Wales: Road Trip in a Campervan

There are a million reasons why you should pack yourself into a motorhome and hit the road on a Wales road trip, the fun of trying to pronounce the tongue-twisting Welsh on the road signs being just one of them. The landscape of Wales is wonderfully varied, from ancient Castles (there are over 400) and towering mountains to charming coastal villages and sweeping green valleys, not to mention the buzzing charisma of Cardiff.

The many campervan sites Wales has sprinkled across its countryside make travelling the length and breadth of the country easy. The Welsh people are famous for their friendliness and inclusive approach to travellers (just don’t suggest they are part of England) and you’ll find yourself welcomed into local events and customs as if you’re part of the family, especially if you learn a few Welsh phrases. Above all, the diversity of the country’s culture and landscape make every Wales road trip an exceptional adventure.

When touring in a campervan Wales opens up unique experiences, from hidden secluded bays to remote villages that lie far off the usual tourist trail. If you don’t have your own motorhome, there are plenty of campervan hire Wales options, giving you the freedom to hit the road and discover everything this uniquely beautiful country has to offer.

Places to visit in Wales:

Cardiff city makes is the perfect introduction to a Wales road trip. The vibrant capital of a proud country, Cardiff has managed to gain a reputation for sports, arts and heritage. The Wales Millennium Centre has become the epicentre for arts performances, while the 74,200-seat Principality sports stadium is an iconic venue for national and international sports events.

Aside from modern innovations and projects, Cardiff has a wealth of historical attractions, most notably the stunning 11th century Cardiff Castle. Visitors can explore the castles’ historical exhibitions of Bronze age jewellery and Roman pottery or climb to the very top of the castle and take in the spectacular views.

From Cardiff, you should pack up that Campervan, and head or the Brecon Beacons national park. Located in the very heart of Wales, the national park consists of a stunning natural landscape. You’ll drive through rolling hills and rocky outcrops, tranquil valleys, bubbling rivers and the two 900m peaks that make the Brecon Beacons. The landscape is a hikers’ paradise, laced with trails and paths of various difficulty and with mountain ranges to scale, underground caves to explore, and beautiful waterfalls that are just begging to be swum in.

The park is also a gift to history enthusiasts, with archaeological sites from Neolithic Cairns and Bronze Age standing stones to the shadowy husks of Norman castles scattered across the rugged landscape. For more recent history, pop by Abergavenny just outside of the park where you can take a tour of a coal mine at the Big Pit National Coal Museum.

Next, take your Wales road trip west towards Pembrokeshire, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is truly special. As the only coastal national park in it the area, the Pembrokeshire park has benefitted from excellent environmental protection and now boasts some of the best-preserved beaches and marine wildlife areas in the UK. Take a few days to explore the secluded and unspoilt beaches; you’ll find plenty of unknown gems you can keep all to yourself but make sure you include the magical Blue Lagoon and popular Rhossili Bay.

The Pembrokeshire area is sprinkled with picturesque traditional towns, each with a unique heritage. Part of the joy of taking a campervan on a Wales road trip is that you’ll inevitably stumble across a tiny country village or coastal town that’s well off the radar of any tourist routes. However, there are certain spots everyone should incorporate into an exploration of Pembrokeshire, particularly the City of St David and it’s medieval St David’s Cathedral. St David is the patron saint of Wales, and as his burial site, the St David Cathedral holds special significance to the Welsh people. The cathedral is particularly beautiful too, crafted from purple-coloured sandstone in the 1180’s and housing some genuine treasures including a 1620 edition of the Welsh Bible, gold-gilded bishop staffs and silver chalices.

Next on the list is Snowdonia, up in Northern Wales. The stunning mountain ranges are synonymous with the Welsh countryside, in particular, the majestic 3546 foot Mount Snowdon. It’s a region of stunning views, fantastic wildlife and ancient legends. Outdoor enthusiasts will spend days exploring the hundreds of hiking trails that crisscross the Snowdonia National Park, climbing the sheer cliffs or even heading underground into the cave networks.

It’s not all about mountains though; the North Wales coastline has some of the most beautiful beaches, bays and fishing towns in the country, not to mention the exquisite islands that lie just off the coast. Start at Llandudno, the Queen of the Welsh resorts, sitting between the Great Orme peninsula and Welsh Mainland. Llandudno is the largest seaside resort in Wales but has managed to retain its traditional style, the Victorian promenade unspoilt by development. The town also benefits from stunning views over the Irish Sea which are best enjoyed via a trip on the heritage Tramway.

From Llandudno drive West to the royal town of Caernarfon, home to Wales’s most famous castle, Castle Caernarfon. The castle, a 13th-century fortress with UNESCO World Heritage Site status, is certainly the main attraction but the town itself has plenty to offer. Take your time exploring the historic buildings, pretty narrow streets and stylishly waterfront redevelopment.

From Caernarfon, it’s just a 15-minute drive over the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge to the island of Anglesey, with its breathtaking beaches, quaint little fishing villages and phenomenal archaeological sites. Anglesea also provides boat trips to Puffin Island and The Skerries, stunning secluded islands that are a mecca for rare bird species including Cormorants, Kittiwakes and, you guessed it, Puffins.

Campervan Sites in Wales:

There’s no shortage of campervan sites Wales has them all! So if you’re looking for somewhere to park your campervan in Wales - have no fear! With hundreds of excellent campervan sites Wales has road trip accommodation options dotted across the length and breadth of the country.

If you’re looking to stay close to the capital, then you can’t beat Cardiff Caravan Park. Located in beautiful parkland right in the heart of the city, the park boasts electric hookups, free wifi, toilets, showers and laundry facilities. On top of that, you’re right in the city with all its goods and services just a short walk away.

When exploring the wilderness of the Brecon Beacons, pitch up at Grawen Caravan & Camping Park. Located smack in the middle of the Brecon Beacons National Park you’ll sleep in stunning natural surroundings with phenomenal access to the parks waterfalls, historic towns and archaeological sites. There are electrical hookups and hot showers as well as toilet and laundry facilities on site. A local village is just 1.5 miles south of the site with traditional pubs, shops and cafes for you to enjoy.

In picturesque Pembrokeshire head to Freshwater East Caravan Club Site. Just off from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and walking distance from the beach and Freshwater East Local Nature Reserve, you’re also excellently located to explore the many treasures of the Pembrokeshire area. On top of the location, the site has all the basic facilities to make your stay comfortable.

Up north, Bryn Gloch holiday park makes an ideal base. The park is located at foot of Mount Snowdon and on the banks of the river Gwyrfai providing unrivalled access to the stunning scenery and attractions of Snowdonia National Park. You’re also within striking distance of the many coastal towns and stunning beaches of the region. The site itself has all the basics plus a few luxuries like heated bathrooms, a TV room and a games room. Be careful; you might never want to leave.