I'm after a bit of advice re' driving (with a folding camper in tow) from Lancashire down to Tenby. Basically I plan to go via Chester then down through Wales, taking in Welshpool, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Builth, Llandovery and Carmarthen. I'd like to know if there are any suitable places to stop off for breaks (food, toilets for the little uns, etc), where parking up with the folding camper won't be a problem. Service stations on the motorway are no problem, but I can't see it being so straightforward on this route! Apologies if this is in the wrong forum and thanks in advance.
MacDonalds - Newtown! Park in the P&D next door though and send the family back for the McNuggets It's our regular stop when we go from Warrington to the Gower. We've done both routes - M6/M5/M50/M5 and through mid Wales. Theres not much difference in time but it saves about 3 gallons one way on fuel. And it's certainly scenic - just a bugger if you get behind a lorry on one of the uphill sections.
Just be careful going into car parks with a trailer in case they're not allowed under the bylaws. This last trip we stopped in a car park in Westbury with our trailer (nothing to do with your route I know) for the toilets and lunch like we do most years and got told to move on in no uncertain terms by the car park warden who arrived just a couple of minutes after we pulled in. She said it was very clear in the regulations posted that trailers were not allowed. It was particularly annoying as we had just paid for two spaces and I was also busting for the toilet and she wouldn't even let us stay for one minute to let me do that!
If you pick out the car parks you might plan to use it might be worth checking on the relevant council website to see if they say anything about what is and is not allowed in the car park. I'm certainly going to do that in the future.
Welshpool now has a new one-way system, which can be confusing. There is a new Tesco's here but I don't know what it is like. Just off the by-pass at the southern end is a big garden centre with loos and cafe. Good value! Petrol station by the garden centre.
Newtown has in order, Morrisons with all facilities, but poor parking, then Tesco with better parking. There is a McDonalds at the lights, but you need to turn right to get into it; the public car park beyond is "pay and display" and riggerously checked. There is also a cafe opposite between the 2 supermarkets. Petrol stations all along the road you will take. BP opposite Tesco's is often the cheapest!
Llanidloes has got several cafes and free parking at the first car park you come to, if you come in from the southern end. One petrol station at the north end of town.
Rhayader has several cafes and pubs but parking is terrible with a trailer. 2 petrol stations out of the way though.
Llandod has a couple of cafes but not a lot else. TBH you are better staying on the A470 than diverting out of your way. Parking is mostly on the street.
There is a big patrol station and cafe a couple of miles south of Rhayader on the A470.
Builth has a car park and loos on the right of the bridge, but you have to go through town to get to it. Petrol on the way in, where there is also a cafe.
Do not be tempted to follow the A483 out of Newtown, but carry straight on, on the A489 to join the A470 at Caersws Crossing. Much better road and more trailer friendly.
Brecon has plenty of facilities. Best way in is not the first signpost you come to at the top of the hill, but from the roundabout at the bottom. Pay and dislpay car park by the canal and theatre is good and an easy walk into town, or there is a good but not cheap cafe at the theatre.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Route from NW England to Tenby
