One of Wales’ most popular visitor attractions, Cardiff Castle is the centre-piece of the Welsh capital city, home to Roman and Norman heritage not to mention a gloriously opulent mock Tudor mansion.
The settlement at Cardiff Castle dates back to the Romans who were first to inhabit the site and the outer walls of today’s castle still mark roughly the boundaries of the original Roman fort. In parts on the outer walls you can still see the original stonework whilst within the castle and the newly developed visitor centre there have been extensive excavation back to the Roman foundations.
At the heart of the castle grounds and overlooking the extensive lawns rises the original moat and tower which date back to the 12th century. These were constructed by the Normans when the castle was used as a military stronghold against the local population.
As needs changed, in the Tudor era a number of residential apartments were also added to the castle but the Castle’s history really comes alive as late as the 19th the century when the castle was acquired by the Marquis of Bute of Scotland. A successful coal baron in the thriving coal industry at the start of the industrial revolution, the marquis entirely revived the Tudor structures to create a lavish mansion. With the help of his wild imagination, extreme wealth for the times and the assistance of fashionable architect William Burges he transformed the castle adding an ornate clock tower and various spires and turrets. It was inside however that they excelled in their medieval gothic revival creating room after room of eccentrically themed and intricately decorated quarters; these include the summer smoking room elaborately decorated with jewels, the fairytale themed children’s nursery and the grandiose banqueting hall decorated with murals depicting the castle’s history. Today these quarters can only be visited on a guided tour which carries an extra fee but this is well worth it to see the unique interiors and hear the eccentric tales of the family and castle.
For a unique Welsh experience, don’t miss a visit to Cardiff Castle during your stay in the Welsh capital.
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Classic Britain Driving Tour - a snapshot of the countryside and historic cities of England, Scotland and Wales. Enjoy the rolling hills and thatch villages of the Cotswolds to the towering mountains and fortresses of North Wales. Pass through the lakes and dales of the English Lake District and the rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands and Yorkshire Dales. Historic cities to explore on route include Regency Bath, Medieval York, and the capital cities of Edinburgh and London.
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A Driving Tour of Wales - Immerse yourself in breath-taking natural scenery and an ancient Celtic culture as you explore the diminutive nation of Wales. A land of contrasts from the cosmopolitan capital city of Cardiff to the tiny cathedral village of St Davids and from the industrial valleys of the South to the majestic snow-capped peaks Snowdonia in North Wales you’ll see it all on this journey of discovery. Along the way see untouched coastlines, medieval fortresses, meandering rivers, ancient abbeys and a host of traditional towns and villages.
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A Rail Tour of Wales – Enjoy an epic rail journey taking you to all corners of this small but magnificent nation. Your rail tour takes you from the Welsh capital of Cardiff through the rugged coastlines of Pembrokeshire to the dramatic mountains of the Snowdonia National Park. Medieval castles and historic harbour towns await as well as some of Wales' renowned historic and heritage railway lines which will take you on some of the most scenic rail journeys that Britain has to offer. All in all a comprehensive tour of Wales travelling by train.
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Enjoy an England and Wales driving tour to experience the contrasts of two distinct British cultures on this in-depth tour of two of Britain's intriguing nations. Enjoy the contrasting vistas of the patchwork fields of the Cotswolds, the rustic Yorkshire Dales, the mountains of Snowdonia and the coastlines of the Pembrokeshire National Park. Not to mention icons of English and Welsh history at Conwy Castle, York Minster, Shakespeare’s Stratford, Cardiff Castle and Stonehenge.
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A Wales small group tour – Wales is a land of myth and mystery, dramatic landscapes and a rich Celtic heritage just waiting to be discovered. On this journey your explore all aspects and regions of this small but fascinating nation. The Wonders of Wales takes us to the nation’s major sites, through some of Britain’s most beguiling countryside, along dramatic coastlines and introduces us to Welsh history, language and culture old and new!
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A small group tour of Britain – discover what makes Britain Great on this small group journey through the diverse cultures and landscapes of England, Scotland and Wales. This comprehensive itinerary takes you from the peaceful coasts and mountains of Wales, through rustic landscapes of rural England and north in to remote wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. We’ll see iconic landmarks and hidden gems, visit Britain’s quaint villages and heritage cities and enjoy a host of local experiences from steam train rides through the English countryside to whisky tasting in the Highlands. In the company of your local guides, the Great British Journey is the ultimate way to explore Britain.
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A Great Britain Rail Tour - Make use of Britain's extensive rail network on this comprehensive rail tour through England, Scotland and Wales. Your journey will take you from the bustling city of London over scenic rail routes to the remote Highlands of Scotland. You’ll experience Britain’s many cultural highlights along the way including the historic cities of Cardiff, Bath, York and Edinburgh. In selected destinations your trip is complemented with small-group day tours to ensure you reach those out-of-the-way highlights such as Stonehenge, the rustic scenery of the Lake District and Loch Ness.
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A Castle Tour of Wales – A nation renowned for its ancient fortresses, discover the heritage and natural beauty of Wales on a trip staying in elegant country house hotels and grandiose castle accommodations. Explore the untouched landscapes of Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire and the awe-inspiring ruins of Wales' glorious World Heritage Castles including Conwy, Harlech and Caernarfon. Your tour ends with two nights in the cosmopolitan capital city of Cardiff.
View this tourA small group tour of Wales – Discover beguiling natural landscapes and an utterly unique heritage on this journey through the enchanting nation of Wales. Following a stay in the cosmopolitan capital of Cardiff, we’ll explore the dramatic coastlines of Pembrokeshire, the barren moorlands of the Brecon Beacons and the towering mountains of the Snowdonia National Park. Along the way we’ll encounter colossal castles, walled medieval towns, secluded villages and ancient abbey ruins. Wales is an undiscovered gem that will leave you enchanted by its natural beauty and ancient Celtic heritage.
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A small group tour of Wales and England – This journey of discovery takes you through the contrasting landscapes of the rugged coastlines and mountains of Wales to the mellow rolling hills of the English Cotswolds. We’ll encounter medieval castles, walled towns and epic vistas aplenty as we discover the unique culture and countryside of Wales. Then it’s over the border to visit the elegant historic cities and honey-coloured villages of the heart of England. Along the way we’ll wander cobbled streets, walk amongst ancient standing stones, step inside historic abbeys and even visit a working farm.
View this tourA small group tour of England and Wales – Enjoy an epic journey of discovery through the varied histories and landscapes of England and Wales. We’ll see many of Britain’s most beautiful natural landscapes from the golden coasts of Pembrokeshire and the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales to the rustic hills and vales of Yorkshire and the Lake District in England. Along the way we’ll sample traditional fare and enjoy a host of local visits and experiences including archetypal medieval fortresses, stately English manors, ancient abbeys and historic steam train journeys; the ideal tour to discover the very essence of Britain.
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A Great Britain driving tour - experience all that is great about Britain on the ultimate tour of England, Scotland and Wales. See it all, from the thriving capital cities of London, Edinburgh and Cardiff to the remote Scottish Highlands, tranquil Lake District and spectacular Snowdonia National Park. Along the way you’ll experience diverse cultures and histories and see world-famous landmarks including Stonehenge, the Roman Baths, Cardiff Castle, the Cotswolds, Hadrian’s Wall, Loch Ness and Edinburgh Castle.
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Rail Tour of Britain – Travel by train on this rail adventure through Britain touching the highlights of England, Scotland and Wales. Visit the elegant historic cities of York, Bath and Chester and enjoy scenic rail journeys through the rolling hills of the English Lake District, the Scottish Lowlands and the Welsh border Marches. Your trip is rounded off with stays in no fewer than three capital cities in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff and includes selected day-tours to reach more rural sites such as the Cotswolds and Stonehenge.
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A British Rail Tour – Get two countries for the price of one as you use the British rail network to explore the rails England and Wales. Your itinerary will include scenic rail rides through the scenic Welsh border Marches and over the Yorkshire Dales whilst overnight stops include the historic cities of Chester and York and the cosmopolitan Welsh capital city of Cardiff. In order to best explore the rural landscapes of Wales we’ve included two separate day tours to explore the South Wales countryside and the mountains of Snowdonia in the North Wales.
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