No problem! If you decide to come to visit Tenby, let me know so I can recommend a couple of places to eat/stay 
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Thanks @Alicatorze, @Cuttlefish and @TandM for your useful advice. I wonât be petsitting for that period but I expect to stay in the UK petsitting after my friends return.
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We loved spending time in Cornwall and Devon several years ago. We did rent a car and if youâre an American, the driving IS rather harrowing. Not just the switch in side of road and driverâs side of car, but the very narrow lanes that are 2-way roads, at times with stone walls on both sides and no shoulder! On the upside, the rental car companies donât charge you for scrapeage on the tires and wheels as they say itâs inevitable!!
For anyone traveling by car, a little known place we visited that we loved is the Stone Age settlement Chysauster. Amazing and well preserved historical spot. Tintagel is a must but aim for a sunny day. It can get totally socked in by fog from one day to the next.
I think it would be possible engage a local driver or go on a set minibus tour to take you places like that if you donât rent a car.
Be sure to have some of the locally made ice cream. Itâs amazingly rich and you can add a little âhatâ of clotted cream on top, too. A rare treat!
Thanks a lot. Thatâs really useful information. We just love archeological sites!
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I would definately choose one location rather than trying to do both on public transport. Youâll spend more time travelling than enjoying your holiday!
Cornwall is beautiful, but I couldnât comment on transport as Iâve only spent time there with a car. What I will say is once youâre there, itâs relatively compact!
However, my vote goes to Wales. I grew up in north Wales, snowdonia to be precise, and itâs really stunning. Not easy to do on public transport but possible with good planning. Same for the beautiful south of the country although links are better, especially if youâre not bothered about getting off the beaten track.
I would think about what you want to see- if youâre not fussed about mountains and are beach focused, go south and spend time in Pembrokeshire and the gower peninsula, which is small but absolutely stunning. If you enjoy coastal paths, south West Wales is the place to be. We pet Sat in swansea last summer and getting to the gower was easy.
If you want mountains and beach, go north. But it is definately harder without a car. You could get the train to Bangor or Aberystwyth then work up/down through snowdonia from those locations. Gorgeous beaches all around the llyn peninsula and Anglesey. If you decide on this, give me a shout, and I can send you loads of recommendations.
Enjoy your trip!
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If you like castles, go to Wales.
Thanks. Lots of suggestions to consider.
South Wales offers mountains, beaches and castles aplenty, as well as Wales capital city, and is easier to access from Bristol than North Wales or Cornwall.
I second @Lily_V recommendation of Tenby. It is our happy place, we have a regular repeat house sit there. It has several great beaches, lots of independent shops and cafes, walks on the Pembrokeshire Coast path, a gorgeous little harbour and pastel coloured houses. It has a railway station just a short walk from the town centre and beaches.
I havenât used public transport to get to Wales, but I have found this article on recommended day trips using public transport from Bristol. Bristol to Wales | Day Trip Ideas | Trainline
Iâd definitely recommend visiting the Brecon Beacons mountains. You can take the train to Abergavenny.
Cardiff is a fantastic city to visit with a variety of attractions. I particularly like Cardiff Bay.
Chepstow is on the border between England and Wales - some of itâs suburbs are in England - and has an impressive castle, the start or end of the Welsh Coast Path and the southern end of the Offaâs Dy*e long distance path along the Wales / England border (it wonât let me post the name of the defensive structure Offa built). Itâs also at the end of the Wye Valley which is a beautiful area where we have done a few housesits and enjoy visiting.
The Gower Peninsular has beautiful beaches and can likely be accessed from Swansea. Mumbles just outside Swansea is lovely too.
We often say we should try to visit more of Wales. We are just north of Bristol in Gloucestershire, which borders Wales. We tend to visit the closest part, or go all the way across to Pembrokeshire in the far south west of Wales. We should make more effort to explore the places inbetween!
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Thanks very much. The link is really useful.
Weâre actually considering to take a day trip to Gloucester and maybe something else. At this stage we have just got the tickets (18th June, 1st July) My friends will come back and I will stay doing some petsitting at least until the end of August.
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I live in Ceredigion, a pretty unknown part of Wales as so many people head for Pembrokeshire (very beautiful but more expensive and much busier, though local transport in Ceredigion not great so trips relying on public transport need more planning). Way quieter and less touristy than Cornwall.
Our coastline is stunning and the walks endless. Within 10 mins of where we live are a dozen beautiful beaches such as Llangrannog (amazing sauna right on the beach here), Mwnt, Penbryn and Aberporth and lovely towns such as Aberaeron and Cardigan. Great chance of dolphin spotting at New Quay - on a boat trip or just sitting on the harbour wall having a homemade gelato from Crème Pen Cei. We have great distilleries such as In the Welsh Wind and Da Mhille (who also make cheese) and Llanercharon NT close to Aberaeron. St Dogmaelâs (just over border in Pembs) local producers market next to the abbey is a good visit on Tuesdays and itâs near Poppit Sands beach and the White Hart community pub.
I would try and take in Cardiff (great small city), train to Pembs and visit Tenby and Narberth areas, head on to St Davidâs and then Ceredigion to do some coastal walking (there is a bus which does a twice daily stop near the more popular beaches). Definitely try and visit Skomer Island - the puffins are amazing but check theyâll be there when you visit.
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Thanks a lot. You are all being really helpful.
@Shinding Iâm also taking note of your Ceredigon recommendations for day trips from Tenby when we are there!
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@Newpetlover we are very close to Gloucester. Keep in touch once you know your plans, maybe we can meet up?
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Thanks. Iâll let you know if Iâm in the area.
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