Trains
Reading - Aberystwyth (via Birmingham): 5h, 80 GBP
Reading - Birmingham: 1h30min
Cambrian line: https://www.thecambrianline.co.uk/map Main line Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth Coastal line Cyffordd Dyfi - Pwllheli
Glorious north Wales rail circuit
Starting in Shrewsbury, a spectacular multi-day circuit of north Wales is possible: take the Cambrian Coast line through Aberystwyth, Barmouth and Porthmadog, then the gorgeous Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau, where you can link back to Llandudno on the coast, and return to Shrewsbury (change at Llandudno Junction). There is no shortage of accommodation, allowing you to stop and explore without rigid planning. Out of summer the Cambrian coast and the seaside towns are unexplored jewels.
Birmingham
Fresh new architecture, gleaming trams, fabulous restaurants, unique museums. Very walkable city centre.
- Neighbourhoods Harborne, Moseley.
- Gas Street Basin: lively epicentre of Birmingham’s canals.
- 45 min walk along Birmingham and Worcester Canal
- Sarehole Mill: old watermill
- Birmingham Back to Backs: houses that show how working people lived in the industrial age.
- Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery: innovative pop-up exhibitions.
- Balti Triangle neighbourhood
- Chakana = Peruvian restaurant, Blow Water Cafe = Hongkong restaurant.
- Bullring: busiest, most renowned shopping centre. 15000 aluminium discs.
North Wales
- Britain’s most scenic train ride across the Barmouth Bridge.
- Portmeirion: whimsical village