GoSox

I am thinking about a five day trip to Wales next fall, combined with some more time in Yorkshire. Have been to UK several times but not these parts. Just looking at a map it looks like the town of Wrexham might be a good location as a hub. We like to stay in a town where we can walk to pubs or restaurants at night, we like luxury accomodations and, together with our friends who will be with us, we want to visit historical sites, Roman archeological sites, gardens and cathedrals. I am not locked into this location if it is not a good town. Thanks for any suggestions.

GoSox

Forgot to add - we will have a car.

flanneruk

This is probably the first time in the history of the world that "luxury accommodation" and Wrexham have been used within a mile of each other.

The densest concentration of cathedrals in the area is in Liverpool. but Chester is probably the closest to what you're looking for. North Wales is reasonably rich in things to see, though frankly limited in places "where we can walk to pubs or restaurants at night". The English towns on which the area depends (Liverpool, Manchester, Chester and Shrewsbury) are infinitely better for that. Posh accommodation actually in North Wales is limited to a handful of country houses, far away from anywhere you can walk to

BUT: I'm really struggling to think of any serious Roman sites in North Wales. There are some significant things around Caerleon in the south - but intra-Wales communications are so hopeless, you've absolutely got to stay around Newport, Gwent, or even round Bristol for that. North Wales is good for scenery, castles and a few gardens: it's even got one decent, if minuscule, cathedral (St Asaph). It's not actually got too many historical sites, BTW, though Edward I's Statute of Rhuddlan was the key moment in bringing civilisation and proper law to Wales.

GoSox

This is probably the first time in the history of the world that "luxury accommodation" and Wrexham have been used within a mile of each other.

Thanks - I had a feeling and this is why I asked the question. Afterwards I googled Wrexham and saw some news about a street brawl.

I think we can satisfy our cathedral touring in Leeds and York. Castles seem in abundance and I was intrigued by the description of Bryn Celli Ddu. We have previously visited Newgrange in Ireland and liked that.

So you are suggesting border towns will be more to our liking? We are easily amused but do enjoy our creature comforts.

hetismij2

Segontium, on the edge of Caernarfon is definitely Roman.
Wrexham is worth visiting, the church is impressive.
Street brawls happen everywhere.
Maybe you should look further west.

indy_dad

We focused more on castles and scenery so not sure if this helps, but here are our TRs:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...orth-wales.cfm

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/north-wales.html

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ng-snowdon.cfm

On three separate weekend trips we stayed in Criccieth, Conwy and Caernarfon.

GoSox

Great help - thanks to all. I think Conwy looks like a good location for us.

ElendilPickle

We spent three days in north Wales in 2007. Here's a link to my trip report, if you're interested: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...b-may-2007.cfm

Lee Ann

Kate

Wales in general is rather starved of luxury accommodation - British visitors tend to self cater or stay in caravans, so hotels aren't as abundant as you might imagine.

Harlech might be a good base - a small town, but well positioned for visiting nearby places, including the fascinating Portmeirion - a crazy town of italian buildings built by an eccentric victorian. The Prisoner was filmed there. Harlech also has the obligatory cliff hugging castle, and the longest beach in the UK. And Snowdonia is on your doorstep.

I have been meaning to go back to Harlech to stay and eat here: http://www.castlecottageharlech.co.uk/

It isn't a huge luxury hotel, it's a restaurant with rooms. But looks like it has the requisite creature comforts.