Rails of Wales

After arriving into Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, validate your BritRail Passes and travel by rail to the vibrant Welsh capital city of Cardiff, your base for the next three nights. Drop your bags at your hotel begin by wandering the Edwardian Baroque architecture of Cathays Park, home to the National Museum and Gallery of Wales, the Victorian market and shopping arcades or tour the famous Millennium Stadium home of the Welsh national rugby team. Not to be missed is the city's magnificent centrepiece at Cardiff Castle which combines Roman walls and Norman tower with a gloriously lavish Victorian mansion.

Overnight: Cardiff

Journey details: 20 minutes to London (via Gatwick/ Heathrow Express) and London Underground, followed by 2 hours to Cardiff (approx.)*

A short train ride from the centre is the cosmopolitan Cardiff Bay; once the largest coal port in the world, the rejuvenated bay is now home to a host of sites including the seat of Welsh government, the Millennium Centre, the Victorian Pierhead building and Norwegian Church. By afternoon you may choose to take a local bus or taxi to the open-air museum at St Fagans which showcases Welsh life through the ages, or take a short train ride to nearby Caerphilly to see the magnificent ruins of the 13th century fortress at Caerphilly Castle complete with concentric moat and leaning tower.

Overnight: Cardiff

Meals: Breakfast included

Today is dedicated to exploring rural South Wales which is more difficult to reach by rail alone. Meet your local guide and tour group for a journey to take you away from the bright lights of Cardiff deep in to the scenic Wye Valley. On your journey we’ll make various stops to take in beautiful forest vistas, charming Welsh market towns and enchanting historic sites ; we’ll pause at the elegant ruins of Tintern Abbey, which once inspire Wordsworth, and stop at one of the magnificent medieval fortresses which dot the Welsh borders region. Please note: on some days an alternative tour to the Gower Peninsula or the Brecon Beacons may substituted.

Overnight: Cardiff

Meals: Breakfast included

Today board the train and head west passing firstly through industrial South Wales then into the rolling hills of Carmarthenshire. Make your way in to one of the nation's most scenic corners, Pembrokeshire, a peninsula home to almost two hundred miles of protected coastline. Head for Tenby, your base for the next two nights; Tenby is one of Wales’ best kept secrets, home to a bustling natural harbour, Norman Castle and city walls, a labyrinth of cobbled streets and flanked by far reaching, sparkling sandy bays.

Overnight: Tenby

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 3 hours (approx.)*

With Tenby as your base today you can make some short rail journeys to visit nearby towns and villages of Pembrokseshire. You may like to head along the coastline to the harbour village of Saundersfoot to sample a traditional fish ‘n’ chips on the seafront or inland to the tiny village of Lamphey home to an historic Bishop's Palace. Alternatively, make your way inland to the town of Pembroke to visit the imposing medieval fortress at Pembroke Castle.

Overnight: Tenby

Meals: Breakfast included

Today embark on a rail journey to the historic town of Shrewsbury – on route you’ll either pass through central Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park on the Heart of Wales line or through the rolling hills of the Welsh Border Marches. Arriving in the English border town of Shrewsbury you can explore this traditional market town of Tudor timberwork buildings. Climb to the unique red sandstone castle, home to a local museum, gallery and gardens, spot the Charles Darwin Monument or visit Shrewsbury Abbey which inspired the stories and television series of medieval monk Brother Cadfael.

Overnight: Shrewsbury

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 5 hours 15 minutes (approx.)*

Today a scenic rail journey takes you back over the border into Wales and along the North Wales coast to the Victorian resort town of Llandudno, your base for the next two nigths. You may choose to take a ride on the oldest working cable tramway in Britain which offer trips to the summit of the Great Orme headland offering vistas of Snowdonia and the Isle of Anglesey. A short rail ride from Landudno is another of Wales’ hidden gems at Conwy, a town seemingly frozen in time with its traditional market square, stunningly preserved medieval town walls and an imposing 13th century fortress.

Overnight: Llandudno

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 2 hours and 20 minutes (approx.)*

This morning embark on a rail journey along north Wales’ stunning Conwy Valley line taking you in to the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. Potential stops are the village of Llanwryst to visit the beautifully restored Tudor Mansion at Gwydir Castle or the village of Dolwyddelan to hike up to the medieval tower offering spectacular panoramic views over Snowdonia. If you travel as far as traditional slate quarrying town of Blanau Ffestiniog you may choose to take the narrow gauge historic steam train mountain railway winding down the side of the mountain to Porthmadog (please note this is not included in your rail pass).

Overnight: Llandudno

Meals: Breakfast included

Today return over the border and through the heart of England to London to explore the stunning English Capital. London is a thriving metropolis with a vibrant modern culture and rich history and heritage. Explore world renowned sights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. In the East of the city you’ll find the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. By evening why not take a flight on the London Eye for spectacular views of the city skyline.

Overnight: London

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 3 hours and 40 minutes (approx.)*

Today bid farewell to the UK as you board the Heathrow or Gatwick Express rail links to take you back to your departure airport.

Meals: Breakfast included