Wales Roads - route and roads advice
Discussion
I'm driving up to Anglesey soon and travelling from London but don't want to take a dull direct motorway journey.
Am initially travelling on M4 and then crossing into Wales and wondered if anyone had any recommendations and tips for a decent route or some roads to experience driving Northbound from South Wales. Appreciate it's a seriously long drive but we are all up for it having done many European road trips in the past.
Have looked on Google and put a route together, no idea if it's decent or not, i just googled driving roads in Wales and stuck the recommendations together!
https://goo.gl/maps/QMWVLCweaecgUrk56
Any help is much appreciated guys :-)
Am initially travelling on M4 and then crossing into Wales and wondered if anyone had any recommendations and tips for a decent route or some roads to experience driving Northbound from South Wales. Appreciate it's a seriously long drive but we are all up for it having done many European road trips in the past.
Have looked on Google and put a route together, no idea if it's decent or not, i just googled driving roads in Wales and stuck the recommendations together!
https://goo.gl/maps/QMWVLCweaecgUrk56
Any help is much appreciated guys :-)
I'd suggest M40 then M6 Toll, but instead of carrying up the M6, shoot off along the M54 past Telford to Shrewsbury, then drop onto the A5, heading through Snowdonia.
Plenty of roads in and around the Snowdonia to have some fun, not to mention the "EVO triangle" near lake Bala if that is what your after.
I'd break that journey clearly into 2 parts, Motorway segment, then Smaller roads, say with a stop around Shrewsbury to cut it in half. Reason being, you don't want to be hitting the roads of Snowdonia feeling fuzzy. It's a fair old slog on the smaller roads and you'll want to keep your wits about you, because caravans, tractors blah blah
Also, this time of year, just be wary that you'll almost certainly take much longer than planned to do the journey, and even the best remote roads of Snowdonia are likely to be busy, especially on weekends.
Plenty of roads in and around the Snowdonia to have some fun, not to mention the "EVO triangle" near lake Bala if that is what your after.
I'd break that journey clearly into 2 parts, Motorway segment, then Smaller roads, say with a stop around Shrewsbury to cut it in half. Reason being, you don't want to be hitting the roads of Snowdonia feeling fuzzy. It's a fair old slog on the smaller roads and you'll want to keep your wits about you, because caravans, tractors blah blah
Also, this time of year, just be wary that you'll almost certainly take much longer than planned to do the journey, and even the best remote roads of Snowdonia are likely to be busy, especially on weekends.
As you'd be doing the A4069 in the wrong direction and its a long way round, i'd recommend that you take the A470 from Merthyr to Brecon, then take the upper chapel road from Brecon to Builth. You can turn off on to the A4059 for a blast and tun around and come back, its one of the most used roads by Top Gear.
MNut said:
I'm driving up to Anglesey soon and travelling from London but don't want to take a dull direct motorway journey.
Am initially travelling on M4 and then crossing into Wales and wondered if anyone had any recommendations and tips for a decent route or some roads to experience driving Northbound from South Wales. Appreciate it's a seriously long drive but we are all up for it having done many European road trips in the past.
Have looked on Google and put a route together, no idea if it's decent or not, i just googled driving roads in Wales and stuck the recommendations together!
https://goo.gl/maps/QMWVLCweaecgUrk56
Any help is much appreciated guys :-)
The reason for the 'long drive' from south to north is largely due to the time it takes rather than the distance - even worse at this time of year with slow caravans added to the tractors and general dithering. It can feel like twice as long as it is when you are stuck in a long queue with the terminally unable to overtake stretched out in front of you... If you are coming off season or in the dead of night it can be great though.Am initially travelling on M4 and then crossing into Wales and wondered if anyone had any recommendations and tips for a decent route or some roads to experience driving Northbound from South Wales. Appreciate it's a seriously long drive but we are all up for it having done many European road trips in the past.
Have looked on Google and put a route together, no idea if it's decent or not, i just googled driving roads in Wales and stuck the recommendations together!
https://goo.gl/maps/QMWVLCweaecgUrk56
Any help is much appreciated guys :-)
I wouldn't rule out the option of the M40, M6, M54 then A/B roads. This allows you to make reasonable progress for the first part, then finish off on some great driving roads (probably still a 2.5-3 hour drive from where you come off the M54 to Anglesey) and gives the added benefit of missing out most of the 'smart' motorway north of Brum which gets soul destroying after a couple of hours.
We travel from Anglesey to Surrey using the above about once a month and if we use this route then we can make it in under 5 hours of an evening as it is quicker than using the M6. If the traffic is bad/accidents we have taken 8+ hours to do the same journey. It was excellent through lockdown but is now returning to normal so travelling out of hours is best.
Thanks for the advice guys, very helpful.
Have modified the route to more palatable time!
https://goo.gl/maps/6FMsdZQzY4kNJBsy9
Have modified the route to more palatable time!
https://goo.gl/maps/6FMsdZQzY4kNJBsy9
That looks a good route OP.
I personally go M11 / A14 (Then M6, Toll Road, M54 etc) but I'm based over that side of London. Progress is still possible on both those roads (traffic permitting!)
Personally I would keep on the A5 from Capel Curig as the road through Ogwen and then down to Bethesda is a good one with some overtake options and wonderful views (weather permitting!) Your way is also good though - perhaps do a loop there if you have time
I see you've included some of the 'Evo triangle' - be aware that that has average speed cameras on it now, as does the section of the A5 that you're missing out.
2 mobile van locations to watch out for are 1) on the A5 'chirk bypass' (60) just before the goes off left, where they lurk on a bridge just where there's a tempting crawler lane and 2) right at the NW end of Llangollen (30) where they lie in wait round a bend just before the new 'Aldi'.
The A5 is best enjoyed with a car with enough poke to make the most of the frequent, but sometimes short, overtaking opportunities.
I personally go M11 / A14 (Then M6, Toll Road, M54 etc) but I'm based over that side of London. Progress is still possible on both those roads (traffic permitting!)
Personally I would keep on the A5 from Capel Curig as the road through Ogwen and then down to Bethesda is a good one with some overtake options and wonderful views (weather permitting!) Your way is also good though - perhaps do a loop there if you have time
I see you've included some of the 'Evo triangle' - be aware that that has average speed cameras on it now, as does the section of the A5 that you're missing out.
2 mobile van locations to watch out for are 1) on the A5 'chirk bypass' (60) just before the goes off left, where they lurk on a bridge just where there's a tempting crawler lane and 2) right at the NW end of Llangollen (30) where they lie in wait round a bend just before the new 'Aldi'.
The A5 is best enjoyed with a car with enough poke to make the most of the frequent, but sometimes short, overtaking opportunities.
Canon_Fodder said:
That looks a good route OP.
I personally go M11 / A14 (Then M6, Toll Road, M54 etc) but I'm based over that side of London. Progress is still possible on both those roads (traffic permitting!)
Personally I would keep on the A5 from Capel Curig as the road through Ogwen and then down to Bethesda is a good one with some overtake options and wonderful views (weather permitting!) Your way is also good though - perhaps do a loop there if you have time
I see you've included some of the 'Evo triangle' - be aware that that has average speed cameras on it now, as does the section of the A5 that you're missing out.
2 mobile van locations to watch out for are 1) on the A5 'chirk bypass' (60) just before the goes off left, where they lurk on a bridge just where there's a tempting crawler lane and 2) right at the NW end of Llangollen (30) where they lie in wait round a bend just before the new 'Aldi'.
The A5 is best enjoyed with a car with enough poke to make the most of the frequent, but sometimes short, overtaking opportunities.
I was aware of the average speed cams on the Evo Triangle but thanks for the rest of the tips, will make a note of the locations. We plan on taking our time and stopping for the odd photo and drone shot and also enjoy the odd road again inteh opposite direction.I personally go M11 / A14 (Then M6, Toll Road, M54 etc) but I'm based over that side of London. Progress is still possible on both those roads (traffic permitting!)
Personally I would keep on the A5 from Capel Curig as the road through Ogwen and then down to Bethesda is a good one with some overtake options and wonderful views (weather permitting!) Your way is also good though - perhaps do a loop there if you have time
I see you've included some of the 'Evo triangle' - be aware that that has average speed cameras on it now, as does the section of the A5 that you're missing out.
2 mobile van locations to watch out for are 1) on the A5 'chirk bypass' (60) just before the goes off left, where they lurk on a bridge just where there's a tempting crawler lane and 2) right at the NW end of Llangollen (30) where they lie in wait round a bend just before the new 'Aldi'.
The A5 is best enjoyed with a car with enough poke to make the most of the frequent, but sometimes short, overtaking opportunities.
I'm in an M2 so it does ok on the overtakes :-D
MNut said:
Thanks for the advice guys, very helpful.
Have modified the route to more palatable time!
https://goo.gl/maps/6FMsdZQzY4kNJBsy9
Looks good as suggested elsewhere I wouldn't bother with the EVO bit especially if its a weekend and sunny. Watch out though as they appear to having a bit of crackdown on speeders all along that route.Have modified the route to more palatable time!
https://goo.gl/maps/6FMsdZQzY4kNJBsy9
MNut said:
Thanks for the advice guys, very helpful.
Have modified the route to more palatable time!
https://goo.gl/maps/6FMsdZQzY4kNJBsy9
If you are doing the A5 I'd really be tempted with the dive off after Pentrefoelas to Ysbyty Ifan and over to Ffestiniog. The road over the top is fabulous (check it on googlemaps), then through Rhyd, Beddgelert and past Llyn Gwynant back to Pen y Pass below Yr Wyddfa.Have modified the route to more palatable time!
https://goo.gl/maps/6FMsdZQzY4kNJBsy9
Probably add about 30 minutes to your journey?
Oooh A5 you say...
Google the EVO Triangle, the name comes from EVO magazine, where alot of car shoots are done, was over there this weekend, not a car insight, speed cameras yes, but still a good drive.
A543 (Just off the A5), slap bang in the middle of Snowdon
Apologies if this has been mentioned already....
Google the EVO Triangle, the name comes from EVO magazine, where alot of car shoots are done, was over there this weekend, not a car insight, speed cameras yes, but still a good drive.
A543 (Just off the A5), slap bang in the middle of Snowdon
Apologies if this has been mentioned already....
DailyHack said:
Oooh A5 you say...
Google the EVO Triangle, the name comes from EVO magazine, where alot of car shoots are done, was over there this weekend, not a car insight, speed cameras yes, but still a good drive.
A543 (Just off the A5), slap bang in the middle of Snowdon
Apologies if this has been mentioned already....
I've binned off the Evo triangle, will maybe give it a go on the way home which will be a week day.Google the EVO Triangle, the name comes from EVO magazine, where alot of car shoots are done, was over there this weekend, not a car insight, speed cameras yes, but still a good drive.
A543 (Just off the A5), slap bang in the middle of Snowdon
Apologies if this has been mentioned already....
Trophy Husband said:
If you are doing the A5 I'd really be tempted with the dive off after Pentrefoelas to Ysbyty Ifan and over to Ffestiniog. The road over the top is fabulous (check it on googlemaps), then through Rhyd, Beddgelert and past Llyn Gwynant back to Pen y Pass below Yr Wyddfa.
Probably add about 30 minutes to your journey?
Added it mate, thank you :-)Probably add about 30 minutes to your journey?
Trophy Husband said:
If you are doing the A5 I'd really be tempted with the dive off after Pentrefoelas to Ysbyty Ifan and over to Ffestiniog. The road over the top is fabulous (check it on googlemaps), then through Rhyd, Beddgelert and past Llyn Gwynant back to Pen y Pass below Yr Wyddfa.
Probably add about 30 minutes to your journey?
Yes that's a very good shout - only possible drawback is the road from Beddgelert up towards Pen y Pass is on the sightseeing coach itinerary and if two of those big boys meet halfway up the hill on the narrow & bendy section it can be a right old faff-fest. Probably add about 30 minutes to your journey?
Another option I sometimes take is from Shrewsbury go Welshpool, Dolgellau and then up to Ffestiniog.
An M2 sounds absolutely ideal OP. My 2 series diesel not quite so good but still not bad
Tupwood said:
Looks lIke you've missed the best road in North Wales. Head west from Bala and pick up the B4391…
I'd since modified the route - think it's on here https://goo.gl/maps/vgDqEsKQYKRNbEgL6 but did you mean head EAST to Bala? From Bala the B4391 pretty much stops or am I missing something obvious on the map! :-Dbennno said:
As you'd be doing the A4069 in the wrong direction and its a long way round, i'd recommend that you take the A470 from Merthyr to Brecon, then take the upper chapel road from Brecon to Builth. You can turn off on to the A4059 for a blast and tun around and come back, its one of the most used roads by Top Gear.
I was going to suggest just this, can even stick to the A470 the rest of the way up, it's not a bad route and takes you through Snowdonia where you can take a couple of detours without adding hours to your journey. Driven the above many times and its a great drive!MNut said:
I'd since modified the route - think it's on here https://goo.gl/maps/vgDqEsKQYKRNbEgL6 but did you mean head EAST to Bala? From Bala the B4391 pretty much stops or am I missing something obvious on the map! :-D
Take the A4212 north / east from Bala – the B4391 re-appears as a righthand turn about 9 miles out of town. Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff