The summer months of July and August are the worst time for visiting Wales if you want to avoid crowds and high prices. This is the peak family holiday season, so popular destinations like the beaches of the Gower, Tenby, and Llandudno see a huge influx of visitors.
Accommodation prices can be double or even triple the normal rates during these school holiday months. Attractions like zoos and theme parks also hike up their entrance fees due to the increased demand. The roads tend to be clogged with traffic too heading to all the hotspots, so getting around takes longer.
Trying to find a parking spot at some of the most iconic sites like Caernarfon Castle or Snowdonia National Park can be a nightmare as well during summer. The trails up Mount Snowdon also become quite crowded and noisy, which ruins the peace and solitude that would otherwise make hiking here so pleasant.
So if you’re looking to save money and avoid the peak crowds, it’s best not to plan your Welsh holiday between mid-July and the end of August.
Public Holidays
Public holidays like Easter, Christmas, and bank holidays also see a surge of visitors coming into Wales. Locals use these long holiday weekends to take short breaks and mini-vacations around the country themselves.
Popular tourist destinations and accommodation options book out months in advance for Easter and the Christmas period. Trying to find a last-minute hotel or dining reservation over these public holidays can be extremely challenging.
In coastal areas like Anglesey and Pembrokeshire, hotels and holiday parks enforce minimum night stays too, usually 3-4 nights over Easter and Christmas. This isn’t ideal if you were only hoping to come for a short break. Places like amusement parks, zoos and museums also operate on reduced winter hours over Christmas and the New Year period.
Events like the spring bank holiday at the end of May can also make it difficult to access some of Wales’ natural landmarks. For example, routes up Snowdon and Pen y Fan tend to get quite congested with outdoor enthusiasts looking to make the most of the three day weekend.
So be prepared for the added crowds if visiting Wales over public holidays and look to book well in advance.
Rainy Season
The winter months tend to be the rainiest season in Wales, especially from November to early March. While you might expect dreary weather at this cooler time of year, some years the endless grey skies and pouring rain really do live up to the stereotype.
The number of daylight and sunshine hours drops substantially, leaving little time to enjoy Wales’ picturesque outdoors between the downpours. The odds of encountering fog and mist is also higher in the mountains, so any hopes of stunning views from Snowdonia or the Brecon Beacons fade away.
Coastal walks become less appealing when the Welsh weather is at its worst. The strong winds and choppy seas can also cause some disruption to transportation routes if you were hoping to visit by ferry. Even just wandering around quaint Welsh towns and villages loses its charm when you have to peer through the drizzle.
And with much of Wales’ appeal linked to its natural beauty and plethora of outdoor activities, rainy days can really put a dampener on your trip. If you’re unlikely to enjoy trudging around in the cold muddy rain, pick another time of year to visit.
Road Closures
Certain times of the year also come with an increased risk of road closures due to added risks like snow, ice or flooding from excessive rainfall. Rural parts of Wales with winding country roads can be particularly vulnerable.
Snowfall during winter months can make sections of road hazardous, especially higher elevation routes through mountain ranges. Even a little bit of snow or frost here can cause the roads to be deemed unsafe. And excess rainfall also heightens the chance of landslides, fallen trees and flood damage.
When road closures do occur, there may be no alternate route. Or the long detours can add substantial extra time, distance and inconvenience to your journey. Public transportation can also face disruptions from reduced visibility, slippery conditions or flooding.
So if driving or catching trains and buses to your destinations in Wales, build in buffer time for poor weather related delays. Be prepared that certain roads may unexpectedly close and monitor local traffic reports diligently, especially in winter. Keeping travel plans flexible will help minimize frustration.
Major Sporting Events
If you’re not a sports fan, then you’ll want to double check if there are any major sporting fixtures or tournaments going on during your intended travel dates. Wales hosts several prominent international sporting competitions which can severely impact accommodation availability and pricing.
Rugby is an integral part of Welsh culture, so matches in Cardiff draw enthusiastic crowds that book up hotels across the city. The Six Nations Championship takes place annually between February and March. Thousands of dedicated fans descend on the capital to cheer Wales on, many travelling from other participating countries too.
Other notable events like Football Association Cup finals, Champions League finals, and the British Speedway Grand Prix also wind up playing host in Cardiff. Over 125,000 spectators flock here for these massive games and races. Naturally, accommodation demand surges exponentially too.
Even trying to book a table for dinner anywhere near these major event locales becomes impossible. So avoiding these super busy sporting fixture dates is wise. Locals also capitalize by substantially raising normal prices on accommodation listings.
Avoid Extreme Heat or Cold
If you don’t handle temperature extremes well, then Wales’ coldest winter months or occasional heatwaves may be unsuitable for your visit.
Winters average just above freezing during January and February, routinely dropping below it overnight. Bitter winds sweeping across the bays and beaches accentuate the cold during these darker months too. Packing very warm clothing and being prepared for icy rain or potentially even some snow depends on your timing.
At the other extreme, Wales can also have some hot summer days pushing 86°F (30°C) or more. Events like the 2018 heatwave sent the mercury up over 95°F (35°C), which is exceptionally rare for the region. But when temperatures spike so substantially higher than the 63-68°F (17-20°C) summer average, it can be oppressively hot for exploring.
So if you can’t stand sweating in a heatwave or shivering in icy temps and stormy winter weather, aim to pick travel dates in Wales’ more temperate spring and autumn. You’ll avoid the big seasonal crowds as a bonus too.
Rugby World Cup 2023
In the lead up to Wales hosting Rugby World Cup matches in late 2023, visiting may be best avoided altogether. Getting accommodation bookings or rental cars will be extremely competitive when hundreds of thousands of fans pour into the host cities.
Wales has been granted 4 host city spots during the 2023 tournament – Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli and Newport. Most pool round matches take place between September and early November. But even the lead up may see hotels fully booked out by team advance parties arriving early to train.
And once the tournament kicks off properly, be prepared for substantially inflated rates due to soaring demand. Tens of thousands of rugby fans from across the globe competing for limited accommodation stock are guaranteed. Even just going out for a meal or drinks will require lengthy reservations made well in advance.
Locals will also likely capitalize by charging exorbitant fees on rental sites like AirBnB for what is normally very reasonably priced accommodation. With Wales set to co-host the biggest ever Rugby World Cup in 2023 alongside France, visiting during tournament time promises to be chaotic for travelers. Steer clear of September to November 2023 dates unless you have tickets or don’t mind the rugby frenzy.
So in summary, the worst times for visiting Wales include summer school holidays, rainy winter months, dates with major public holidays or sporting events, extremely hot or cold weather, and 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament days. Avoiding these chaotic dates will ensure lower prices, smaller crowds and a much more pleasant Welsh getaway!