We are off to Wales on Saturday for 2 weeks and wondered whether anyone has been here before and can tell us the best route to take. I definetely don't want to go over the Bridge!
We live very close to the A1 in Hertfordshire but could easily get onto the M25 - M4 - M5 and we are going to Aberaeron, Ceredigion SA46 0JF
I would tend to go North. Up the M1-M6-M54 and across to Aberaeron. Depends on exactly where you are. Check here and put in your exact location in Hertfordshire, but check all the roads to make surethey are OK for towing the van. We have gone a similar way but cant remember the exact details (but we are a bit further N.).
Have a look at M4 to J 15 then A 419 than A 417 to Gloucester than A 40 to Ross on wye than A49 Hereford A 49 to Leominster then A44 to Aberystwyth most towns are by passed
Quote: Originally posted by kenles on 20/7/2010Have a look at M4 to J 15 then A 419 than A 417 to Gloucester than A 40 to Ross on wye than A49 Hereford A 49 to Leominster then A44 to Aberystwyth most towns are by passed
A40 Gloucester to Ross is not the best of roads with a caravan. You would be better joining the M5 north at Gloucester, up to then along the M50,then Ledbury, Hereford and Leominster.
It is much quicker over the bridge and the additional cost of going around will cost more in fuel than the cost of the bridge.
I've towed over the bridge many times now and it's really not a problem if you are concerned about cross winds. The new bridge (on the new section of the M4 rather than turning off onto the M48 for the old one) has wind breaks fitted to the side and it really doesn't feel any different to tow over than any other stretch of motorway. If you don't like the idea of towing over the bridge, you are in for quite a shock when you get bast Carmarthen as the roads get pretty dodgy from there up towards Ceredigion.
On your return journey, you don't have to pay on the bridge. I should warn you though there are a lot of delays through Newport on the M4 due to roadworks and part time closures, so check before departing.
Quote: Originally posted by ashwellgirl on 21/7/2010
Glad to hear that there are no major problems towing in Wales :)
Hear that the weather's due to change for the worse though :( but that's to be expected with it being the start of the school holidays lol
Thanks everyone for your advise as we've never towed to Wales and wasn't sure which route was best as there are quite a few ways we could have gone :)
Wales has some of the best roads in the country, although a mountainous region (don't every call it hilly in front of a Welshman ) most of the main roads, in south and mid wales anyway, follow a gentle-ish climb up through the valleys. I mostly use the M4 then the A449 joining the A40 at Raglan.
BTW the bridge will cost £5.50 solo or towing and only to get into Wales, free to get out - it would cost you £18 to use the ferry to cross the river at Dartmouth in Devon both ways with a caravan
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Topic: Wales? Best Route?
) most of the main roads, in south and mid wales anyway, follow a gentle-ish climb up through the valleys. I mostly use the M4 then the A449 joining the A40 at Raglan.
