If you’re dreaming of one of the UK’s ultimate coastal road trips, the Welsh Coast 400 (sometimes referred to as the Wales 400 road trip) delivers everything you could hope for. This unforgettable 400 mile journey winds its way around Wales’ spectacular coastline, taking in dramatic cliffs, award-winning beaches, ancient castles, colourful harbour towns and some of Britain’s most breath taking scenery.
🌊 The Welsh Coast 400: A Stunning Coastal Road Trip Around Wales
A breath taking journey of beaches, castles, wildlife, and dramatic coastal scenery
This route loops around the coastline of Wales, offering a mix of history, nature, culture, and pure coastal magic. Whether you’re exploring by car, campervan, or motorbike, this journey is all about taking your time, stopping often, and soaking up the incredible views.
Below is a full breakdown of the route, split into easy A–I sections for each half of the journey. Take it slow, enjoy the scenery, and let Wales surprise you at every turn.
Table of Contents
🛑 Route Breakdown
A). South Stack Lighthouse
B). Beaumaris Castle
C). Llandudno & Great Orme
D). Conwy Castle
E)Snowdonia National Park
F). Harlech Beach & Castle
G). Aberystwyth
H). Borth & Ynyslas Dunes
I). New Quay
A). Llanerchaeron
B) Aberaeron
C. Devil)’s Bridge Falls
D. )Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
E.) St Davids
F). Tenby
G). Barafundle Bay
H). Rhossili Bay, Gower
I). Cardiff Bay
🚗 Road Trip Essentials
- 🧊 Insulated Cool Bag
- 🥤 Reusable Water Bottle
- 📱 Car Phone Holder
- 🔋 Portable Power Bank
- 🔌 USB Car Charger
- 🕶 Polarised Sunglasses
- 🧥 Lightweight Waterproof Jacket
- 🥾 Comfortable Walking Shoes
- ☕ Insulated Coffee Flask
- 🩹 First Aid Kit
- 🔦 Rechargeable Torch
- 🌧 Packable Rain Poncho
- 🧻 Travel Tissues & Wet Wipes
- 👜 Lightweight Daypack
Welsh Coast 400 Map
Use the interactive map below to follow the complete route, discover every stop and plan your own unforgettable road trip around Wales.
Hotels & Places to Stay in Anglesey
Start The Welsh Coast 400
A). South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey
Start your journey with one of Wales’ most dramatic viewpoints. Perched on towering cliffs, South Stack Lighthouse offers sweeping sea views, crashing waves, and incredible birdlife. The walk down to the lighthouse is unforgettable.
Why visit:
- Wild, rugged coastline
- Amazing photography spot
- Perfect sunrise or sunset stop
B). Beaumaris Castle
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Edward I’s finest creations. Its moat, symmetry, and waterfront setting make it one of the most impressive medieval castles in the UK.
Highlights:
- Beautifully preserved walls
- Views across the Menai Strait
- Great for history lovers
C). Llandudno & Great Orme
A classic Victorian seaside town with a spectacular coastal drive around Great Orme. Expect sea cliffs, viewpoints, and a nostalgic promenade.
Don’t miss:
- Marine Drive toll road
- Great Orme Tramway
- Pier and promenade
D). Conwy Castle
A mighty fortress overlooking the harbour. Conwy Castle is one of the best‑preserved medieval strongholds in Britain, with walls you can walk and towers you can climb.
Why it’s special:
- Incredible views from the battlements
- A perfectly preserved walled town
- A must‑see for photographers
Snowdonia Accommodation Map
E). Snowdonia National Park
Swap the coast for mountains as you pass through Snowdonia. Expect winding roads, waterfalls, lakes, and dramatic peaks.
Top features:
- Scenic mountain passes
- Great walking routes
- Endless viewpoints
F). Harlech Beach & Castle
A golden, windswept beach backed by dunes and overlooked by the mighty Harlech Castle. It’s peaceful, atmospheric, and perfect for a slow wander.
Why stop here:
- Huge sandy beach
- UNESCO‑listed castle
- Great for families and photographers
G). Aberystwyth
A colourful seaside town with a long promenade, cliff railway, and plenty of places to eat. It’s lively, friendly, and full of character.
H). Borth & Ynyslas Dunes
A unique landscape of shifting sands, wildlife, and wide‑open beaches. Ynyslas is part of a national nature reserve and feels wonderfully wild.
I). New Quay
A charming harbour town famous for its resident dolphins. Take a boat trip, enjoy fish and chips by the sea, or wander the harbour.
A). Llanerchaeron
A peaceful Georgian estate with beautiful gardens, woodland walks, and a working farm. A lovely slow‑paced stop.
B). Aberaeron
A postcard‑perfect harbour town with pastel houses and some of the best seafood in Wales.
C). Devil’s Bridge Falls
A dramatic waterfall with three stacked bridges and a legendary history. The walking trails are steep but rewarding.
Find a place to stay in Pembrokeshire
D). Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
One of the UK’s most spectacular coastlines. Expect turquoise water, rugged cliffs, and world‑class beaches.
E). St Davids
The UK’s smallest city, home to a breathtaking cathedral and a peaceful, artistic atmosphere.
Stop overnight in Tenby
F). Tenby
A colourful harbour town with golden beaches, medieval walls, and a lively seaside feel.
G). Barafundle Bay
Often listed among the best beaches in the world. Remote, untouched, and unbelievably beautiful.
H). Rhossili Bay, Gower
A sweeping, dramatic coastline with one of the best coastal walks in Wales.
Hotels & Places to Stay in Cardiff
I). Cardiff Bay
Finish your journey in the Welsh capital’s vibrant waterfront district — full of restaurants, culture, and modern architecture.
Explore Wales
Discover epic road trips, coastal walks, castles, waterfalls and hidden gems across Wales.
Discover Wales →📏 Welsh Coast 400 Total Distance & Recommended Duration
- Approx distance: ~400 miles
- Recommended duration: 4–7 days
- Best for: Coastal explorers, photographers, families, and slow travellers
Taking your time allows you to enjoy beaches, castles, coastal walks, wildlife, and the incredible variety Wales has to offer. This is a route to savour — not rush.
Find Family Days Out in Wales
FAQ’s
What is the Welsh Coast 400?
The Welsh Coast 400 is a spectacular road trip that follows around 400 miles of Wales’ breath taking coastline. The route links dramatic cliffs, award-winning beaches, colourful seaside towns, ancient castles and some of the country’s most beautiful scenery into one unforgettable driving adventure.
How long does it take to drive the Welsh Coast 400?
Most people allow 4 to 7 days to enjoy the route properly. While it can technically be driven in less time, allowing several days gives you the opportunity to explore beaches, castles, walking trails, wildlife and charming coastal towns along the way.
Where does the Welsh Coast 400 start and finish?
The route forms a loop around the Welsh coastline, meaning you can start almost anywhere. Many travellers choose to begin in Cardiff, making a clockwise circuit through the Gower Peninsula, Pembrokeshire, Cardigan Bay, North Wales and Anglesey before returning south.
What are the highlights of the Welsh Coast 400?
Some of the route’s biggest highlights include Rhossili Bay, Tenby, Barafundle Bay, St Davids, Cardigan Bay, Portmeirion, Harlech Castle, Snowdonia (Eryri), Anglesey, Conwy Castle and the Great Orme. There are also countless hidden beaches, waterfalls and scenic viewpoints waiting to be discovered.
What is the best time of year to drive the Welsh Coast 400?
Late spring through early autumn is generally the best time to visit. May, June and September often provide excellent weather while avoiding the busiest school holiday crowds. Spring also brings wildflowers, while autumn offers quieter roads and beautiful coastal colours.
Is the Welsh Coast 400 suitable for campervans and motorhomes?
Yes. The route is ideal for campervans and motorhomes, with plenty of campsites, holiday parks and motorhome-friendly stopovers along the coastline. Some smaller coastal roads can be narrow, so it’s worth planning overnight stops in advance.
Can you complete the Welsh Coast 400 in a weekend?
A long weekend allows you to experience sections of the route, but to see the very best of the Welsh Coast 400 you’ll ideally want at least four days. This gives you enough time to enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed.
Are there good walks along the Welsh Coast 400?
Absolutely. The route passes some of Wales’ finest walking destinations, including sections of the Wales Coast Path, dramatic cliff-top trails, waterfall walks, nature reserves and mountain viewpoints. Many of the UK’s most scenic coastal walks can be found along the route.
Is the Welsh Coast 400 family friendly?
Yes. Families will find plenty to enjoy, including sandy beaches, castles, wildlife boat trips, steam railways, historic towns, scenic picnic spots and gentle walking trails. The route can easily be adapted to suit children of all ages.
Is the Welsh Coast 400 worth doing?
Without question. The Welsh Coast 400 combines spectacular coastal scenery, fascinating history, incredible beaches, welcoming towns and unforgettable driving roads into one of the UK’s greatest road trips. Whether you’re visiting Wales for the first time or returning to explore more, it’s an adventure you’ll remember for years.
Where Will You Explore Next?
Choose a region and discover unforgettable walks, scenic road trips, hidden gems, places to stay and days out planned to help you explore more of the UK.
Scotland
Highlands, lochs, castles, islands and wild road trip adventures.
Explore Scotland →England
Historic towns, countryside walks, coastal escapes and hidden gems.
Explore England →Wales
Mountains, waterfalls, castles, coastline and breathtaking adventures.
Explore Wales →Cornwall
Beaches, harbours, coastal walks, coves and Atlantic views.
Explore Cornwall →
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