Travelling to Wales from NI

[GerbilsAteMyCat]

Hello!
We're thinking of a short break in Wales at the start of July. Would like to do the Dr who experience and look at castles (2 boys 6&8).
Any tips on good places to stay or the best way to get there? We are in ni so have the option of going from Dublin on the ferry or Belfast to Liverpool and drive.
Any tips would be lovely!
Thanks

[cadidog]

I'd start in Liverpool and drive from N Wales and end in Cardiff with the Dr Who stuff. In N Wales Portmeirion is unmissable but the hotel is v expensive. The train up Snowdon is also fab but check if you need to book in advance as journeys are limited.

[Snooksbury]

I'd go on the Dublin ferry to Anglesea. There is a castle in Beaumaris on Anglesea, and a small one you can walk to in llanberis on a lake, it's very small but they would have fun running round and playing on it.
the beaches on anglesea are lovely, would make a good base although I don't know where the Dr who exhibition is.

[kittypinot]

The drive from north Wales to Cardiff is fucking awful.really is.

[GerbilsAteMyCat]

Really? Awful? So go from Liverpool? We need to go to Cardiff for the Dr Who thing. Dh is making noise about all the archaeology being somewhere else. I despair.

[GerbilsAteMyCat]

Ah sorry, not from Liverpool but Dublin!

[TheCraicDealer]

We did the Dublin-Holyhead ferry last year and it's grand; don't know about the route to Cardiff though. The crossing is much shorter and will probably be cheaper as you don't have to fork out for a cabin. Don't even think about doing Belfast-Liverpool without a cabin, unless you enjoy sleep deprivation and sitting in the same seat from 8pm to prevent losing your 'spot'.

[kittypinot]

Awful winding road. I live in north Wales and ive driven down and been a passenger. Yuck. Driving from Liverpool to Cardiff sounds more appealing!

[theconstantvacuumer]

I've done Dublin to Holyhead, which is great if you're looking to stay/travel in North Wales.

We also used the same ferry route to travel to Pembrokeshire - a 4 hour journey on mostly single lane roads, which was a nightmare as we got stuck behind a milk tanker for ages on the journey home and DH was stressing about us missing the ferry.

Next time we are thinking of doing Rosslare (Wexford) to Fishguard (Pembrokeshire) where the majority of travel is on our side of the water. You could consider this? I think Pembrokeshire (St David's is lovely) to Cardiff isn't too bad a drive.

Oh, and you can get 3x value of Tesco club card vouchers on Irish ferries.

[kittypinot]

Oh yes. Mansel Davies milk tankers!!!! Wankers! and then you have the lorries tugging logs. God help you.

[GerbilsAteMyCat]

Ooo clubcard vouchers! Right, will present the arguments to DH and see. Thanks!!

[hippo123]

I would forget about the doctor who thing and stick to north wales, sailing into Holyhead. Loads of castles with CADW, conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech etc. fantastic mountains and lovely beaches. The drive to South Wales from north wales is a nightmare and takes a loooong time!