A beautiful road trip in the UK has views of mountains, trips to market towns, and picturesque beaches. The North Wales Expressway, the A55, is 140km from Chester to Holyhead. 

It hugs the north coast and links a string of pretty seaside towns, ancient castles, and sweeping sea views. The journey begins in the historic town of Chester, near the English border. Technically, you could do the drive in two hours flat, but if you slow down, you can turn this into a few days of exploring the best of North Wales. As you head towards the north Wales coast, take the time to stop at St Asaph, a small city on the River Elwy in Denbighshire. Here, you’ll find a cathedral reputed to be the smallest ancient cathedral in the UK. Continue to Abergele, your first main coastal stop. Stroll along Pensarn Beach’s charming promenade, lined with cafes, shops, and an arcade providing a spot of seaside nostalgia. From Abergele, you’re just a short drive from gorgeous Colwyn Bay, where you can stroll along the blustery shoreline and try watersports. Primarily known as a windsurfing destination, Colwyn Bay is also a beautiful spot for sea kayaking. This Welsh seaside resort has plenty to offer outdoor enthusiasts, including swimming, biking, hiking and paddleboarding.

Drive onwards to Llandudno, which has managed to retain its traditional coastal charm. It still features grand Victorian buildings, a long promenade, and a classic pier that’s the longest in Wales.

The Victorian promenade, known as The Parade, has a different name for each block, and many of Llandudno’s hotels are built on these parades and crescents. Along the promenade and throughout the town, you can explore several boutique shops, independent restaurants, churches, and museums.

Adjacent to the parade is North Shore Beach, Llandudno’s primary beach. It is the larger of the two beaches and is sheltered by two headlands, Great Orme and Little Orme.

While it might not be the sandiest beach in Wales, it is one of the more traditional ones. It features a promenade, pier, boat rides, deckchair rentals, donkey rides, ice creams, live music from the bandstand, and a Punch and Judy show.

The main draw here is the impressive Llandudno pier. Stretching 700m into the Irish Sea from the north Wales mainland, Llandudno Pier is the longest pier in Wales and one of the longest in the UK. It’s buzzing with attractions, arcade rides, stalls, and a big wheel. 

Across the town and its surrounding headlands, numerous other attractions and natural sights are available. The Great Orme Tramway first opened in 1902 and is Britain’s only cable-hauled public road tramway. The Tramway climbs a mile high up the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve. 

From Llandudno, head to Conwy. With its commanding medieval walls, ancient castle and lively harbour, it is one of the most beautiful towns you will find in Wales. Conwy Quay is the perfect place to kick off your exploring with lobster pots, tangled fishing nets, and all the charming seaside clutter you’d hope for.

Along the harbour, you’ll also find The Smallest House in Great Britain. Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records, the tiny red-fronted abode measures just 72 inches wide and 122 inches high and was occupied until May 1900.

Along with the harbour, Conwy’s biggest draw is Castell Conwy (Conwy Castle), one of Wales’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which features a concentric design with eight towers. 

It forms part of King Edward I’s “Iron Ring”, a series of imposing fortresses built during the late 13th century to solidify English control after the conquest of Wales. Here, you can explore the castle walls, which feature 21 towers and completely enclose the town of Conwy.

For the next stop, venture off the A55 Expressway and visit Penmaenmawr beach for a bracing coastal stroll. When the tide recedes, the full splendour of the beach is revealed: a vast sandy shoreline, six miles long, stretching all the way to Penmaenbach, with areas designated for dogs and the rest left for families, anglers and watersports enthusiasts.

Continue onwards, and you’ll soon be approaching Wales’ largest island, Ynys Môn (Anglesey), accessed by the 19th-century Menai Suspension Bridge. Cross the bridge and stop in Menai Bridge town (Porthaethwy in Welsh).

The small waterside town gets its English name from the suspension bridge built nearly 200 years ago by Thomas Telford.  Along with its infamous waters, Porthaethwy is home to Michelin-starred dining, wildlife-spotting boat trips, and lovely pubs with excellent beer gardens.

Activity-wise, there are plenty of boat trips available in Ynys Môn, where you can spot wildlife and cruise past rocky bays and historic lighthouses. The only way to truly appreciate the island’s raw, rugged beauty is from the sea.

To complete the journey and reach Holyhead, the quickest way is to follow the A55 as it carves diagonally through Ynys Môn, passing near small villages and the countryside.

If you have time, you can always veer off the route and visit some of the island’s highlights, such as South Stack Lighthouse, coastal villages like Benllech, Penmon Point, Newborough Forest, and Llanddwyn Island.

The A55 road trip shows off the very best of North Wales. From windswept beaches and charming market towns to grand castles, every stop has something incredible to see.