Great Driving Roads - South West and South Wales
Discussion
I have a free weekend (woohoo) as the wife is on a hen do so I fancy going for a drive. It has been a while since I have been out for a blast for the sake of it so want to make the most of this opportunity.
I am based in Bristol so was wondering where I could go that would incorporate as little motorway as possible and somewhere to "open the taps" without automatically losing my licence?
I don't want to drive for hours on end to get somewhere but all suggestions would be welcomed! I notice Chris Harris' videos tend to be based in Crickhowell...?
Thanks in advance,
Ed
I am based in Bristol so was wondering where I could go that would incorporate as little motorway as possible and somewhere to "open the taps" without automatically losing my licence?
I don't want to drive for hours on end to get somewhere but all suggestions would be welcomed! I notice Chris Harris' videos tend to be based in Crickhowell...?
Thanks in advance,
Ed
kwits lurking around the corner.Two of Mr Harris' recent videos were made close to Bristol - The M5 vs GTR was on the B4040 between Old Sodbury and Acton Turville, and the McLaren was filmed just South of Chew Valley lake near Priddy.
Do you want nadgery B-roads or fast sweeping A-roads? How far / how many hours are you looking for?
My New Years' Day trip to Wales was great, but 350 miles and seven hours might be a bit much.
Do you want nadgery B-roads or fast sweeping A-roads? How far / how many hours are you looking for?
My New Years' Day trip to Wales was great, but 350 miles and seven hours might be a bit much.
Bit of a left-field choice this:
From Bristol, down the M4 and exit at J36 then take the A4061 North past Bryncethin. All you do then is keep following the A4061 through Treorchy and Treherbet. Now, both towns are pretty decrepit but the roads in between are challenging and tight.
Eventually you'll see signs for Hirwaun. Follow these until you get to a big r'bout on the A465. Then follow the A4059 over the moors until you get to the junction with the A470. Turn left towards Brecon.
When you get to the village of Libanus, hang a left (signposted Dylife A4215) and follow this to the junction with the A4067. Turn left.
After going through Ynyswen, look for a left turn for the A4221. Turn left and follow the signs for A4221 / Glyn-Neath.
Eventually, you'll get to the A465 at Glyn-Neath where you should head towards Neath (very fast, open DC; easy to spot scam vans although I've never seen one along there). At the junction with the M4, follow the signs for Cardiff, then Bristol!
From Bristol, down the M4 and exit at J36 then take the A4061 North past Bryncethin. All you do then is keep following the A4061 through Treorchy and Treherbet. Now, both towns are pretty decrepit but the roads in between are challenging and tight.
Eventually you'll see signs for Hirwaun. Follow these until you get to a big r'bout on the A465. Then follow the A4059 over the moors until you get to the junction with the A470. Turn left towards Brecon.
When you get to the village of Libanus, hang a left (signposted Dylife A4215) and follow this to the junction with the A4067. Turn left.
After going through Ynyswen, look for a left turn for the A4221. Turn left and follow the signs for A4221 / Glyn-Neath.
Eventually, you'll get to the A465 at Glyn-Neath where you should head towards Neath (very fast, open DC; easy to spot scam vans although I've never seen one along there). At the junction with the M4, follow the signs for Cardiff, then Bristol!
By the time you've included getting to the old Severn Bridge this route could be around six hours, but it's got some great roads.
Chepstow - Brecon - Elan Valley - Devils Bridge - Rhayader - Builth Wells - Abergavenny - Raglan - Chepstow
It's a good mix of fast, quiet A-roads and interesting B-roads. The Elan Valley Visitor Centre (Point B on the map) has a café and toilets. Facilities are also available in Brecon, Rhayader and Builth.
Chepstow - Brecon - Elan Valley - Devils Bridge - Rhayader - Builth Wells - Abergavenny - Raglan - Chepstow
It's a good mix of fast, quiet A-roads and interesting B-roads. The Elan Valley Visitor Centre (Point B on the map) has a café and toilets. Facilities are also available in Brecon, Rhayader and Builth.
Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Wednesday 7th March 01:07
Why not join this run out
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Good roads, good company and good cafe what more do you need!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Good roads, good company and good cafe what more do you need!!
kiteless said:
Bit of a left-field choice this:
From Bristol, down the M4 and exit at J36 then take the A4061 North past Bryncethin. All you do then is keep following the A4061 through Treorchy and Treherbet. Now, both towns are pretty decrepit but the roads in between are challenging and tight.
Eventually you'll see signs for Hirwaun. Follow these until you get to a big r'bout on the A465. Then follow the A4059 over the moors until you get to the junction with the A470. Turn left towards Brecon.
When you get to the village of Libanus, hang a left (signposted Dylife A4215) and follow this to the junction with the A4067. Turn left.
After going through Ynyswen, look for a left turn for the A4221. Turn left and follow the signs for A4221 / Glyn-Neath.
Eventually, you'll get to the A465 at Glyn-Neath where you should head towards Neath (very fast, open DC; easy to spot scam vans although I've never seen one along there). At the junction with the M4, follow the signs for Cardiff, then Bristol!
This would get my vote - just done it over the last couple of days in a GT3, and the A4059/A470 is TREMENDOUS. Bit bumpy on the A4061 north of Treherbert, but worth it for the views. Do it!From Bristol, down the M4 and exit at J36 then take the A4061 North past Bryncethin. All you do then is keep following the A4061 through Treorchy and Treherbet. Now, both towns are pretty decrepit but the roads in between are challenging and tight.
Eventually you'll see signs for Hirwaun. Follow these until you get to a big r'bout on the A465. Then follow the A4059 over the moors until you get to the junction with the A470. Turn left towards Brecon.
When you get to the village of Libanus, hang a left (signposted Dylife A4215) and follow this to the junction with the A4067. Turn left.
After going through Ynyswen, look for a left turn for the A4221. Turn left and follow the signs for A4221 / Glyn-Neath.
Eventually, you'll get to the A465 at Glyn-Neath where you should head towards Neath (very fast, open DC; easy to spot scam vans although I've never seen one along there). At the junction with the M4, follow the signs for Cardiff, then Bristol!
M48 original Bridge - Chepstow
Wye valley all the way to Monmouth
(yes the over the top to Usk routes are great but you're doomed if you get behind Doris in her Daewoo)
Over the Wye Bridge in to Monmouth
Find Hereford Road - A466 and aim toward Hereford
At the junction with the B4521 turn left for Abergavenny
Get on to A40 for Brecon
At Crickhowell turn on to the A4077
Head for Llangattock - on Hillside Road
Turn RIGHT for Beaufort and follow up to the B4560.
Either left or right will work and then turn around and run back
Join the A465 (Heads of the Valleys road HoV)) at Beaufort and go west to Merthyr Tydfil
There, go north on the A470 to the Beacons Reservoir
Turn left on to the A4059 and down to Penderyn (visit distillery) and on to junction where it meets the HoV.
Over the roundabout onto Rhigos Road A4061 toward Treherbert.
.... and tack on to advice given earlier...
Hope that helps
Wye valley all the way to Monmouth
(yes the over the top to Usk routes are great but you're doomed if you get behind Doris in her Daewoo)
Over the Wye Bridge in to Monmouth
Find Hereford Road - A466 and aim toward Hereford
At the junction with the B4521 turn left for Abergavenny
Get on to A40 for Brecon
At Crickhowell turn on to the A4077
Head for Llangattock - on Hillside Road
Turn RIGHT for Beaufort and follow up to the B4560.
Either left or right will work and then turn around and run back
Join the A465 (Heads of the Valleys road HoV)) at Beaufort and go west to Merthyr Tydfil
There, go north on the A470 to the Beacons Reservoir
Turn left on to the A4059 and down to Penderyn (visit distillery) and on to junction where it meets the HoV.
Over the roundabout onto Rhigos Road A4061 toward Treherbert.
.... and tack on to advice given earlier...
Hope that helps
kiteless said:
Bit of a left-field choice this:
From Bristol, down the M4 and exit at J36 then take the A4061 North past Bryncethin. All you do then is keep following the A4061 through Treorchy and Treherbet. Now, both towns are pretty decrepit but the roads in between are challenging and tight.
Eventually you'll see signs for Hirwaun. Follow these until you get to a big r'bout on the A465. Then follow the A4059 over the moors until you get to the junction with the A470. Turn left towards Brecon.
When you get to the village of Libanus, hang a left (signposted Dylife A4215) and follow this to the junction with the A4067. Turn left.
After going through Ynyswen, look for a left turn for the A4221. Turn left and follow the signs for A4221 / Glyn-Neath.
Eventually, you'll get to the A465 at Glyn-Neath where you should head towards Neath (very fast, open DC; easy to spot scam vans although I've never seen one along there). At the junction with the M4, follow the signs for Cardiff, then Bristol!
If you like it dangerous, start caving - loads of caves and fast roads in this areaFrom Bristol, down the M4 and exit at J36 then take the A4061 North past Bryncethin. All you do then is keep following the A4061 through Treorchy and Treherbet. Now, both towns are pretty decrepit but the roads in between are challenging and tight.
Eventually you'll see signs for Hirwaun. Follow these until you get to a big r'bout on the A465. Then follow the A4059 over the moors until you get to the junction with the A470. Turn left towards Brecon.
When you get to the village of Libanus, hang a left (signposted Dylife A4215) and follow this to the junction with the A4067. Turn left.
After going through Ynyswen, look for a left turn for the A4221. Turn left and follow the signs for A4221 / Glyn-Neath.
Eventually, you'll get to the A465 at Glyn-Neath where you should head towards Neath (very fast, open DC; easy to spot scam vans although I've never seen one along there). At the junction with the M4, follow the signs for Cardiff, then Bristol!
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
By the time you've included getting to the old Severn Bridge this route could be around six hours, but it's got some great roads.
Chepstow - Brecon - Elan Valley - Devils Bridge - Rhayader - Builth Wells - Abergavenny - Raglan - Chepstow
It's a good mix of fast, quiet A-roads and interesting B-roads. The Elan Valley Visitor Centre (Point B on the map) has a café and toilets. Facilities are also available in Brecon, Rhayader and Builth.
This is a bloody great route, have driven the first half from Chepstow to Builth twice now and off again tomorrow. I particularly love the road between Brynmawr and Llangyndir although the bridge over the river just after is spectacularly tight for the RS's fat ass Chepstow - Brecon - Elan Valley - Devils Bridge - Rhayader - Builth Wells - Abergavenny - Raglan - Chepstow
It's a good mix of fast, quiet A-roads and interesting B-roads. The Elan Valley Visitor Centre (Point B on the map) has a café and toilets. Facilities are also available in Brecon, Rhayader and Builth.
I could drive around Wales for the rest of my life, hope to see a few PH'ers out there!
If you're planning to use Severn Bridge to/from the Brecon Beacons at any stage I highly recommend using the road that runs from Chepstow to Usk. I think it's the B4235 looking at the map.
It's best driven in the eastward direction. The first bit is quite open and flowing, but as you get into the trees near Chepstow it becomes really twisty with an almost alpine feel.
It's best driven in the eastward direction. The first bit is quite open and flowing, but as you get into the trees near Chepstow it becomes really twisty with an almost alpine feel.
kiteless said:
Bit of a left-field choice this:
From Bristol, down the M4 and exit at J36 then take the A4061 North past Bryncethin. All you do then is keep following the A4061 through Treorchy and Treherbet. Now, both towns are pretty decrepit but the roads in between are challenging and tight.
Eventually you'll see signs for Hirwaun. Follow these until you get to a big r'bout on the A465. Then follow the A4059 over the moors until you get to the junction with the A470. Turn left towards Brecon.
When you get to the village of Libanus, hang a left (signposted Dylife A4215) and follow this to the junction with the A4067. Turn left.
After going through Ynyswen, look for a left turn for the A4221. Turn left and follow the signs for A4221 / Glyn-Neath.
Eventually, you'll get to the A465 at Glyn-Neath where you should head towards Neath (very fast, open DC; easy to spot scam vans although I've never seen one along there). At the junction with the M4, follow the signs for Cardiff, then Bristol!
Did this exact route today, it was brilliant so thanks for the tip! The a4059 over the top was so good I turned around at the reservoir and drove it again. Car got a bit dirtyFrom Bristol, down the M4 and exit at J36 then take the A4061 North past Bryncethin. All you do then is keep following the A4061 through Treorchy and Treherbet. Now, both towns are pretty decrepit but the roads in between are challenging and tight.
Eventually you'll see signs for Hirwaun. Follow these until you get to a big r'bout on the A465. Then follow the A4059 over the moors until you get to the junction with the A470. Turn left towards Brecon.
When you get to the village of Libanus, hang a left (signposted Dylife A4215) and follow this to the junction with the A4067. Turn left.
After going through Ynyswen, look for a left turn for the A4221. Turn left and follow the signs for A4221 / Glyn-Neath.
Eventually, you'll get to the A465 at Glyn-Neath where you should head towards Neath (very fast, open DC; easy to spot scam vans although I've never seen one along there). At the junction with the M4, follow the signs for Cardiff, then Bristol!
Edited by shin0r on Sunday 24th November 15:31
Weather was so good Saturday went for drive along M4, over the old bridge into Chepstow. B4325 up to Usk. A40 up to Abergavenny onto to Crickhowell. Then took wrong road to Talybont, then Brecon towards bottom of Pen y Fan. Left Brecon on my favourite bit on b4520 to Builth Wells.
Following reading all the routes on this page, will need some more me time to explore some of the other parts of south wales
Following reading all the routes on this page, will need some more me time to explore some of the other parts of south wales
Edited by griffgray on Thursday 28th November 15:41
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