The North Wales Way — Castles, Coast & the Menai Strait
This is a coast of fortresses and sea light. From the cliffs of Holyhead to the city walls of Chester, the North Wales Way threads beaches, piers and the island lanes of Anglesey with a skyline of mountains to your left and the Menai Strait glittering to your right. You’ll cross historic bridges, loop along pastel piers, and step inside UNESCO-listed castles that have watched this shoreline for seven centuries.
Take it slow. Linger for lighthouse sunsets, tram rides up the Great Orme, garden wanders at Bodnant, and wide-sands walks towards the Point of Ayr lighthouse. The driving is easy and the stops are many — perfect for a gentle road trip with time for cafés, galleries, sea air and photographs that smell of salt.
Distances and times are approximate and exclude stops. Expect summer traffic around bridges, tunnels and seaside towns.
Day 1 · Holyhead → Menai Bridge (Anglesey’s West to the Strait)
Route & mapOvernight: Menai Bridge (or Beaumaris)
Evening strolls by the Menai Suspension Bridge and waterfront dining. In the morning, short hops to Beaumaris or Plas Newydd gardens before crossing back to the mainland.
Day 2 · Menai Bridge → Conwy (via Beaumaris & Caernarfon)
Route & mapOvernight: Conwy or Llandudno
Walk the Conwy town walls at dusk, photograph the castle reflections and enjoy fresh seafood. Next day, you’re perfectly placed for Llandudno’s Great Orme and Bodnant Garden.
Day 3 · Conwy/Llandudno Loop → St Asaph
Route & mapOvernight: St Asaph (or Colwyn Bay/Llandudno for the coast)
Combine seaside hours with a garden wander at Bodnant, then settle in a small cathedral city or return to the seafront for sunset.
Day 4 · St Asaph → Flint (via Rhyl, Prestatyn & Talacre)
Route & mapOvernight: Flint or Hawarden
Evening light on Flint Castle and estuary views. Next morning, a short hop to Gladstone’s Library or head straight for Chester to finish in style.
Day 5 · Flint → Chester (Finish)
Route & mapDriver Notes — The North Wales Way
Times are approximate in light traffic and exclude stops. Expect queues near the Conwy Tunnel, Menai crossings and seaside towns on holidays.
Indicative legs & highlights
- Day 1: Holyhead → South Stack → Trearddur Bay → Menai Bridge.
- Day 2: Menai Bridge → Beaumaris → Caernarfon → Llanfairfechan → Conwy.
- Day 3: Conwy → Llandudno (Great Orme) → Bodnant Garden → Colwyn Bay → St Asaph.
- Day 4: St Asaph → Rhyl → Prestatyn → Talacre Lighthouse → Flint.
- Day 5: Flint → Hawarden → Chester (finish at the walls/cathedral).
Routes are snapped to public road data where possible. Always follow local signs and check live traffic and weather.
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Use the map to find places to stay near each stop on this 5-day route.
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