A Celtic Journey – Wales and Cornwall 2024

This morning, use your included rail pass to take the train deep in to the English West Country. Arriving in England’s sunniest city, your afternoon is free to relax or explore the charming city of Exeter. Perhaps visit the Royal Albert Museum, visit the historic quayside or simply take in the views on the green in front of the stunning Norman Cathedral which dates back more than 650 years. By evening, we get together to meet your tour leader and the rest of the group for a welcome meal.

Overnight: Exeter

Meals: Dinner included.

Today we explore the rugged beauty of South Devon. Crossing the wilds of the Dartmoor National Park we’ll see desolate landscapes, rocky tors and wild ponies before pausing in one or more of the quaint moorland villages. The charming market town of Tavistock makes for the perfect spot for a traditional cream tea. By afternoon, we make our way to the hidden gem at Buckfast Abbey to enjoy the beautiful abbey church and manicured gardens whose tranquillity belie a tumultuous history. Upon returning to Exeter, enjoy your evening at leisure.

Overnight: Exeter

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning we cross the county border in to Cornwall. Arriving on the North Cornish coast, we’ll visit Tintagel Castle, a dramatic cliffside fort steeped in Arthurian Legend and reputedly home to Merlin’s cave beneath. Then we’ll pass South along the coast to visit the quintessential fishing village of Port Isaac, better known as Port Wen, the stomping ground of television’s ”Doc Martin”. Here we’ll enjoy a brief walk through the village before free-time to explore. By afternoon, we’ll cross the Cornish Peninsula to the South heading for the seaside resort of Falmouth home to sweeping sandy bays and our overnight base for the next two nights.

Overnight: Falmouth

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Our day today takes us on an epic excursion to explore the farthest reaches of the Cornish Peninsula. We’ll navigate Cornwall’s dramatic coastlines, discover the historic mines of Poldark country, pause in cobbled fishing towns such as the bohemian artist retreat of St Ives and visit the most southerly point in Britain where only the Atlantic separates you from the Americas. We’ll spot the island monastery of St Michaels Mount and visit the enchanting Minack Theatre – an amphitheatre carved in to the Cornish cliffs over-looking the churning waters of the ocean. After our enjoyable day we’ll return to Falmouth where your evening is free to dine at your leisure.

Overnight: Falmouth

Meals: Breakfast included.

It’s an early start, for today we bid farewell to Cornwall but not before making our way to the magnificent Eden Project; set in the colossal crater of a former china clay pit, the site consists of a collection of diverse contemporary gardens and tropical biodomes. Later we’ll continue North passing through the Devonshire countryside and then onwards through Somerset’s picturesque Mendip Hills, an area of protected natural beauty. Our destination this evening is the elegant city of Bath, a city which enjoys UNESCO world heritage status owing to its unique history and architecture.

Overnight: Bath

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning we'll enjoy a brief walk around Bath; you'll feel like you're stepping in to the pages of an Austen novel as you stroll the city's broad avenues and take in the elegant Georgian architecture. Later there is plenty of free time to explore the city independently before using your complimentary tickets to visit the undoubted highlight at the magnificent Roman Baths which date back 2000 years. By evening, we reconvene for a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Bath

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast before bidding farewell to your England group and tour leader. After checking out from your hotel, take the train to over the border in to Wales to the capital city of Cardiff (journey duration 1hr approx.). After checking in to your hotel the afternoon is yours to explore the city at your own pace. With your included tickets, you can visit the unique Cardiff Castle whose history stretches from Roman times right through to the industrial revolution and an illustrious Victorian manor house. By evening meet your Wales tour leader and the rest of the group where we’ll enjoy a hearty Welsh dinner together.

Overnight: Cardiff

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Boarding the mini-coach, a short ride from central Cardiff, we’ll visit the Museum of Welsh Life; set in the expansive grounds of the Elizabethan manor house of St Fagan’s Castle you can trace Welsh life through the centuries. We’ll then head for the cosmopolitan Cardiff Bay area to see the vibrant Mermaid Quay which is now a hub of Welsh heritage and politics and is home to a host of waterfront cafes, bars and eateries. Your afternoon is free to explore “the Bay” or return to central Cardiff to see more of the historic city.

Overnight: Cardiff

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we leave the bright lights of Cardiff for Wales’ for the dramatic coastlines of Pembrokeshire. On route, we’ll pause at the magnificent National Botanic Garden of Wales, set amongst a nature reserve spanning 500 acres before heading for the village of Laugharne, the picturesque home-town of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Later we continuing to the beautiful seaside town of Tenby where there’ll be time to wander the within the 13th century town walls, see the sweeping golden bays or climb the rocky headland overlooking the picture-postcard harbour.

Overnight: Pembrokeshire

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

This morning we continue to explore the natural scenery of the protected Pembrokeshire Coast. We’ll head for St Davids, namesake of Wales’ patron saint. This tiny village enjoys city status owing to its beautiful cathedral and Bishop’s Palace. From here we’ll turn North and follow Wales’ scenic west coast past the sweeping sands of Cardigan Bay and in to rural mid-Wales. We’ll pause in one or more of the bustling harbour towns before arriving in Aberystwyth, our overnight destination. In the evening we enjoy our dinner together.

Overnight: Aberystwyth

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

After a hearty Welsh breakfast we’ll enjoy a scenic drive North to the intriguing town of Portmeirion. Nestling in a sheltered position on an enclosed estuary this beautiful Italian style village was uniquely designed by Sir William Clough Ellis and has since been used for various television productions. After plenty of time to explore, we’ll head for the local train station – here it’s all aboard a narrow gauge steam train for an epic mountain railway journey of breath-taking views in to the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. Later we retire to our base in Llandudno on the North Wales coast.

Overnight: Llandudno

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today is a free day to enjoy at leisure; equipped with your complimentary open-top bus tour tickets you can explore the contrasting towns of Llandudno and nearby Conwy at your own pace. Llandudno is an elegant Victorian seaside resort with a sweeping sandy bay and long promenade whilst Conwy is a cobbled medieval market town nestled on the shores of the Conwy estuary. Between the two there are a host of leisure and visitor attractions to enjoy including a Victorian cable tramway ride to the top of the Great Orme headland or a walk along the medieval town walls to the ramparts of the imposing 13th century fortress at Conwy Castle.

Overnight: Llandudno

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we make our way south along the course of the Conwy Valley to the charming Welsh town of Llangollen home of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a stunning waterway which carries boats more than 100 feet above the valley floor and enjoys World Heritage status. By afternoon we’ll continue south to visit the beautiful National Trust Powis Castle where we’ll admire the interior collections of the Herbert family and explore the elegant manicured and wild gardens. Later we continue in to the scenic border marches to our overnight hotel where we will enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: Brecon Beacons

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today we enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we transfer to Newport Train Station in South where you bid farewell to your driver. Using your complimentary rail passes you can choose to take the train either back to Cardiff to continue to explore the Welsh capital or head back to London on the direct service.

Meals: Breakfast included.