| 69 Pitt Street, Kidderminster Worcestershire, DY10 2UN, England Phone & Fax: 44 (0)1562632000 |
| This tour is suitable for anyone interested in rail travel as well as Castles, Stately Homes, Gardens and much more. You should be able to walk a reasonable distance, primarily on flat ground between stations and hotels, and on hosted city tours. Please ask if you have any queries regarding suitability |
| A delightful rural narrow gauge line that runs up the Banwy Valley to Llanfair Caereinion. |
| Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway |
| Originally a narrow gauge slate railway, now a major tourist steam railway and the oldest railway company in the world. |
| Ffestiniog Railway |
| The only rack railway in the UK. Great scenery on Mount Snowdon, although we cannot reach the very top. |
| Snowdon Mountain Railway |
| A 2 foot gauge steam railway that runs along the shores of Lake Pardarn. |
| Llanberis Lake Railway |
| Ride behind a narrow gauge Garratt locomotive on this impressive steam railway. |
| Welsh Highland Railway |
Ride them all! |
| The only standard gauge steam railway in north Wales |
| Llangollen Railway |
| A narrow gauge railway built in Victoria times to carry tourists from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge. Dramatic hillside scenery. |
| Vale or Rheidol Railway |
| Climb Constitution Hill on Britain's longest Furnicular railway. |
| Aberystwyth Cliff Railway |
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Day 1. Friday. 08 August 2008
Meet at Manchester Airport this morning. Travel by coach via the Conwy Valley to Llanrwst, and continue to
Betws y Coed for lunch and to visit the railway museum or the attractive town. The drive from there to
Caernarfon will take us over the Llanberis Pass in the shadow of Mount Snowdon.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2. Saturday. 09 August 2008
Ride on the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu in the Snowdon National Park. This line is
being rebuilt and will eventually join up with the Ffestiniog Railway at Porthmadog. The train should be
operated by an ex-South African Garratt articulated steam locomotive.
On arriving back in Caernarfon, stroll along the promenade under the old town walls, stopping off at the Black
Boy Inn for refreshments before visiting Caernarfon Castle, possibly the most famous of Wales’s many castles. Its
sheer scale and commanding presence easily set it apart from the rest and, to this day, still trumpet in no
uncertain terms the intention of its builder, Edward 1. Begun in 1283 as a definitive chapter in his conquest of
Wales, Caernarfon was constructed not only as a military stronghold, but as a seat of government and royal
palace. Caernarfon’s symbolic status was emphasized when Edward made sure that his son, the first English
Prince of Wales, was born here in 1284. In 1969, the castle regained worldwide fame as the setting for the
investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 3. Sunday. 10 August 2008
Visit the Bodnant Gardens – one of Britain’s most spectacular gardens, situated above the River Conwy with
views across Snowdonia. Begun in 1875, Bodnant is the creation of four generations of Aberconways and
features huge Italian terraces and formal lawns on its upper level, with a wooded valley, stream and wild
garden below.
Continue to Conwy. Included is a visit to Thomas Telford's first iron suspension bridge, where both bridge and
gatekeeper’s house have been preserved. This bridge stands alongside Stevenson’s tubular railway bridge that
is still in use. Both bridges were built in the first half of the 19th Century and are linked to a castle built by King
Edward 1st in the 13th Century! We will walk into the walled town via the harbour and the smallest house in
Britain. Included will be visits to Aberconwy House, the oldest house in Conwy, and Plas Mawr, a medieval
residence. We will end our tour with an interesting exploration of Conwy Castle.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 4. Monday. 11 August 2008
This morning, cross onto the island of Anglesey via George Stephenson’s famous Britannia Railway Bridge
which nowadays carries the railway and a road. Drive to Amlwch, the heritage port that once served the largest
copper mine in the world. Continue to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (Llanfair
PG), for a photocall at the station with the longest name in Britain. The name means “St Mary’s Church in the
hollow of the White Hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave.”
Visit Plas Newydd, home of the 7th Marquess of Anglesey situated on the banks of the Menai Straight. This
elegant 18th century house was built by James Wyatt and commands magnificent views of the beautiful
mountains of Snowdonia. A highlight is the wall mural painted by Rex Whistler, along with the small museum
that explores his works and life. There is also a military museum representing the first Marquess of Anglesey,
who commanded the cavalry at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. There will be time for lunch before we
continue.
Leave Anglesea and drive through Bangor to Penrhyn Castle. Built from the profits of Welsh slate and
Jamaican sugar, Penrhyn is an extravagant example of early 19th century neo-Norman architecture. Its
architect was Thomas Hooper, who also designed much of the furniture and filled the castle with intricate
carvings, stained glass and handmade wallpaper. Amongst the most interesting features is a one-ton slate bed
made for Queen Victoria, the spectacular Grand Staircase and the enormous Victorian kitchens. There is a lot
more to see in this amazing castle, including an industrial railway museum, doll museum, art and
photographic displays.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 5. Tuesday. 12 August 2008
Drive to Llanberis. Ride the Snowdon Mountain rack railway to the summit of the highest mountain in Wales
and England, Mount Snowdon. (weather permitting). Trains are either steam or diesel -hauled. At peak season,
there may be as many as eight trains on the mountain at one time, so we should see both types. At 1,085
meters (3,560 feet), Snowdon Mountain dominates North Wales. Since 1896, the Snowdon Mountain Railway
has been making it easy to reach the mountain peak. Spend 30 minutes at the summit before descending
again.
Drive to the Slate Museum, located in the old workshops of the Dinorwic Slate Mine. See the belt driven
machine rooms, and the giant water wheel that drives them. Visit the relocated miners cottages before having
lunch in the café. After lunch, ride the Llanberis Lake Railway. This small railway provides employment for the
local community following the closure of the slate mines, and remains a fun and friendly trip. The views across
the lake are wonderful as we make the journey to Penllyn and back.
Visit the Electric Mountain center and take a tour into the heart of the mountain to see a gigantic power
station that was built in an old slate cavern to avoid disturbing the national park.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 6. Wednesday. 13 August 2008
Transfer to the Ffestiniog Railway station at Porthmadog for a steam train to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The line
includes the only complete railway spiral in Britain, as well as great scenery through the Tan-y-Bwlch National
Park.
Continue to the seaside town of Tywyn with time for lunch before our journey on the Taly-llyn Railway. This is
the oldest preserved line in Wales, it winds up the side of a hill for 11.5 kilometers (7 miles) to the terminal at
Nant Gwernol where slate used to be loaded. On the return journey there will be a refreshment break at
Abergynolwyn.
Overnight: Aberystwyth.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 7. Thursday. 14 August 2008
This morning we will visit Aberystwyth. Walk down the Promenade, where we will ride the Cliff Railway to the
top of Constitution Hill, the longest cliff railway in Britain. Visit the world's largest Victorian Camera Obscura
before continuing to the town museum, attractively located in an old music hall. Enjoy lunch before returning
to the station to join an hour long journey on the narrow gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway. This takes us through
wonderful scenery to Devil’s Bridge, a small resort that was popular with the Victorians. After a brief visit, return
to Aberystwyth.
Overnight: Aberystwyth.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 8. Friday. 15 August 2008
After breakfast, drive to Llanfair Caereinion, terminal of the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. There will be
time to visit the station shop or the locomotive depot and workshops before boarding our train for Welshpool.
The 14.5-kilometer (9-mile) line faces some of the steepest grades on any preserved line in the UK as it travels
through the beautiful green hills of the Banwy Valley. The steam locomotive may be one of the original two
that have worked the line since it opened in 1902, or an import from Finland, Austria, Poland or Sierra Leone
in Africa.
Continue to the nearby Powis Castle and Garden. The world famous garden, overhung with enormous clipped
yew trees, shelters rare and tender plants in colorful herbaceous borders. Laid out under the influence of
Italian and French styles, the garden retains its original lead statues and an orangery. In the eighteenth
century an informal woodland wilderness was created on the opposing ridge with fine views over the Severn
River Valley. Perched on a rock above the garden terraces, the medieval Castle contains one of the finest
collections of paintings and furniture in Wales. It was originally built as a fortress by Welsh princes and was
later adapted and enriched by generations of Herberts and Clives. A collection of treasures from India
displayed in the Clive Museum includes textiles, armor, bronze, jade, ivory and a magnificent tent.
Overnight: Shrewsbury
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 9. Saturday. 16 August 2008
This morning we will join a train from Shrewsbury to Swansea on the scenic Heart of Wales Line. From there,
continue to Cardiff, arriving in time for lunch. This afternoon, enjoy a Cardiff City tour in an open top bus
before catching a train back to Shrewsbury via Hereford.
Overnight: Shrewsbury
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 10. Sunday. 17 August 2008
This morning we will take a walking tour of picturesque Shrewsbury. Drive to Llangollen, where we will visit the
Llangollen Railway and the horse drawn narrow boats before continuing to Manchester for the night.
Overnight: Manchester Airport Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast. Dinner.
Day 11. Monday. 18 August 2008
Tour ends after breakfast.
The Price
£1,240 Per person sharing accommodation
Starting at Manchester Airport on 08 August and ending at Manchester Airport on 18 August
2008.
£303 Single room supplement.
Your tour includes:
The price of your tour does not include:
Minimum number needed to confirm the tour: 10
Maximum number of guests: 25
Tour Manager: Geoff Cooke.
To book: Click Here
Questions: Click here or telephone 01562 632000
For a PDF printable copy of this itinerary, click here.
Meet at Manchester Airport this morning. Travel by coach via the Conwy Valley to Llanrwst, and continue to
Betws y Coed for lunch and to visit the railway museum or the attractive town. The drive from there to
Caernarfon will take us over the Llanberis Pass in the shadow of Mount Snowdon.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2. Saturday. 09 August 2008
Ride on the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu in the Snowdon National Park. This line is
being rebuilt and will eventually join up with the Ffestiniog Railway at Porthmadog. The train should be
operated by an ex-South African Garratt articulated steam locomotive.
On arriving back in Caernarfon, stroll along the promenade under the old town walls, stopping off at the Black
Boy Inn for refreshments before visiting Caernarfon Castle, possibly the most famous of Wales’s many castles. Its
sheer scale and commanding presence easily set it apart from the rest and, to this day, still trumpet in no
uncertain terms the intention of its builder, Edward 1. Begun in 1283 as a definitive chapter in his conquest of
Wales, Caernarfon was constructed not only as a military stronghold, but as a seat of government and royal
palace. Caernarfon’s symbolic status was emphasized when Edward made sure that his son, the first English
Prince of Wales, was born here in 1284. In 1969, the castle regained worldwide fame as the setting for the
investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 3. Sunday. 10 August 2008
Visit the Bodnant Gardens – one of Britain’s most spectacular gardens, situated above the River Conwy with
views across Snowdonia. Begun in 1875, Bodnant is the creation of four generations of Aberconways and
features huge Italian terraces and formal lawns on its upper level, with a wooded valley, stream and wild
garden below.
Continue to Conwy. Included is a visit to Thomas Telford's first iron suspension bridge, where both bridge and
gatekeeper’s house have been preserved. This bridge stands alongside Stevenson’s tubular railway bridge that
is still in use. Both bridges were built in the first half of the 19th Century and are linked to a castle built by King
Edward 1st in the 13th Century! We will walk into the walled town via the harbour and the smallest house in
Britain. Included will be visits to Aberconwy House, the oldest house in Conwy, and Plas Mawr, a medieval
residence. We will end our tour with an interesting exploration of Conwy Castle.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 4. Monday. 11 August 2008
This morning, cross onto the island of Anglesey via George Stephenson’s famous Britannia Railway Bridge
which nowadays carries the railway and a road. Drive to Amlwch, the heritage port that once served the largest
copper mine in the world. Continue to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (Llanfair
PG), for a photocall at the station with the longest name in Britain. The name means “St Mary’s Church in the
hollow of the White Hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave.”
Visit Plas Newydd, home of the 7th Marquess of Anglesey situated on the banks of the Menai Straight. This
elegant 18th century house was built by James Wyatt and commands magnificent views of the beautiful
mountains of Snowdonia. A highlight is the wall mural painted by Rex Whistler, along with the small museum
that explores his works and life. There is also a military museum representing the first Marquess of Anglesey,
who commanded the cavalry at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. There will be time for lunch before we
continue.
Leave Anglesea and drive through Bangor to Penrhyn Castle. Built from the profits of Welsh slate and
Jamaican sugar, Penrhyn is an extravagant example of early 19th century neo-Norman architecture. Its
architect was Thomas Hooper, who also designed much of the furniture and filled the castle with intricate
carvings, stained glass and handmade wallpaper. Amongst the most interesting features is a one-ton slate bed
made for Queen Victoria, the spectacular Grand Staircase and the enormous Victorian kitchens. There is a lot
more to see in this amazing castle, including an industrial railway museum, doll museum, art and
photographic displays.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 5. Tuesday. 12 August 2008
Drive to Llanberis. Ride the Snowdon Mountain rack railway to the summit of the highest mountain in Wales
and England, Mount Snowdon. (weather permitting). Trains are either steam or diesel -hauled. At peak season,
there may be as many as eight trains on the mountain at one time, so we should see both types. At 1,085
meters (3,560 feet), Snowdon Mountain dominates North Wales. Since 1896, the Snowdon Mountain Railway
has been making it easy to reach the mountain peak. Spend 30 minutes at the summit before descending
again.
Drive to the Slate Museum, located in the old workshops of the Dinorwic Slate Mine. See the belt driven
machine rooms, and the giant water wheel that drives them. Visit the relocated miners cottages before having
lunch in the café. After lunch, ride the Llanberis Lake Railway. This small railway provides employment for the
local community following the closure of the slate mines, and remains a fun and friendly trip. The views across
the lake are wonderful as we make the journey to Penllyn and back.
Visit the Electric Mountain center and take a tour into the heart of the mountain to see a gigantic power
station that was built in an old slate cavern to avoid disturbing the national park.
Overnight: Caernarfon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 6. Wednesday. 13 August 2008
Transfer to the Ffestiniog Railway station at Porthmadog for a steam train to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The line
includes the only complete railway spiral in Britain, as well as great scenery through the Tan-y-Bwlch National
Park.
Continue to the seaside town of Tywyn with time for lunch before our journey on the Taly-llyn Railway. This is
the oldest preserved line in Wales, it winds up the side of a hill for 11.5 kilometers (7 miles) to the terminal at
Nant Gwernol where slate used to be loaded. On the return journey there will be a refreshment break at
Abergynolwyn.
Overnight: Aberystwyth.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 7. Thursday. 14 August 2008
This morning we will visit Aberystwyth. Walk down the Promenade, where we will ride the Cliff Railway to the
top of Constitution Hill, the longest cliff railway in Britain. Visit the world's largest Victorian Camera Obscura
before continuing to the town museum, attractively located in an old music hall. Enjoy lunch before returning
to the station to join an hour long journey on the narrow gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway. This takes us through
wonderful scenery to Devil’s Bridge, a small resort that was popular with the Victorians. After a brief visit, return
to Aberystwyth.
Overnight: Aberystwyth.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 8. Friday. 15 August 2008
After breakfast, drive to Llanfair Caereinion, terminal of the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. There will be
time to visit the station shop or the locomotive depot and workshops before boarding our train for Welshpool.
The 14.5-kilometer (9-mile) line faces some of the steepest grades on any preserved line in the UK as it travels
through the beautiful green hills of the Banwy Valley. The steam locomotive may be one of the original two
that have worked the line since it opened in 1902, or an import from Finland, Austria, Poland or Sierra Leone
in Africa.
Continue to the nearby Powis Castle and Garden. The world famous garden, overhung with enormous clipped
yew trees, shelters rare and tender plants in colorful herbaceous borders. Laid out under the influence of
Italian and French styles, the garden retains its original lead statues and an orangery. In the eighteenth
century an informal woodland wilderness was created on the opposing ridge with fine views over the Severn
River Valley. Perched on a rock above the garden terraces, the medieval Castle contains one of the finest
collections of paintings and furniture in Wales. It was originally built as a fortress by Welsh princes and was
later adapted and enriched by generations of Herberts and Clives. A collection of treasures from India
displayed in the Clive Museum includes textiles, armor, bronze, jade, ivory and a magnificent tent.
Overnight: Shrewsbury
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 9. Saturday. 16 August 2008
This morning we will join a train from Shrewsbury to Swansea on the scenic Heart of Wales Line. From there,
continue to Cardiff, arriving in time for lunch. This afternoon, enjoy a Cardiff City tour in an open top bus
before catching a train back to Shrewsbury via Hereford.
Overnight: Shrewsbury
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 10. Sunday. 17 August 2008
This morning we will take a walking tour of picturesque Shrewsbury. Drive to Llangollen, where we will visit the
Llangollen Railway and the horse drawn narrow boats before continuing to Manchester for the night.
Overnight: Manchester Airport Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast. Dinner.
Day 11. Monday. 18 August 2008
Tour ends after breakfast.
The Price
£1,240 Per person sharing accommodation
Starting at Manchester Airport on 08 August and ending at Manchester Airport on 18 August
2008.
£303 Single room supplement.
Your tour includes:
- Coach transport
- Ten nights Accommodation in three star hotels
- All breakfasts and two dinners.
- All entry and train tickets for attractions and journeys described above.
- The services of a Tour Manager throughout.
The price of your tour does not include:
- Items of a personal nature.
- Gratuities.
- Air flights.
Minimum number needed to confirm the tour: 10
Maximum number of guests: 25
Tour Manager: Geoff Cooke.
To book: Click Here
Questions: Click here or telephone 01562 632000
For a PDF printable copy of this itinerary, click here.
Trains & Treasures of wales
08 to 18 August 2008
08 to 18 August 2008
| Our Wales Trains and Treasures Tour is a great tour if you enjoy travelling on small wayside trains through delightful scenery. See the best that Wales has to offer on a hosted tour with a difference. |
| The first preserved steam railway, and a Narrow Gauge Railway Museum |
| Talyllyn Railway |
| The franchise holder for the mainline railways across Wales. |
| Arriva Trains Wales |
