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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA MEANDER THROUGH WALES IN A MOTORHOME <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We were travelling through a windy, waterlogged Wales on a motorhome holiday. Through a rain-spattered windscreen, we peered out onto a landscape battered, drenched and squelched by storm Dennis. And of course, we all had a whinge about the terrible weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that was back in February 2020, before COVID-19 had turned our lives upside down. And, in retrospect, a bit of rain and wind was nothing to bellyache about. The open road was ahead of us. We had the freedom to roam. We weren\u2019t stuck in the house under lockdown, after all! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If coronavirus has taught keen travellers anything, it\u2019s the fact that we should be grateful for any and every trip we\u2019re lucky enough to take. No matter what the good old British weather throws at us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, if I\u2019m honest, the dramatic winds and sheets of driving rain that whipped us on our motorhome adventure didn\u2019t really dampen our spirits too much. There\u2019s something very exciting (especially with children in tow) about heading off in your own mobile hotel, bedding down for the night in countryside campsites with the sounds of nature (including howling winds) all around you as you hunker down in your haven. And if you\u2019re former campers (as we are as a family) then a motorhome is pure luxury. Dry, warm and well insulated from anything a storm can hurl at you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We hired a luxury motorhome in Cardiff – our particular model was a Bailey\u2019s Approach Autograph II 79-6, with three double beds, large kitchen, shower room, six fully belted seats, a TV\/DVD and air conditioning. You\u2019ll need a C1 on your licence to drive it (if you passed your test before 1997, you automatically qualify) but do be warned that you need to be a confident driver to handle \u2013 and park up – such a large vehicle. Of course there are plenty of smaller models to hire that might suit you just as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From Cardiff, we headed north to Hay-on-Wye, lying just on the Welsh side of the Wales\/England border. A small town famous for its many bookshops (around 30 in total), it\u2019s a heaven for little bookworms – with some of its bookshops dedicated to children\u2019s and illustrated books. The town is surrounded by the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, so as well as being great book-browsing territory, it\u2019s a hill-walkers paradise too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stop off for a coffee and a vegetarian lunch at The Old Electric Shop, also home to a concept store of vintage and artisan homewares. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, we headed northwest to mid-Wales, breaking our journey near Rhayader to see the wonderful sight of hundreds of Red Kites feeding at Gigrin Farm (check times at www.gigrin.co.uk) and to snap up a fantastic photo opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then it was on to the Elan Valley to see its six famous dams and reservoirs. Feats of civil engineering, cascading their frothy waterfalls in an area of outstanding scenic beauty, the dams were built 100 years ago to supply water to Birmingham. Get splashed by the waters tumbling at a rate of knots, walk around the area\u2019s many nature reserves and stop off at the visitor centre and caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heading west, we took an idyllic drive through the countryside to the west coast and the Victorian seaside town of Aberystwyth to stay the night. Scour the independent shops, take a walk on the mile-long prom to watch a stunning sunset, then enjoy fish and chips at The Glengower seafront pub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next morning, we headed north to the seaside town of Barmouth, \u2018where the mountains meet the sea\u2019 in southern Snowdonia, then on to Dolgellau (enjoy a family meal at the Cross Foxes Inn) and on to Harlech and its spectacular castle. Designated a World Heritage Site, this 13th<\/sup> century castle is surrounded by the dramatic peaks of Snowdonia. After a walk on the sandy beach below, we hiked back up one of the world\u2019s steepest streets and explored a few quirky shops before enjoying a snack in the castle\u2019s visitor centre, boasting brilliant views. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And there were more amazing vistas to follow as we headed on to drive the glorious Llanberis pass in Snowdonia. Surrounded on all sides by towering mountain tops swathed in grey mist, with rivers of rainfall snaking, fizzing and hurling their way down the mountainsides, we negotiated the steep and sometimes narrow mountain roads. Take your time \u2013 and enjoy the scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parking up in Llanberis, we took a short mountain walk, then headed down to the Rumdoodles coffee shop to warm up and browse their outdoor gear offerings (for serious hikers).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heading ever northwards, our final night was spent on the island of Anglesey at Pencraig campsite, a few miles from Holyhead. On a smallholding surrounded by fields in the very north of North Wales, it was a peaceful spot to sit under the stars with plenty of room for children to race around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In warmer weather, it\u2019s ideal to spend time on the island\u2019s sandy beaches \u2013 including Treaddur Bay, a few miles away \u2013 and Benllech Beach on the east coast, a vast expanse of sand with safe bathing. We headed for a visit to the seaside town of Beaumaris, home to an impressive Edwardian castle, a traditional small pier, a perfect spot for crabbing, and streets filled with pastel painted picturesque cottages, shops and tearooms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A campervan holiday in Wales:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lowdown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For suggested camper van routes and itineraries through Wales go to visitwales.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n For campervan hire visit prontomotorhomes.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kimjoneswrites.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/neil-mark-thomas-7f_V1F1MbuI-unsplash-snowdon.jpg?resize=798%2C399&ssl=1\")
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