plr

I'll be in Wales for 7 days in June, focused on visiting castle ruins. My list has turned out to be fairly typical, I guess, clustered across the north & the south with no stops through mid-Wales. I would so appreciate advice and recommendations on where to best situate myself for day trips so that I am not packing my bags every day, nor killing my days with lots of excess driving either. I just have no idea of the terrain, the roads, and what are reasonable distances. I'll be arriving from & returning to Manchester airport, and at this point, I think I'll be visiting the following:

North Wales:
Beaumaris, Caernafon, Conwy, Criccieth, Harlech, Rhuddlan, Denbigh?, Dolwyddelan?
Possible addition of a number of burial chambers & standing stones in the Anglesey Region. (Are they relatively easy to locate so that I again do not waste time driving in circles?)

South Wales:
Caerphilly, Chepstow, Raglan, Tintern Abbey, Kedwelly, Pembroke, Carreg Cennen?, Ceilgerran?, Dinefwr? Llansteffan?

PalenQ

Conwy, a small walled quiet town and more boisterous Llandudno, just a few miles away, are great bases IMO for your North Wales itin. I based in Llandudno, a slightly fading seaside resort but one that teems with B&Bs for all budgets - Conwy has fewer accommodations and more pricey - two very different places but both with great rail service if going by train or of course car. Add IMO the Great Orme, in btween conwy and Llandudno to your list - take the antique tram up top for marvelous views extending even to Blackpool on a clear day.

Llandudno as I found out is pronounced with a clicking c sound at the start - the Lls being a clicking C sound.

MissPrism

No C in it at all, more like hhhl
Go to http://www.howjsay.com/
type it in and get the pronunciation

Maudie

Hi plr, we have booked this cottage in June near Betws-y-Coed. Have no idea of how many there are of you or your price range but it may be of interest.
http://www.snowdonia.uk.net/index.html

The owner has been very helpful and friendly during our email correspondence.

plr

PalenQ, are you saying that I can stay in Conwy or Llandudno (however it's pronounced!) and do day trips to all those sites I listed for the North and the Anglesey Region without too much wasted time on the road?

Thanks Maudie. I'm putting your link on my list. At this point, however, I am really needing just strategic help in terms of 2-4 "base camps" for me to stay and be able to get to my listed sites economically in terms of time and distance. Not yet looking for specific lodgings--just locations.

plr

I'm sending this question to the top again, in hopes that some of you might help me by looking at the locations of my castle visits to advise me on whether (and where) I will need 2, 3, or 4 different lodging locations to efficiently use my time in Wales. (How's That for a run-on sentence?!)

Frances

Despite the fact that I think Conwy is over-rated on this board it is rather lovely and very well located for all of your visits in the North. I live in S.E. Anglesey and it takes me about 30mins to get to Conwy. Reaching Harlech is what would take you longest and I estimate that at about one and a half hours from Conwy. On the other hand you could fit it in to your journey southwards.
In the South, Tenby is a favourite of mine but the majority of the castles you mention there are further east. You would not see them all in one day trip from Tenby.
Dinefwr and Carreg Cennen are perfect if you are staying in Llandeilo- look at the Cawdor Arms Hotel. Do you know that Dinefwr is a bit of a trek- you have to walk.
As far as the burial mounds are concerned I presume you are talking about Barclodiad Y Gawres and Bryncelli Du? I can help you with exact instructions but anyone you stop and ask will also help as long as you speak Welsh.

PalenQ

Conwy to me is dull and boring - nothing there but to others that may be a big plus - Llandudno is livelier, at least in season and on Saturdays when lots of folks seem to flock here to shop - at least was hopping the Saturday I was there during my week stay.

plr

Frances & PalenQ, thanks for your thoughts about Conwy vs Llandudno. And Frances, it is so helpful to know the realistic travel times to certain points! I was way off-base in my guesses about that. Yes I had for sure had those two neolithic sites on my list, and there are others, so I'm betting I will want more than one day on Anglesey. Any recommendations on location for lodging in that area? I don't speak Welsh, so may be left to my own devices for finding the sites!
Re Dinefwr--I'm a walker, but would like to know how long a "trek" it is? Tenby was not on my list. How is it a favorite of yours, Frances?

Frances

For accomodation in Beaumaris look at cottagewales.co.uk and choose the Castle Square apartments. At that time of year they let per night. The location is unbeatable- the photograph shows you how close the castle is. The standard of these apartments is very good indeed. Guests at our daughters wedding stayed here last year and were universally delighted. Beaumaris has a number of restaurants and pubs serving food at all prices

egnolive

We visited many of your northern castles from our base near Betwys-y-coed.

We also had a day trip to Anglesey, mainly to see neolithic sites. After visiting several TI's, no one could direct us to a detailed map showing how to get to them. We had several maps and directions from guidebooks. Nevertheless, we spent endless hours driving and only found one. Its a beautiful place, so not all lost! Will have to try it again some day.

So my advice would be to get detailed directions to those you want to see and be prepared that you still might miss some.

You are going to have a great time.

packer4rob

Hi PLR, when we did our Wales trip we based our nortern portion in Llandudno. It wasnt a far drive to any of the places you plan to visit. We stayed 3 nights at a wonderful B&B called Adcote House, which is on a side street a couple blocks from the promenade...lots of shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. The owners were wonderful...Anne stayed a bit behind the scenes but cooked us huge Welsh breakfasts each morning that had us filled most of the day. Tony greeted us at the door most days and shared tips about our travels and the area. Mostly we remember Tony for his sense of humor, he was very funny and took the time to chat with us before we left for the day and then when we returned. Definitely a first class place, and if you search the web you'll find reviews that say the same. Good luck and enjoy your trip!