Abergavenny for the evening. Day 3 Bookworms get ready. Your first stop of the day is in Hay-on-Wye, known as the First Booktown in the World. This town has become famous for its secondhand and antiquarian bookshops, so your free time here could result in a small reading collection for your travels. Travel onwards to Ross-on-Wye, the UK’s best loved market town. Here you have some time to wander and grab some lunch. Board the bus and head off through the Wye Valley. This scenic route is considered the birthplace of British tourism and the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Your journey takes you to your next stop, Tintern Abbey. Sitting on the banks of River Wye, there’s some fascinating history behind this now-roofless national icon which was founded in 1131. Your last stop of the tour is in Chepstow where you can marvel at the power of Chepstow’s Norman castle. Arrive back in Bristol in the early evening.