Wales Castles and Manors – 7 Days

Collect your vehicle in Cardiff (downtown or airport) and begin your tour of the magical land of Wales. Make your way East to visit the border town of Chepstow, the town where Harry Potter author JK Rowling grew up; it’s easy to see how the stunning medieval fortress at Chepstow Castle may have inspired her. Then follow the scenic Wye Valley north where you can visit Tintern Abbey, one of Britain’s most loved monastic ruins. Pass the market towns of Monmouth and Abergavenny perhaps viewing Raglan Castle before reaching the beautiful and barren moorlands of the Brecon Beacons National Park where sheep and wild-horses roam the hillsides.

Accommodation: overnight in Peterstone Court or Gliffaes Country House, mid Wales or Brecon.
Distance: 75 miles / 120 km, 2 hours (approx.), if starting in central Cardiff*.
Highlights: Wye Valley, Tintern Abbey, Raglan Castle, Abergavenny and the Brecon Beacons.

DAYS TWO AND THREE – Llangollen, Snowdonia and Conwy Castle

Continue north through the hills of mid Wales perhaps stopping at Powis Castle and Gardens before passing through the border Marches to Llangollen; this quaint welsh town is a real gem, home to Chirk Castle, the mysterious Caer Derwyn hill fort, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which carries canal boats 126 feet above the valley floor, and the traditional Llangollen Steam Railway. From your base, tour beautiful North Wales including the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno and Conwy, a medieval harbour town seemingly frozen in time with its ancient town walls, the Elizabethan Plas Mawr, a tangle of medieval cobbled streets and the imposing 13th century Conwy Castle overlooking the town. If nature is your thing, simply indulge in the spectacular mountain scenery of the Snowdonia National Park and the scenic Conwy Valley.

• Accommodation: Ruthin Castle, Ruthin, North Wales or Bodysgallen Hall, near Conwy (2 nights).
• Distance: 15 miles / 185 km, 3 hours (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Powis Castle, Chirk Castle, Llandgollen Town, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Ruthin, Caernarfon Castle, Llandudno Town and Conwy Castle.

DAY FOUR – Snowdonia National Park, Port Meirion and Harlech Castle

Today, you may choose to visit Caernarfon Castle in North West Wales which was the venue of the 1969 investiture of Prince Charles the Prince of Wales. Then make your way directly through the heart of the Snowdonia National Park and its glorious mountain landscapes. You may choose to take a ride on the Snowdon mountain railway on route to the West coast and the beautiful and intriguing italianate town of Portmeirion made famous by the sixties cult show, the Prisoner. From here follow the beautiful West coast to another of Wales’ World Heritage Fortresses at Harlech Castle, dramatically perched atop a hill overlooking the Irish Sea. Continue south passing through the bustling university town of Aberystwyth, home to the National Library of Wales, on route to Cardiganshire.

• Accommodation: The Falcondale, Lampeter or Hammet House, Cardigan, Mid Wales.
• Distance: 110 miles / 175 km, 3 hours (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Snowdonia National Park, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Port Meirion Village, Harlech Castle, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron.

DAY FIVE – St Davids, Tenby and the Pembrokeshire National Park

Make your way along Wales’ West coast passing the sweeping sands of Cardigan Bay to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park home to almost two hundred miles of protected coastline and some of Britain’s most breath-taking coastal scenery. Enjoy walking stretches of the famous coastal path across bays and cliffs as you spot the sea and bird life including dolphins, grey seals and Puffins. Visit the tiny “city” of St Davids, the Welsh patron Saint’s namesake, a tiny village which has city status due to its stunning cathedral and Bishop’s Palace. Then onwards to the picturesque Pembrokeshire town of Tenby; Tenby is a bustling harbour town with Norman town walls, pastel cottages, a labyrinth of cobbled streets and stretching sandy bays, an absolute must for any visit to Wales.

• Accommodation: Lamphey Court or Penally Abbey Hotel, near Tenby.
• Distance: 90 miles / 145 km, 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, St David’s Village, St David’s Cathedral, Pembroke Castle and Tenby Town.

DAYS SIX AND SEVEN – The Welsh Capital Cardiff and Cardiff Castle

From Pembrokeshire return East with a possible stop at Laugharne to visit the Boathouse visitor centre where welsh poet Dylan Thomas’s penned some of his greatest works. Then arriving in Cardiff spend two days exploring the Welsh Capital and its outlying areas; visit the contrasting castles at the turreted fairy-tale Castell Coch and the sprawling fortress at Caerphilly Castle. Then discover Cardiff itself; explore Edwardian baroque architecture in Cathays park, home to the national museum and gallery of Wales, the Victorian shopping arcades, St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life or the lively Cardiff Bay which plays host to cultural centres and a host of waterfront bars and cafes. The city’s stunning centrepiece is Cardiff Castlewhich combines Roman and Norman history with a gloriously lavish Victorian mansion.

• Accommodation: overnight in Holm House, Penarth or New House Country Hotel, near Cardiff (2 nights).
• Distance: 105 miles / 170 km, 2 hours 10 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Laugharne, Castell Coch, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff City and Cardiff Bay.

DAY EIGHT – Return home

This morning, enjoy a final breakfast in your hotel before checking out. Return your vehicle in Cardiff (downtown or airport) and make your onward journey within Britain or returning to your home nation. Ask about onward rail travel to London and post-tour accommodation in the English Capital.

*Journey times and distances are estimates and are based on the direct route between the start location and end location for each day of the itinerary, where applicable. They do not include detours or stops for sightseeing.