Now the Wales route stage is announced, from Welshpool to Cardiff on Sunday 4 July 2027, we are counting down to showcasing Wales as we host the climax of the Grand Depart - 2027 Tour de France - in the UK. We will be highlighting the incredible Wales cycling offer, from traffic-free trails and quiet road cycling (both easy and challenging) to purpose-built mountain bike trail centres, cycle hire and luggage transfer options.
WestJet has launched the first direct flights between Toronto and Cardiff with four weekly services. Cardiff Airport becomes WestJet’s exclusive UK airport for 2026, offering Canadian travellers convenient access to Wales.
Aberystwyth has been named Wales’ first UNESCO City of Literature, celebrating its rich bilingual literary heritage and vibrant cultural scene. This designation acknowledges the area’s extensive network of festivals, bookshops, theatres, and academic institutions, as well as its historic ties to over 300 poets and national literary bodies like the National Library of Wales.
Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway will be offering group catering packages from the start of 2026 season. The silver package includes an on-train picnic bag, and the gold package will include food served in the tearoom or marquee at Llanfair Caereinion station. For more information, visit the WLLR website.
Wrexham is currently enjoying its increased profile as series 5 of Welcome to Wrexham launched in spring 2026. It follows the fifth season with Hollywood actors and club chairmen Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Follow their story on Disney+ and Hulu and meet some of the characters and discover more about this area of Wales. Wrexham is where the Football Association of Wales was founded in 1876 and a Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum are due to open in September 2026.
A new illustrated Wrexham Visitor Trail links eight key attractions, offering an easy-to-follow route for your clients. The trail brings together heritage, culture, science and nature, guiding visitors through locations that span 314 million years of history, from fossilised landscapes to modern attractions. Interactive elements are included at each stop, encouraging visitors to explore and engage with the destination.
Tintern Abbey, the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales which has inspired poets and artists for centuries, is open but conservation works are ongoing throughout 2026 and 2027 with some scaffolding in place.
Join Cadw’s Tour Operator Scheme for exclusive rates, free group places, and discounted Explorer Passes. Simply bring your QR code on arrival for quick entry and a seamless group experience.
The Royal Mint Experience has refreshed its visitor experience, giving groups even more to discover. Alongside the award-winning guided factory tour, your clients can now explore an enhanced exhibition featuring interactive displays, fascinating new exhibits and the brand-new Penny Arcade, where classic arcade machines bring the history of the Great British penny arcade to life. The experience takes visitors on a journey through more than 1,100 years of British coin-making history, from the earliest pennies to rare treasures, including the famous Edward VIII coin. Guests will also discover how The Royal Mint is shaping the future through pioneering innovation, with immersive displays showcasing its world-leading precious metals recovery facility, where valuable metals are recovered from discarded electronics, and the award-winning 886 by The Royal Mint jewellery collection.
The Royal Mint Experience, A Welsh Coal Mining Experience, and Hensol Castle Distillery form part of the Coin Coal and Cheers Package.
Newport Transporter Bridge is undergoing major refurbishment and remains closed to the general public. The bridge and visitor centre will be open fully once all the works are complete. It will be an innovative attraction experience with a new visitor centre, café and toilets, shop and exhibition space. It is one of the most complete surviving transporter bridges, and only one of 6 remaining in the world.
National Slate Museum is planning a transformation which will revitalise the much-loved museum, ensuring that the historic buildings and globally significant collections are preserved for future generations to enjoy the incredible story of slate. To carry out these important renovations and updates safely, the museum is temporarily closed and will reopen in 2027 with a refreshed and enhanced museum experience. Visit their website for further updates.
Elan Valley Lakes Project is a £21.7m investment to strengthen the sustainable tourism offer in Mid Wales, creating a world-class destination and transforming the visitor experience. The investment will enhance biodiversity and minimise environmental impact through low carbon development and the use of renewable energy sources, contributing to Welsh Water’s journey to net zero emissions.
The Elan Valley visitor centre redevelopment will include an exhibition and multimedia experience, including a Planetarium to celebrate the importance of the Elan Valley as an International Dark Skies Park. New facilities include a new café with panoramic views over the dam – with its spectacular waterfall when in full spill.
Celtic Rainforest Walking Trail - a new self-guided Celtic Rainforest walking trail around Cnwch wood with new signage and interpretation guiding visitors around the Celtic Rainforest.
The Welsh Government has launched the initial pilot section of the Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail, a new 48 mile (78 km) route marking a significant milestone in the development of the National Forest for Wales project. The route starts at Porthkerry Park on the Wales Coast Path in the Vale of Glamorgan, and heads north through woodland, into the heart of the South Wales Valleys, finishing at Pont Walby viaduct, near Glynneath. It links National Forest Sites enabling your clients to visit and benefit from 12 National Forest sites and 24 woodlands. The trail utilises existing rights of way, ensuring accessibility for walkers, wheelchair users, cyclists, and horse riders.
Pandy Farm, nestled in the hills near Bala in North Wales, is offering a new farm experience including a thrilling sheepdog experience, working with both sheep and lively runner ducks. The tour offers a unique and authentic glimpse into the daily life of Erin McNaught, a young fourth-generation hill farmer, a well-respected female figure in the agricultural world and known for her appearances on national TV. One or two hour tours are available and suitable for groups up to 30. Two groups of 30 (60 at once) can be accommodated subject to availability and tours can be tailored to your client’s needs. New for 2026 is the Field-to-Fork experience including experiencing daily farm activities, learning traditional farming techniques and tasting dishes prepared using farm produce.
Dinefwr Blankets is now offering an authentic insight into Welsh craft and heritage. Located in Llandeilo, their new hands-on behind the scene tours, led by founder Marlene Davies, allows your clients to discover Wales’ heritage through traditional cloth and Welsh blanket patterns dating back hundreds of years. The tour lasts 45min to 1hr and can accommodate groups of up to 50 people, with no minimum group size for standard visits. Where refreshments are included, a minimum group size of 10 applies.
The Tywi Valley Path has opened in Carmarthenshire, offering a 13-mile (21 km) traffic-free route for walkers and cyclists. It follows a former railway line between Carmarthen and Llandeilo. With multiple access points and local hospitality, it provides your clients with relaxed access to nature, wildlife and heritage sites, and is perfect for creating half day, full day or multi day experiences depending on ability and interests.
Teifi Valley Trail - a new 83 mile (134km) walking route has launched, following the River Teifi from the Cambrian Mountains to Cardigan Bay. The trail showcases a variety of landscapes, from open countryside and farmland to wooded gorges and coastline, while linking market towns, local businesses and attractions along the way. Highlights include historic sites such as Strata Florida Abbey, Cilgerran Castle and Cardigan Castle.
Loving Welsh Food now offers fun Welsh cake demonstration and hands-on workshops for groups at Tabernacle, a Grade II* listed Welsh-language Baptist chapel in Cardiff. Led by Nerys Howell (TV chef, broadcaster, and author with over 30 years of experience) your clients will receive an introduction to Welsh food heritage and learn how to make their very own Welsh cakes. Workshops are available for groups from 8 to 40 people and lasts approx. 1 to 1.5 hours - depending on size of the group.
The Welsh Cheese Company in Victoria Park, Cardiff, has launched tasting experiences that showcase the best of Welsh artisan cheese. As the leading experts in Welsh cheese for nearly 10 years, their bespoke tastings offer a unique insight into the world of Welsh cheese, and a tour of Wales’ best food from the comfort of their cosy new deli. Daytime tasting sessions can be booked for 6 to 16 guests, duration 30 - 90 minutes. Larger groups can be accommodated in the evenings, with the option for a private hire of the whole deli for up to 25 guests on certain evenings.
Pure Wales has launched a new website focused on group, custom and private tours, and luxury experiences across Wales and the British Isles. They feature itineraries based on Welsh landscapes, culture, and cuisine, with premium hotel stays. Scheduled departures include Pure Wales in a Week, Land of My Fathers, Land of Song, The Wrexham Taster and The Welsh Language Experience. These sit alongside a growing portfolio of day tours and regional experiences, with new partnerships and products planned for 2026/207. Watch their welcome film.
National Park Adventure Tours has launched new small group guided experiences in North Wales, with one and two day itineraries departing from Manchester. Designed for FIT and small group travel, the tours focus on active exploration, combining guided walks, visits to historic sites and off-the-beaten-track locations. Operated using a 100% electric seven-seat vehicle, the product offers a sustainable and flexible way to experience the region.
Alpine Travel has launched a new ‘Alice in Llandudno’ open-top bus tour, offering a bookable, story-led experience inspired by the connection between Lewis Carroll and the seaside town. The tour provides a scenic coastal journey combined with guided storytelling, highlighting local heritage and links to Alice in Wonderland.
Travel trade partners can now book BritRail passes through ACP Rail, offering international visitors a flexible and cost-effective way to explore Wales and wider Great Britain by rail. Available products include the BritRail Great Britain Pass and the South West & South Wales Pass, with options for consecutive or flexible travel. Passes can be combined with point-to-point tickets, include a range of discounts, and support multi-stop itineraries linking key Welsh destinations with London and beyond.
Adeo Travel’s Enchanting Wales small group tour marks five years in operation, offering nine guaranteed departures for the 2026 season. This fully escorted, eight-day itinerary features guided sightseeing, boutique accommodation, and authentic local experiences. New for 2026, guests can combine their Wales tour with itineraries in Cornwall, England, or Scotland. Adeo Travel welcome enquiries and bookings from the Travel Trade.
Old College Aberystwyth plans to open at the end of 2027 as a mixed-use experience, culture & creative centre and attraction. This includes a 4-star hotel with 31 bedrooms and up to 200 capacity function space. Situated on the promenade this will be a significant addition to Aberystwyth as a destination resort.
