Touring Wales

Rowena has asked for suggestions of places to go and things to see in Wales.  This is my contribution.

We live in Wales but still enjoy touring here because there is so much to see. Whenever possible we use Club sites simply because we like their ambience.

On our way backwards and forwards to the ferry ports when visiting France we usually stop in Tredegar Park. It is a lovely site set in the grounds of the National Trust property with acres of land to exercise dogs. It is also well worth looking around the house and gardens while you are there. When we are in transit we also find it a convenient stop-off place to pick up groceries from the very large ASDA store which is a short walk or even shorter drive away. This would also be a good starting point within Wales for visitors from the South East as it is 120 miles from London so an easy three hours towing. From Tredegar Park it is easy to visit Cardiff with its shops and entertainment as well as Monmouth and the Wye Valley.

A further 70 miles will bring you to the Club site at Pembrey. This is one of our favourites on the whole network. If you enjoy walking or cycling it is ideal. It is a short walk to Cefn Sidan sands with miles and miles of beach. Although part of it is 'dog free' there are still miles where you can walk your dog. The Millennium Cycle path runs a few hundred yards from the site the 9 miles to Llanelli along the coast taking in the lovely harbour at Burry Port. There are cafes along the way and an excellent fish and chip shop just over the railway bridge in Burry Port.

In the Country Park there is also a ski centre with artificial slopes, a toboggan run, two cafes, good children's play areas and miles of walks and cycle trails through Pembrey Forest. We love it.

45 miles further west you will find the Club site at Freshwater East. This is a peaceful site off season within 200 metres of the dunes and beach at Freshwater East. There is a short walk up a very steep hill to an excellent pub serving good food. Pembroke with its castle, shops and Mill Pond Walk is only 3.5 miles away and the historic Lamphey Palace, the former residence of the Bishops of St Davids is nearer still at just over a mile away. Lamphey Village has one of the best small bakeries in West Wales where you can buy really good tasty bread every day. It also has several good restaurants.

It is well worth while spending a few days at Freshwater East in order to visit some of Pembrokeshire's beautiful beaches which make up the UK's only coastal National Park. Surfers will enjoy Freshwater West or Newgale. Walkers will enjoy doing all or some of the 172 mile Pembrokeshire Coast walk which runs from Amroth to St Dogmaels as well as exploring the many inland walks around the Preseli Hills from whence came the Stonehenge Blue Stones. The town of Tenby with its picturesque harbour and beaches is also well worth a visit and you can catch a train from Lamphey just over a mile awayfrom the Club site if you visit in high season when parking can be a problem in Tenby town.

Thirty one miles further north is the Club site at Llythyr Meadow in St Davids. Again a site within walking distance of the beach at Whitesands. This beach is 'dog free' during the summer months but it is still possible to walk dogs along the coastal path and around Carn Llidi north of the site or along the lanes to St Davids itself. St Davids City is the smallest city in the UK and a pleasant day can be spent exploring its cathedral and Bishop's Palace as well as the National Park Centre based there. There is a lovely walk from Caerfai Bay near the NP Centre right around the headland and back to the city via St Non's well. So much to do if you like walking.

We haven't stayed at Shawsmead Club site yet but plan on doing so. It is an easy drive from there to the lovely town of Aberaeron with its harbour and shops. North of Aberaeron is the traditional seaside and University town of Aberystwyth and then the historic towns of Machynlleth and Dolgellau. We tend to drive further north to Snowdonia because our son and granddaughter live there. We usually stay at the affiliated site Riverside Park at Bettws y Coed. Again, this is an area where there is so much to do. The site itself is in the village and a short walk across the pedestrian railway bridge brings you to a parade of shops and an area of parkland. The village has many 'outlet' shops for camping goods and we have found many bargains there. You can catch a train from the station to Llandudno for a day out, visit Snowdon and the Electric Mountain at Llanberis, and have a day trip to Bangor and Bangor Pier or Anglesey. The National Trust property at Penrhyn Castle is also worth a visit combined with a trip to Bangor. This area is a walkers' heaven. Even the not so active can enjoy a trip to Swallow Falls or a trip to the shops in Bettws.

This is only a short outline of a trip along the coast of Wales from the South East up to Snowdonia. There are also other beautiful areas inland and a trip to the Brecon Beacons with a stay at Brynich could be interjected between Tredegar Park and Pembrey. Brecon is a lovely market town and there are some lovely walks alongside the Brecon and Monmouth Canal from Brynich site.

Anyone undertaking a tour of Wales will realise that although it is a small country it has a wealth of variety of scenery and wherever you go you will never be short of things to do.