Hello guys!
At the end of my trip I have one day left to get from Cardiff to Manchester, and I was thinking about spending a few hours in a nice city on the way. Which one in western England is worth taking a look? I was thinking about Bristol or Birmingham, but I don't know much about them.
Thanks for any input,
Caro
I would either spend longer in Cardiff or extra time in Manchester to stop for a few hours what are you going to see? How are you traveling?
Need some info on mode of transport and interests, but the one that springs to mind is Bath.
Within Cardiff, Wales' Capital city you'll find unique attractions, top class entertainment and quality shopping with a difference - all within walking distance. Innovative architecture sits alongside historic buildings and Cardiff Bay offers entertainment for everyone.
Assuming your driving and you allow 5 hours driving to Manchester mainly by motorway or major A road.
Recommendations would be A road to Gloucester for Cathedral and medieval heart of city and then resume via M5 /M^ etc.. Worcester for similar reasons.
Birmingham is only a short diversion from the motorway for its shopping, Victorian architecture, canals and galleries. Also about half way.
Only a small town but we sometimes use Sandbach since it is only two miles from M6 but probably you will want to get to Manchester by then.
Your England edition of lp will give much nore details.
R
Again very much depends on your mode of transport.
Do you actually want a city or just interesting places to see?
1: Ross-on-Wye (small town - lots of second hand bookshops), then Ledbury (old market town), then Great Malvern (victorian spa town with the Malvern hills), possibly also Worcester.
2: Ludlow (nice old town, with castle and market, also famous for its food), then ironbridge (birthplace of the industrial revolution)
Other options: Bath, Bristol, Cotswolds, Stratford upon Avon, Birmingham, Chester, Liverpool
If you travel by train the shortest route is: Cardiff - Newport - Hereford - Shrewsbury - Crewe - Manchaster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_Marches_Line
The most interesting towns along this route are: Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Hereford
Check out Grope Lane in Shrewsbury:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grope_Lane
Or the Mappa Mundi and the chained library in Hereford:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Mappa_Mundi
Bristol and Birmingham are not on the way from Cardiff to Manchaster.