Where would you go on holiday in Wales?

[BewareTheBeardedDragon]

We've been to Solva on South West Wales coast for a couple of years and loved it but looking for a change that is maybe not such a long drive from Berkshire. The M4 and beyond once over the Severn Bridge and into Wales has been pretty slow and gruelling every time, both ways.

We like countryside walks, lovely ice creams and fish and chips, rock clambouring/climbing, sea swimming, coasteering, wildlife spotting boat trips, beaches. We are not so keen on real tourist hotspots with beach front arcades etc. No nightlife needed, just quiet pleasures!

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I’d stay in Beddgelert again, the village is a tourist hotspot but it’s beautiful and plenty of walks available. Short drive to many beautiful beaches & castle.
We stayed in a lovely cottage that slept 4 the village has several pubs & restaurants and an amazing ice cream shop.

From what you say, I think you would like Cardigan Bay is nice anywhere between Fishguard and Aberystwyth. We also live in Berkshire and go to Wales via Gloucester. The M4 west of Monmouth should be avoided at all costs. Also the Welsh Borders around Montgomery and Welshpool.

Ooh, thanks for the tips. Off to investigate!

(Yes the M4 in Wales seem mystifyingly bad - there never appears to be any particular cause, just endless queues either stopped or crawling. Horrific)

Gower!
We have all of what you are looking for, yes you will need to do some M4 but you’ll avoid Carmarthen and the A40/48.

Swansea/Gower

Anglesey

I was going to say Gower too. Had everything you want. For ice cream you have to try Verdi’s, joes and fortes. All Italian/ Welsh and lovely, joes is the best though.

Also, I’m from Llanelli which has a lovely beach and cafe (same owners as Langland brasserie in Gower) and it’s much cheaper to stay and you have a fab dock for open swimming and it’s 35 mins to most Gower beaches. Just an idea, look for beach front properties if you do decide to go there. We’ve just spent a lovely fortnight there and I’m sad to be back in grey London.

Obvs, this is not approached by the M4. I missed that requirement.

Another vote for the Gower. The best beaches are a walk to get to so they're often really quiet (less so this summer though!) For ice cream check out Joe's Ice Cream parlour either on The Mumbles or in Swansea itself. We visit on the way to the Gower, on the way back home and maybe a trip on a rainy day too. 😋

Weird, I go to Pembrokeshire every year and have never had a bad journey there. Once it was slow on the way back. I consoled myself that thr M5 was worse! Also I do think Pembrokeshire is worth the drive.

That said next year we are going to the Gower for a change I am still hoping to get in a Pembrokeshire holiday too though

@CalmDownBoris72 hello fellow Llanelli person 😂

Same here @Bobmonkfish but we do go on random days as not restricted by rental days etc. The brynglas tunnel on a bank holiday or rush hour can be a shocker though if we have ever travelled on those days.

Grower, Pembroke and pembrey country park - look it up.

Hi @Mammaaof

So glad I have missed a tunnel queue so far. We go on a Saturday but as we are disorganised we only arrive in Wales late afternoon, so maybe that helps!

Lots of Gower love, a pleasant evening of Googling awaits

Another vote for Mumbles and the Gower. Although as a resident I'm at the end of my tether with the tourists now !