Rather than heading out on the North Coast 500 or to the Cotswolds, try something different for your next holiday and embark on a South Wales road trip in a motorhome. You’ll get to enjoy the well-maintained roads from the comfort of your motorhome, with unbeatable views as you drive along through this beautiful country.
A road trip in south Wales can easily be done in four days over your next bank holiday or stretched out to a week over the half-term holiday or summer break. The choice is yours. We’ve created a 4-day road trip itinerary for South Wales, but you can easily spend an extra day on the Pembrokeshire Coast or Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. There are so many great places to visit in South Wales, so the real challenge was limiting ourselves to only a few.
Day 1 — Cardiff
There’s no better place to start a South Wales road trip than in the capital city of Cardiff. It’s known to be one of the most family-friendly cities in the UK, filled with history, art, science, architecture and more.
This is the ideal first day of your South Wales itinerary, as you can enjoy the bustling streets and get some delicious food. Cardiff is a foodie’s heaven, and you’ll find plenty of cafes, markets and restaurants to indulge in. Some of the best things to do in South Wales can be found here, including museums, art galleries, and of course, castles!
Once you’ve had your fill for the day, head to the nearby campsite, which situates you perfectly for the next day of your itinerary.
Things to do in Cardiff:
-A lovely way to spend an afternoon is with a trip to the nearby Flat Holm Island. This Welsh island has a long history of occupation, dating back to the Bronze Age at the latest. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and great for spotting wildlife, including herring gulls and, black-backed gulls.
-Given that Cardiff is known as the ‘City of Castles,’ we definitely recommend visiting a few during your brief time here. Nestled in the heart of the city, you’ll find the magnificent Cardiff Castle. This towering stone structure has stood for almost 2,000 years and is open for tours throughout the week. Alternatively, a popular choice is St. Fagan’s Castle, which is part of the St. Fagan’s National History Museum.
-The famous children’s author, Roald Dahl, was actually born and raised in Cardiff. Head to the Roald Dahl Plass, which was named after him. It’s home to the Senedd (Welsh Parliament Building) and the Wales Millennium Centre.
Staying at: Vishwell Farm Caravan Site
St Andrew's Rd, Wenvoe, Cardiff CF5 6AF, United Kingdom
51.440996, -3.260550
This well-maintained campsite is located on a working farm and is only a twenty-minute drive from central Cardiff. There’s a bus stop right outside the campsite if you’d rather catch public transport to the city. Dogs are welcome here, and you’ll find countless wonderful walking trails surrounding Vishwell Farm Caravan Site.
Day 2 — Swansea and the Gower
Next on our itinerary for a South Wales road trip is Swansea, the second largest city in Wales. It's known for its nightlife, maritime history, and as the birthplace of the beloved poet Dylan Thomas. Swansea features a rich history and diverse cosmopolitan culture, so it’s worth exploring for a few hours.
Then it’s back on the road to the Gower Peninsula Area of Natural Beauty, one of our favourite places in the UK, if not the world. It was the first place in Britain to be named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956, and since then has been beloved by birdwatchers, surfers and walkers.
Things to do in Gower:
-The Gower Peninsula AONB is known for its 1,200 archaeological sites, which include caves, medieval castles, Iron Age forts, churches and more. Take the time to visit some of these sites, and then grab your own bucket and spade to try your hand at an archaeological dig.
-Explore the well-preserved Weobley Castle. From the castle, you’ll get to enjoy stunning views of the Gower salt marshes and the mainland beyond.
-If you don’t mind getting a bit wet, then take the (literal) leap into coasteering. Described by Adventure Wales as “Everything you weren’t supposed to do when you were a kid,” you’ll explore the Gower Peninsula by cliff jumping, swimming, and exploring caves.
Staying at: Skysea Caravan and Camping Site
Skysea Caravan and Camping Site, The Seafront, Port Eynon, Gower, Swansea, Wales
51.54319239729324, -4.209389864141133
This campsite is flanked on either side by limestone cliffs, which makes it feel like it’s sheltered from the rest of the world. Walking distance from the beach, you could start your day with a cold dip, if you dare. It’s very popular with surfers, thanks to the outside wetsuit washing area and proximity to great surfing locations, but also attracts many families throughout the year.
Looking for more camping options? Check out the best campsites in the Gower Peninsula AONB.
Day 3 — Pembrokeshire Coast
You could easily embark on an entire Pembrokeshire Coast road trip, but we’ll try and whittle it down to the best things to do. This is widely known to be one of the most beautiful regions in the UK, and thankfully left untouched.
Bring your hiking boots to tackle what this area is best known for: the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. In total, this trail stretches for 186 miles, so might not be feasible for a single day here. But you can tackle a section of it, or come back another time to challenge yourself to the entire route.
Saundersfoot is a quieter town located just north of Tenby, which is one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Wales. You can visit the idyllic Saundersfoot Beach and enjoy the feeling of the sand beneath your feet. This beach is also part of the Saundersfoot Bay Coastal Walk, which is a great way to stretch your legs after all that driving. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to The Stone Crab, which is known to have the best seafood in the region.
Things to do on the Pembrokeshire Coast:
-Can you handle another castle? Exploring castles is simply one of the best things to do in South Wales. We’d recommend visiting Pembroke Castle. Built in 1090 AD, this castle is best known as the birthplace of King Henry VII in 1457. Or you can head to Cardigan Castle, which overlooks the River Teifi and was rebuilt in 1244.
-If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter films, we’ve got a very special suggestion for you. Like the rest of us, you probably bawled your eyes out at the death of Dobby the House Elf (spoiler alert). You can visit his grave at Freshwater West Beach, where all of the scenes of Shell Cottage were filmed. The cottage is gone, but a grave for Dobby has been placed. We urge you not to leave socks or other times that can ruin the eco-system, and instead to opt for beautiful shells or pebbles.
-You can’t visit the Pembrokeshire Coast without heading out on the water. Take a boat trip to Skomer Island, which is located less than a mile off the coast and is known for its large puffin colony. You’ll only find puffins there between April and July, but don’t worry if your trip falls outside of these dates, as there is plenty of other wildlife on the island all year round. It takes about fifteen minutes to reach the island by boat, and most trips will give you about four and a half hours to explore.
Looking to explore more of Pembrokeshire or extend your road trip in South Wales? Check out our full Pembrokeshire road trip itinerary.
Staying at: Caerfai Bay Caravan and Tent Park
Ffordd Caerfai, St Davids, Haverfordwest, Wales
51.873239, -5.258302
Situated beside a beach of the same name, Caerfai Bay Caravan and Tent Park is a family-run campsite that people struggle to visit just once. It’s only a fifteen-minute walk from St Davids and offers unbeatable views for enjoying your morning coffee. This campsite offers everything you’ll need for your stay, including phone charging lockers, a kitted-out kitchen and hot showers.
Day 4 — Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Previously known as the Brecon Beacons, we now recognise Bannau Brycheiniog National Park by its beautiful Welsh name. On your way back from the Pembrokeshire Coast, be sure to stop in this stunning national park. You can easily lose yourself in the dramatic mountainscapes and lush forests.
Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife situated throughout the park, including red kites, a rare bird of prey saved from the brink of extinction. You can see red kites at dedicated feeding centres like Gigrin Farm, near Rhayader, or while out and about. You’ll easily recognise them from their distinctive forked tails.
Things to do in Bannau Brycheiniog:
-If you’re travelling with little ones or just looking to get off your feet for a bit, hop on the Brecon Mountain Railway. This tourist railway takes you down the south side of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park for five miles, including sights like the Pentwyn Reservoir and Pontsticill Reservoir.
-Your time here wouldn’t be complete without some hill walking. You could walk to South Wales’ highest point, also known as Pen y Fan. The Pen y Fan Horseshoe loop, which includes the summit of the mountain of its namesake, is about eight miles. Or, for a real challenge, you could stay another day and tackle the Route of the Romans, a twenty-eight-mile route that includes a section of walking over original Roman cobbles.
-You’ll likely be exhausted by the time you’ve set up your motorhome, so it is time for some star gazing before bed. Bannau Brycheiniog National Park has been awarded the rare Dark Sky Reserve status for its low light pollution and high nocturnal clarity. You’ll spot plenty of familiar constellations, and maybe even a few planets!
Staying at: Grawen Caravan and Camping Park
Grawen Farm, Cwm Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
51.789640, -3.429402
Situated at the foot of the southern ridges of the Bannau Brycheiniog and nearby Llwyn-on Reservoir, you’ll struggle to find a more beautiful place to spend the night. This family-run campsite is the perfect starting point for countless walking routes, and even has a playground on-site.
Looking for more camping options? Check out the best motorhome campsites in the Brecon Beacons.
All the best things must come to an end, including this 4-day itinerary for a south Wales road trip. As we mentioned earlier, this is a route you could easily stretch over a week, or return to another time to see more things. There are so many incredible things to see and do in South Wales, so you won’t get bored no matter how many times you return.
You can easily hire a motorhome in Wales with Goboony, and then it’s time to pack your bags and depart!
