Things to do in

Caerphilly County

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Welsh history and natural beauty with our Three Castles and Welsh Mountains tour, a must for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. Starting in the vibrant city of Cardiff, you'll catch a drive-by glimpse of the imposing Cardiff Castle, home to the Romans during their occupation of Wales and an iconic symbol of the city’s medieval past. We then whisk you away to the Castell Coch, a 19th-century marvel designed by the renowned architect William Burges. Nestled in the wooded hills, this gothic revival masterpiece is known as the 'fairy-tale' castle thanks to its tapered turrets and conical rooves. Next, we head to the awe-inspiring Caerphilly Castle, a 13th century fortress, and the largest castle in Wales - aptly surrounded by beautiful lake water defences and boasting dramatic towers. Take your time exploring its rich history, including the famous leaning tower that rivals Pisa! Enjoy some free time and a relaxing lunch break in the town of Caerphilly, whilst admiring the views of one of Wales’ most impressive medieval structures. After lunch, the journey continues through the breathtaking landscapes of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Marvel at the sweeping views of rugged mountains, rolling hills, and vast open spaces, home to wildlife and ancient legends. This area is known for its outstanding natural beauty and is one of Wales' best-loved national parks. Finally, we arrive in the charming market town of Brecon. Here, you can choose to take a leisurely walk along the tranquil canal side which has often been voted Britain's prettiest canal, or pay a visit to the historic Brecon Cathedral, a peaceful sanctuary that dates back over 900 years. With a mix of history, architecture, and natural wonders, this tour offers a perfect snapshot of Wales’ finest treasures.

Discover South Wales in the company of a historian and native Welsh speaker, on this guided tour from Cardiff. After being picked up from your hotel, be whisked away to the countryside. Get a breakdown of the Welsh language and gain a deeper insight into culture. Continue to Tintern Abbey, a national icon that is still standing in roofless splendor on the banks of the River Wye nearly 500 years since its tragic fall from grace. Explore the hauntingly beautiful ruins of a medieval abbey have inspired artists, poets, and travelers. Then, enjoy a walk around the market town and visit Chepstow Castle, the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain. Enjoy its stunning setting overlooking the River Wye and spend an hour here. Finally, visit the 13th-century Caerphilly Castle, Wales' largest and Britain's second-largest castle behind Windsor. As you marvel at its massive walls, towers, and gatehouses, see how it stands out from other Welsh castles.

The cost of this tour includes entry to all the locations visited. We will have an hour or more at each attraction with travelling time making up the rest of the nine hours. Our lunch location will be at a small cafe in Tintern. You will travel in a modern and luxurious fully electric vehicle, limited to a maximum of seven passengers, in the company of your driver guide, Andy, who is a Mountain Leader and a Green Badged Tourist Guide, an ambassador for many areas of Wales and a Visit Wales Pro. Oh, and amongst other things tourism and adventure, he’s also been chair of Brecon Beacons Tourism and a Brecon Beacons National Park Warden. Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre is our first stop. A fine example of a spot once used for combat and games and perhaps even is the fabled round table from the King Arthur legend. We then visit the two museums in Caerleon, the National Legionary Museum and the Roman Baths. Next stop is Chepstow Castle, which is is magnificent. Once inside its walls, you'll feel yourself taken back in time and perhaps imagine being a Lord or Lady from times past. Tintern Abbey is glorious! Its ruins are a testament to a troubled past but now, in the Wye Valley, it is quiet and contemplation that is most often experienced. Caerphilly Castle is quite remarkable! It has a leaning tower, just like Pisa. A rather fine example of a moated castle with much of its towers and walls intact. Castell Coch is our final destination and it's a beauty. Renovated by the Victorians, it is gorgeous both inside and out. Know Before You Go This tour will take place rain or shine There is leisurely walking on this tour including optional spiral staircases in the castles We will visit spots with the most astounding views and many interesting features on our journey. You will be able to spend time with the guide at each location, as they walk and talk about Wales, its history and culture or you are free to self-explore. We will return to Cardiff around 6 pm and likely a little earlier.

Depart London in the morning, and then travel across the country by bus to visit the historic port city of Cardiff, capital of Wales since 1955. Take a sightseeing tour on arrival with a local guide, to admire the impressive monuments of the city center, where highlights include the new National Assembly building in the regenerated waterfront district of Cardiff Bay. After lunch we’ll continue our tour through the seaside town of Penarth before travelling back into the centre of Cardiff. We will conclude our time in Cardiff with a visit to the fabulous Cardiff Castle, a fortress with a 2000-year history, from a humble Roman Fort to the Romantic Victorian splendour of today. Depart in the early evening for the scenic drive back to London through the Welsh Valleys and get dropped off in central London in the evening. 

Settle into a comfortable van and escape Cardiff city to explore the medieval history of Wales. Discover the best attractions of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons), one of the three national parks in Wales. Begin your adventure from an easily accessible location in Cardiff, just a short walk from Cardiff Castle. Stop in Caerphilly to marvel at Caerphilly Castle—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest castle in Wales, second only in size to Windsor Castle in all of Great Britain. Entrance is optional; you can also spend your free time exploring the charming town, which is filled with cafes, quaint shops, and souvenir spots. Continue to the town of Merthyr Tydfil to tour Cyfarthfa Castle, located in a picturesque park. During the journey, learn about the Industrial Revolution period in Wales. Next, enter the National Park to visit Henrhyd Falls, the tallest and most spectacular waterfall in South Wales, known for its role as a filming location for the final scene of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises as the entrance to the Batcave. Proceed to the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog and enjoy a short stop at the second oldest tree in Wales, a stunning yew tree that is 3018 years old, making it one of the oldest trees in Britain. End your day in Brecon, where you can admire the canals—voted the prettiest in Britain—or simply enjoy a stroll through the town's quaint streets, filled with independent shops, bakeries, coffee spots, and souvenir shops. Relax in the vehicle as you journey back to Cardiff, where you'll be dropped off at the designated location. Participants engage at their own risk, with adults or parents determining if the event is appropriate for them. Participation levels in any event are solely personal decisions. We suggest securing a personal activity insurance plan to guard against potential income loss in the unlikely event of an accident during a walk. Please note that this itinerary is an example, and the route taken may vary due to weather or other conditions.