Cadw sites:
Castell Conwy (Conwy Castle), Plas Mawr, Castell Caernarfon (Caernarfon Castle), Castell Harlech (Harlech Castle) and St Davids Bishop's Palace are in the care of Cadw. Register with the Cadw Tour Operator Scheme (CTOS) to become a member of Cadw’s online group booking scheme. Members benefit from preferential trade rates and discounts, complimentary admission for your tour leader, complimentary introductions to Cadw monuments, enhanced information for existing tours and invoicing following your visit. Travel Trade Explorer Passes can also be purchased. Please contact Cadwcommercial@gov.wales.
Day one
Make your first stop by the landmark of Castell Dinas Brân before heading to Llangollen. It's an ancient market town situated on the banks of the beautiful River Dee. Take a ten mile journey through the Dee Valley on Llangollen Railway. Visit Plas Newydd, a gothic fantasy house built by 'The Ladies of Llangollen' in the eighteenth century. An alternative option is to take a 45min boat trip along the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct with Anglo Welsh Waterways Holidays. They operate daily trips, five times a day from 1 April to 30 September. Booking is advised. If your clients are not lucky enough to be here for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod held in July, there's plenty to explore in its narrow streets.
Continue to Conwy via the scenic Horseshoe Pass (A542) and through the Vale of Clwyd.
Once in Conwy visit Castell Conwy (Conwy Castle) - a great place to get lost. It has plenty of ramparts, towers, dark passages and dungeons. Continue to Plas Mawr, one of the finest examples of a an Elizabethan (16th Century) townhouse with colourful plasterwork.
Afterwards, take a walk along the quayside to see the Smallest House in Great Britain.
Approximate distance: Llangollen to Conwy 47 miles (75.6 km)
Approximate driving time: 1hr 16min
Accommodation
Day two
Start by heading to Castell Caernarfon (Caernarfon Castle), a World Heritage Site. It's arguably the finest in Wales. Murder holes, five gates, six portcullises and a moat make for formidable lines of defence.
The Llanberis Road takes you past the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest mountain in England and Wales. Sir Edmund Hillary and his team trained here before embarking on their journey to the summit of Everest. Take a refreshment stop at the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel, to see their signatures on the bar's ceiling.
Continue to Castell Harlech (Harlech Castle) and visit another of the 'Iron Ring Castles'. Situated high upon a rocky outcrop, its seaward side was defended by sheer cliffs, while a deep moat protected the other sides. Walk the 2 mile (3.1 km) Meirion Trail, which tells the story of Meirion and the Golden Torc through QR codes on five storytelling chairs along the route. Coach parking is available at Bron y Graig Uchaf. Contact the castle to receive suitable directions for coaches to reach the car park.
For smaller groups or FIT tours an alternative suggestion is to visit to Yr Ysgwrn, a traditional Welsh Farmhouse in a peaceful location with scenic views. It was home to Eisteddfod winning poet ‘Hedd Wyn’ who was killed in the First World War. Guided tours are available and there is a tea room and small shop. Tickets are available for prebooked groups of ten or more with different packages available. If travelling by coach, check with the venue as there are narrow roads.
Visit Aberystwyth on your way south along the coast. Its a lively university town, and also home to the National Library of Wales - where many of the greatest literary treasures of Wales (and the other Celtic countries) are securely stored. Pre-booked guided tours are available and there is a café.
Approximate distance: Conwy - Caernarfon - Harlech - Aberystwyth 104 miles (167 km)
Approximate driving time: 3hrs
Day three
A worthwhile detour inland takes you to Devil's Bridge, situated high in the foothills of the Plynlimon Mountains, 12 miles (19 km) east of Aberystwyth. The village has three claims to fame: the three bridges, the Vale of Rheidol Railway little narrow gauge steam railway, and the cascading waterfalls of the River Mynach.
Alternatively, Llanerchaeron, a National Trust site, is just outside Aberaeron. This 18th century Welsh gentry estate has survived virtually unaltered for years – so be prepared to be taken back to bygone times. Highlights include the working organic farm and large walled kitchen garden, which has retained its original layout. Refreshments are available in the cafe. Group rates are available for pre booked groups. Also available are 7 and 14 day touring passes for international visitors.
The west coast is dotted with award winning beaches, rocky smugglers' coves and great cliff-top scenery. If you get close enough to the sea, you may even catch a glimpse of the resident dolphins and seals.
Continue south into Pembrokeshire. There are plenty of great places to visit in this area. St Davids is the smallest city in Britain. It is more like a small village but holds city status due to St Davids Cathedral. This historic building dates back to the 6th century and is where St David (the patron saint of Wales is buried). Visitors can also visit St Davids Bishop's Palace next door and MamGu Welshcakes, a café located in the ruins of St Marys Chapel within the cathedral.
There are also little art shops, galleries, tea rooms and the Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre. Continue to Tenby, a pretty, pastel coloured seaside resort town where there is a harbour providing daily boat trips, four sandy beaches, a castle with town walls plus plenty of souvenir shops and eateries.
Approximate distance: Aberystwyth - St Davids - Tenby - 109 miles (156 km)
This excludes detours to Devil's Bridge and Llanerchaeron which would add a further 24 miles (38.6 km) to the journey.
Approximate driving time: 3hrs (+40mins with detour)
Day four
There are two options to start the day. Head towards Pendine Sands where clients can visit the Museum of Land Speed. It tells the story of the land speed records attempted by Sir Malcolm Campbell and Welshman John Parry-Thomas at Pendine. There are interactive exhibitions which include motorbikes, and Babs - the ill-fated car that crashed and killed John Parry Thomas.
Alternatively, take the coastal drive to Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas wrote Under Milk Wood. You can still see his writing shed overlooking Carmarthen Bay. Visit Dylan Thomas Boathouse still furnished today as it was whilst he was writing Under Milk Wood to learn about this influential Welsh Poet. Discount rates are available for groups of five or more. Enjoy refreshments in the café or at Brown's Hotel where he was a regular visitor.
Continue to visit the National Botanic Garden of Wales which won an award for it's restoration project of two new lakes, a waterfall and six bridges. The centre piece is the world’s largest single-spanned glasshouse designed by Lord Foster, housing the Mediterranean climate zone plants, which is surrounded by a range of gardens across 560 acres. Visitors can learn about plant evolution, the use of medicinal plants including the Physicians of Myddfai. It is also home to the British Bird of Prey Centre offering daily flying displays and experiences. Eagle Experience Wales will give clients a unique 1hr 45mins private flying session with three of the UK's largest birds of prey. There is a garden centre shop, café and art gallery with exhibitions displayed throughout the year. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
There are a couple of options to end the day.
Visit WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre, home to spectacular birds and wildlife, flora and fauna, set in 500-acres. The centre offers many incentives for groups and coaches, including group tours. There are hides to view the birds throughout the site and canoes are available to hire throughout the summer. There is also a café and gift shop.
Llanelly House is located in the centre of Llanelli. Thanks to modern technology visitors learn about the residents and their influence on the town and industrial history of the area. Discover the relationships of the Stepney & Chambers families and find out about the Georgian and Victorian society as well as the scandals of ‘upstairs downstairs’ life.
Group rates are available including an afternoon tea with private dining and it is advisable to allow approximately 90mins.
Approximate distance: Tenby - Llanelli - 41.3 miles (66.5 km). If staying in Swansea, add a further 12 miles (19 km) to the journey time.
Approximate driving time: 1hr 8mins (1hr 32mins if travelling to Swansea)
Accommodation
Day five
Explore Swansea and Gower today. Head to the Gower, an 18 mile (29 km) long peninsula which, in 1956, was designated the first National Landscape (formerly AONB) in the UK. Visit open moors, grazed common land, salt marshes and beautiful beaches. There are also many historic churches, castles and prehistoric burial sites to explore. The Gower Heritage Centre based around an 800 year old water powered mill, with craft workshops and tearooms is worth a visit. The centre offers groups guided tours, guided and themed walks, Welsh cream tea, meals and craft workshops and activities.
From the Gower, travel to the city of Swansea. Its oldest building is the ruined 13th century Swansea Castle standing out in more modern surroundings near the shopping centre. At the Dylan Thomas Centre visitors can find out more about the poet's life and work. Guided tours of the exhibition at the Dylan Thomas Centre can be arranged for groups. Just a few minutes walk from the city you'll find Swansea's Maritime Quarter. The former docklands have been redeveloped into an attractive waterfront, with its 600-berth marina as a centrepiece.
The National Waterfront Museum is the place to learn about the industrial, maritime and social history of Wales. Entrance is free and in additional, pre-booked groups benefit from 10 per cent off in the museum café, restaurant and museum shop on a minimum spend of £5 per person and complimentary refreshments for the coach driver. Explore the 3,500 seated Swansea Arena with a tailored tour for up to 12 clients.
Approximate distance: Gower - Swansea - Brecon Beacons 33-38 miles (53-61 km) - depending on accommodation choice
Approximate driving time: 1hr 11 mins - 1hr 17mins
Day six
The first stop is Penderyn Brecon Beacons Distillery, nestled in the foothills of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, is the home of the award winning Penderyn single malt whisky and other spirits. Tours (1hr) and Masterclasses (2h 30min) are available. Your clients will meet the distillery team who explain the history of single malt whisky making in Wales, and the distilling and bottling process at first hand - they get to sample the spirits too. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
Continue to Merthyr Tydfil and visit Cyfarthfa Castle, set in 158 acres of parkland. There's lots of fine decorative art to admire in the museum and art gallery's Regency rooms. Find out about social and industrial history in the atmospheric basement. Audio tours are offered in a number of languages, guided tours can be arranged in advance and refreshments are available in the tea room.
Your next stop is the Brecon Mountain Railway. It’s one of the ‘Great Little Trains of Wales’ that travels through the Southern Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park and along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir. The journey starts at Pant Station and takes 1hr 30min including a 25min stop at Pontsticill. A discount is available for groups of 20 or more booked in advance. A licensed tearoom and gift shop is found at Pant Station and a café and picnic area at Pontsticill Station.
Alternatively, or if times permits, head to Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and to the Big Pit National Coal Museum. Your clients will enjoy a multi-media tour of a modern coal mine with a virtual miner in the Mining Galleries, exhibitions in the Pithead Baths and historic colliery buildings and of course the underground tour. There is a Coffee shop and canteen on-site. The canteen is closed during the winter months but is available for private hire all year-round. Big Pit’s Underground Tour is free but there is a small charge for a timed slot during some school holidays and on weekends. Groups of 10 or more can book their timed tour in advance. Pre-booked groups can benefit from 10 per cent off in the museum café and the museum shop on a minimum spend of £5 per person. Complimentary refreshments are offered for coach drivers.
The Blaenavon Heritage Railway runs through World Heritage site, where steam trains operate on weekends from April to October. Free parking for coaches is available for users of the railway. There is also a team room on site.
Blaenavon Ironworks allows clients to step into history whilst walking around the industrial site. Attractions include the ruined furnaces, cast house and water balance tower, and the furnished cottages and shop.
Another option is to visit the market town of Abergavenny. See our Day itinerary in South East Wales for more information and things to do in the town.
Approximate distance: Accommodation – Penderyn - Merthyr Tydfil – Blaenavon - Abergavenny 54-62 miles (87-100 km) depending on accommodation choice.
Approximate driving time: 1hr 30min - 2hr
Accommodation
Day seven
Make your way to the quaint market town of Crickhowell. Allow time to explore the town as it's a delight for quirky shopping. The social hub is The Bear Hotel, an ancient coaching inn dating back to 1432 which has twice won the Best Pub in Britain award.
Your last stop on this tour is Hay-on-Wye. If you choose to take the slower scenic route along the Capel y Finn Road, please note that this is only suitable for smaller minibuses or cars then stop at Llanthony Priory en-route. Hay-on-Wye is famous for one thing – books. There are millions of them, and they are everywhere. The courtyard of Hay Castle is a book shop, the cinema's a book shop, the fire station's a book shop and even the alleyways are full of book shops. Hay Castle is now open to the public following an extensive renovation project. It also hosts an annual Hay Festival in May/June and has placed the town well and truly on the world literary map.
Approximate distance: Abergavenny - Crickhowell - Hay-on-Wye 26 miles (42 km)
Approximate driving time: 45min
If your clients would like to extend their tour to include Cardiff, check out ‘Cardiff in three days’ itinerary.
