Family Road Trip

Benji's Cardiff
Family Road Trip

Benji, Mum, Dad, SisterSkoda Fabia
Driver reminders
  • Check tyre pressure - full load with 4 passengers + luggage
  • M4 service station stops: Reading (Jct 12) & Leigh Delamere (Jct 18)
M4 westbound - expect typical traffic around Reading, Swindon, and Bristol
Service station stops: Reading Services (M4 Jct 12) and Leigh Delamere (M4 Jct 18)
Arrive hotel ~3–4pm, plenty of afternoon left

Check-in: Holiday Inn Cardiff North

M4 Junction 32 - 5 mins from the motorway

Afternoon: Castell Coch

5 mins from hotel - fairytale Victorian Gothic castle in the woods

Evening: Cardiff City Centre

Dinner and a wander

Wear comfortable shoes - lots of walking outdoors both options
Pack a picnic or eat at St Fagans cafe (decent)
St Fagans parking is massive and free

Morning: St Fagans National Museum of History

Open 10:00 AM - one of Europe's best open-air museums

Afternoon Option A: Caerphilly Castle

15 mins east of St Fagans - dramatic moated fortress

Afternoon Option B: Brecon Beacons Scenic Drive

A470 North, about 40 mins - proper Welsh mountain scenery

Check tyre pressure before the return drive (full load remember!)
M4 eastbound can be heavier - allow 3–4 hours
Service station stops same route in reverse

Morning: Cardiff Bay Waterfront

Park at Pierhead Street - right on the waterfront

Return Drive: Cardiff to London (W10)

M4 eastbound, reverse of Day 1

Have a brilliant trip, Benji!