By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 6th February 2023 | Updated: 29th November 2024
If you are thinking about taking a road trip from London to Wales, then you should most definitely do it. There are so many incredible stops along the way be it through Wiltshire, Somerset, or Gloucestershire, and that’s before even getting to Wales. There are numerous routes you can take to get between London and Wales so we will set out three of the best options that we personally love in this post, making it easy to decide which is the best road trip for you.
📍 Itinerary 1 – Road trip from London to Cardiff, South Wales
📍 Itinerary 2 – Road trip from London to Aberystwyth, West Wales
📍 Itinerary 3 – Road trip from London to Snowdonia, North Wales
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
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Travel Insurance: We recommend World Nomads
Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com
Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide
Road trip from London to Wales Itineraries
Itinerary 1 – Road trip from London to Cardiff, South Wales
Road-tripping from London to Cardiff in South Wales is one of the easiest options to do in terms of a road trip from London to Wales. You can drive the entire 150-mile route from London to Cardiff in just over 3 hours, so it can be done in a day, but why rush when you can make a proper road trip of it and stop at a few places along the way. We recommend stopping at the following places, which will make the road trip a little longer, 175 miles and just under 4.5 hours if done in one go, but it is worth it.
Start – London
Day 1 – North Wessex Downs AONB
London to the North Wessex Downs AONB takes approximately 2 hours, and 84 miles to drive. We would suggest that you stop in Avebury to explore the famous Neolithic standing stones that surround the area and visit some of the local Wiltshire White Horses as well, (chalk horses on the surrounding hills, not real horses!). Marlborough White Horse, The Alton Barnes White Horse, Cherhill White Horse, and Hackpen White Horse are all worth a visit to and often have a lovely short walk you can do in the locality.
Where to stay in the North Wessex Downs
If camping then definitely stay at Postern Hill Campsite in Savernake Forest, it is a real treat to sleep between the trees. If not, there are numerous hotel options in the centre of Marlborough, (check them out here – Expedia UK ) which is a great place to base yourself if you want to spend a couple of days exploring the area.
Day 2 – Corsham
From Avebury to Corsham will take only 35 minutes, 20 miles so it is a great place to go after visiting the North Wessex Downs to wander the historic market town and explore some of Corsham Court, (keep an eye out for the famous peacocks!). If you have the time, then it is well worth a stop at Caen Hill Locks near Devizes and the historic village of Lacock on route to Corsham from Avebury. Caen Hill Locks really has to be seen to be believed and Lacock is one of the most beautiful villages in the area due to its unspoiled appearance.
Where to stay in Corsham
Camping options are very limited near Corsham however we would recommend you stay at The Methuen Arms which is in a fantastic central location and has some of the best Sunday Roasts you will find in the UK.
Day 3 – Bath
Corsham to Bath is another short drive of only 30 minutes, roughly 10 miles. You can easily spend an entire day wandering around Bath just exploring the famous sites such as The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and Sally Lunn’s.
We can highly recommend stopping by Nata & Co Bakery or Dough if you get hungry, the pizzas are great at Dough and the empanadas at Nata & Co are on another level, perfect to take out and sit by Pulteney Weir or in Parade Gardens with.
Where to stay in Bath
Again, as it is a city location, camping is few and far between, but Bath has some great hotel options ranging from a Travelodge right up to 4 and 5-star hotels such as Hotel Indigo.
Day 4 – Bristol
Bath to Bristol will take approximately 40 minutes, 13 miles drive depending on the traffic, just avoid going in the UK rush hour as this route often gets clogged up! Bristol is a city that is full to the brim with museums and art galleries, as well as a wonderful waterfront and the grand crescents of Clifton. Be sure to take a trip on one of the Bristol Ferry Boats along the harbourside before exploring the city and finding Banksy paintings, with a stop at Brandon Hill for some of the best views over the city.
Where to stay in Bristol
There is one location you can camp at in the centre of Bristol, (but only with motorhomes or campervans, no tents), Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite. There are also countless options for staying at a hotel or B&B in the centre of Bristol, anything from a Travelodge to the Bristol Marriott Royal.
Day 5 – Cardiff
End – Cardiff, South Wales
Bristol to Cardiff is only an hour’s drive, 45 miles, crossing over the River Severn into Wales, completing the road trip from London to Wales to the south of Wales and Cardiff. As the capital of Wales and the largest city in Wales, there are an abundance of things to do, places to see, and locations to eat. Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, Friary Gardens, and Cardiff Victorian Market are all well worth a visit, and you can also hire bikes and follow the River Taff out to Cardiff Bay which is a lovely few hours.
Where to stay in Cardiff
There are two great options for staying in Cardiff whilst camping, one at the Cardiff Caravan and Camping Park, or at Cosy Cinema, both in Pontcanna Fields. All if looking for a hotel then again there are plenty of options starting at a Premier Inn right up to the Cardiff Marriott.
We would highly recommend taking at least 5 days to road trip from London to Wales along this route, but of course, it can easily be completed in a day if you don’t want to stop along the way, (which you should as there are some incredible monuments and historical towns and cities to visit before you even get to Wales).
If you want to extend your road trip, then we would definitely recommend heading a bit further along the south coast of Wales to The Gower or Pembrokeshire National Park. Not only are they both absolutely stunning locations but they are also often a little quieter than some of the other more well-known locations in Wales.
Itinerary 2 – Road trip from London to Aberystwyth, West Wales
From London to Aberystwyth is take roughly 240 miles and 5.5 hours to drive, crossing first through England westwards towards Swindon, before heading north through the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean, before crossing the River Wye and the border into Wales then heading northwest towards the stunning West Wales coast.
Start – London
Day 1 – North Wessex Downs AONB
As per the above road trip from London to Wales, this road trip to Aberystwyth starts off on route to the North Wessex Downs AONB. Be sure to stop by Marlborough, Avebury, and a few of the local white horse hills for a walk, Definitely make sure to visit the Marlborough White Horse, Hackpen White Horse, and the Uffington White Horse, (this one has a great loop walk around the surrounding countryside).
Where to stay in the North Wessex Downs
If camping stay at Postern Hill Campsite in Savernake Forest. If wanting a bit more luxury and a hotel room, then check out Expedia UK for some of the best hotel options in Marlborough.
Day 2 – Cirencester
The second stop and we are starting to head north with a drive from Marlborough to Cirencester which takes roughly 35 minutes, 27 miles. Cirencester is brimming with history to explore and local food from the farmer’s markets to try, as well as some rather lovely parks and gardens like Abbey Grounds and Cirencester Park. Make sure you stop by South Cerney and Cerney Wick for some fun at the lakes en route between Marlborough and Cirencester, the De Vere Cotswold Water Park also offers some rather lovely afternoon tea as well.
Where to stay in Cirencester
If you are after a bit of luxury then head to The Fleece at Cirencester, if you are camping the Cirencester Park Caravan and Motorhome Campsite is your best bet.
Day 3 – Cotswolds AONB & Gloucester
The route from Cirencester to Gloucester is 18 miles long and half an hour drive, and straight through the centre of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are a few different locations you can stop at on route, such as Cowley, Sheepscombe, or Painswick to get a taste of the Cotswolds but upon reaching Gloucester you have to visit Gloucester Docks and Gloucester Cathedral to get a real feel for this city.
Where to stay in Gloucester
There are no campsites in the city centre of Gloucester but an abundance on the outskirts. We would suggest opting for Court Farm Camping or Apple Orchard Camping and Caravan Site as they are both semi on route to the next stop.
Day 4 – Forest of Dean & the Wye Valley
Gloucester to the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley is 45 minutes, 23 miles drive, and takes you from the city living to the rural wild side of the border between England and Wales. Rather than stopping anywhere on the drive, we would suggest that you just head straight for the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail at Speech House, to while away a few hours exploring the local landscape and sculpture trail, before heading on to Symonds Yat for one of the best viewpoints and walks along the Wye Valley.
Where to stay in the Forest of Dean
There are numerous campsites to choose from in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, from the paired-back, Bracelands Campsite, to the campsite with its own fishing pond, Broadstone Park Camping and Fishery, so you will be spoilt for choice.
Day 5 – Brecon Beacons National Park
The drive from the Forest of Dean to Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons National Park takes roughly 40 minutes, and 27 miles. You will drive past the wonderful market town of Abergavenny and Sugar Loaf, both of which you should stop and have a walk around / up, as well as driving near Blaenavon which is a World Heritage Site for its iron and coal industries, another great stop. Crickhowell is actually quite a small town, but it packs a punch with its famous bridge crossing the River Usk, historic castle ruins, and quaint high street, (which is home to the wonderful Latte-da Coffee and Kitchen, somewhere you have to stop and try Welsh Rarebit!).
There are of course many places to visit in the Brecon Beacons so if you want to make a few days of it then making Crickhowell, or the area nearby, your base is quite good.
Where to stay in Crickhowell
We would highly recommend camping at Cwmdu Campsite for some beautiful scenic camping with the option to stay in a shepherd’s hut or log cabins as well. It is in a great location with easy access to the surrounding National Park.
Day 6 – Elan Valley
From Crickhowell, in the Brecon Beacons National Park to the Elan Valley takes just over an hour and 44 miles and is one of the most scenic drives along this road trip from London to Wales. Stop in the quaint market town of Rhayader or by the Red Kite Feeding Centre on route before driving the Elan Valley from top to bottom taking in each of the reservoirs and dams as you go. Make sure you stop and walk around a few or at least a section of the dams, the views are some of the best in this area of Wales.
Where to stay in the Elan Valley
If you want to camp, then by far the best place to stay is at Elan Oaks Camping and Caravan Site right in the heart of the Elan Valley. If you are after a bit more luxury then head to Penbont House the perfect little B&B and holiday cottages in the Elan Valley Estate, perfect for star gazing!
Day 7 – Aberystwyth
End – Aberystwyth, West Wales
For the last leg of this road trip from London to Wales sees a drive from the Elan Valley 1 hour and 35 miles west to Aberystwyth and the beautiful west coast of Wales. We would suggest that you drive directly to Aberystwyth from the Elan Valley as there is a lot to discover in Aberystwyth itself, more than enough for a couple of days. With a few beaches, (North Beach, Aberystwyth Beach, Pier Rocks, and South Beach), Aberystwyth Castle, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, and a town centre to explore, all before even thinking about walking some of the Ceredigion Coast Path, you will be spoilt for choice for what to do in Aberystwyth.
Where to stay in Aberystwyth
Being a major seaside town there are limited camping options in the centre, however, Midfield Holiday Park is a great option if you don’t mind a walk or drive into the centre. If you’d rather stay in Aberystwyth, then there are many options to choose from all along the bay, from a Premier Inn up to the Gwesty’r Marine Hotel and Spa.
We would highly recommend taking at least 7 days to travel from London to West Wales along this road trip. Not only has the route in England got some fantastic places to stop at, including some Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but the route through Wales is also full to the brim of unique and famous landscapes.
To extend this route further you can always stop at Aberaeron or New Quay further south along the West Wales coast, they are both beautiful little towns overlooking the Bay of Ceredigion also known as Cardigan Bay.
Itinerary 3 – Road trip from London to Snowdonia, North Wales
Getting from London to Snowdonia in the very north of Wales is actually much easier to do than it may seem. Rather than travelling up through Wales, (which we have done and is a wonderful route if you have a couple of weeks to spare), you can head north from London and skirt around Oxford and Birmingham in England before travelling west into North Wales. This takes roughly 6.5 hours and is approximately 270 miles of driving.
Start – London
Day 1 – Oxford
Just under 2 hours, and 57 miles, the trip from London to Oxford sets you up for the road trip from London to Wales, passing through some of the nearby Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty before reaching the university city of Oxford. Filled with medieval architecture and 38 university colleges, the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ is perfect to explore for the day. If you want to break up the journey a little stop in the Chiltern Hills AONB, which is roughly halfway between London and Oxford, at West Wycombe Park Village and Hill, a beautiful Palladian home and historic village set in 45 acres of parkland.
Where to stay in Oxford
Valley Farm Campsite is perfect for camping in tents, campervans, or caravans, and it has options for glamping as well. If you would rather stay in a hotel, there are plenty of options in Oxford centre, check them out here – Expedia UK.
Day 2 – Cheltenham & the North Cotswolds
Oxford to Cheltenham takes 1.25 hours approximately 40 miles with some wonderful places to stop in the North Cotswolds on route including Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water. Once you reach Cheltenham, you’ll see why this beautiful regency town is a stop on this road trip from London to Wales. Full of stunning townhouses overlooking flower-filled parks, and with a farmers market selling local products in amongst the high street shops and quaint coffee shops, this small spa town is the perfect place to while away the day.
Where to stay in Cheltenham
There aren’t any campsites in Cheltenham itself, but there are a few glamping sites in the surrounding area. Hotel wise there are countless in the centre of Cheltenham including a fair few 4-star hotels overlooking Imperial Square Gardens.
Day 3 – Malvern Hills AONB & Worcester
In just under an hour and a half, you can be whisked away from the regency life in Cheltenham up to the Malvern Hills AONB and nearby Worcester. There are numerous walks you can do in the Malvern Hills AONB taking in the surrounding countryside, before heading for a wander around the town of Great Malvern to see Great Malvern Priory and Priory Park. (The ridge walk from North Quarry Car Park to Upper Beacon Road Car Park is a stunner).
From Great Malvern, it is then only a short drive to the medieval city of Worcester. Here you have to explore Worcester Cathedral with its royal tombs and crypt and pop into a museum or gallery, or have a walk along the River Severn or up Friar Street, which is particularly wonderful with its half-timbered buildings lining the way.
Where to stay in Worcester
Campsites are few and far between in Worcester so it may be best to opt for staying in a hotel or B&B in the centre, (There are some lovely riverside hotels such as Browns at the Quay). If you really want to camp, then the best options are either Peachley Caravan and Camping Park or Mill House Caravan and Camping Site as they are both in the right direction out of Worcester to continue on with the London to Wales road trip the next day.
Day 4 – Shropshire Hills AONB & Shrewsbury
For this leg of the road trip from London to Wales there is 1.25 hours, 45 miles drive from one Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the next in the Shropshire Hills, before continuing on through to Shrewsbury for a further 40 minutes, 18 miles. The Shropshire Hills AONB covers almost a quarter of the county of Shropshire and is the place to go for some of the most beautiful hill walking along the route. Stiperstones Ridge or The Wrekin are both great places to get out and stretch those legs after a few days of driving.
From the Shropshire Hills, we then head into Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury is situated in a loop of the River Severn with a centre filled with historic buildings and gardens such as Shrewsbury Cathedral, Shrewsbury Castle, and The Quarry gardens. Beautiful red brick buildings line the streets of this town with numerous churches defining the skyline, St Chad’s and St Mary’s are worth popping in.
Where to stay in Shrewsbury
There are numerous town centre hotels to pick from, we would suggest The Bull Inn or Prince Rupert Hotel as they are close to The Beefy Boys, which is hands down the best burgers you will ever eat. In terms of campsites, there aren’t any in the centre but Oxton Hall Touring Park is a great place to stay en route to the next location. Plus there are various different camping options from tents, to campervans to mobile homes.
Day 5 – Llangollen
Day 5 of the road trip and we are finally crossing the border between England and Wales. The drive from Shrewsbury to Llangollen is approximately 1 hour, and 30 miles, and becomes more and more scenic the further you drive, with more and more opportunities for a good hike! Be sure to stop by the National Trust owned Chirk Castle once you cross the border into Wales, as this 13th-century castle is set within acres of award-winning gardens and it has a rather nice coffee shop. It is also well worth a stop at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the outskirts of Llangollen, this engineering feat of a 19-arch aqueduct is really something quite breathtaking.
Where to stay in Llangollen
There are numerous options for camping in and around Llangollen such as Abbey Farm and Llandyn Holiday Park, which have options for glamping as well as camping with a tent or campervan. There are a few, but not many, hotels in the centre of Llangollen along the River Dee if that is more what you fancy.
Day 6 – Snowdonia National Park
End – Snowdonia National Park, North Wales
The final leg of the road trip between Llangollen and Snowdonia National Park may take nearly an hour and a half over 46 miles, but the views will be constantly getting better and better the further into Wales you drive. Snowdonia National Park itself is just incredible, we previously spent 5 days in Snowdonia and it really is full to the brim with dramatic and spectacular landscapes. Before reaching Snowdonia National Park make sure to stop at the Gwydir Forest Park on the way, it has some stunning walks to really get you in the mood for exploring the whole national park.
Where to stay in Snowdonia National Park
By far one of the best places to stay in Snowdonia National Park is Bryn Gloch Caravan and Camping Park. Camping in the shadow of the surrounding mountains is something you simply must do after you have spent the days exploring them. There is also a multitude of different accommodation options from tent pitches, campervan pitches, and static caravans.
We would highly recommend taking at least 6 days to travel this route between London and North Wales. There are so many wonderful stops and incredible landscapes that you can travel past on this route that you wouldn’t want to miss, so we would suggest this road trip really should take a week.
If you want to extend this London to Wales route then why not do a full loop and head down the West Coast of Wales before cutting back across Pembrokeshire National Park, The Gower, and the Brecon Beacons National Park, before returning back to London.
Destinations you can’t miss on a road trip from London to Wales
If you are travelling between London and Wales, there are so many places you just cannot miss.
You must drive through the North Wessex Downs AONB, which contains some of the most incredible neolithic monuments and chalk white horses across the Wiltshire hills. Somerset and Gloucestershire have some of the biggest cities that you should stop at along the route, namely Bath, Bristol, Gloucester, and Cheltenham, as well as being on the edge of the Cotswolds AONB. You have also got the Forest of Dean, Wye Valley, Malvern Hills AONB, and Shropshire Hills AONB all along the border of England and Wales, which are all well worth a trip to.
Road trip from London to Wales FAQs
How long would a road trip from London to Wales be?
Depending on which parts of Wales you want to visit will depend on how long your road trip will need to be. If it is South Wales then it is much easier and quicker to get to from London than North Wales or Mid Wales, (you could reach Cardiff in South Wales in just a few hours from London), but if you have the time, and a week or two spare, then we would highly recommend you try and visit some of the lesser-known locations in Mid and West Wales, as well as making your way up to Snowdonia National Park.
How long does a road trip in Wales take?
Now again this is slightly dependent on where you want to go, as you can easily get between North Wales, say Snowdonia National Park, and South Wales, Pembrokeshire National Park or the Brecon Beacons National Park, in a week with stops along the way, but to see all the great locations in between and have a couple of days in each to explore can easily add on another week or two.
We would say if it were your first-time visiting Wales then a 10-day road trip in Wales is a good place to start, then you can get a feel for a few different locations, Snowdonia National Park, the West Wales coast, The Elan Valley, Pembrokeshire National Park and the Brecon Beacons.
Best time to road trip from London to Wales?
The best time of year to road trip between London and Wales has to be either the spring, summer, or autumn. Spring sees the countryside coming to life after winter, summer is bustling with warmth but can be a little busier, and autumn will bring the incredible colour changes in the landscape.
Can you do a day trip to Wales from London?
In theory, yes, it is possible to do a day trip from London to Wales, but we really wouldn’t recommend it. You would miss out on so many of the wonderful things that make Wales truly unique and, in all likelihood, spend the majority of the day either sitting in a car or on a coach or sitting on a train. Trust us when we say you have to spend at least a long weekend in Wales to appreciate this country.
If you would rather do a tour from London to Wales, then check out these tours:
Driving in England and Driving in Wales
Driving in both England and Wales is very similar as they have all the same driving rules, the one difference is that when in Wales, (having come from London via the main motorways that cross the country), you are much more likely to suddenly come across narrow single lane roads. These are easy enough to drive though, you just need to be able to reverse occasionally! If however, you travel from London to Wales via a few locations in Wiltshire, Somerset, or Gloucestershire, you will probably come across some single-track roads in England as well.
Car hire
The best place to hire a car in the UK is through Rentalcars.com. They offer the ability to pick up and drop off in different locations, so you could pick up at a London airport then drop off at Cardiff airport, and they search through numerous suppliers so you can get the best deal going.
How long is the drive from London to Wales?
The drive from London to Wales is 150 miles, which takes roughly 2.5 hours with no stops.
How many hours drive is it from England to Wales?
This depends on where in England you are driving from as the border between England and Wales is 160 miles long running between Cheshire in the north, through Shropshire, Herefordshire, and down through Gloucestershire in the south.
From some of the closer towns and cities such as Bristol, Gloucester, or Cheshire it takes between 2.5 and 3 hours to reach the centre of Wales. From other main cities in England, it obviously takes a little longer, Oxford, Birmingham, and Manchester will take between 3.5 and 4.5 hours to reach the centre of Wales.
Can you take a train to Wales from London?
You can take a train from London Paddington to Cardiff, but there are no other trains that will go directly elsewhere from London to Wales. Check on thetrainline.com or Busbud to see the best trains and buses for you to get from London to Wales, and often get some good deals too.
Conclusion: Road trip from London to Wales
A road trip from London to Wales, be it Cardiff in South Wales, Aberystwyth in West Wales, or Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, is one of the best road trips you can take in the UK. Stopping by various places en route in England, through Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, or even an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or two, before exploring the best of Wales, is by far the only way to road trip this stunning part of the world.
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.