Route to North Wales from the South

Muso101
Muso101 Forum Participant Posts: 28
edited March 2018 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Planning a trip with the caravan from Poole,Dorset to North Wales,probably stay at a site near Rhyl,but am flexible.   Just googled maps,they suggest traveling mainly motorway,so was wondering if anyone has done a similar trip before,and if so could offer me an alternative route for the caravan,maybe taking in south Wales?  So if anyone can recommend a good site,and route,also maybe a suitable overnight stop on the way,I would be most grateful.

Many thanks cool

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #2

    I’d use the motorway route, personally, and break the journey perhaps at Tewkesbury or Blackmore/Malvern, if an overnight stop is needed.

    I’d then do S Wales on another occasion taking in Tredegar House and/or Pembrey, maybe.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #3

    We've driven up through Abergavenny/Builth Wells etc heading for Snowdonia but for Rhyl the M5 would be easier. You could cut across via the M54 to Shrewsbury/Oswestry/Wrexham if you want to escape the M way and there are sites on that route. smile

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited March 2018 #4

    As I would not fancy a 6 hour drive and detest that section of the Motorway near Birmingham I would have broken the journey at Moorhampton Caravan and Motorhome Club Site, Hereford

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,394 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #5

    I agree with Brue, but sorry I cannot help with a route from Poole to the M5. From Wrexham you can either take the A525 to Denbigh and Rhyl or the A541 to Mold and the A55. The A525 is a nice drive in good weather if you don't mind the hills and the bends especially on the Nant-y-Garth pass.

    peedee

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
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    edited March 2018 #6

    Our preferred option from the South West to Wirral is to come off the M5 at North Worcester and then on to Kidderminster, Shrewsbury, Wrexham and join the A55. We go to Swindon & Cirencester to get to the M5 from the M4.

    If you come the English side of the border, then Gloucester, Ross on Wye, the A49 north and pick up the A55 near Chester is an easy route. On the Welsh side, Newport, Abergavenny, Builth Wells, Newtown, Welshpool, Oswestry, and on towards Wrexham, then Chester unless you want to go down the picturesque Conway Valley which would mean cutting across to Llangollen, Betws y Coed and up to Conway.

    Simplest route to go through Wales is across towards Cardiff and pick up the A470 which is a glorious drive to Conway.

    You are spoilt for choice if you want to avoid the M6 and the top end of the M5. 

    Not sure why you are going to Rhyl. Both Prestatyn and Rhyl have their challenges.

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
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    edited March 2018 #7

    I live in South Wales and we have been to both Anglesey and Llanrwst with the caravan. It's fine as far as Brecon then it becomes narrow, passing through small towns and can be very tedious. Scenic if you are happy to do it.

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited March 2018 #8

    Living in Wrexham I agree with Aspensha.   I would add The Road links between north and south Wales my be scenic but they ain’t fast.  The North Worcester, Kidderminster route is certainly our preferred route. It is generally no slower than M5 route.   

    Like Aspenshaw I am not sure Rhyl would be my first choice of a place to visit up here. 

  • Lynneallan
    Lynneallan Forum Participant Posts: 77
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    edited March 2018 #9

    Be careful , There are a lot of road works around  Abergavenny.

    lynne

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #10

    Both Prestatyn and Rhyl have their challenges.

    So delicately put Aspenshaw.smile

    You might prefer to try a bit further along the coast, anywhere from Abergele to Conwy, then visit Rhyl on a day out to see what you missed. There's a few sites in and above Abergele. Unfortunately the CMC doesn't recognise North Wales as a tourist attraction, seemingly being fixated on Yorkshire.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited March 2018 #11

    I towed from Angelsey to Pembrokeshire last year, or was it the year before? Didn't seem particularly onerous.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited March 2018 #12

    I used to like the CC affiliated site near to Caernarvon. No longer affiliated. If I won a week at Rhyl in a charity raffle I would ask them to pick another winner.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #13

    Much nicer to go nearer to Colwyn Bay or Llandudno but you'd have to look for CLs or commercial sites.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #14

    Yes, ET, I liked the Caernarvon site as well. Many a happy weekend spent there when still working.

  • Muso101
    Muso101 Forum Participant Posts: 28
    edited March 2018 #15

    Thank you all for your replies and advice which I will take on board,enough information to help me plan my route,once I've booked a site.  I think Rhyl will get 'the sack' and will look further along the coast,so thanks for that as well.   As suggested will probably plan a day trip to the town,I stayed there as a boy scout ,many.many years ago,so fancy taking a trip down 'memory lane!'

    Take care everyone.......

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #16

    We've used Plas Farm Caravan and Lodge Park in the past and found it a well run and well kept site, although a tad expensive. It's situated above Abergele and the road leading to it up from Abergele is a bit nervy. However once ensconced the views are wonderful and most of the attractions close by. You can even walk to the local pub in the village.

    Enjoy your trip.

  • norab
    norab Forum Participant Posts: 64
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    edited March 2018 #17

    I would agree  with tinwheeler . 

    Half way stop at malvern not far off the motorway . There is a lot to do and see in north Wales . We stayed at Lady Margaret’s Park . 

    and as said do South Wales another time . 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #18

    Have a good time and enjoy your memory lane trip too. Plenty to see in the area with Snowdonia close by. smile

  • notite
    notite Forum Participant Posts: 96
    edited March 2018 #19

    We stayed at Bron Derw at Llanwrst last year for 10 days and returning again this year, also staying at Plas Farm.

    I, drove from Chirk along the A5 to Betws-y-Coed, very scenic but encounted lots of Timber trucks and they don't give way to anyone, that was 3 years ago.

    Has others have said pass Rhyl by, just visit for a couple of hours max 

  • Frank Gill
    Frank Gill Club Member Posts: 153 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #20

    Stayed at Abergale while on a bike tour of Wales (brilliant road's for motorcycling) stood on the sea wall, mile after mile of static caravans.

  • Traficlady
    Traficlady Forum Participant Posts: 99
    First Comment
    edited March 2018 #21

    Manorafon Farm at Abergele is good. Bus stop just outside to Rhyl (if you must!) or Llandudno, which is nice. 

    Sorry, can’t help with the route though. 

    Nora

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