Strumble Head Lighthouse, Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire & South Wales

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

9 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1420 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Cardiff

Compact and friendly, Cardiff is Wales’ vibrant capital and largest city, rich in history and culture and home to fascinating architecture. Visit the historic Cardiff Castle, wander through Bute Park and explore trendy Cardiff Bay.

Historic castles

Near Cardiff lies the fairytale Castell Coch, a wonderful Gothic revival structure. In Pembrokeshire, climb atop Tenby Castle and admire the wonderful views over the harbour. Explore the Norman castle in Pembroke, one of the best-preserved strongholds in the country.

Gower Peninsula

Gower was the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Beginning in The Mumbles, at the edge of Swansea Bay, the Gower Peninsula extends westward and features a stunning coastline of creamy-white, sandy bays.

Pembrokeshire

Beautiful Pembrokeshire is Britain’s only coastal National Park, with 186 miles of magnificent coastline, jagged cliffs and golden beaches. Relax in picturesque Tenby, nestled between the rolling Pembrokeshire hills and the placid waters of Carmarthen Bay.

Brecon Beacons

The Brecon Beacons National Park not only has the highest peaks in southern Britain, but also stunning landscapes of rolling green hills, vast open fields, waterfalls, picturesque towns and a peaceful canal.

Beautiful beaches

Explore the wonderful beaches near Swansea Bay, including Langland, Caswell, Oxwich and Bracelet. Visit magnificent Rhossili Bay in Gower and head to the Marloes Peninsula, with its stunning coastal scenery and golden sands.

An Incredible Escape in Scenic South Wales

This tour of South Wales begins in Cardiff and explores the magnificent southern coastline, as well as two National Parks.

Travelling west past Gower and Pembrokeshire, it visits magnificent beaches and ancient castles. This circuit also takes you through the incredible Brecon Beacons National Park, where you can take in wonderful mountain scenery and visit fascinating historic attractions.

Begin your Welsh Escape in Cardiff, Wales’s compact capital city which is best explored on foot. Visit the iconic castle and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Cardiff Bay. With a variety of dining establishments, as well as world-class museums and historic sites, Cardiff is the perfect base to begin your Welsh holiday.

The tour then takes you along the South Welsh coastline. Visit The Mumbles, a bustling and picturesque seaside village situated at the western end of Swansea Bay. Then head to Gower, where you can visit Rhossili Beach, recently named one of the top beaches in the world.

Your tour continues into the heart of Pembrokeshire, where you could explore charming villages and towns, harbours, inlets and islands, all connected by the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. This is also one of the finest areas to spot wildlife. Relax in colourful Tenby and enjoy historic St Davids, the smallest city in Britain.

Finally, head back east by travelling inland past the ancient mountains, hills and valleys of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Recharge in the literary town of Hay-on-Wye, explore the industrial heritage of the area and relax in some of the most beautiful natural spots in the country.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Cardiff

Arrive in Cardiff, Wales’s compact capital city. Take a City Sightseeing bus tour or explore on foot. Discover the Castle Quarter and Bute Park. Enjoy both modern architecture, such as the stunning Wales Millennium Centre and historic landmarks, such as Cardiff Castle. Recharge at Cardiff Bay, Cardiff’s vibrant and beautiful waterfront.
Overnight – Cardiff

Day 2: Cardiff Sightseeing

Delve into Welsh history at the fascinating Welsh National Museum or travel just outside of the city to explore the open-air St Fagans National Museum of History. Make time for a visit to quirky Castell Coch, a stunning Gothic revival building from Victorian times.
Overnight – Cardiff

Day 3: Cardiff to Swansea Bay

Today you will travel west to The Mumbles, a bustling, picturesque seaside village situated at the western end of Swansea Bay. Here will find a great variety of shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and ice-cream parlours. Take a stroll along the Victorian pier for vast sea views.
Overnight – The Mumbles

Day 4: Gower Peninsula Sightseeing

The Gower Peninsula awaits today with more than fifty beautiful coves and beaches to explore along the coast and an array of impressive waterfalls inland. This was the first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK and has held the accolade for more than 50 years.
Overnight – The Mumbles

Day 5: Swansea Bay to Tenby

Continue on your journey west towards Pembrokeshire. On your way, you might wish to take a detour to visit the timeless and peaceful town of Laugharne, home of the famous Welsh writer Dylan Thomas. Arrive in Tenby, with its old cobblestone streets, pastel-coloured houses and unique artsy atmosphere.
Overnight – Tenby

Day 6: Pembrokeshire Sightseeing

Explore Tenby and take a boat trip to Caldey Island. Enjoy the nearby beaches and take a wander along the wonderful Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Or travel to the beautiful Stackpole Estate, a unique combination of man-made freshwater lakes surrounded by dramatic coastlines.
Overnight – Tenby

Day 7: Pembrokeshire Sightseeing

Travel north for a day trip to St Davids, the smallest city in Britain with a population of just over 1,600! Visit its grand 12th-century cathedral and learn about St David, Wales’s patron saint. Make sure to stop along the way to enjoy the spectacular Marloes Peninsula, and the magnificent beaches at Solva and Newgale.
Overnight – Tenby

Day 8: Tenby to Hay-on-Wye

Today, you will make your way across the country, heading east to the Brecon Beacons. Along the way, you might wish to visit the National Botanic Garden of Wales and the imposing 13th-century Carreg Cennen Castle. Arrive in picturesque Hay-on-Wye, situated amongst some of the most varied and beautiful countryside the British Isles has to offer.
Overnight – Hay-on-Wye

Day 9: Brecon Beacons Sightseeing

Take in the natural grandeur of the Brecon Beacons National Park, with its striking mountains and stunning landscapes of rolling green hills and waterfalls. There are plenty of walking opportunities available, or relax in the pretty neighbouring towns of Brecon and Abergavenny.
Overnight – Hay-on-Wye

Day 10: Return to Cardiff and Depart

After breakfast, it’s approximately a 1 hour and 30 minute drive back to Cardiff, where your unforgettable Pembrokeshire and South Wales holiday will come to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 9 nights including traditional Welsh breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of Wales with our recommended driving route
8 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
Tickets for the Cardiff City Sightseeing Tour
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

How do our Self-Drive Holidays Work?

Since 2004, we've led the way in planning remarkable road trips in the UK. Like a perfectly tailored suit, each itinerary is crafted around you. Learn more about us and our self-drive holidays in our new guide. Read more

Pembrokeshire Travel Guide: Best Places to Eat, Stay & Visit

With golden beaches, historic castles and magnificent wildlife, the Welsh region of Pembrokeshire is a truly spectacular corner of the UK. Read on to discover some of our favourite experiences in this beautiful region. Read more