hanleyster

Hello Everyone! I have a wedding to go to that takes place May 1, 2009. Me and my girlfriend are going to fly in to Cardiff and meet the groom at the airport. He is going to take us to his home town of Swansea for the bachealor (stag) party. Then, he is off to Halifax (Yorkshire England for the wedding prep) and we have about 5 days to kill before the wedding.

I am thinking... getting a brit rail pass and going

1)Swansea to Tenby
2)Tenby to Fishgard
3)Ferry to Rosalar Ireland
4)Train from Rosalear to Dublin
5)Dublin Ferry to Holyhead
6)Holyhead to Halifax where the wedding is.
7)Halifax to York and then
8)York to London
9)London To cardiff and back to USA.

If anyone could chime in and mention things to see on the way and if there is a better route, that woudl be great, thanks!

janisj

Have you been to the UK before? I'd say that itinerary is a bit on the nutty side. It is basically just travel/travel/travel. It appears you only really want to see Swansea and Dublin - if so, you can travel back to Cardiff from Swansea, then cheaply fly from Cardiff to Dublin and then from Dublin to Leeds.

If Ireland/Dublin is not a "must" - then there is a LOT you could see/do in Wales and Yorkshire in your 5 days. That would be my choice.

alanRow

Have to agree that it sounds "nutty".

In addition York can be done as a day trip from Halifax

Suggest you have a look at www.whichbudget.com & www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com

deeboy

Not sure how well you know the UK, but I'd strongly suggest you just focus on two areas if you only have 5+ days:

1) From Cardiff, visit the S Wales Coast one day, and then spend some time in the Bath area (staying over there for a night or two if you like). Bath's a beautiful City with a unique atmosphere and there are lots of lovely peiod B&Bs and small hotels. From there, you can drive out to some lovely places in the country too. If you have time, Bristol is also a nice city and has lively nightlife. Cardiff/ Bristol/ Bath all very well linked by train.

2) Get to Halifax and spend some time in the medieval city of York, and make a daytrip or two to some other parts of Yorkshire, again staying over in York if you like.

Hope that helps

Dee

hetismij

This is slightly off topic but what is your girlfriend doing during the stag night?

As others have said you are trying to do too much with your five days, and haven't figured in jet-lag/hangover time either. Spend a couple of days in SOuth Wales, then head for Yorkshire - visit York before the wedding, so you have a recovery day after it - weddings can go on into the small hours, and you won't want to have to get up early to travel the next day.

MissPrism

This is slightly off topic but what is your girlfriend doing during the stag night?

She'll be at the hen night, of course ;-)

caroline_edinburgh

I'm going to disagree & say this I think this does sound nice ! I am normally against lots of moving around & constant travelling but this is over a fairly short timescale, & I assume you are quite young & fit. The only place I'd suggest dropping is London which you can't possibly see in a day, so might as well leave it for another trip. None of the other places is that big and a good flavour of each can be got in a day. You should be able to get overnight boats to save time during the days.

Tenby & Fishguard are lovely and would be nice places to spend a day in each. The train trip along the south Wales coast is beautiful, although the trains are a bit ancient & manky. Plus there aren't many a day, so check the timetable. (I know all this because my PILs live in Pembroke, unfortunately for us.)

"York can be done as a day trip from Halifax" - it can, but Halifax is horrible whereas York is nice

My only caveat is - you may not want to travel the day after the stag do...

alya

Do you have to fly out of Cardiff?

If you are still contemplating London wouldn't it make more sense to fly from London?

I agree that I don't think you have realised the affect that jet lag will have on you and your ability to enjoy your first couple of days.

Caroline, I don't think they are contemplating visiting Halifax other than the wedding - Piece Hall used to be a lovely place to visit especially on market day but the whole town has gone downhill in the last 6/7 years.

Pity really because it does have some interesting architecture. Andy Thornton's on the outskirts of town is my favorite place to visit - never bought anything but a fascinating place.

caroline_edinburgh

Alva, I just said that as someone ewlse suggested staying in Halifax & visiting York as a day trip from there.

I hadn't heard of Andy Thornton's but had a google - looks interesting for anyone into antiques (I'm not, I'm afraid).

There used to be a clog factory somewhere nearby but I think I read it was closing some years ago ? I always thought I should give them a go. When I was studying archaeology one of my fellow students wore a pair for field trips and said they were comfy, although they didn't look it.

hanleyster

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for your replies, i will write back with a large responce tonight!

alya

caroline_edinburgh

I know the clog mill you are talking about on the outskirts of Hebden Bridge. They've moved http://www.clogs.co.uk/.

You can buy the strangest things at Andy Thornton's from a larger than life Marilyn Munroe made from resin (skirt flying), church artifacts, contemporary lighting and of course the antiques - It's worth and hour or so if you are in the area.

caroline_edinburgh

Ooh, thanks for the extra info, alya !