We drive along Thomas Telford’s coaching road before crossing the Welsh border, and quite quickly get into the valleys of the Cambrian Mountains, which lead us into Snowdonia.

We usually stop for coffee, and a view of the Falls, in Betws-y-Coed, before passing through the Pass of Llanberis to arrive at Llyn Padarn, the lake at Llanberis, where we break for lunch with Snowdon towering over us. Alternatives for after lunch are to take a coach ride in Electric Mountain, take a narrow-gauge steam trip along the lake, or take a train trip up to the summit of Mount Snowdon.

Alternatively, continue in the car, to the majestic medieval castle at Caernarfon, which was built by King Edward I  in 1284.  Our return  to Shrewsbury takes us along the Menai Straits, with the Thomas Telford bridge, and the pioneering suspension bridge of George Stephenson, crossing to the island of Anglesey.  It may be possible to have a short visit to the seaside resort of Llandudno and drive to the top of the Great Orme from where some spectacular views of the Welsh hills may be seen. 

We follow the coast road and briefly stop at the picturesque marble church of St. Margaret’s , before crossing the Snowdonia foothills and rejoining Thomas Telford’s road at Oswestry.