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Key Features
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Tour feature: Unique Castle and Manor Accommodation
  1. Day 1 The Wye Valley, Tintern Abbey and the Brecon Beacons

    Arriving in London or Bristol, head West and across the Severn Estuary in to the magical land of Wales. Collect your vehicle in Cardiff, you may choose to stop at border town Chepstow to see the stunning medieval fortress at Chepstow Castle before following the beautiful Wye Valley to the attractive ruins of Tintern Abbey. Passing the market towns of Monmouth and Abergavenny and in the shadow of Raglan Castle you arrive in the dramatic moorlands of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

    Overnight: Gliffaes Country House Hotel or The Bear Hotel, Brecon Beacons National Park

    Journey details: 75 miles / 120 km, 2 hours (approx.), if starting in central Cardiff*

  2. Day 2 Powis Castle and Llangollen

    Continue north in to the hills of mid Wales and stop at the elegant Powis Castle to explore the medieval fortress and its celebrated gardens and grounds before passing in to the border Marches. You may stop at Chirk Castle on route to quaint Welsh town of Llangollen, home to Wales' national Eistedfordd festival each year. This tiny town is a real gem, home to the mysterious Caer Drewyn hill fort, the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which carries canal boats 126 feet above the valley floor, and the traditional Llangollen Steam Railway. Continue to your nearby Castle Hotel which will be your base for the next two nights.

    Overnight: Ruthin Castle, Ruthin or Bodysgallen Hall Hotel, Conwy, North Wales.

    Meals: Breakfast included

    Journey details: 115 miles / 185 km, 3 hours (approx.)*

  3. Day 3 Llandudno and Conwy Castle

    Today pass through the heart of the beautiful Snowdonia National Park and Conwy Valley to the north coast of Wales. In the charming seaside resort town of Llandudno you can enjoy the elegant Victorian town-houses and promenade or ride a cable tram-way up the Great Orme. Nearby you'll find the beautiful town of Conwy, still almost completely encircled by its medieval city walls it is seemingly frozen in time; explore a tangle of medieval cobbled streets and market places, a tiny port and the most dramatic of Castles overlooking the town. Return to Ruthin for your overnight stay.

    Overnight: Ruthin Castle, Ruthin or Bodysgallen Hall Hotel, Conwy, North Wales.

    Meals: Breakfast included

  4. Day 4 Snowdonia National Park and Port Meirion

    Today, you may choose to visit Caernarfon Castle in the far North West Wales the imposing venue of the 1969 investiture of Prince Charles the Prince of Wales. Then make your way south along Wales’ West coast. At Porthmadog, you may choose to take a scenic ride on the Snowdon mountain railway or visit the intriguing Italianate town of Portmeirion made famous by the sixties cult TV show, the Prisoner. Perhaps stop at another of Wales’ UNESCO World Heritage fortresses at Harlech Castle, dramatically perched overlooking the Irish Sea before before arriving at your accommodation near to the coastal town of Aberystwyth.

    Overnight: Penmaenuchaf Hall, near Dolgellau or Nanteos Mansion, near Aberystwyth.

    Meals: Breakfast included

    Journey details: 130 miles / 3hrs approx*

  5. Day 5 St Davids and the Pembrokeshire Coast

    Today continue South 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. Perhaps walk stretches of the famous coastal path across bays and cliffs on route to visit the tiny settlement of St Davids; the patron Saint's namesake is a tiny village but enjoys city status due to its stunning cathedral and Bishop's Palace. Time-permitting, visit the historic coastal town of Tenby home to a bustling natural harbour and Norman town walls.

    Overnight: The Grove at Narbeth or Roch Castle, Pembrokeshire

    Meals: Breakfast included

    Journey details: 100 miles / 2hrs 30mins approx.*

  6. Day 6 Laugharne Boathouse and Caerphilly 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 area spend the balance of the day exploring its outlying areas. Visit the contrasting castles at Castell Coch and Caerphilly Castle; the former is a Victorian fairy-tale folly of turrets and towers whilst the latter is a 13th century fortress complete with battlements, moat and a famous leaning tower. Round off the day with a visit to St Fagans National Museum of Wales, a living museum detailing Welsh history from Celtic times through to its industrial heritage.

    Overnight: Holm House, Penarth or Lanely Hall, Pontyclun, near Cardiff

    Meals: Breakfast included

    Journey details: 90 miles / 1hr 45 mins approx *

  7. Day 7 Cardiff City, Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay

    Today make your way in to central Cardiff to explore the cosmopolitan Welsh capital. Discover the Edwardian baroque architecture of Cathays park, home to the national museum and gallery of Wales, or shop in the unique Victorian shopping arcades. You may choose to visit the Cardiff Bay area where you’ll find the Norwegian Church, the cultural Welsh Millennium Centre and the beautiful red-brick pierhead building. By afternoon, head back to the city centre to see the magnificent centrepiece at Cardiff Castle; this sprawling castle combines Roman walls, a Norman motte and tower and a gloriously lavish Victorian mansion.

    Overnight: Holm House, Penarth or Lanely Hall, Pontyclun, near Cardiff

    Meals: Breakfast included

  8. Day 8 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.

What's included

  • 7 nights accommodation in Castle Hotel or Manor House accommodation as per the itinerary (also listed below).
  • Full cooked Welsh breakfast each morning.
  • 8 days car rental inclusive of all mandatory taxes, insurances and charges.
  • Admission to Cardiff Castle.
  • CADW Wales Explorer Pass (7 days in 14) offering admission to dozens of Castles and historic sites across South Wales such as Beaumaris or Caerphilly castles.
  • Shipment of your personal travel document and information pack containing all travel vouchers/tickets, printed copy of your itinerary, overview driving map and our own travel information and tips.
  • Toll-free calls (from USA and Canada) to your Britain vacation specialist whilst planning your trip.
  • Expert assistance during the planning of your trip and local out-of-hours number for use during travel.

Suggested accommodations

  • Gliffaes Country House Hotel, Brecon Beacons x 1 night
  • Ruthin Castle, Ruthin, Conwy, North Wales x 2 nights
  • Nanteos Manor, nr Aberystwyth, Mid Wales x 1 night
  • The Grove at Narbeth, Pembrokeshire x 1 night
  • Holm House, Penarth, nr Cardiff x 2 nights

As our self-drive tours are fully customizable we can tailor the suggested accommodations for your particular quotation based on your preferences, budget etc.

All accommodations are subject to availability for requested dates however adeo Travel will offer a comparable alternative if/when the above are unavailable.

Optional extras

  • Add pre/post tour accommodation in Cardiff or London before or after your trip.
  • Add an extra night in Pembrokeshire to enjoy this coastal region.
  • Enjoy a traditional Welsh evening including food and entertainment.
  • Add rail travel to/from Cardiff before or after your tour.
  • Upgrade to automatic transmission vehicle for your tour.

Customize this tour!

  • Add an extra night in a feature hotel on the remote Isle of Anglesey in North Wales.
  • Add extra nights in any location to further explore the area.
  • Have your very own private driver-guide chauffeur your tour.
  • Combine this tour with our Castles and Manors of England Tour.

Exclusions

  • Trip Insurance – we ask that our guests purchase suitable cover in case planned travel is affected or disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances. More information on the benefits of trip insurance can be found here.
  • Flights – adeo Travel do not book air travel but are happy to offer advice on where to seek competitive airfare.
  • Meals and/or sightseeing other than that outlined above.

Departure Dates 2023/2024

This self-guided tour is customizable and can be taken at any time throughout the year and starting and ending on any day of the week - simply let us know your preferred dates of travel!

Pricing 2023/2024

From GBP £1,845 per person (based on two people travelling).

 

Representative pricing above based on travel in shoulder-season travel (April/October) with two people sharing a twin/double room, staying in sample accommodations as listed and sharing a compact automatic vehicle. For a direct quote for your preferred dates of travel please contact us.

 

Single supplements apply for single occupancy rooms, please ask for a quotation for details.

Pricing Notes

  • Above pricing is an estimated "from" price based on shoulder-season travel (April/October). As this tour can be taken at any time pricing will vary dependent on departure day, date of travel, selected accommodations etc.
  • Above pricing is based on suggested accommodations listed however please note that we can tailor your specific quote to accommodate your budget and preferences.
  • Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room and one vehicle.
  • Prices are for land only travel and do not include flights.
  • Prices are in GBP£ currency, for approximate amounts in other currencies please contact us.
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