Ride suggestion? - Bath (UK) into Wales

We'd like to do a day ride into Wales from Bath and return using the best fun road. Lunch at a neat pub or some other cool place to go! Recommendations?

I'll check the local Welsh lockdown situation first, or you may be stopped and told to turn back.

Everywhere south of the Brecon Beacons is on lock down. But when things are back to normal, the Bridge Inn at Kentchurch (England) is nice - a garden by the river and good food. The Bell at Skenfrith (Wales) is well reputed, but I have never got in as its always busy. Llanthony Priory is worth a visit, and they do food although I have only ever had the bread and cheese meal. Dont know if the are open at the moment. From the priory, continue up to Hay Bluff (~7 miles of narrow single track road), then down to Hay on Wye where the Granary is a nice cafe, and if you get there early enough, does a brilliant Sunday roast. The Granary is easily spotted, there will probably be a load of bikes outside. Hay is a popular destination. The Three Tuns in Hay also does very nice Sunday roasts, again get there early. The standing stones carpark at the bottom of Hay Bluff is recognise-able; remember keep off the moors, stick to the roads.

One more thing, keep an eye on petrol - garages can be few and far between. Especially later in the evenings.

Ride up the Wye valley, keeps you out of Wales and lock down problems. Some good detours and old stones to look at, pubs and some market towns, all very scenic with one or two quite spectacular view points looking down into the valley as it cuts through the hills.

You might be better just heading up to the Cotswolds , Gloucester where I am. We are 40 minutes from Bath and there are no restrictions here and decent roads . PM me if I can help.

Ride through the Cotswolds to Burford and I’ll meet yer for a cuppa...

Thanks guys, great info. I hadn't realized restrictions were in place for Wales so thanks for pointing that out! Wye Valley might be a good choice.

Our riding plans are tentative - we have workers coming to the house to do some repairs that we expected to be done by today (Monday) but that now it appears it will be at least Wed or Thu before completion so now not sure what/when we'll take a ride. Burford is certainly a possibility, FastEd, I'll advise. Be great to meet a fellow Nortonion - though I'll be on a Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe rather than my Commando.

Actually, I shouldn't put a "frown" after that last sentence - I REALLY like the Kawi!

Let me know your plans as well. Those Zeds look great.

It has been a few decades , but from memory you won't be dissapointed whichever road you take in that part of the world .
If you can get to wales , even better .
Hope you get good weather .

This TV travel advisor recommended some places to visit in Wales that are not effected by lockdown etc. He got absolutely hounded to death for it!

Emotions are high currently. Avoid Wales...

https://apple.news/AhAU0wW2ZS6iLoAICA6EUcw

Fast Eddie said:

This TV travel advisor recommended some places to visit in Wales that are not effected by lockdown etc. He got absolutely hounded to death for it!

Emotions are high currently. Avoid Wales...

https://apple.news/AhAU0wW2ZS6iLoAICA6EUcw

Click to expand...

Best to avoid Wales anyway

baz said:

Best to avoid Wales anyway

Click to expand...

Perhaps it's because they get the sunshine later, but the grumpy ones seem to get even worst the further west you go.....

EstuaryBoy said:

Perhaps it's because they get the sunshine later, but the grumpy ones seem to get even worst the further west you go.....

Click to expand...

"Grumpy" try south Wales for that!!!
Black mountains! Never ever again

OTOH, there is a pub in Merthyr Tydfil called the Norton, and it had the curly Norton logo on it's sign board. I went in there once....

My one and only big off (on the road) was in Wales, in the rain. North Wales they speak English until you come within earshot then they speak Welsh. An unfriendly lot is my dim recollection, though I suppose helmet and leathers might have had something to do with it being circa 1980. However beautiful part of the world, and if you are into off road riding probably the best place in the whole of the UK. And as Fast Ed said, they don't want bloody foreigners in their country at the moment.......where have I heard that before