Wales in Caterhams - any recommendations?

Wales in Caterhams - any recommendations?

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Discussion

Adrien2207

Original Poster:

44 posts

98 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
Hi there,

I am planning a trip to Wales at some point later this year, renting Caterhams.

Below is the plan… am I missing any obvious “must-drive roads”? Any other comments welcomed! (n.b. as we will have Caterhams rather than 911s or this kind of cars, I have been looking at B-roads and unclassified rather than fast-flowing A-roads… but feel free to add any recommendation and tips).

Many thanks!

Day 1
1- Black Mountain
2- (collecting Caterhams near Llandeilo)
3- Abergwesyn pass and tour of Llyn Brianne
4- Tregaron >> Devil’s Bridge Falls >> Nant-y-Moch Reservoir >> Tal-y-llyn

Day 2
1- Dinas-Mawddwy to Lake Vyrnwy >> Rhiwargor >> Hinant pass >> Bala
2- Evo Triangle
3- (zipwire experience @ Zip World)
4- Pass of Llanberis
5- Beddgelert and Aberglaslyn pass
6- Harlech Castle via A496
7- Tal-y-Lllyn

Day 3 – driving back to London

Gmaps:

Day 1:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Neath/Upper+Bryn...

Day 2:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Tal-y-llyn/Rhiwa...

James19181

237 posts

111 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
Sounds like you have it pretty well covered!

Only ones I would add are Bala to Ffestiniog (A4214 and B4391) and if you can fit in any of the roads around the Elan valley.

As you're nearby, if you want a brief non-car distraction (I know!) Dolgoch Falls are worth a 30 min wander around

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
Day 1: Be aware that the A4069 Black Mountain is a 40 limit (and has been for nearly a year now). Take care not to be a target.

Day 2: You're missing one of the best roads: A4212/B4391 Fron Goch to Festiniog. Loop back to the B4391 then the B4407 to the A5 - https://goo.gl/maps/GnNL7UzkNXo

Adrien2207

Original Poster:

44 posts

98 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
Many thanks (and thanks Red Devil for the updated Gmap smile

On the way back, we are also doing Machynlleh > Staylittle > Llanidloes and Builth Wells > Brecon via Upper Chapel...

My concern is that it is a lot of driving... great driving though!

James19181

237 posts

111 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
Also the B4560 between Beaufort and Llangynidr is good if you can make it work. Short road though so not worth a major detour for.

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Saturday 30th January 2016
quotequote all
Adrien2207 said:
Many thanks (and thanks Red Devil for the updated Gmap smile
You're welcome. smile

Adrien2207 said:
On the way back, we are also doing Machynlleh > Staylittle > Llanidloes and Builth Wells > Brecon via Upper Chapel...
The Dylife Mountain Road from the Melin-byrhedin junction to the cattle grid at Nant Bryn-moel is superb - https://goo.gl/maps/z4JcnZehruz
Although my personal preference is going the opposite direction - https://goo.gl/maps/pTBG77jJwoA2
If you zoom in on the trees left of centre you can see the remembrance tribute to Wynford Vaughan-Thomas.

Adrien2207 said:
My concern is that it is a lot of driving... great driving though!
It should be fine as long as you spread it out over the whole day and take decent breaks for refreshments and photo stops.

Tickle

4,879 posts

203 months

Saturday 30th January 2016
quotequote all
As said, the B4391 is the finest road in North Wales.

Adrien2207

Original Poster:

44 posts

98 months

Saturday 6th February 2016
quotequote all
Many thanks all!

I am fine-tuning the itineraries and will post the Gmaps links... might be useful for others planning a similar trip smile

If anybody has any recommendations of good hotels and restaurants/pubs, I am also keen!

Adrien2207

Original Poster:

44 posts

98 months

Monday 8th February 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for all for your input.

I have updated the Gmaps itineraries… just in case any other PHers want to leverage this.

Any further recommendations / comments on the routes welcome!


Day 1
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Neath/Upper+Bryn...

Day 2
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Tal-y-llyn/Rhiwa...

Day 3
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Tal-y-llyn/52.46...

G J S

3 posts

96 months

Sunday 27th March 2016
quotequote all
I drove this route recently, with a couple of modifications. Some very nice roads and views.

I would say that you have to be aware that the route over Llyn Brianne could potentially be hit and miss, depending on the last Welsh Water employee to visit the site, so have a back up ready.

The gate on the upper bridge over the spillway has a very hefty padlock on it, which may or may not be locked when you get there, as it is a private road.

JackRatt

21,535 posts

241 months

Monday 28th March 2016
quotequote all
I have a good tip if you're coming from southern England: Take the old Severn crossing (M48) rather than the M4, then go up to Chepstow and pick up the B4235 as your route towards the Black Mountains.

The B4235 is a good road in its own right and it's miles better than sitting on the M4 for an extra half hour. It means you're into proper B-roads almost as soon as you hit Welsh tarmac. smile

jenzo

354 posts

240 months

Wednesday 30th March 2016
quotequote all
You will have a blast on this trip. Who / where are you hiring the Caterhams from?

I would love to do this later in the year too.

Adrien2207 said:
Hi there,

I am planning a trip to Wales at some point later this year, renting Caterhams.

Below is the plan… am I missing any obvious “must-drive roads”? Any other comments welcomed! (n.b. as we will have Caterhams rather than 911s or this kind of cars, I have been looking at B-roads and unclassified rather than fast-flowing A-roads… but feel free to add any recommendation and tips).

Many thanks!

Day 1
1- Black Mountain
2- (collecting Caterhams near Llandeilo)
3- Abergwesyn pass and tour of Llyn Brianne
4- Tregaron >> Devil’s Bridge Falls >> Nant-y-Moch Reservoir >> Tal-y-llyn

Day 2
1- Dinas-Mawddwy to Lake Vyrnwy >> Rhiwargor >> Hinant pass >> Bala
2- Evo Triangle
3- (zipwire experience @ Zip World)
4- Pass of Llanberis
5- Beddgelert and Aberglaslyn pass
6- Harlech Castle via A496
7- Tal-y-Lllyn

Day 3 – driving back to London

Gmaps:

Day 1:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Neath/Upper+Bryn...

Day 2:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Tal-y-llyn/Rhiwa...

Adrien2207

Original Poster:

44 posts

98 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
quotequote all
Apologies for the late reply to the post.

GJS - many thanks for the insight re. Llyn Brianne.

JackRatt - thanks for the tip, but we are staying near Swansea on the first night... so the B4235 will have to be for the next road trip!

Jenzo - we are renting the 2 Caterhams from Caterham Hire Wales - I will keep you posted re. how it goes.



jenzo

354 posts

240 months

Tuesday 3rd May 2016
quotequote all
Adrien2207 said:
Apologies for the late reply to the post.

GJS - many thanks for the insight re. Llyn Brianne.

JackRatt - thanks for the tip, but we are staying near Swansea on the first night... so the B4235 will have to be for the next road trip!

Jenzo - we are renting the 2 Caterhams from Caterham Hire Wales - I will keep you posted re. how it goes.
Great stuff and safe driving.

DasChin

609 posts

215 months

Tuesday 3rd May 2016
quotequote all
only other thing to recommend is to take the A4212 at fron goch as you come up from Bala. then the B4391 on the right up to Ffestinog. its pretty epic up there!! ideal for caterhams as its windy and narrow.

turn around come back then go left up the B4407. then next left and the B4406 which takes you up to the evo triangle are and the A5. do a right down the A5 and then right onto the B4407. I could spend hours up there!


951TSE

600 posts

156 months

Wednesday 11th May 2016
quotequote all
Just a note of caution. although you haven't said what dates you intend to travel the Royal Welsh show is on in Builth Wells from 18th to 22nd July. You'd be well advised to avoid the area and the routes into the town between those dates and a few days either side as the show is large and the roads are small and get bunged up very quickly.

http://www.rwas.wales/travelling-to-the-show/

Adrien2207

Original Poster:

44 posts

98 months

Monday 25th July 2016
quotequote all
So, 3 days in Wales driving the best B-roads in stunning scenery.... and I can confirm it was epic!!

Just in case anybody is thinking about doing the same, here are the Gmaps itineraries and a brief summary of key highlights / tips:

1- B4391 - best road of the entire trip... followed by the mountain road between Devil's Bridge and Rhayader (B4574)
2- Single tracks (Abergwesyn pass / Hinant pass) - the scenery is stunning but careful of the sheeps! They were great in Caterhams, but I would not always recommend them in anything much wider...
3- LLanberis pass - there was a lot of traffic... so it was more of a "scenic" road than a "driving" one...
4- ZipWorld @ Bethesda - great experience and perfectly located in Snowdonia. Was a great way to break up the driving.
5- Accomodation and restaurants = thoroughly recommend the Pandy Isaf B&B (excellent) and restaurants we stopped at (Y Talbot Hotel in Tregaron, Ty Gwyn in Betws y Coed, Castle Cottage in Harlech)
6- The cars we rented from Caterham Hire Wales were brilliant... and Simon was very helpful. Thoroughly recommended as well.

Next year: Mallorca and Cap Formentor + Sa Calobra!

Enjoy the Summer!



Day 1 = https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Premier+Inn+Port...

Day 2 = https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Pandy+Isaf+Count...

Day 3 = https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Pandy+Isaf+Count...




Tickle

4,879 posts

203 months

Monday 25th July 2016
quotequote all
Glad you enjoyed it, pics look good too

Vanquish310

374 posts

183 months

Sunday 14th August 2016
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I'm planning on taking my Vanquish around Wales and have found this thread very helpful.
Should I make any modifications to avoid single track stuff, and any recommendations for Michelin starred style eateries .
I'm hoping to do Evo bit, do you reckon plod will be as active in mid September?

WJNB

2,637 posts

160 months

Sunday 14th August 2016
quotequote all
Plod (or whatever that is in Welsh)love speedsters.
Put Wales badge on back so the natives don't mistake you for an English in-comer/tourist. This may ensure your car is left unmolested.