The Best Family-Friendly Road Trips in Wales

Whether you live in Cymru or further afield, there are plenty of reasons to head on a road trip in the rolling hills of Wales. From castles to coastlines, find yourself driving through the picturesque landscapes of North, South and West Wales and enjoying what the beautiful country has to offer.

Get behind the wheel of your leased car and head out into pristine scenic views and friendly towns on a road trip in Wales. So, get behind the wheel as we’ve detailed some of the best places to take your loved ones.

Driving in Wales

Driving in Wales should be essentially no different to driving in England, with all of the same rules and speed limits in place. There are however some things to note that could have an impact on your road trip in Wales – involving poor weather, animals and unreliable technology. 

The weather in Wales is notoriously wet and windy, and in fact the country is renowned for taking the brunt of a lot of the rain that falls in the UK. Due to the position of the jet stream (a zone of fast moving winds flowing around the globe), the shape of the coastline and the vast mountainous landscape of the country, there’s a lot of wind, and a lot of rain. On average, there’s almost 150 days of rain a year so it’s worthwhile taking a little more caution when driving in wet weather. 

Another thing to consider are animals. Much of the rural countryside is dominated by farmland and woodland, which means you may run into sheep or deer on the road. Remaining patient and waiting for the animals to move out of the way is key. There may also be horse riders on the roads. 

Preparing for poor SatNav and GPS coverage is also a good idea. It’s improving, but coverage is notoriously unreliable in areas of Wales and finding your way around could cause an issue. They are a little outdated – but keep a map nearby just in case. 

Family-friendly Road Trips in Wales

There are some great experiences to be had on a family-friendly road trip in Wales, and especially so if you can balance between enjoying the gorgeous coastline and the welcoming hospitality of some of the smaller villages dotted around the country. 

From scenic road trips in Wales to options for adventurers and foodies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We’ve prepared a list of the best-of-the-best for you to peruse.

The Coastal Way – approx. 180 Miles

The Coastal Way spans across the entire length of Cardigan Bay, presenting you with secluded beaches and blue seas, and a beautiful welcome into charming villages and towns. 

Starting at Aberdaron on the western tip of the Llŷn Peninsula and taking in highlights like Portmeirion, Tal-y-bont, Barmouth, Borth, Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, Cardigan, and Fishguard before finishing the trip in St Davids means you’re visiting some of the great areas on the Western (and North Western) coast of Wales. 

Highlights include Italian-inspired Portmeirion, the hidden beauty of Mwnt and Tresaith beaches, and the quaint mysticism of small towns like Aberaeron and Cardigan (otherwise known as Aberteifi). You’ll find it hard not to fall in love with this road trip in Wales and its views of the beautiful Irish sea.

The Football Lover’s Road Trip – approx. 240 miles

If you’re a footie family, you have to make your way across some of the top football clubs in Wales and their stadiums. While some of the clubs play in the English Football Leagues, a handful of the sides situated in the JD Cymru Premier League are worth a visit too. 

Start your journey in Connah’s Quay, visiting Connah Quay Nomad’s Deeside Stadium. Home to the only professional side in the Welsh leagues that is situated in Wales (as TNS is based in Oswestry, England) and perhaps one of the coolest names in British football, it’s a great place to start.

From here, you can head to The Racehorse Ground, the new home of Hollywood thanks to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Wrexham is a tight-knit community and a must-stop on this Welsh road trip – as well as the first side in the English leagues on this trip.

Other locations include the joint-biggest stadium in the Welsh Leagues, at Aberystwyth Town’s 5000-capacity Park Avenue, and former Premier League sides Swansea and Cardiff, before finishing off in Newport. You can find out more about stadium parking in Swansea and Cardiff in our sports stadium parking index.

Tracing the Border – approx. 170 miles

Getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is one of the benefits of road trips in Wales – and if you’re living in England you may not need to go too far to enjoy one.

By tracing the border of Wales, starting in Chepstow and heading north through the Wye Valley and into the perfect, picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye, you can fall deeply in love with one of the countless book shops. When you’re done looking at dust covers and synopses, you can continue on to Welshpool and then on to Wrexham.

Some of the highlights of this road trip in Wales include Powis Castle and Offa’s Dyke Path. This road trip is best taken by sticking to some of the smaller, narrow back roads, which some of the smaller cars suited for families may thrive in. 

The Seven Cities – approx. 360 miles

The longest road trip in Wales in this list includes the Welsh capital, the smallest city in the United Kingdom and one of the newest cities as of 2022 thanks to Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee. 

Starting in Wrexham, the newest of Wales’s seven cities, you’ll then move on to St Asaph which is famed for hosting the North Wales International Music Festival, attracting music lovers from across the world, before heading to Bangor, the oldest city in Wales. 

From North Wales to the South West, you’ll then span across a 160-mile drive to take in the likes of the Snowdonia National Park and Ceredigion, before winding up in Pembrokshire. St Davids is the smallest city in the United Kingdom with a population of just over 1,300 and is the resting place of Welsh patron saint, Saint David, which the city is named after. 

Your final three destinations are hubs of culture and great for finishing off a scenic road trip in Wales with the hustle and bustle of a city, as you’ll be driving to Swansea, Cardiff and Newport. 

Short and Scenic – approx. 75 miles

For scenic road trips in Wales, you can’t get much better than the beautiful north coast. Starting in Mold, you’ll span across the Clwydian Hills and head to quaint town Ruthin which is full of history. 

From here, you can head to Colwyn Bay and Llandudno, hit Bangor and then head into the Snowdonia National Park for some great hiking opportunities if you don’t mind a little detour.

Finish up by heading through to Holyhead, the largest town in the Isle of Anglesey. It’s a major Irish sea port – so you could head over if you’re feeling truly adventurous. 

Take a Road Trip in Wales this Summer

Whether you’ve recently leased a car or you’re looking to pick up a leasing deal, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has a range of popular models from leading manufacturers that are perfect for driving in Wales.

Head off on one of our family-friendly road trips this summer and make memories that will last a lifetime. Ready to look at leasing a new car? Contact us today.