Driving Routes for Wales
A GPS log to show where we have driving to during our stay in Wales. Our base for the stay is in Betws-y-Coed village.
Wales - Dog at River Llugwy near Pont-y-Pair bridge
Day 1 - By the time we reach Betws-y-Coed, it was already late afternoon. So it was a leisure stroll around the small village before looking for a dinner place.
Wales - Along A4086, View of Llynnau Mymbyr (Pano)
Day 2 - Day trip to Porthmadog, Portmeririon and Castle Harlach. We stopped along A4086 when we came across this area, and had to stop for shots. Encountered our first short hailstorm while we were there.
Wales - Easter Bunny
As it was raining, first stop in Porthmadog was the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (run by volunteers now). Since it was the Easter weekend, naturally easter bunny joins us in the short train ride to the Engine Sheds where there is a small museum.
Wales - Welsh Highland Heritage Railway History
History of "Russell" an original locomotive train that took us from the station to this place. It was reintroduced in 2014 after extensive overhaul.
Wales - Portmeirion Central Piazza
Next stop, Portmeirion resort. It was created by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1976 in an image of a tightly grouped coastal village on some romantic clifftop site - like an Italian village. It was used in the 1960s UK TV series, The Prisoner, as "The Village".
Wales - Harlech Castle Interior (Pano)
Harlech Castle (Welsh: Castell Harlech), located in Harlech, Gwynedd, Wales, is constructed, atop a spur of rock close to the Irish Sea, by Edward I during his invasion of Wales between 1282 and 1289. It was declared as an UNESCO World Heritage site along with other castle built by King Edward in Gwynedd in 1986.
Wales - Upper and Lower Swallow Falls
Day 3 started off at Swallow Falls. Swallow Falls is a name coined by early tourists for the Rhaeadr Ewynnol (English: Foaming Waterfall), a multiple waterfall system in Wales, just outside of Betws-y-Coed.
Wales - Swallow Falls
The most exhilarating aspect of this famous waterfall is when the water cascades over the dark, indented, weather-scarred rocks in a foaming, spewing onrush of unrestrained energy.
Wales - Conwy Falls
Next stop was Conwy Falls, another popular waterfall in Snowdonia. The falls are located in the last gorge section of the river Conwy at a point where it plunges 50 feet (15 m) into a deep pool.
Wales - Close up of an area of Conwy Fall
It runs though the deep gorge of the Fairy Glenn, set in an ancient forest which part of it is listed as Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Wales - River Llugwy at Pont-y-Pair Bridge
Back in Betws-y-Coed, took a walk to Pont-y-Pair bridge where there are rocks below the bridge which Afron Llugwy (River Llugwy) flows over, thus creating a mini waterfall area.
Wales - Mini Waterfall at Pont-y-Pair bridge
This is a close up of one of the mini waterfalls at Pont-y-Pair bridge.
Wales - Along B4501 before Gellioedd (Pano)
Day 4 was a day trip to Lake Vyrnwy. On the way we took in scenic views of the area along B4501. This is a panoramic shot of the area, just before Gellioedd.
Wales - Along an unknown road towards Rhiwargor (Pano)
A panoramic taken on the road towards Rhiwargor during the day trip to Lake Vyrnwy
Wales - Lake Vyrnwy (Pano)
Lake Vyrnwy (Welsh: Llyn Efyrnwy) is a reservoir in Powys, Wales. It was built for the purpose of supplying Liverpool and the districts later designated as Merseyside with fresh water.
Wales - Lake Vyrnwy Dam
Lake Vyrnwy stone-built dam, built in the 1880s, was the first of its kind in the world.
Wales - Rowing practice at Lake Vyrnwy
While taking in the sights of the Lake at the dam, these two rowing boats appeared.
Wales - Lake Vyrnwy from Lake Vyrnwy Hotel (Pano)
Had our lunch with this view over at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel. Pretty good food with excellent view - had a great time.
Wales - Along A5 Tryfan on left Llyn Ogwen front (Pano)
Day 5 - Enjoying the scenic views along the way to Anglesey. Every day, we have different scenery to view.
Wales - Along A5 view of mountains along Nant Ffrancon (Pano)
Panoramic view of the area around Nant Ffrancon. Nant Ffrancon is a deeply glaciated and visually dramatic valley in north Snowdonia, dropping down to Bethesda between the Carneddau and Gludeiriau Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Wales - Sheep and lamb
Along the way, we stop over when we saw sheep and lambs and started to take photos of them.
Wales - Town with the longest name
Our first stop - Anyone heading to Wales would probably stop over at this town, which has the longest name in the Europe (and probably the world?), Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. It is roughly translated as "St Mary's Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave".
Now they are usually known as Llanfair PG or Llanfair.
Wales - Beaumaris Castle wall
Next stop was the Beaumaris Castle. Another castle built by Edward I but it was never completed due to lack of funds.
Wales - Beaumaris Castle interior (Pano)
Panoramic view of the interior part of the Castle. Beaumaris Castle was declared as an UNESCO World Heritage site along with other castles built by King Edward in Gwynedd in 1986.
Wales - Snowdonia mountain range (Pano)
A panoramic view of the Snowdonia mountain range from Anglesey, somewhere near Beaumaris Castle.
Wales - South Stack Lighthouse
South Stack lighthouse is one of the iconic images of Anglesey. It is situated at South Stack, north-west of Holyhead. It was constructed in 1808 after a long campaign as there were many shipwrecks around the area due to stormy sea and rough cliffs and rocks.
Wales - Bodnant Garden
Last day in Wales was spent in Llandudno and Conwy area. First stop is the Bodnant Gardens. Founded by Henry Davis Pochin in 1874, with plants collected and brought to Britain from far afield over 150 years.
Wales - Robin at Bodnant Garden
This Robin is found near the entrance of the gardens. A great welcome to the gardens, and naturally, it becomes a photo point for a lot of people.
Wales - Bodnant Garden daffodils patch (Pano)
Spring at its best - whole patch field of daffodils in Bodnant Garden - it was a photo session magnet.
Wales - Great Ormes Head near the lighthouse (Pano)
One of the last thing we did there was to drive round the Great Orme (Welsh: Y Gogarth or Pen y Gogarth), referred to as Cyngreawdr Fynydd in a poem by the 12th-century poet Gwalchmai ap Meilyr. This is taken near the old lighthouse, which is the furthest point in that area, and is now converted to a small bed & breakfast guest house.
Driving Routes for Peak District
A GPS log for our driving routes in Peak District. It all started with drive from Liverpool to Lyme Park before heading to our base, Buxton, where we stayed for the trip.
A number of the trips are visiting areas used in Pride and Prejudice series and movie.
Peak District - Lyme Park North facade
Next part of the tour was Peak District. As we are driving from Liverpool to Buxton, Lyme Park was along the route that we took, so this is our first stop for the area.
Any Pride and Prejudice BBC 1995 series fans will recall the grounds were used as Pemberley. This very facade was featured in the series where Darcy, Bingley and Georgiana said goodbye to Lizzy and Gardiners after their dinner at Pemberley.
Peak District - Lyme Park Courtyard
The courtyard of the building. Again, it was featured in the series where Darcy ran down the stair after changing out of the wet clothes to find Lizzy and the Gardiners (before they had the chance to leave as Lizzy wishes).
Somewhere in there is a dining place (Ale Cellar or The Servant's Hall Tearoom, can't remember it) was serving this divine Lemon verbena scones with butter, lemon curd and their very own clotted cream.
Peak District - Lyme Park Garden (Pano)
Panoramic view of the area at South facade with the lawn and terraces.
This is the background where Darcy and Lizzy walked, with Gardiners following up, where Darcy ask for permission to introduce his sister to Lizzy.
Peak District - Lyme Park
View of Lyme Park South facade that was shown as the first glimpse of Pemberley by Lizzy. It was with this view that she was asked by Mrs Gardiner how she like the house. Her response was "Very well. I don't think I've ever seen a place so happily situated. I like it very well indeed".
Peak District - Lyme Park South facade (Pano)
This current house was built in the middle of the 16th century by an unknown architect; piecemeal additions were made to it during the 17th century by Giacomo Leoni. The interiors was restored by Lewis Wyatt between 1816 and 1822.
To mark the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, a 12ft-high sculpture of ‘wet shirt’ look Mr Darcy (courtesy of P&P BBC 1995 series) was placed in Reflection Lake - the pond of water in front of the Lawn.
Peak District - Lyme Park's Dutch Garden
West of the lawn is the sunken Dutch Garden, created by William Legh. The current form is laid out in 1860 consisting of formal flower beds with a central fountain.
Peak District - Lyme Park South Lawn (Pano)
Last look at the South Lawn and Reflection Lake before heading to our base.
Again, this part of the ground was featured in the P&P series.
Peak District - Ashford-in-the-Water Parish Church
Day 2 of the Peak District was to include more P&P locations into places we would visit.
First stop in this trip is Ashford-in-the-Water. A small village with ancient picturesque cottages, beautiful parish church and a famous, most photographed bridge in Britain - Sheep Wash Bridge.
In this church are four well preserved maiden garlands - an old English custom, when a garland was carried before the coffin of a young (virgin) girl, in the funeral procession, and afterwards displayed in the church.
Peak District - Ashford-in-the-Water World War II memorial
Among the slabs that surrounds the church was this World War II memorial.
Marquess of Hartington was elder son of the 10th Duke of Devonshire who was killed in action in Belgium by a sniper. Other than being the heir to the Devonshire dukedom, he is most remembered for being the husband of Kathleen Kennedy, daughter of Joe and Rose Kennedy, sister of John F Kennedy. They were married for just four months before he was killed. She died in a plane crash in 1948.
Peak District - Llama
While driving around the area and heading to Longnor, we came across this Llama farm along Flagg lane, towards Chelmorton. They were a little skittish, unused to our attention and took us a while to get some shots of them.
Peak District- Lambton Inn (Longnor)
Chapel Street, and particularly this building was used as the exterior of Lambton Inn, where Lizzy and the Gardiners were staying while in Derbyshire. The window above the display windows was where Hannah informed Lizzy that there were two gentlemen and one lady is waiting for her in the palour, and one of them is Darcy.
This building was not far from our lunch location, and being late, was not expecting much but the scones were so fantastic that one member of the group that had decided against ordering the scone, could not resist but to order one for herself - another simple, but excellent meal.
Peak District - Elkstone area (Pano)
Driving with such view, on our way to Ramshaw Rocks, and got lost in the process.
Peak District - White horse
Since we were lost, we stopped at the roadside, trying to get our bearings and the route right, when this white horse came running to the pen edge.
Peak District - White horse
It seems to be very familiar with humans and allowed us to get close and take photos with it. All except one member got off the car and got busy with their photography while that one member had to try to figure out where they were! Eventually, gave up looking for gps and started taking photos too!
Peak District - Pano view of Ramshaw Rocks, The Roaches, Hen Cloud and Tittesworth reservior
Finally we found our route and on the way, we were greeted with this view from some unknown road (they have a lot of unknown roads) which leads to Thornecliffe.
Peak District - Ramshaw Rocks
Finally, the last stop of the day is Ramshaw Rocks. Nothing much is said of this area, except that it is made up of gritstone with buttresses edge in comparison to classic continuous edge in classic gritstone style. It seems to be pretty popular with rock climbers.
Does it looked some sort of familiar?
Peak District - Ramshaw Rocks
Another P&P series location where Mrs Gardiner asking Lizzy to be careful, while Lizzy stands at this location and viewed the Derbyshire landscape, proclaiming it "beautiful".
Peak District - View from Ramshaw Rocks towards Hen Cloud, The Roaches and Tittesworth Reservior (Pano)
Panoramic view of the area from Ramshaw Rocks where Lizzy stood. With such view, I would have to agree with her.
Peak District - Sheep grazing
Day 3 saw us heading to this location. One of the most famous place in Derbyshire and the seat of Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth House. The place is so popular that the car park space was filled and had to be directed to park along the walls. First greetings we get was from these sheep grazing out in the field.
Peak District - Chatsworth Painted Hall ceiling
Part of the mural of the allegorical ascension of Julius Caesar on the ceiling of the Painted Hall, by Luigi Laguerre (1663-1721).
This mural was featured in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie where it was used as Pemberley.
Peak District - Mural on Chapel ceiling
Mural on the Chapel ceiling depicting the resurrected Christ in all his glory, was also painted by Laguerre.
Peak District - Great Stairs ceiling mural
Mural at the Great Stairs ceiling was painted by Italian artist Antonio Verrio.
Peak District - Library
Formerly a gallery and was transformed into a library by 1st Duke of Devonshire due to his love of books. The library is believed to be the greatest in the country after the Queen’s, with precious first editions and the original works of philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who tutored the 2nd and 3rd Earls. It also includes first editions of the Harry Potter books!
Peak District - Veiled Vestal Virgin statue
Veiled Vestal Virgin statue was featured in the 2005 movie in the Sculpture room but now it's displayed in a corner of the Music room. This was ordered by the 6th Duke from Raffaelle Monti (1818 - 1881) after a visit to his studio in Milan. It had been displayed at Chiswick House in London till it was moved to Chatsworth in 1999.
Just a side note - the bust of Mr Darcy, played by Matthew Macfadyen, used in the movie can be found in a corner of the Orangery shop, through the Sculpture Gallery.
Peak District - Chatsworth South front
The facade of Chatsworth House that was featured in P&P movie.
Current house was rebuilt on the same site starting in 1687, finally finishing in 1707 by the 1st Duke. More changes were added in down the years by his successors.
Since 1981, a charitable trust, The Chatsworth House Trust, has been granted a 99-year lease covering the house, its principal contents, grounds, precincts and adjacent forestry, a total of 1,822 acres, with the object of ensuring the “long term preservation of Chatsworth for the benefit of the public.”
Annual cost of keeping the estate is around £4 million, which 80% is met by the income generated by visiting public.
Peak District - Emperor fountain and Canal pond
In anticipation of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia visit, the 6th Duke decided to build construct the world's highest fountain and set Joseph Paxton to the task. He had it done within 6 months with a resulting water jet, on record, to have reached a height of 296 feet (90 m).
However, the Tsar died without seeing the fountain.
Peak District - Curbar Edge
Final destination for the day, Curbar Edge.
Curbar Edge, overlooking the Curbar village, provides a fine view of the Derwent valley, some excellent walking and some of the hardest gritstone rock climbing in Derbyshire.
This was the start of visit to three Edges within three days. If we were to compare the weather for the three days, this would have been the best. We could spent hours here and take jump shots without much effort.
Peak District - Derwent Valley (Pano)
Panoramic view of Derwent Valley from Curbar Edge.
Peak District - Great Longstone (Pano)
Panoramic view of the Great Longstone area.
Peak District - Derwent Dam (Pano)
Derwent Reservoir is the middle of three reservoirs in the Upper Derwent Valley - The River Derwent flows first through Howden Reservoir, then Derwent Reservoir and finally Ladybower Reservoir. During the Second World War, pilots of the 617 Squadron used this place for their practise of the low-level flights needed for Operation Chastise (commonly known as the "Dam Busters" raids), due to its similarity to the German dams.
Peak District - Little John's Grave
Robin Hood fans would know who Little John is. Despite a lack of historical evidence for his existence, Little John is reputed to be buried in a churchyard in the village of Hathersage, Derbyshire. A modern tombstone marks the supposed location of his grave, which lies under an old yew tree.
The inscription on the headstone reads, "Here lies Little John the friend and lieutenant of Robin Hood. He died in a cottage (now destroyed) to the west of the churchyard."
Peak District - Stanage Edge (Pano)
Another P&P movie location - Stanage Edge. This is where Lizzy was shot standing in the golden sunlight overlooking the valley. Unfortunately, we could not find the exact spot that Kiera Knightley stood for the shot.
However, the view from here was excellent. This was our last stop for the Peak District trip. The winds were strong, but was not as strong as the ones at Bamford Edge.