Trip around South Wales

Hello,
I was hoping to run this by you guys to see a) if these places are worth visiting and b) if this looks feasible or if it might be better to concentrate on fewer places.  This trip would be September 6-10.

We were thinking of going from place to place and spending a night in each place but if a place is not very good or if it's really worth more than an overnight stay please give a shout.

We'd head down the M4 to Cardiff Tuesday after work (maybe a 3 hour drive? High Wycombe via Maidenhead on out the M4) so arrive relatively
late on Tuesday night and stay over night in a hotel in Cardiff.

From Cardiff head out through Swansea (possibly a stopover at the Gower Penninsula) on towards Tenby.  The guidebook we have make Tenby sound really nice.  Or if Pembroke is better than perhaps there.  We'll probably stay Wednesday and Thursday possible in 2 of these places or maybe in 1 so that we aren't constantly checking-in and checking-out visiting Pembrokeshire National Park coastline.

On Friday head around coast and up towards Cardigan to Aberystwyth and stay over Friday night.  On Saturday head down to Brecon beacons and stay somewhere around there, maybe in Brecon.

On Sunday we drive eastward towards Ross-on-Wye and to the M50 and make our way through Cheltenham/Oxford on back home down M40.

Too ambitious?  Too many stops or too many B&B or hotel changes?  Anywhere along that route that we should absolutely visit/stay or avoid?

Thanks very much for the input!

Matt

Hi Matt
We just returned from a week in Tenby. I can honestly say it was the best holiday we have ever had since moving here. Of course the weather had a lot to do with it because it was lovely and sunny everyday. I hope you decide to go!

Awesome plan, Matt! I'm sorry that I can't really offer much info about Cardiff, the Gower or Brecon ...  but I live about 10 minutes from Tenby, so if there's anything at all you need to know about this neck of the woods, please just say the word!

Tenby is nice, but can be very crowded and touristy. Since you're going in September after school starts, you should be OK. As a word of warning, Saturday nights can be bad in Tenby -- lots of stag nights, etc. I think it's getting better lately, though. Aside from that, it's a lovely town! Pembroke is nice, too, but very different. I think I prefer Tenby.

PM me if you need to know anything else!

Definitely stop in the Gower, it's beautiful!! I know a great place in Mumbles if you want to stay the night.

Tenby=ick!

Sorry, not a huge fan of sea side resort towns with abundant trailer parks for the tourists.

When you get a chance - cut through Brecon.  Gorgeous!

There is a lovely little town on the south coast called Dale...great place for a relaxing weekend.

Whitesands Bay area is lovely too (just a bit south of Saint David's Head).

I love Wales.

I didnt see any trailer parks there. I saw one sign for a holiday park but it was well hidden from the road. It was mostly cottages and B&B's.

I didnt see any trailer parks there. I saw one sign for a holiday park but it was well hidden from the road. It was mostly cottages and B&B's.

Not well hidden enough for my tastes.  The village of Tenby is alright - but it's the "atmosphere" of tourists and crowds and caravan holiday makers that I didn't like.  Not very relaxing.  To each his own.

The two little towns that I mentioned in my earlier post are divine!  Mostly locals and few tourists. When I "get away" I don't like to "get away" with 5,000 other people! 

There are things about Tenby that aren't perfect, but overall it's a beautiful town and I think Matt would be making a huge mistake in passing it up!

Matt, depending on what sort of holiday you're looking for, I might suggest staying somewhere else more in the countryside, but don't miss Tenby! It has ancient walls, a fantastic little museum/art gallery, ferry rides over to Caldey Island (www.caldeyisland.co.uk), beeeyoootiful beaches, mackerel fishing trips, gorgeous architecture, a beautiful old church, etc. It's really picturesque.

If you let me know what sorts of things you might be interested in doing/seeing, I'm sure I could recommend some nice spots. As Icicle said, the Dale Peninsula is very scenic -- hiking around St. Anne's Head is always fun!

Icicle -- when were you last in Tenby? You might be surprised at how lovely it is these days!

Here are some photos of Tenby taken last month:


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Icicle -- when were you last in Tenby? You might be surprised at how lovely it is these days!

Sorry - too many buildings in those pics for me! 

Sorry - too many buildings in those pics for me! 

But you're not the one planning the holiday! Matt is! Why don't we let him decide. That's why I asked him what sort of things he likes to do on holiday. Tenby might be one person's favourite spot in the UK, while others might feel as you do.

Ah.  I love Tenby.  It's where we had our 'official' honeymoon.  It was lovely.  We stayed at the hotel overlooking the beach.  I know it's been 16 years but it was really nice. 
We've been back with the kids and stayed at a couple of caravan parks and had a GREAT time.  Loads of stuff to do.   

I really love it also. Too many buildings? Too much tourism and trailers? Why not try the Sahara. I hear its lovely this time of year.
I tried to take a pic of the sea but these people blocked my view!

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Why not try the Sahara. I hear its lovely this time of year.

Ouch!

belindaloo those pictures look stunning. i shall have to get up off my lazy a**e and see it for myself  . and im ashamed to say i have never been to Wales  even though im British born and bred   

belindaloo those pictures look stunning.

Thanks! (But my BF took them, so I can't claim the credit.) Yes, you should definitely come and check out Wales!