A Celtic Journey – Wales and Cornwall 2023

This morning, using your included rail pass, depart London by train for the short journey to the historic city of Salisbury. After leaving your luggage at the hotel, your afternoon is free to explore this charming destination; wander the cobbled streets to the impressive cathedral which boasts Europe’s oldest operating clock and an original copy of the Magna Carta. By evening, we get together to meet your tour leader and the rest of the group for a welcome meal.

Overnight: Salisbury

Meals: Dinner included.

Departing Salisbury, we’ll make the short journey to nearby Stonehenge. Here we can visit the state of the art visitor centre and exhibition to try to unravel the mysteries of this ancient site before walking the perimeter of the stone-circle itself, an enchanting experience. We’ll then pass south pausing to visit one of England’s most photographed streets before exploring the Dorset coast; this area is named the Jurassic Coast owing to its abundance of prehistoric fossils which can be found on the beaches. We’ll pause in one or more of the charming seaside towns before crossing the county border in to Devon, before settling in to our accommodation for the next two nights, where dinner awaits.

Overnight: Exeter or Dartmoor

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

This morning 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 Devonshire cream tea. Then it’s onward to explore South Devon where we enjoy a steam railway journey along the scenic valley of the river dart before returning to our overnight base.

Overnight: Exeter or Dartmoor

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today 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 charming 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. Enjoy an included dinner before relaxing in your room.

Overnight: Falmouth

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today we embark on an epic excursion to explore the farthest reaches of the Cornish Peninsula. We’ll explore craggy coastlines and fishing villages such as the charming seaside town of St Ives where we’ll enjoy free-time to wander the harbour or visit the renowned Tate Art Gallery. We’ll gain views of 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 Atlantic 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.

Departing Falmouth, we’ll make 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. Then it’s to nearby Charlestown for lunch; you may recognise this charming 18th century harbour town from the hit BBC show ”Poldark”. By afternoon, our journey takes us back through the Devonshire countryside to and in to rural Somerset and our final hotel. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: Taunton

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast before bidding farewell to your group and Cornwall tour leader. Using your included rail pass to make your onward journey to Wales by train. Arriving in Cardiff, the Welsh Capital, 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 an illustrious Victorian manor house. By evening meet your Wales tour leader for a group 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 Cardiff for a day of contrasts; we’ll ascend the renowned South Wales valleys to visit to experience Wales’ industrial heritage at Big Pit where we’ll have the opportunity to descend a an operational coal mine. We then pass West in to the Welsh countryside – we’ll pause at Laugharne the picturesque home-town of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, before continuing to the beautiful seaside town of Tenby. 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 harbour. This evening, enjoy a dinner together in your Pembrokeshire hotel.

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 and share stories over an included dinner.

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 for spectacular panoramic views or wandering the cobbled streets and 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 our hotel on the edge of the scenic Brecon Beacons where we will enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: near Brecon

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today we enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we make our way South through the barren uplands of the Brecon Beacons to the city of Newport 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 exploring the Welsh Capital or take the direct service back to London.

Meals: Breakfast included.