Bristol Forum: Bristol, Bath, and Wales

Thanks for your detailed reply. When you say outside Cardiff, which place/locality are you referring to as a hotel base.

I also like the idea of staying at least for one or two noghts in a castle accomodation in Wales. Any recommendations on a good castle accomodation on bed and breakfast, which is not extremely expensive.

It's true Snowdonia is a place not to miss even if it is quite a long distance away from Cardiff. Any suggestions on how to split the driving distance which will be well over 2 hours to/from hotel. I'm sure that my wife and daughters will not be so keen on such a long drive at one go.

I am sure you will get more practical help on the Welsh forums... You might find something on the National Trust website (I know they manage historic buildings and rent some of them out) or the Tourist Board for South Wales.

I have past a couple of large chain type hotels on the M4 going to Cardiff... again you would be best doing your own search then asking on the local forum for opinions and suggestions.

I used to regularly take the train up through the valleys and in the winter with snow and frost on the ground the old coal mining villages take on a magical appearance. Of course in the summer you are constantly reminded of their industrial past and the fact that living cam be tough. Nice coming across free roaming sheep and ponies on the hills.

Snowdonia is too far. It's 4 hours to get there from South Wales, which is too much when you only have 3 days and wish to visit the South.

As for staying in a "castle", if you're looking for something with turrets, dungeons and jesters I think you're going to be disappointed. If you're looking for a country house which is not too expensive you could try this one

http://www.crosswayshouse.co.uk/index.php

otherwise there is a youth hostel in St.Briavels castle in the Wye valley, which is a genuine castle, but a "no-frills" accomodation option

yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/…index.aspx

Other country house hotels tend to be on the expensive side.

You could try an old coaching inn instead, which is the more typical place to stay. The Bear at Crickhowell is v.good, as is the 3 Salmons in Usk.

If you want interesting castles - cardiff castle and carreg cennen are v.different but each are spectacular for different reasons.

For mountains - stick to the Brecon Beacons

For coast - Rhosili in the Gower or (a good bit further west) - Pembrokeshire, around St.Davids or around Tenby.

Think about a trip up the Wye valley and Forest of Dean

Big Pit is excellent, as is the St.Fagans Museum of Welsh Life.

Around Bristol and Bath there is also Wells and Glastonbury, Lacock Abbey, and neither Stonehenge nor Avebury are too far away

p.s. use www.viamichelin.co.uk for route planning

Thanks for your help. Which locality between Bristol and Bath would you recommend as a hotel base?

I would stay in either Bristol or Bath, spend 1 day in each and use the train to visit one from the other (it's only a 15 minute journey - much quicker and easier than driving between the 2 and then trying to find somewhere to park). I would only use the car to visit locations outside of these 2 and for your next stage into Wales.

If you decide to visit Stonehenge then you could stop in Salisbury for a night?

Seemed pretty to nice to me when I was there. Nice cathedral, and a copy of the Magna Carta. Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum has more information on Stone Henge than Stonehenge does! Just an idea.

Tintern Abbey is a spectacular ruin, and just across the bridge from Bristol.

Bath is my favorite city. Your daughters might enjoy shopping there. And the Costume Museum.

Have a nice trip!

You will find a much wider selection and better prices in Bristol... and Bath is a lovely day trip.

An idea for a place to stay in south Wales... have a look through the photographs, see what you think:

http://www.plasllanmihangel.co.uk/index1.htm