Things to do in

Swansea County

Start by meeting your guide at the central train station in Cardiff. Hop on an air-conditioned minivan and travel along the southern coastline of South Wales, passing the towns of Bridgend and Port Talbot and through the City of Swansea. Explore the charming area of Mumbles and stroll along the "Mumbles Mile" to see the wonderful pier and offshore lighthouse. Take some time to explore the boardwalk and grab an ice cream as you enjoy the pleasant surroundings of this quaint location. Next, explore the Gower Peninsular in all of its natural glory with a hike from Langland Bay along the coastal path to Caswell Bay. Enjoy the beautiful scenery throughout with plenty of fantastic photo stops. Walk along the dramatic sea cliffs and visit Worms Head along with the majestic sweep of Rhossili Bay, which is regularly voted in the top ten beaches of the World. Hear stories of Piracy and deadly adventure, Myths and Legends of Gower and Wales, enjoy some great food along the Way. Tour finishes in Cardiff

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.

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.

Escape Cardiff for a day and discover the best spots of the Gower Peninsula, one of Wales' five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As you journey toward Swansea, your first stop of the day, delve into the history of Wales from Roman times to the present. Be enchanted by Swansea Marina, with its historical docks. Grab a cup of coffee, take a leisurely stroll, and snap photos of the many little boats and yellow-brick buildings. Continue deeper into the heart of the Gower Peninsula with a visit to Cefn Bryn, an ancient ridge. Here, admire King Arthur’s Stone, a double-chambered megalithic tomb with a massive capstone perched on pointed stones, dating back 4,500 years. The highlight of your tour will be a visit to Rhossili Bay, the crown jewel of the Gower Peninsula and its most visited location. Explore the surroundings with a stunning cliff-top walk, encounter Welsh wild horses, and enjoy a refreshment while taking in the breath-taking view of Rhossili Beach. This beach has been voted the best in the UK, the best in Europe, and consistently ranks among the world's best. On your journey toward Caswell Bay, enjoy the narrow roads, green fields, and charming rural villages. Upon reaching Caswell Bay, you can choose to embark on a magnificent cliff-top walk (1 1/4 miles) leading to Langland Bay. With breath-taking views and numerous viewpoints, it's the perfect location for capturing memorable photos. Alternatively, if you prefer to relax, take some time for yourself to enjoy the beach or savor an ice cream by the seafront. After a short ride, you'll arrive at Mumbles Lighthouse, which has been operating for 230 years. Take the opportunity to explore the pier or enjoy the stunning views of the lighthouse situated on an islet in the ocean. Sit back and relax during your journey back to Cardiff, which will bring you to the same collection point as in the morning. 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.

Your Itinerary includes a drive past the steel town of Port Talbot where the largest steel plant in Europe produces the fine Welsh steel which is sought all over the world. Port Talbot is also birthplace of two famous Welsh actors Richard Burton and Sir Anthony Hopkins. The Gower Peninsula is 19 miles of award winning beaches, Cliff top walks and picturesque villages with the village of Mumbles being our first stop. Walk the waterfront or explore the busy retail area which boasts many small independent traders. Take the opportunity to enjoy light refreshments before continuing Langland Bay where the opportunity to experience the coastal walk to Caswell Bay awaits. Continuing the drive across the Peninsula the next and final stop is the most photographed part of Gower….Rhossili and Worms Head designated in 1956 an area of outstanding beauty where the beach has been voted 9th best beach in the world and Worms Head which becomes an island when the tide comes in! The return journey travels across the ancient ridge of Cefn Bryn A five mile ridge of Old Red Sandstone known locally as the “Backbone of Gower “ an area where during the Bronze age it is believed ceremonies and rituals took place.

The South Wales self-guided route includes everything you need for the perfect adventure. When booking select the level of difficulty for your walk (easy/moderate/advanced) and we'll send you out a surprise self-guided route. Your digital pack will include: Detailed Tour Itinerary – The in depth route will tell you where to start (& park) & detail every stop along the way to make sure you never lose your feet. In depth marked map outlining your route. Small PDF maps to save on your phone or print and bring with you on your walk with summarised directions & things to look out for. Top tips to make the most of your adventures, help you prepare & keep you safe. Lots of fun facts about the places & things you’ll see along the way. Kit list to make sure you pack everything you need. Support for your trip and emergency contact details. Lots of suggestions of what else to do in the area – including places to eat, visit & other adventures. Discount vouchers for some of your favourite outdoor brands.

The South Wales Bargain Box Tour includes everything you need for the perfect adventure. When booking select the level of difficulty for your walk (easy/moderate/advanced) and we'll send you out a surprise self-guided route. Your box tour will include: Detailed Tour Itinerary – The in depth route will tell you where to start (& park) & detail every stop along the way to make sure you never lose your feet. In depth marked map outlining your route. Small laminated maps to wear around your neck on your walk with summarised directions & things to look out for. Top tips to make the most of your adventures, help you prepare & keep you safe. Lots of fun facts about the places & things you’ll see along the way. Kit list to make sure you pack everything you need. Support for your trip and emergency contact details. Lots of suggestions of what else to do in the area – including places to eat, visit & other adventures. Novelty compass & ‘how to’ guide to make sure you always stay on track Exclusive Embark whistle & embark goodies Discount vouchers for some of your favourite outdoor brands.

Embark on a mesmerizing journey from Cardiff, traveling along the southern coastline, passing quaint towns, and diving deep into the heart of South Wales’ breathtaking beauty. Explore the inviting Mumbles, savoring the delights of the “Mumbles Mile” and its iconic pier. As the salty breeze caresses your face, traverse the untouched Gower Peninsula, hiking from Langland Bay to Caswell Bay, and experiencing nature in its rawest form. Stand atop dramatic sea cliffs and witness the unparalleled beauty of Worms Head and the iconic Rhossili Bay, a global beachfront marvel. Engage in enthralling tales of piracy, adventure, and legendary myths unique to Gower and Wales, all while indulging in delicious local food. Conclude your expedition back in Cardiff, taking memories of a lifetime.