Road trips around Wales range from the spectacular to the sublime. There’s only one motorway, which is an extension of the M4 from London and stretches to Carmarthenshire in the west. The rest of your travel around Wales will be on A roads and dinky country lanes.

Don’t let this put you off though. The slower pace is ideal for holidays and drinking in the beauty this part of the UK has to offer. Road rules are the same as England and road signage is in both English and Welsh. You can have fun learning a little of the local language.

A road trip around Wales is a great way to make the most of Autumn. The changing colours, crisp mornings and cooler temperatures combine to create ideal road trip conditions. So pack your camera, overnight bag and prepare for a Welsh road trip to remember. We have three wonderful routes for you to explore.

7 days exploring Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is in the far southwest of Wales and home to one of the smallest national parks in the UK. It’s also one of the most diverse landscapes. Pembrokeshire covers a large part of the Welsh coastline and has multiple off-shore islands. The beaches here have some of the cleanest bathing water in the entire UK.

Road trips around Wales taking in Pembrokeshire national park will show off some of the UK’s most special coastline. For this route exploring Pembrokeshire, we advise you to take seven days. That sets a comfortable pace with ample time to stop to take photos. You’ll be able to soak up the uniqueness of each spot and relax into your holiday too.

This road trip covers 120 miles, starting in Tenby and finishing in Freshwater West beach, you’ll have a chance to thoroughly explore this gorgeous corner of Wales.

Day 1: Starting in Tenby, take a break from your drive to the southwest of Wales with a boat trip to Caldey Island.

Day 2: Take the A478 across Pembrokeshire to arrive in Cardigan. Take some time to visit Cardigan Castle and relax on Poppit Sands Beach with a hot chocolate from a local café. Rise early for a dolphin boat trip in Cardigan Bay before heading to Fishguard.

Day 3: Take the 487 to Fishguard, taking a short detour to visit Strumble Head Lighthouse and making sure you stop for a short hike at Dinas Head.

Day 4: Continue on the A487 to St David’s and visit the Blue Lagoon along the way as you journey south.

Day 5: Explore St David’s and head east on the A487 towards Marloe’s Sands. Make sure you take a boat trip to Skomer Island.

Day 6: Make your way around Milford Haven using the A477 to Pembroke Castle. Milford  Haven is the second deepest natural harbour in the world. It measures 26 metres at its deepest point. Pembroke Castle is a stunning medieval structure with free guided tours throughout the day.

Day 7: Head to Freshwater West beach for a relaxing day. A trip to Bosherton Lily Ponds is recommended. From Freshwater West it’s just 18 miles to Tenby, where your Welsh road trip began!

3 days of peak exploration

Road trips around Wales that take in the peaks are just as enjoyable as the coast, maybe more so in Autumn. Starting in the south at Cardiff, this 175-mile road trip winds its way north through all of Wales’ high points. Expect fabulous forests, sliding slate slopes and dark skies for spectacular stargazing.

Day 1: Head out of Cardiff along the A470 and wind your way through the Brecon Beacons. There are plenty of places you’ll want to stop to drink in the view or take snaps to share with friends. Continue into Powys, Wales’ largest county, aiming for the Elan Valley and the small village of Rhayader. This is an ideal spot for stargazing, so don’t head to be too early!

Day 2: Continue northwest through Snowdonia National Park, sticking with the A470. If you fancy some action, stop for some mountain biking along the trails at Coed Y Brenin Forest.

If you prefer something a little more sedate, a stop at the Centre for Alternative Technology is well worth your while. It’s not too far off your path. You’ll find this centre devoted to clean energy solutions that combat climate change in Machynlleth on the edge of Snowdonia National Park.

Day 3: After spending the night in Snowdonia, it’s time to hit the coast at Conwy. Before you reach the north coast, you could stop for a surf lesson with Parc Snowdonia or an appetising break to try some Welsh food at Bodnant Estate.

2-day road trips around Wales exploring the north

This two-day jaunt takes in the northernmost tip of Wales and is an excellent choice if you only have a few days to explore with a road trip around Wales. This corner of Wales is known as Anglesey Island. There is no need to catch a boat, you can drive there across a massive suspension bridge.

Known for its pristine beaches and ancient sites, it’s a wonderful place to explore. On the eastern side of Anglesey is the pretty seaside town of Beaumaris. From here you can take boat trips to Puffin Island where you can see (surprise!) puffins nesting between April and July.

Day 1: Explore Anglesey Island starting at Holyhead, the northern tip, and finishing in Beaumaris.

Day 2: Drive from Beaumaris to Snowdon along the A487. Here you can take one of eight trails to the peak of the mountain, or opt to take the Snowdon Railway to the top if you’re feeling less energetic.

Road trips around Wales are great ways to see some of the UK’s most breathtaking scenery. It’s around four hours from London along the M4 to Cardiff. Whether you choose the south coast, a trip through the centre or a short journey exploring the northern tip, a Welsh road trip is sure to be a memorable one. If you’ve already travelled through Wales, why not plan a stunning Scottish road trip instead?

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