Things to do in

Gwynedd

Discover the beauty of North Wales on a guided day tour from Manchester. Enjoy several stops at picturesque locations like the harbor town of Conwy, Snowdonia National Park, the quaint town of Betws-Y-Coed, and the historic town of Chester. Set off from Manchester in the morning and head straight for the border of Wales. Make your first stop in the day in the picture-perfect harbor town of Conwy, where you can take some time to explore its charming streets and visit the stately Conwy Castle perched on the shore. Continue the adventure and travel along the winding, scenic roads of the Snowdonia National Park before arriving in Betws-Y-Coed. Discover this quaint town which is known as the gateway to Snowdonia and is famous for its alpine trees and cozy cafes. Finally, make your way towards Chester, one of Britain's most historically significant towns. Enjoy some time to explore and marvel at the magnificent architecture of Chester Cathedral. After a day of exploration, relax on the return journey to Manchester, with drop-off in the city center.

Leave the music city of Liverpool and travel to Wales on a 90-minute, fully-narrated journey arriving at Llandudno. Visit the 12th-century hidden chapel of St. Tudno on the Great Orme.  Next is the walled town of Conwy, constructed in 1283 with a fabulous 3/4-mile wall circuit. Go inside Conwy Castle (not included), a gritty, dark-stoned fortress built by James of St. George in partnership with Frenchman Richard The Engineer. Afterward, head to Snowdonia National Park using carefully-selected, off-the-beaten-track routes with a stop at the so-called “capital of North Wales,” Betws-Y-Coed prayer house in the woods.  Finally, take the unique opportunity to experience the Pontcysyllte Canal Aqueduct, built by Sir Thomas Telford between 1795 and 1805. Prepare to be entertained and informed by your experienced guide and driver along the way.

Take a drive on the Great Orme Road, the longest of its kind in the UK, with spectacular cliffs, wildlife, and views out to the Irish Sea and Anglesey. Explore the ancient and medieval castle town of Conwy and admire the castle’s domineering and towering walls, whose magnificent towers stand tall over the beautiful estuary. Marvel at this little gem set upon the bank of the estuary and built into the castle walls is Great Britain’s smallest house. With arms outstretched, you can touch either side. Visit the famous Conwy suspension bridge, the first-ever of its kind, built in 1819. Enjoy a 45-minute walk of Caernarfon village and circumnavigate the outside of this spectacular and immense castle. Take a tour of Portmeirion, a colorful enchanting Italianate style colorful village like no other. Riviera-inspired houses, ornamental garden, and campanile are a beautiful pocket of madness like no other in a majestic setting. Travel through Snowdonia National Park and its spectacular driving routes. Pause at several viewpoints, witnessing great lakes, rivers, and views of Mount Snowdonia Summits. Stop at the 360°awe inspiring viewpoint of the valley below and its lakes. See the majestic Swallow waterfalls, where Snowdonia's water cascades over the rocky outcrops in a deep gorge setting. Stop at Tu-Hwnt-I'r Bont, one of Snowdonia’s most photographed and painted images. Take a scenic drive through Conwy Valley and the traditional Welsh villages en route back to Llandudno.

Leave the hustle and bustle of Manchester behind and explore North Wales for the day. With a drive through stunning landscapes and picturesque villages, you’ll see the beauty of North Wales in all its splendour. We’ll stop in the historic town of Conwy, here you’ll see the magnificent 13th century Castle that stands tall above the town. You’ll have time to explore and take in the sights and attractions that make the coastal town such a popular visitor destination. After a roam around the town, we’ll head off to explore the incredible Snowdonia National Park, stopping at different points they’ll be plenty of opportunities for photo stops and for you to really enjoy this beautiful national park. Heading to the National Slate Museum we’ll discover the fascinating history and heritage of the country; the Victorian workshop was built at the base of the Snowdonia Mountain also known as Eryi. Afterwards we’ll head to the Llanberis Lake Railway, where you can sit and relax and enjoy the views along Lake Pardarn in the heart of Snowdonia. (Please note the train ride is only included during March-October). Please note, that from 1st November 2024 we will be visiting the historic Caernarfon Castle, this medieval fortress is steeped in Wales' fascinating history. It stands as a testament to the nation's rich past. Here, you'll have time to explore its towering walls and uncover the pivotal role it played in shaping history. Whether you're fascinated by royal ceremonies or medieval battles, Caernarfon Castle offers a journey through time and truly brings history to life. We then head to the charming Welsh village of Betws-y-Coed situated in the heart of the National Park. The village, which was once a place for pilgrims, became a hub for artist and authors who took inspiration form the scenery and landscapes that surround it. It’s a wonderful stop on the tour and a great place for some free time to explore. We’ll then be heading back towards Manchester and back to reality after a day of discovering this incredible part of the world.

Leave the hustle and bustle of Liverpool behind and explore North Wales for the day. With a drive through stunning landscapes and picturesque villages, you’ll see the beauty of North Wales in all its splendour. We’ll stop in the historic town of Conwy, here you’ll see the magnificent 13th century Castle that stands tall above the town. You’ll have time to explore and take in the sights and attractions that make the coastal town such a popular visitor destination. After a roam around the town, we’ll head off to explore the incredible Snowdonia National Park, stopping at different points they’ll be plenty of opportunities for photo stops and for you to really enjoy this beautiful national park. Heading to the National Slate Museum we’ll discover the fascinating history and heritage of the country; the Victorian workshop was built at the base of the Snowdonia Mountain also known as Eryi. Afterwards we’ll head to the Llanberis Lake Railway, where you can sit and relax and enjoy the views along Lake Pardarn in the heart of Snowdonia. (Please note the train ride is only included during March-October). Please note, that from 1st November 2024 we will be visiting the historic Caernarfon Castle, this medieval fortress is steeped in Wales' fascinating history. It stands as a testament to the nation's rich past. Here, you'll have time to explore its towering walls and uncover the pivotal role it played in shaping history. Whether you're fascinated by royal ceremonies or medieval battles, Caernarfon Castle offers a journey through time and truly brings history to life. We then head to the charming Welsh village of Betws-y-Coed situated in the heart of the National Park. The village, which was once a place for pilgrims, became a hub for artist and authors who took inspiration form the scenery and landscapes that surround it. It’s a wonderful stop on the tour and a great place for some free time to explore. We’ll then be heading back towards Liverpool and back to reality after a day of discovering this incredible part of the world.

Leave the bustling city of Manchester and travel to Wales on a 90-minute fully-narrated journey arriving at Llandudno. Visit the 12th-century hidden chapel of St. Tudno on the Great Orme. Next is the walled town of Conwy, constructed in 1283 with a fabulous 3/4-mile wall circuit. Go inside Conwy Castle, a gritty, dark-stoned fortress built by James of St. George in partnership with the Frenchman - Richard The Engineer. Head into Snowdonia National Park where we take you off-the-beaten-track with a stop at the “capital of North Wales”: Betws-Y-Coed (prayer house in the woods). Finally, take the unique opportunity to experience the Pontcysyllte Canal Aqueduct, built by Sir Thomas Telford between 1795 and 1805. Prepare to be entertained and informed by your experienced guide and driver.

Immerse yourself in Welsh culture, heritage, and history on an unforgettable sightseeing day trip. Visit numerous attractions in the area including Snowdonia National Park, Caernarfon Castle, and Conwy Town and Castle all from the comfort of a minibus.   Start your day with a drive on the Great Orme Road, with spectacular views of cliffs, wildlife, and the Irish Sea and Anglesey. Your first stop may just be the highlight of your day: take a tour of the ancient Conwy Town and Castle. Walk the castle walls, stroll along the Conwy estuary, see some old Tudor houses, and take in traditional Welsh art and craft shops. In town, you’ll also see the finest surviving townhouse of the Elizabethan era to be found anywhere in Britain, as well as Great Britain’s smallest house and the world's first suspension bridge built in 1819. Drive along the beautiful north wales coastline before heading into the mountains. Visit the fierce fire breathing Welsh dragon guarding the Snowdonia National Park and Welsh from invaders, hidden within the trees Then, drive into the glacial Nant Ffrancon Pass and Roman Road, and Ogwen Valley in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, where you’ll take in views of the lakes, mountain villages, and the towering Snowdonia mountain range. Stop at Llyn Ogwen and learn the history of a fascinating find on the shores of the lakes from the 5th century. Soak up the 360° panoramic and spectacular view of Snowdonia Viewpoint. Possibly the finest view in Wales. Here, your guide will share with you some local history, Welsh myths, and legends along the way, including a drive down the famous Pen Y Pass. Breath-taking Llanberis and Padarn Park National Slate Museum is tlhe unch stop and is set within some of the most spectacular scenery in North Wales . Slate industry was one of the main economic motors of Wales. Step back in time and immerse yourself in a variety of talks and demonstrations to give you a real insight into the hardships of past quarry life. Admire the spectacular setting of Dolbadarn Castle ruins through the forest to the gateway of Snowdonia to learn about its fascinating past. Finally, visit Caernarfon Village and Castle. Take a walk around this UNESCO World Heritage Site, before heading back to the starting point.

Leave the Roman city of Chester and travel to Wales on a 90-minute, fully-narrated journey arriving at Llandudno. Visit the 12th-century hidden chapel of St. Tudno on the Great Orme. Next is the walled town of Conwy, constructed in 1283 with a fabulous 3/4-mile wall circuit. Go inside Conwy Castle, a gritty, dark-stoned fortress built by James of St. George in partnership with Frenchman Richard The Engineer. Afterwards, head to Snowdonia National Park using carefully-selected, off-the-beaten-track routes with a stop at the so-called “capital of North Wales,” Betws-Y-Coed prayer house in the woods. Finally, take the unique opportunity to experience the Pontcysyllte Canal Aqueduct, built by Sir Thomas Telford between 1795 and 1805. Prepare to be entertained and informed by your experienced guide and driver along the way.

Soak up the beauty of Llyn Padarn lake on this guided kayaking tour in Snowdonia. Take a dip in the glacial waters at the base of Mount Snowdon. Dive into local culture with a local guide that is eager to share the region's history and folklore.Meet your guide near the lake and get set up with kayaks, paddles, wetsuits, buoyancy aids, and water shoes. Once your are all geared up, watch as your guide demonstrates the kayaking basics before embarking on your lake adventure. Set sail on the open waters of Llyn Padarn which can only be accessed by boats without motors. Take in the tranquility with views Snowdon Mountain as you glide over water that is fresh from the mountain. Stop to admire a 16th century castle that was once occupied by a Welsh King. Hear the story of the king's ill-fated brother. Pass by the memorizing Welsh Slate Quarries. Keep an eye out for buzzards, peregrines, marlins, and goshawks.Have the option of cooling off with a wild swim or get supper-adventurous by going for a ride on a giant rope swing. Return to your meeting point at the end of your tour. 

Day 1: Leave London and travel west to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds through England’s prettiest historic villages. Get the best photos and hear the most fascinating local tales. Travel through the Welsh Marches marked out by the ancient Offa’s Dyke. Head into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and beautiful Elan Valley. Finally, head to the beautiful seaside town and cultural center of Aberystwyth, where you spend the next two nights. Day 2: Travel north into the mountainous Snowdonia National Park. You visit the beautiful village of Beddgelert, where you can see the grave of ‘Gelert’, the legendary dog. Later you travel to Harlech Castle. Built by King Edward I during his conquest of Wales nearly 800 years ago, this mighty fortress still stands overlooking the peaks of Snowdonia and the sea. After a fulfilling day in the mountains, you return to Aberystwyth in the late afternoon. Day 3: Travel around the coast of Cardigan Bay through Aberaeron to New Quay. Explore the picturesque harbor and get the chance to spot dolphins and whales. You then go inland to explore the Dinefwr Estate* (Newton House) and its ruined castle before heading for Wales’s south coast to visit Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas lived for the last few years of his life and wrote the famous play “Under Milk Wood”. From here, it’s a short distance to Tenby, the small, charming seaside town that’ll be your base for two nights. *When the Dinefwr Estate is closed, you visit Carreg Cennen Castle instead. Day 4: See some of Britain’s most gorgeous coastlines at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Travel to the tiny cathedral city of St Davids for lunch and exploration, and stop in the county town of Pembroke to enter the thick medieval walls of the castle. From here, return to Tenby for a relaxed evening. Day 5: Leaving Tenby in the morning, begin your return journey to London. Head past the industrial cities of South Wales to the outskirts of Cardiff, and visit the outdoor National History Museum. Take the Severn Bridge back into England, and take a break at Castle Combe, a Cotswold village perfect for a relaxed stroll amongst 16th-century ironstone cottages.