Road sense All you need to know about towing on the A483
We look at major UK driving routes and reveal everything you need to know
THE 153 MILES of the A483 cross Brecknockshire, Carmarthenshire, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Glamorgan, Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Shropshire.
Known as the Swansea to Manchester trunk road (although it actually ends in Chester), this south-north route through Wales runs from a junction with the A48 and the M4 at Earlswood in Glamorgan. En route, it passes through the spectacular Cambrian Mountains.
Journey north
Unless you want to visit Swansea, which the A483 loops through before joining the M4 at J42, you should drive west along the M4 to its end at J49, from where the A483 starts its journey north towards the former mining town of Ammanford, now a thriving cultural centre.
The route then passes through Llandybie, eventually reaching the very pretty ancient market town of Llandeilo.
To the west is the National Trust property of Dinefwr, boasting a castle and a rather fine stately home (Newton House), as well as a vast deer park. To the east is the gorgeous scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
From here the road joins the A40, following the Towy Valley, and on to the market town of
Llandovery. While the A40 heads east to follow the edge of the Brecon Beacons, the A483 heads north-east following the River Bran and past the Sugar Loaf mountain, to reach the spa town of Llanwrtyd Wells, home of the world-famous bog snorkelling championships.
Then it’s on to the Victorian spa town of Builth Wells, where it crosses the River Wye.
Next is another great Victorian spa town, Llandrindod Wells, also hosting the National Cycle Museum. The road then winds north along the valley of the River Ithon before descending to Newtown, on the Severn.
Nature reserve
Leaving the largest town in Powys, the route continues north-east through the Severn Valley towards Welshpool. It bypasses the town centre and heads north to the border at Llanymynech, where the old quarries have become a nature reserve. The road then skirts the picturesque town of Oswestry, before it enters Wales again at Chirk, where there is a splendid castle, now in the hands of the National Trust, and a truly spectacular aqueduct.
After passing Ruabon, the A483 bypasses Wrexham and crosses the border once more, before entering Chester.