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Best touristy things in southern Wales

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Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby kirkpoore1 » 01 Aug 2017, 02:16

OK, guys, I realize this is short notice, but maybe you can be Friendly Native
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As I think I hinted a couple of months ago, I'm going to be going to a medieval event at Raglan Castle in Wales next week. My daughter, a friend, and I will be flying into Manchester on Saturday and then taking a train south from there. We are staying at an Airbnb in Raglan. I've rented a car from Monday through Friday, and want to get about 3 days of sightseeing in. We've got Stonehenge and Chepstow Castle penciled in, but beyond that, assuming I haven't killed myself by driving on the wrong side of the road, what are the can't miss stuff I need to add to the list? Medieval and woodwork things are a plus, but we have a variety of interests.

Thanks...

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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby timothyedoran » 01 Aug 2017, 08:04

I live about 40 minutes from Stonehenge near Bath and to my shame have never visited. I keep meaning to visit but have only ever driven past. It looks very interesting. My brother visits regularly.

The Kennet and Avon canal is very pretty, especially Honey Street and the Vale of Pewsey. And some good pubs there.
https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/towns- ... ey-p476513

Avebury is interesting and near Stonehenge. its a stone circle a bit like Stonehenge but wider. But there is a quaint village plonked in the corner.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury

If you are driving to stone henge, then the Roman baths in Bath are interesting too.
https://www.romanbaths.co.uk

For some industrial history the big pit coal mining experience is good, but maybe not what you are after. It's in an old coal mine with a proper tour underground.
https://museum.wales/bigpit/

The river Wye us also nice and you can hire kayaks if that's your thing. It's a gentle paddle.

To be honest the pubs in Wales are traditionally not great but that is changing.
Here is the best place to.look at pubs.
http://www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk

Woodwork I'm struggling to think of something. It's more of a drive but there is the Mary Rose boat which was King Henry the 8th flag shop which got sank in the Spanish armada in 1554.
http://www.maryrose.org

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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby MattS » 01 Aug 2017, 09:28

Just looked up Raglan castle and it isn't that far into Wales. For me one of the most beautiful parts of the UK is the Gower, down beyond Swansea. Some stunning beaches and not too busy if you pick the right one. South Wales in general is so green it seems to have the best the Uk countryside has to offer in one small area.
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Malc2098 » 01 Aug 2017, 09:32

Kirk,

I'f you're driving from Wales to Stonehenge, you will be crossing the River Severn and passing Bristol.

Two of our most famous Victorian engineer's achievements are there to be seen.

SS Great Britain.

http://www.ssgreatbritain.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7qHM0s611QIVBbXtCh2KaAtMEAAYASAAEgJfYPD_BwE

And while you're there, take a look at the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

https://www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/visit

In fact Bristol is a good day out if you programme a couple of things in like that.; culture, entertainment, history, eating out, etc.

Have a great time.
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby 9fingers » 01 Aug 2017, 09:51

Ah! you beat me to it suggesting Bristol and SS Great Britain Malc

Whilst in the area, Gloucester (pronounced Gloster!!) is worth a look around.

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-th ... gloucester.

The cathedral has some renovations going on but still open I believe.

http://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk/

You won't be far from Cheltenham (cheltenum - silent h!!) either might be worth a look round?

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractio ... gland.html

Bourton on the water might appeal as a "pretty English village"

https://www.bourtoninfo.com/

HTH

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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Woodbloke » 01 Aug 2017, 10:29

kirkpoore1 wrote:OK, guys, I realize this is short notice, but maybe you can be Friendly Native
Guides for a bit:

As I think I hinted a couple of months ago, I'm going to be going to a medieval event at Raglan Castle in Wales next week. My daughter, a friend, and I will be flying into Manchester on Saturday and then taking a train south from there. We are staying at an Airbnb in Raglan. I've rented a car from Monday through Friday, and want to get about 3 days of sightseeing in. We've got Stonehenge and Chepstow Castle penciled in, but beyond that, assuming I haven't killed myself by driving on the wrong side of the road, what are the can't miss stuff I need to add to the list? Medieval and woodwork things are a plus, but we have a variety of interests.

Thanks...

Kirk

If you're in the Stonehenge area, you're around 15 minutes from me. If you can make a detour into Salisbury, Magna Carta is a 'must see' for every visitor, as is a tower tour of the cathedral, where a guide takes you up into the medieval roof space and thence upwards to the base of the spire. Stonehenge IMO is highly overrated
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Tusses » 01 Aug 2017, 11:04

Depends what you like touristing at ? .. Neath has an old tin works .. good for an hour or twos visit or so . if you like that sort of thing ! ?

I took wifey there for our "tin" anniversary ! lol .. I'm such a romantic ! lol :lol:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aberdu ... -waterfall
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Rod » 01 Aug 2017, 11:17

Bristol, Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury would make a good route.
Overrated is probably the wrong word but a lot of folk are disappointed by the size of Stonehenge. But take into account its age, lack of mechanisation and the mass of the stones, its very impressive. Sadly you no longer get to crawl over them.
The Cathedral spire tour is a must. I went on a Technical visit a few years back when it was being renovated and got to climb a fair way up the spire. There's a small hatch to the outside, looking out was very scary!
We also walked on the ceiling domes above the nave which are only a few inches thick but have survived the test of time.

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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Gone fishinf » 01 Aug 2017, 11:44

Kirk,

The cathedral in St Davids is worth a visit, set in a very pretty village ( although it is a city because it has a cathedral) in a beautiful part of Pembrokeshire.


I hope you have a great trip

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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby TrimTheKing » 01 Aug 2017, 15:03

Some great suggestions from Bob and Tim there

Cheers
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Cheers
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby selectortone » 01 Aug 2017, 16:16

If you like books Hay-on-Wye is about an hour's drive north of Raglan. It's a picturesque little country town absolutely crammed with second-hand bookshops. Beautiful countryside on the way too with lots of old castle ruins dotted about the place.
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Woodbloke » 01 Aug 2017, 20:16

Rod wrote:Overrated is probably the wrong word but a lot of folk are disappointed by the size of Stonehenge.
Rod

When you have to drive past it twice a day to go to a from work and especially on a Friday afternoon, it rapidly ceases to be impressive. I had a very good friend who was of the firm opinion that the stones ought to be ground up for road ballast :D - Rob
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Tusses » 02 Aug 2017, 10:49

Woodbloke wrote:
Rod wrote:Overrated is probably the wrong word but a lot of folk are disappointed by the size of Stonehenge.
Rod

When you have to drive past it twice a day to go to a from work and especially on a Friday afternoon, it rapidly ceases to be impressive. I had a very good friend who was of the firm opinion that the stones ought to be ground up for road ballast :D - Rob


I was more disappointed to find they got the heavy plant machinery in to put the stones back up, in the 50's I think .. who's to say that's how they were supposed to be ! ?
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Dalboy » 02 Aug 2017, 11:06

We stayed in South Wales quite a while ago and two things of interest are

Big Pit

St Fagans

The wife liked St Fagans and for me it was Big Pit
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby MartinF » 02 Aug 2017, 12:59

Both Raglan Castle and Chepstow Castle are ruins, albeit interesting. If you want to see a medieval castle still being occupied, then Berkeley castle, about 50 minutes from Raglan, may be worth a visit - see

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_Castle

Other places of historic interest possibly worth visiting in the Bristol area are Dyrham House, Lacock Abbey and Tyntesfield

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyrham_Park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacock_Abbey

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyntesfield

Enjoy your stay.

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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby RogerS » 03 Aug 2017, 05:03

Wells Cathedral is one the most beautiful cathedrals, IMO. There is some superb design detail where they integrated the new visitor centre with the cathedral. Also a very old chiming clock inside. Try and go early morning if you can.

There's a reasonable timber yard at Pontrilas.

And the two bridges across the Severn have their own 'magic' and beauty.

If you go anywhere near Hereford then pop into Pen Tools - woodworking emporium ( and nothing to with pen turning !)

Bring umbrellas, macintoshes, wellington boots (galoshes).
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby kirkpoore1 » 03 Aug 2017, 05:53

Thanks, guys, there's some great ones there. I don't think I'm quite ready for driving in a bigger place like Bristol, but Salisbury Cathedral sounds excellent. So does Berkeley Castle. I'd already heard of Hay-on-Wye and it sounds really good. Anything open early (like Wells Cathedral) would be good for a morning excursion. And I think old clocks are really cool. :)

I'll put a link to this thread on my phone so we can evaluate while we're on the plane or train.

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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby RogerS » 03 Aug 2017, 09:53

You don't need to worry about driving in Bristol as they have a stupid blanket 20mph speed limit everywhere !

If you do go to Wells check out the chairs up by the altar.

The clock is thought to be the second oldest clock in England :shock:
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Malc2098 » 03 Aug 2017, 10:41

Almost every large town and city has a park and ride scheme which are all on the outskirts. They're all online, so it might help to plan a trip to a town or city by plotting the P&Rs and going from there.

Let the buses take the strain.

Now me and Mission Control have reached a certain age and we're entitle to bus passes, we usr P&Rs all the time. :)
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Rod » 03 Aug 2017, 10:51

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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Malc2098 » 03 Aug 2017, 12:21

Rod wrote:https://travelwest.info/park-ride


:text-goodpost:
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Andyp » 03 Aug 2017, 17:05

kirkpoore1 wrote: I don't think I'm quite ready for driving in a bigger place like Bristol,
Kirk


Where's you sense of adventure. I have just come back from New York. Bristol would be a cinch! :)
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby Pinch » 03 Aug 2017, 18:59

Have a good trip Kirk - thumbs up to Wells & Salisbury.

Mrs P and me visited Salisbury Cathedral only a couple of weeks ago - stunning building. 8-)
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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby paulrees1 » 03 Aug 2017, 22:27

I've lived all over that area, from Swansea to Swindon and without doubt I'd say head to the "city" of Bath. It's got history in every pore, so much so most of it is a world heritage site.
Don't be fooled by it being a city, you can walk from one end to the other in 20 minutes. Also for eating / drinking and seeing some culture it's brilliant.

Just to be clear , I don't work for their tourist board :-)

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Re: Best touristy things in southern Wales

Postby kirkpoore1 » 04 Aug 2017, 03:47

OK, folks, T minus 13 hours and counting. 292 miles to Chicago-O'Hare, then liftoff at 7:20 PM. I've got this thread bookmarked and will report in when I can. Not sure about pics until I get back, though. :)

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