Who doesn’t love a good road trip? I personally think they’re the best way to see more of a country. If you’re planning a northern Wales road trip then September is the perfect time to go. You’ll find that even the most popular attractions have relatively few people visiting them at this time of the year.
Make sure you plan your research beforehand so that you can make the most of your time in Wales – especially if this is your first time in the country. For those of you who enjoy being outdoors then a trip to the Brecon Beacons National Park is a must.
There are a lot of castles in Wales to visit and many of them are in close proximity to one another. I’d recommend staying in the gorgeous coastal town of Llandudno, which is the perfect base camp for several day trips. There are a lot of hotels in Llandudno to choose from as well as rental apartments.
Depending on how many castles you’re wanting to visit, I would suggest taking a look at the Explorer Pass. You’ll save a lot on castle entries by getting a pass, and who doesn’t like saving money? Here are some of the best places to visit during a Northern Wales road trip.
Llandudno
There are lots of things to do in Llandudno and it caters for all ages. This is a great place to visit first and to base yourself from. One of its main attractions is the pier, which provides amazing views of the town and you can grab a bite to eat while you’re there as well.
If you do one thing here, make sure you go on the Marine Drive. It’s a 4 mile scenic drive around the Great Orme (another popular tourist attraction in Llandudno), and is stunning at every turn. It’s a toll road but doesn’t cost much, and if you don’t have a car there is a bus that drives on the route as well.
Did I mention it’s also the home of Alice in Wonderland? Lewis Carroll met a girl named Alice while she was on holiday in the town, which gave him the inspiration for his books. You’ll find carved statues placed all over Llandudno depicting the different characters from his books. You can also download the trail app right to your phone to find them all.
Flint Castle
A must-see on any Northern Wales road trip is Flint Castle. Although it now stands as a castle ruin, it was the first one King Edward I built during his conquest of Wales in the 13th century, and was strategically very important. For those of you who love Shakespeare, the castle features famously in Richard II.
It’s free to go in (bonus), but if it looks like it’s going to rain, there aren’t many places to take shelter, as we learned the hard way.
Rhuddlan Castle
Another great stop for history enthusiasts is Rhuddlan Castle. It’s only a short drive from Flint Castle so there’s no excuse to drive past it without stopping. The castle sits atop a hill overlooking the River Clwyd, which Edward I had diverted specifically to give him access to the sea. It was also built at the same time as Flint Castle.
Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon Castle is one of Wales’ most impressive castles. It’s steeped in history, but one of my favourite facts is that the walls were built to reflect those of Constantinople. It’s also famous for being the site of Prince Charles’ investiture as the Prince of Wales.
If you have time why not make a day of visiting Caernarfon? It’s a charming town with lots of great places to eat. This is also one of the most popular places to visit in Northern Wales, whether you’re doing a road trip or not.
Beaumaris Castle
Beaumaris Castle is located on Anglesey and it might be the only castle I’ve visited that still has water in the moat. The castle was built in perfect symmetry and was the last great castle built by King Edward I during his Welsh campaign (he never actually finished it).
You can walk along the top of the castle walls as well and look out across the water to the Welsh mainland. Like many of the castles in Wales, you’ll find a large dragon lurking around the grounds. It’s definitely one of the more unique castles in Northern Wales to visit.
Conwy Castle
Another stunning place to visit in Northern Wales is Conwy Castle. The castle sits along a river and you can climb the various towers, giving you an amazing vantage point of the layout of the castle, as well as its surroundings. Conwy Castle is one of the best castles to visit in the whole of Wales so it should be right at the top of any Northern Wales road trip itinerary.
The Smallest House in Great Britain
Within walking distance of Conwy Castle is the Smallest House in Great Britain. I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t expecting it to be as small as it was. I hardly fit inside it but it was a unique experience and is one place that everyone heads to during a Northern Wales road trip.
Criccieth Castle
Criccieth Castle sits on top of a hill, overlooking a town on one side and a bay on the other. This castle was very important strategically for both the English and Welsh armies. It’s a bit of a steep climb to the top but this last minute addition to our Northern Wales road trip was worth it in the end.
Harlech Castle
Harlech Castle is yet another must-see castle in Wales built by Edward I. They’ve recently added a “floating bridge” from the information centre to the castle, making it accessible for everyone. Sadly, this was the last castle we visited during our Northern Wales road trip but it was a a major highlight for me.
Portmeirion
The ultimate tourist village in Wales is Portmeirion. It was built in the style of an Italian village and was used in the 1960s television series The Prisoner. You can actually stay in some of the buildings and the village is filled with quaint shops and restaurants too. This is a unique place in Northern Wales to stop during any road trip.
Wales is practically bursting with medieval castles to explore, which is the main reason I wanted to do a road trip in Northern Wales. A large majority of these castles are now world heritage sites, and have lots to offer tourists in terms of history and architecture.
Southern Wales is equally as impressive, with a trip to Cardiff always a good idea. Wales is also rich in hiking trails, so if you find yourself in the south don’t miss the chance to hike the Brecon Beacons!
Speaking of castles, if you ever find yourself in Scotland there are plenty of castle to choose from there as well. You can check out my blog post Is Scotland’s Explorer Pass Worth It? for some helpful tips. And while you’re in Scotland, I’d recommend a trip to St Andrews and taking a walk along the Fife Coastal Path. Remember to follow me on Instagram to see where my next adventures take me!
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