Things to do in

Carmarthenshire

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.

Take a day trip from Cardiff to West Wales, steeped in ancient history and myth, accompanied by a historian with a deep passion for Wales. Learn some Welsh, sample traditional food, and learn about the rich history and culture of Wales. See where the valleys begin to widen and the landscape starts to lend itself to farming more than industry. Discover the Norman Pembroke Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in West Wales, and learn how it was built and why. Find out what life was like in medieval times. Then, marvel at the delightful town of Tenby. Once a medieval port surrounded by castle walls, it is now one of Wales’s favorite holiday destinations. Enjoy a meal at a wealth of restaurants, take a walk on the harbor side, or relax at the two beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters. Visit The Dylan Thomas Birthday Walk in Laugharne, the sanctuary of poet Dylan Thomas, where he wrote some of his famous works including “Under Milk Wood.” Stop at a local pub for a pint, visit his boathouse and writing shed, or enjoy views of the estuary with the Norman Castle in the foreground.

It's a small group guided tour from central Cardiff taking in the very best beaches and historical sites on the Gower peninsula, the first Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. 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. First stop is Mumbles with its fine row of shops, harbour, small beaches and Victorian pier. Perhaps we'll visit Verdis for an Italian hot chocolate... Then it's to Three Cliffs Bay, home of adventure activity by the sea. We may see some climbers or some might even be coasteering. The walk to the beach across the stepping stones is sublime! We'll then visit Gower Heritage Centre for lunch and a guided tour of the 12th Century watermill and associated buildings that house a range of historical displays telling the story of life on The Gower. Rhossili and Worms Head is a must with any trip to the Gower having to pull into this iconic spot. Rhosilli Bay with its 3 miles of golden sand is often featured as the best beach in the UK. Llanrhidian Common is farming Gower, with sheep, sheep and more sheep... We will stop for a 360 degree panoramic view of The Gower and perhaps a walk to an ancient burial site known as King Arthur's Stone. Know Before You Go This tour will take place rain or shine There is a walk of 3km in total on our visit to Three Cliffs Bay Andy may bring his dog with him. If this is an issue for you please let us know 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 and perhaps dip your toe into the sea, buy some souvenirs or get that perfect selfie. Bring your towel! Bring your swimming costume. You never how the day will play out :)

Day 1: You leave Manchester and head straight for the border of Wales. Your first stop of the day is Conwy. This little town deserves to win awards for most picture-perfect harbour town. There’s a castle perched by the sea, the ‘world’s smallest house’, and lots of little restaurants boasting the best fish and chips. After you’ve soaked up the sea air, you cross the world’s first modern day suspension bridge across the Menai Straits and onto Anglesey Island. Prior to its construction, cattle farmers would have to persuade their herd to swim across the Menai Straits on their way to market. We head for the most westerly point of North Wales to marvel at the South Stack Lighthouse, sea cliffs, and nature reserve. But that’s not all. You stop in the lovely seaside town of Beaumaris, and also visit the town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll for a quick photo stop. Then you travel back over the bridge and along the coastline to Llandudno, your overnight stop. Day 2: This morning when you head off, your first stop is to Betws-y-Coed. This beautiful little village is known as the gateway to Snowdonia National Park. Next, sit back and watch Snowdonia’s mountains fly by as you continue onto Harlech Castle. This is one of our favourite castles in the whole of the UK. It boasts epic sea views and an amazingly war-torn history that involves a lot of dynamite. You then venture to one of the most charming and unique villages in Wales, Portmeirion. This town is the brainchild of Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis. He wanted to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful location could be developed without spoiling it. The result is a stunning piece of the Mediterranean transported into North Wales. You have free time here to explore and grab a bite to eat. You head back to Llandudno for the evening. Day 3: After breakfast, your first stop is to the Llanberis Slate Museum*. The history of the second largest slate mine on the planet will stay in your memory for a long time. For your lunch stop today, we head to Llangollen. Situated along the River Dee, this little town will steal your heart. Next you’re off to one of England’s most historic towns, Chester. There’s a lot to do here, but we’d advise you just head to the Cathedral, you could spend a whole week in this fine building and not get bored. You arrive back in Manchester in the early evening.

Day 1 It’s time to explore the beauty and history of south Wales. Leaving Bristol, your first main destination is St Davids, known as the smallest city in Britain. Despite its tiny stature, St Davids has claimed city status thanks to the 12th century cathedral found in the heart of the town. The cathedral is definitely worth a visit, not just for its beauty, but you can learn all about the history of the city inside. In the afternoon, your driver-guide will take you on a beautiful drive along the Pembrokeshire Coast in the south of Wales, choosing the best places to stop depending on what might interest the group. Hills, estuaries, valleys, and woodlands, this stunning region really has it all. Arrive in Tenby in the early evening and this is your destination for the night. Settlement in Tenby town dates back to the 9th century, so no surprise there’s plenty to see here. Day 2 Have the morning to explore Tenby and discover at your own pace. Witness the town's fascinating history and amazing icons, including what's left of Tenby Castle and the medieval town walls. Poetry lovers will enjoy the stop at the lovely town of Laugharne. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas lived in his boathouse here from 1949 until his death in 1953. See the boathouse, open to the public, or perhaps use your time for a quick refreshment since there are plenty of pubs to choose from. In the afternoon you can visit Carreg Cennen Castle. This incredible stronghold sits high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Cennen, so get your camera ready. There’s time here to explore the ruins and even grab a quick bite for lunch. Be treated to a drive through the scenic Brecon Beacons mountain range. A perfect way to end the day before you arrive in Abergavenny for the evening. Day 3 Bookworms get ready. Your first stop of the day is in Hay-on-Wye, known as the First Booktown in the World. This town has become famous for its secondhand and antiquarian bookshops, so your free time here could result in a small reading collection for your travels. Travel onwards to Ross-on-Wye, the UK’s best loved market town. Here you have some time to wander and grab some lunch. Board the bus and head off through the Wye Valley. This scenic route is considered the birthplace of British tourism and the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Your journey takes you to your next stop, Tintern Abbey. Sitting on the banks of River Wye, there’s some fascinating history behind this now-roofless national icon which was founded in 1131. Your last stop of the tour is in Chepstow where you can marvel at the power of Chepstow’s Norman castle. Arrive back in Bristol in the early evening.

Discover the best beaches and historical sites on the Gower Peninsula on a small-group guided tour from central Cardiff. Travel in a luxurious electric vehicle with a maximum of 7 passengers and a guide who is a Mountain Leader and a Green Badged Tourist Guide. Start your tour in Mumbles, with its fine row of shops, harbor, small beaches, and Victorian pier. Then, head to Three Cliffs Bay, home of adventure activities by the sea. Continue to the Gower Heritage Centre for lunch and a guided tour of the 12th-century watermill. Next, visit Rhossili and Worms Head, a must-see spot on the Gower Peninsula. Finally, stop at Llanrhidian Common, where you can see sheep and King Arthur's Stone.