Road trips
West Coast Wales road trip: best places & attractions
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If you’re thinking of a west coast of Wales road trip, you’ve made an awesome choice! This highly picturesque coastline is world famous for its stunning scenery, made up of pretty countryside dotted with small and colourful seaside towns.
The region takes in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Britain’s only coastal national park), the lovely Gower Peninsula, dolphin spotting from the jaw-droppingly beautiful Cardigan coast… and lots, lots more. With fun activities for families, couples and groups of friends, this is a fabulous choice for a campervan trip.
But what are the nicest places on the west coast of Wales? We’ve put together a campervan driving itinerary to see the best of this beautiful coastline, including camping sites to make your planning even easier.
Tips for your west coast of Wales road trip
Our trip sets out from Cardiff and finishes at Anglesey on the Isle of Anglesey, a distance of 290 miles – see the map below! As there aren’t any particularly long or arduous driving days throughout, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the ride.
You could do the trip in three days if pushed for time, but our itinerary makes it a seven-day adventure to give plenty of time. Aim to take the trip in summer to take full advantage of sunny weather and local events and festivals – if you prefer to travel out of high summer season, April, mid May and September are all good options too.
Day 1: Cardiff to Swansea and the Gower Peninsula
Duration: 42 miles
Day 1 of the trip allows for a few different options. Hire a campervan near the Welsh capital of Cardiff and drive towards Swansea, setting off early to enjoy pit stops at Barry and Porthcawl along the way. You’ll arrive just in time for lunch on the Gower Peninsula, which is designated as the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
If you’d like to make the trip a 10-day one, we recommend a sightseeing day in Cardiff then a second day in Swansea, exploring the Gower Peninsula on Day 3. Alternatively, hire a van near Swansea to start your trip on the peninsula.
Camp on the Gower Peninsula
Five-star park a short walk from Three Cliffs Bay, bordering the Wales Coast Path. Facilities include a fully-refurbished modern amenity block including power showers and underfloor heating; a motorhome service point and several warm water dog showering points.
Day 2: Swansea to Tenby, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven
Duration: 65 miles
The second day of the trip is the first of two around the rugged Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Spend the morning in the beautiful coastal villages of Tenby or Saundersfoot, then meander along the coast to reach Pembroke Dock via Manorbier, Bosherton and Freshwater West Beach. Next, drive to Milford Haven to spend the night nearby.
Camp near Milford Haven
Campervan pitches on a family-friendly and dog-friendly family-owned eco campsite. The campsite is on the edge of the Cleddau Estuary: follow the coast path from here to the nearest town, marina, shops, restaurants and cafés. Each pitch has its own fire pit that doubles up as a barbecue grill.
Day 3: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – Milford Haven to St Davids and Fishguard
Duration: 40 miles
St Davids and Fishguard are both must-see stops on the west coast. Visit St. Davids Cathedral and Bishops Palace first, then cut inland to Fishguard (or take the longer route along the coast via Abereiddy and Abercastle) to see it's pretty coloured cottages. Finish off your day with dinner in town.
Camp near Fishguard Fishguard Bay Resort
Secluded campsite with stunning sea views from almost every pitch. Pitches are grass or hardstanding and all come with free use of the modern and heated toilet and shower facilities. The site also has a launderette and a kitchen/dishwashing room.
Day 4: Fishguard to Cardigan, Cardigan Bay and the Ceredigion coast
Duration: 20 miles
Explore the market town of Cardigan, then arrange a dolphin spotting boat trip from Cardigan Bay (or spot them from above on the Ceredigion Coast Path!).
Camp near the Cardigan coast Cardigan Camping and Touring Caravan Site
A spacious caravan park with electric hook-up and hardstanding pitches. The park is set above the Teifi estuary a mile from Cardigan town, with Cardigan Bay views to the north and Teifi Valley and Preseli Hills views to the south and east.
Day 5: Cardigan to Aberystwyth and Barmouth
Duration: 46 miles
One of the best-known seaside towns in Wales, Aberystwyth is an easy hour’s drive from Cardigan and home to ancient Aberystwyth Castle. Leave time in your sightseeing day for an hour or two at Barmouth, driving there along the coast from Aberystwyth via Borth.
Camp near Barmouth Hendre Mynach Touring Caravan & Camping Park
A five-star park under a mile from Barmouth centre, Hendre Mynach has hardstanding and grass pitches with electric hook-up points and water, plus a range of well-maintained facilities including modern shower and toilet blocks, Elsan waste disposal points and a drive-on motorhome drain. Staff are on site 24/7.
Day 6-7: Barmouth to Anglesey
Duration: 58 miles
We’ve left two days at the end of the trip for a leisurely time on and around Anglesey, the biggest island in Wales.
Sights to see include award-winning Rhosneigr Beach and the towns of Beaumaris, Amlwch and Anglesey. Take a boat trip to Holy Island on Day 2, for a visit to the Isle of Anglesey region’s biggest town Holyhead. The Holyhead Maritime Museum is well worth a visit and Holyhead Breakwater Country Park walking trails, a boating lake and plenty of wildlife.
Camp on the Isle of Anglesey
Penrhyn Bay Caravan Park This park lies on Anglesey’s west coast with Irish Sea views and direct access to a sandy beach. Serviced and non-serviced pitches are available. The leisure facilities make this a perfect park to stop at for more than one night: guests have access to a heated indoor pool, an all-weather tennis court, a private slipway, a games room and a football pitch.
Stay on Anglesey for the night of Day 7 before driving back to Cardiff the next morning, or leave Anglesey in the afternoon of Day 7 to arrive back in Cardiff that evening.
Extending your west coast of Wales road trip
If you’re lucky enough to have two weeks or more for a Welsh campervan trip, we recommend driving south from your final stop on our seven-day trip to explore Snowdonia National Park, mid Wales and the Brecon Beacons:
Days 8 and 9: Snowdonia National Park
Day 10: Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells
Days 11 and 12: Brecon Beacons National Park
Day 12: Hay-on-Wye and Crickhollow
Day 13: Aberdare and Caerphilly
Day 14: back to Cardiff or Swansea
For an alternative road trip, start from London or the South East, driving from the capital to Cardiff on Day 1 and returning on Day 10:
Day 1: London to Cardiff
Day 2: Cardiff to Swansea
Day 3: Gower Peninsula
Days 4 and 5: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Day 6: Cardigan and the Ceredigion coast
Day 7: Aberystwyth and Barmouth
Day 8: Anglesey and the Isle of Anglesey
Day 9: back to Cardiff
Day 10: back to London
Set your road trip in motion today
You'll discover heaps of incredible places to visit on your road trip along the west coast of Wales, from wild Pembrokeshire to the blue waters of Holyhead. And with Camplify, you can find the perfect campervan or motorhome to take you there.
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