Discover the mountain peaks and windswept coastline of Wales on this 5-day group tour from London. Explore the pretty villages of the Cotswolds and spend two nights in the coastal town of Aberystwyth. Take in the ruins of Harlech Castle, uncover the scenery of Snowdonia National Park and wander the pretty whitewashed streets of New Quay. Visit the smallest city in the UK, St Davids, browse the fascinating National Museum of History in St Fagans and make your way back to the English capital.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
London to Aberystwyth
London - Hay-on-Wye - Aberystwyth. Departing central London this morning, we drive away from the city and into the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty. Pass through charming English postcard villages, stopping for photos and whenever we come across a site of interest.
Crossing into Wales, we stop first at Hay-on-Wye, nestled just outside the Brecon Beacons and known as the 'town of books' thanks to its large number of bookshops. Driving into the Elan Valley and the Cambrian Mountains we can enjoy the scenery before reaching the seaside town of Aberystwyth, home for the next two nights.
Please note: Check-in closes at 09:00 on day 1 (tour departs at 09:15) - Stance 3, Greenline Coach Terminal London, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SH.
Accommodation: Bodalwyn, GwesTY Guest House, The Glengower or similar
Overnight: Aberystwyth
Snowdonia & Harlech Castle
Taking a day trip from Aberystwyth, we head into the mountains of Snowdonia National Park, and stop in the village of Beddgelert. Here lies the grave of Gelert, the legendary dog, slain by Llywelyn the Great. This medieval Welsh ruler believed Gelert had devoured his baby and so killed him, when in fact Gelert had been protecting the infant from a wolf. Llywelyn never smiled again, or so the story goes.
Our next stop is Harlech Castle. Built by King Edward I during his conquest of Wales around 800 years ago, this fortress overlooks both the mountains of Snowdonia and the ocean. Returning to Aberystwyth, the rest of today is at leisure.
Accommodation: Bodalwyn, GwesTY Guest House, The Glengower or similar
Overnight: Aberystwyth | Breakfast
New Quay, Dinefwr Estate & Tenby
Aberystwyth - New Quay - Tenby. Departing Aberystwyth, we travel along the coastline of Cardigan Bay, through charming Aberaeron to New Quay. This whitewashed town is on the beach, and there's time to wander on foot - keep your eyes peeled for whales off the coast!
Heading inland, we visit Dinefwr Estate (or Carreg Cennen Castle if it is closed) and the ruined castle located here before making a short stop in Laugharne where famous Welsh poet and playwright Dylan Thompson lived and wrote his iconic work 'Under Milk Wood'. We then complete our drive to the seaside town of Tenby, where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Southcliff Guest House or similar
Overnight: Tenby | Breakfast
Exploring St Davids
Tenby - Pembrokeshire Coast National Park - St Davids - Pembroke - Tenby. We spend our last full day in Wales uncovering the country's south-west. Take in the scenic coastline of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, birthplace of the patron saint of Wales - St David. We then travel to the UK's smallest city, which is named after the patron saint. There's free time for lunch in St Davids before we visit the rural town of Pembroke, home to some well preserved medieval walls and a ruined castle. Returning to Tenby, our final evening is at leisure.
Accommodation: Southcliff Guest House or similar
Overnight: Tenby | Breakfast
Return to London
Tenby - St Fagans - Castle Combe - London. We begin our journey back to London this morning. There's a stop at the National Museum of History in St Fagans (it is possible to leave the tour here and travel by public transport to Cardiff, should you wish). We then take the Severn Crossing back into England and enjoy a stop in the Cotswolds village of Castle Combe, the perfect place for a stroll and to enjoy a quintessential English village. We then complete our drive back to London.
Please note: This tour ends at 19:30 - London Victoria Drop Off, Stance 3, Greenline Coach Terminal, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SH.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to all solo travellers, or if your booking party cannot reach the minimum of 2 persons in a room. Single Rooms can also be booked by any other person wanting the comfort and privacy of their own room.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Bodalwyn , Aberystwyth
Perched on a hill in a stone-built Edwardian townhouse, this cosy guesthouse is a 7-minute walk from Ceredigion Museum and an 8-minute stroll from Penglais Nature Park. The eight elegantly decorated rooms feature wooden furnishings, cast-iron beds, and sitting areas with leather chairs, along with en suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee-making facilities. A complimentary Welsh breakfast is served in the inviting dining room or in the sunroom, which boasts exposed stone walls.
Southcliff Guest House , Tenby
This unpretentious B&B, set in a Victorian building from 1879, is 6.6 miles from Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo and 7 miles from Carew Castle. The straightforward rooms feature flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee-making facilities. All rooms have either en suite or separate private bathrooms, and most include sitting areas. A cooked breakfast is served in a casual dining room, with refreshments and light meals available for an additional charge. The property also offers a lounge with sea views, a TV, a DVD player, a piano, and a children’s playroom.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to all solo travellers, or if your booking party cannot reach the minimum of 2 persons in a room. Single Rooms can also be booked by any other person wanting the comfort and privacy of their own room.
At a Glance
We had an amazing trip to the Devon and Cornwall districts. Our driver and guide Nic was the best. He told us so many stories and took us to interesting spots throughout the whole journey. I would thoroughly recommend this tour and driver. ”
