Laugharne

Castle & palace tours

Day 1: Leave London and travel west to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds through England’s prettiest historic villages. Get the best photos and hear the most fascinating local tales. Travel through the Welsh Marches marked out by the ancient Offa’s Dyke. Head into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and beautiful Elan Valley. Finally, head to the beautiful seaside town and cultural center of Aberystwyth, where you spend the next two nights. Day 2: Travel to the mountainous region of Snowdonia National Park. Visit the mountain village of Beddgelert to see the famous grave of Gelert, the legendary dog, or explore the nearby copper mine. Next, head to the town of Machynlleth to see the ancient clock tower and the quaint houses, and go antique hunting. Move on to Porthmadog and over the Cob causeway before reaching the impenetrable medieval Harlech Castle. After a fulfilling day, return to Aberystwyth in the late afternoon. Day 3: Travel around the coast of Cardigan Bay through Aberaeron to New Quay. Explore the picturesque harbor and get the chance to spot dolphins and whales. Head into the foreboding Black Mountains to explore a bedrock cave under a castle, before you visit Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas wrote the famous play Under Milk Wood. Move on to Tenby, a charming seaside town and your base for two nights. Day 4: See some of Britain’s most gorgeous coastlines at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Travel to the tiny cathedral city of St Davids for lunch and exploration, and stop in the county town of Pembroke to enter the thick medieval walls of the castle. From here, return to Tenby for a relaxed evening. Day 5: Leaving Tenby in the morning, begin your return journey to London. Head past the industrial cities of South Wales to the outskirts of Cardiff, and visit the outdoor National History Museum. Take the Severn Bridge back into England, and take a break at Castle Combe, a Cotswold village perfect for a relaxed stroll amongst 16th-century ironstone cottages.

Day 1: You leave Manchester and head straight for the border of Wales. Your first stop of the day is Conwy. This little town deserves to win awards for most picture-perfect harbour town. There’s a castle perched by the sea, the ‘world’s smallest house’, and lots of little restaurants boasting the best fish and chips. After you’ve soaked up the sea air, you cross the world’s first modern day suspension bridge across the Menai Straits and onto Anglesey Island. Prior to its construction, cattle farmers would have to persuade their herd to swim across the Menai Straits on their way to market. We head for the most westerly point of North Wales to marvel at the South Stack Lighthouse, sea cliffs, and nature reserve. But that’s not all. You stop in the lovely seaside town of Beaumaris, and also visit the town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll for a quick photo stop. Then you travel back over the bridge and along the coastline to Llandudno, your overnight stop. Day 2: This morning when you head off, your first stop is to Betws-y-Coed. This beautiful little village is known as the gateway to Snowdonia National Park. Next, sit back and watch Snowdonia’s mountains fly by as you continue onto Harlech Castle. This is one of our favourite castles in the whole of the UK. It boasts epic sea views and an amazingly war-torn history that involves a lot of dynamite. You then venture to one of the most charming and unique villages in Wales, Portmeirion. This town is the brainchild of Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis. He wanted to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful location could be developed without spoiling it. The result is a stunning piece of the Mediterranean transported into North Wales. You have free time here to explore and grab a bite to eat. You head back to Llandudno for the evening. Day 3: After breakfast, your first stop is to the Llanberis Slate Museum*. The history of the second largest slate mine on the planet will stay in your memory for a long time. For your lunch stop today, we head to Llangollen. Situated along the River Dee, this little town will steal your heart. Next you’re off to one of England’s most historic towns, Chester. There’s a lot to do here, but we’d advise you just head to the Cathedral, you could spend a whole week in this fine building and not get bored. You arrive back in Manchester in the early evening.

Take a day trip from Cardiff to West Wales, steeped in ancient history and myth, accompanied by a historian with a deep passion for Wales. Learn some Welsh, sample traditional food, and learn about the rich history and culture of Wales. See where the valleys begin to widen and the landscape starts to lend itself to farming more than industry. Discover the Norman Pembroke Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in West Wales, and learn how it was built and why. Find out what life was like in medieval times. Then, marvel at the delightful town of Tenby. Once a medieval port surrounded by castle walls, it is now one of Wales’s favorite holiday destinations. Enjoy a meal at a wealth of restaurants, take a walk on the harbor side, or relax at the two beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters. Visit The Dylan Thomas Birthday Walk in Laugharne, the sanctuary of poet Dylan Thomas, where he wrote some of his famous works including “Under Milk Wood.” Stop at a local pub for a pint, visit his boathouse and writing shed, or enjoy views of the estuary with the Norman Castle in the foreground.

We will visit the finest beaches, the spots with the most astounding views and many interesting features on our journey. You will travel in a modern and comfortable vehicle in the company of your driver guide. You will be able to spend time with the guide at each location, as they walk and talk about Wales, its history and culture or you are free to self explore and perhaps dip your toe into the sea, buy some souvenirs or get that perfect selfie. Your guide will recommend places to visit at each stop and will accompany you providing interpretation and local knowledge of the main sites. We will return for Cardiff for no later than 6pm and likely a little earlier. Bring your towel! Bring your swimming costume. You never how the day will play out :)

Day 1 It’s time to explore the beauty and history of south Wales. Leaving Bristol, your first main destination is St Davids, known as the smallest city in Britain. Despite its tiny stature, St Davids has claimed city status thanks to the 12th century cathedral found in the heart of the town. The cathedral is definitely worth a visit, not just for its beauty, but you can learn all about the history of the city inside. In the afternoon, your driver-guide will take you on a beautiful drive along the Pembrokeshire Coast in the south of Wales, choosing the best places to stop depending on what might interest the group. Hills, estuaries, valleys, and woodlands, this stunning region really has it all. Arrive in Tenby in the early evening and this is your destination for the night. Settlement in Tenby town dates back to the 9th century, so no surprise there’s plenty to see here. Day 2 Have the morning to explore Tenby and discover at your own pace. Witness the town's fascinating history and amazing icons, including what's left of Tenby Castle and the medieval town walls. Poetry lovers will enjoy the stop at the lovely town of Laugharne. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas lived in his boathouse here from 1949 until his death in 1953. See the boathouse, open to the public, or perhaps use your time for a quick refreshment since there are plenty of pubs to choose from. In the afternoon you can visit Carreg Cennen Castle. This incredible stronghold sits high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Cennen, so get your camera ready. There’s time here to explore the ruins and even grab a quick bite for lunch. Be treated to a drive through the scenic Brecon Beacons mountain range. A perfect way to end the day before you arrive in Abergavenny for the evening. Day 3 Bookworms get ready. Your first stop of the day is in Hay-on-Wye, known as the First Booktown in the World. This town has become famous for its secondhand and antiquarian bookshops, so your free time here could result in a small reading collection for your travels. Travel onwards to Ross-on-Wye, the UK’s best loved market town. Here you have some time to wander and grab some lunch. Board the bus and head off through the Wye Valley. This scenic route is considered the birthplace of British tourism and the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Your journey takes you to your next stop, Tintern Abbey. Sitting on the banks of River Wye, there’s some fascinating history behind this now-roofless national icon which was founded in 1131. Your last stop of the tour is in Chepstow where you can marvel at the power of Chepstow’s Norman castle. Arrive back in Bristol in the early evening.