A 5-day camping road trip in Wales
Spectacular scenery and lots of rural space mean that Wales is a campers’ paradise – and a stunning destination for a road trip too. Combining the two for a camping road trip might be one of the very best ways to see the country, driving through gorgeous green landscapes by day, stopping at ancient castles or hidden coves and then staying overnight out in the open, where you can continue admiring the views until sunset.
If you’ve never really explored Wales it can be hard to know where to start, so we’ve put together a five-day road trip itinerary that takes you around some of the highlights and features some great campsites along the way.
Camping in Wales
Wales is a beautiful country that’s packed with spectacular coastline, soaring mountains and gorgeous green hills – so it’s no surprise to hear that camping is one of the most rewarding ways to have a stay that makes the most of all that. Pick a campsite on a farm or with sea views and you’ll be surrounded by that scenery from first thing in the morning – and as a bonus you’ll often pick up handy local tips while staying on family-run sites.
Tent campsites around Wales range from the very basic (with just a portable toilet and maybe a water tap) to well-equipped sites with a café, a games room and activities on site – it’s up to you to decide which style you prefer. And of course it doesn’t all have to be about setting up your own tent: there are also plenty of places to park your motorhome, and some smart glamping options for those who’d like to do the trip in style or avoid having to set up a tent each night.
Our five-day Wales road trip
With beaches, mountain views, castles, outdoor activities and wildlife spotting along the way, our five-day road trip to some of the top spots in Wales should give you a good taste of what this fabulous country has to offer.
This outline takes you in a semicircle almost around the outer edges of the country, starting from the English border towards the south and finishing at the border in the north. We’ve suggested a few alternatives and options along the way, so you can adapt the route to fit your own tastes and holiday styles – or maybe add one of our extension ideas if you have a bit more time to explore.
Starting point: Hay-on-Wye
Where better to start your Welsh adventure than right on the England/Wales border in Hay-on-Wye? This pretty town is easily accessed from southern England and the Midlands (via the M5 and M50) and it’s surrounded by gorgeous scenery thanks to its location on the banks of the river Wye and at the tip of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
If you’ve got time, stay overnight before embarking on your Day 1 travels. There are plenty of lovely sites around Hay-on-Wye where you can begin your trip by sipping your morning coffee while looking out at views of gorgeous green hills. Stay at Borders Hideaway Holiday Home Park, in a rural spot 10 minutes’ drive from town, and you’ll be in prime position to make the most of the full day ahead.
See all campsites near Hay-on-Wye
Day 1: Hay-on-Wye to Glamorgan coast
75 miles
1 hour 45 minutes
Begin your tour with a browse in the bookshops of Hay-on-Wye, then head south for a drive through the spectacular scenery of the Brecon Beacons. There are several routes you can take, depending on what you’d like to see – follow a route via Abergavenny for foodie pleasures, Ystradfellte to follow the spectacular Four Waterfalls Walk, or Crickhowell for a traditionally pretty village.
Once you leave the national park, keep heading south (perhaps with a stop at Caerphilly Castle if you like) as you carry on towards the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and a night’s stay at Acorn Camping and Caravanning. Handily there are several pubs in nearby Llantwit Major for your first night dinner and drinks, or you’re welcome to bring a barbecue to cook on if you prefer.
See all campsites in Glamorgan
Day 2: Glamorgan coast to Pembrokeshire
90 miles
2 hours
Look forward to an excellent start to the day at your campsite, with a tasty breakfast in the café and then a short stroll to Llantwit Major beach and a walk on the Wales Coast Path towards Nash Point, passing plenty of soaring cliffs and fossil-filled beaches.
Once you’ve packed up, hit the motorway and head west towards Pembrokeshire. If you need somewhere to stop off mid-journey, take your break around Swansea for fish and chips on Mumbles beach, or make more of a detour to the sweeping beaches of the Gower Peninsula – Rhossili and Three Cliffs Bay are among the best spots to visit.
Your eventual destination is Pembrokeshire, but the exact spot is up to you. If you’d like to be close to a town for easy access to shops and somewhere to eat, book a pitch at Glan-Y-Mor Campsite, from where you can easily walk to Pembroke or Pembroke Dock. For a wilder beach, carry on west until you hit Marloes and the peaceful Foxdale Campsite, just over a mile from the spectacular Marloes Sands.
See all campsites in Pembrokeshire
Day 3: Pembrokeshire to New Quay
80 miles
2 hours
After an early-morning stroll (and maybe a swim) at your local beach, it’s time to explore some more of the delights of Pembrokeshire. There are almost too many options to list here, but a few suggested outings for the morning include a trip to gorgeous Barafundle Bay, a surf lesson at Freshwater West, a boat trip to Caldey Island from Tenby, and a stop at the lakeside Carew Castle.
Make your way to St Davids for a late lunch and a visit to the cathedral dedicated to the country’s patron saint, before continuing on to New Quay. The road here passes close to the coastline, so it’s easy to make a stop at one of the beaches along the way, such as Mwnt or Poppit Sands.
Stay for the night near New Quay at Pencnwc Holiday Park, where you can finish your day’s journey with a swim in the heated indoor pool before settling in for some dinner and drinks at the on-site bar and then a very short stroll back to your pitch.
See all campsites near New Quay
Day 4: New Quay to Snowdonia
80 miles
2 hours
Stop by at the restaurant for a filling breakfast before setting off on an exciting outing that’s bound to be one of the highlights of your trip. Cardigan Bay is home to the largest pod of dolphins in the UK, and New Quay is the place to find boat trips to get out and see them. Bring your binoculars and your cameras – you’re bound to want to remember this trip.
Once you’ve returned to shore, head north along the A487 for a drive that takes you along the coast for some more views out over this gorgeous stretch of seaside. You’ll be passing through Aberystwyth, so stop off there for lunch, a walk along the oldest pier in Wales and a ride on the cliff railway to view the town from the Camera Obscura.
Continue along the road as it turns inland and heads into the Snowdonia National Park, a place that’s well known for its stunning scenery of mountains, lakes and forest. On a short trip you won’t have time to explore all that much, but you can certainly get a good taste of what it’s all about.
Have your walking boots ready so you can stop off along the way for a short walk – the route passes through Dolgellau (where you should have time to complete the Torrent Walk or Precipice Walk, a couple of local favourites) as well as Tal-y-llyn and Trawsfynydd lakes.
Finally, make your way to the old mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog and a pitch at popular Quarry View Touring Park, where you can light up a barbecue and look out at landscapes that mix natural beauty and the scars of the area’s industrial past. Alternatively, if you’d like someone else to provide the dinner, you simply need to stroll the 10 minutes into town to find a local pub.
See all campsites near Blaenau Ffestiniog
Day 5: Snowdonia to Holywell
52 miles
1 hour and 15 minutes
Make the most of this gorgeous setting by serving breakfast out in the open air on the site’s picnic tables – and then it’s time for action. Blaenau Ffestiniog is a real hub of outdoor activities, so decide whether you’d like to mountain bike down the Antur Stiniog trails, scream along the ziplines at Zip World Titan or try out trampolining in an underground cave.
More gentle pursuits are on offer too if that sounds a bit adventurous: explore the area’s past at Llechwedd mine museum, take a heritage ride on the Ffestiniog Railway or take a waterside walk from Tanygrisiau Reservoir to Cwmorthin Waterfall.
The route up towards the north Wales coast offers up plenty of options for activities and visits too: maybe you’d like to try inland surfing at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, explore the pretty paths of the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden or take a very short detour into Conwy to see the impressive castle and walk the city walls.
Stop for lunch in one of the villages en route and then aim to make it to Llandudno in time for afternoon tea in one of the smart resort’s cafés. If you’ve got time, take a walk on the pier or ride the famous cable cars up to the top of the Great Orme.
The final leg of the journey takes you along the north coast and as far as Holywell, almost back at the border with England. From here you can continue on to Chester and beyond to home – or, if you’re not in a rush, settle in for one last night. Raise a toast to the end of a fabulous trip while enjoying the sea views from your pitch at Ynyshir Farm – or treat yourself to a luxury stay at Acorn Holiday Luxury Glamping Pods, where similar sea views are served up from the private hot tubs outside the pods.
See all campsites near Holywell
Road trip extensions
If you’ve got a little bit more time for your holiday, add in one of our suggested extensions and explore another area of Wales.
1 - Complete the loop
Turn your trip into a full circle drive, heading south from Holywell through the rolling hills of mid Wales to finish in Hay-on-Wye. This is fabulous walking territory, and a campsite in the area around Welshpool will give you a great base for a day exploring on foot.
See all campsites near Welshpool
2 - Anglesey adventures
Rugged and remote Anglesey is one of the best areas for camping in Wales – the island has lots of campsites boasting spectacular views, especially looking out over the sea. A location somewhere around the village of Rhosneigr should give you easy access to beaches, walks and places to eat.
3 - More of the mountains
The mountainous scenery of Wales is famously beautiful – and if you’d like to explore it rather than see the peaks from afar, factor in an extra day en route to climb one of the mountains. Snowdon and Pen y Fan are both good choices for novices, and there are plenty of great route for more experienced climbers and hikers in both the Brecon Beacons (which you can include by stopping overnight on Day 1 before continuing on) and Snowdonia (which you can explore by staying an extra night at the end of Day 4).
See all campsites in the Brecon Beacons
See all campsites in Snowdonia
Wales road trip FAQs
How long does it take to see Wales?
There’s so much to see and do in Wales you could easily fill a month exploring its many attractions. However, if you would like to see as much as you can on one trip, we recommend at least five days.
What can I see in Wales in five days?
Five days in Wales should be enough to give you a taste of the stunning mountain and coastal scenery that the country is famous for – and perhaps give you ideas for your next trip! You can either follow our itinerary to take in a variety of top sights, or give yourself a theme such as a seaside road trip on the Coastal Way.
Is wild camping allowed in Wales?
In general, wild camping is not legal in Wales unless you ask the landowner’s permission. There are, however, some exceptions such as certain areas of the Brecon Beacons – find out more by reading our guide to wild camping.
How do I plan a road trip in Wales?
There is a lot to see and do in Wales, but it’s best not to try to pack too much into one trip so that you’ll have time to appreciate the scenery. Unless you’re on the M4 in south Wales your travel will be on A roads or local roads, so make sure you allow plenty of time for journeys. It’s worth noting that petrol stations can be scarce and have limited opening hours in more remote areas, so you’ll need to keep an eye on your fuel levels.
Can I do a Wales road trip in a motorhome?
A motorhome road trip is a great idea – there are lots of great motorhome sites in Wales, often with spectacular scenery to greet you as you wake in the mornings. Bear in mind that many rural roads are quite narrow though, so if you’re in a large unit or not fully confident with the driving you may prefer to stay at a site nearer to main roads and explore locally on foot or by bike.