Chichester to Aberystwyth: best route?Muy

[Soleil224]

My son is at Uni in Aberystwyth, which means regular trips from the South Coast.


After some experiment, my preferred route so far is:

A27/M27 to Southampton

M3 to Winchester

A34 to Newbury

M4 to Jn 24 Newport

A449/A40 to Abergavenny

A40/A470/A44 to Builth Wells, Rhayader, Aberystwyth

Best time so far is about 5 1/2 hours, but that was not pleasant!


Can anyone suggest a route that is faster and/or more relaxing? And suggestions for a more scenic route that won't add more than about an hour to the journey for those occasions when I am not pushed for time?

Vehicle is (from Wednesday) a Mercedes C32 estate, so fast but no Evo through the hills!

Many thanks.

[MartynVRS]

M4 to the end then get to Cross Hands, go through Llandeilo, pass through Talley (narrow at 2 points but OK) to Lampeter, go through Aberaeron and up to Aber. I live in Gorseinon, just outside Swansea and it's easily done in 1hr 50m and my best time is a lot better than that.

[N Dentressangle]

I would say you're already using the best route.

It's 250 miles after all, and you're going to average 50mph ish with all the A road work.

Travelling in mid Wales is always going to be a slow process. The geographical isolation is part of what makes Aber the place it is. 1970 isn't just the dialling code for the place - it's where it's stuck in time.

[Soleil224]

Thanks guys, your advice is much appreciated.

I did try the Cross Hands, Lampeter, Aberaeron route, and found myself driving up the side of a cliff just after Aberaeron: since I suffer quite badly from vertigo, I was not happy!

I think I will stick to what I know......

Aber is indeed stuck in the 70's, and my son loves it, but I'm not sure that Lampeter has quite struggled out of the 1940's just yet!


David S