Holiday-planning question

[fivemack]

I've just watched a rather impressive programme about Caernafon castle, and am pondering doing something castle-based on a bike over one of the Bank Holidays (late May probably - might well want to go to Spain and avunc for the other one) this year.

It looks as if you can leave Cambridge Friday afternoon and get to Conwy (London, walk across to Euston, Chester, Conwy) late Friday evening; the three castles Conwy .. Beaumarais .. Caernafon seems possible on the Saturday unless they're sufficiently awesome that you can't fit three castles and 60k flattish cycling into a day. Caernafon to Harlech over Beddgelert looks good (if knee-eating) fun on the Sunday morning ... what's the next stop after that? To Machynlleth in the evening, see the Centre for Alternative Technology Monday morning and then afternoon train through to Cambridge, or is there another castle practically available?

Am I missing something critical which would make this either unexpectedly more awesome than it looks, or completely miserable?

Comments

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

I'd not attempt those 3 in one day even driving between them. Why not do Carnarfon on Sunday morning, catch the newly reopened Welsh Highland railway to Porthmadoc and cycle to Harlech from there?

[frostfox.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they are three big castles, could take all weekend to do Conwy, Beaumarais, Caernafon. You'd also want to go at it - Conwy, Caernafon, then across the Meni to Beaumarais.

Good call on the Welsh Highland, vicarage brilliant views from Caernafon down through the countryside to Madog, bikes need to be booked in advance.

From the Webpage - http://www.festrail.co.uk/fares.htm
Limited accommodation for bicycles is available on some Ffestiniog Railway trains. Bicycles can be carried on most Welsh Highland trains, with a cycle wagon available for large groups. Please book before travelling - details from 01766 516024.

FF

[fivemack.livejournal.com]

Is there a ferry at the Caernafon end of the Meni? Otherwise it looks as if I have to retrace my steps quite tediously to Bangor to go across to Beaumarais (I'm assuming your order is to get the most awesome castle last, rather than for ease of travel)

[frostfox.livejournal.com]

No, no ferry, I'm thinking too much In Car - it's not too far back to Bangor and the Meni bridges by car. Do yourself a favour, go over both bridges to Yns Mon, you can see the suspension bridge from the Britannia Bridge, so it's worth doing and the suspension bridge is just beautiful.

Caernafon is the biggie. Conwy is small but perfectly formed and though I've been to Beaumarais several times, I've never been to the castle.

FF

[atreic.livejournal.com]

Both bridges over the Meni are awesome in their own rights.

[frostfox.livejournal.com]

I suppose, but the Britannia is a bit blocky for my aesthetic. The suspension is just lovely so elegant, so fluid.

FF

[atreic.livejournal.com]

Well, yes, the suspension is clearly much nicer than the Britannia, but I do like both :-)

[fivemack.livejournal.com]

The Britannia Bridge appears to be forbidden to bicycles

[atreic.livejournal.com]

I am kind of pleased to know that, as it is very narrow and busy and I find it scary enough trying to get across it in a car. But still, rah, cyclists have a right to scary bridges too, rah.