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Railways and Castles of Wales

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4.4 stars(311 reviews)
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The best of North Wales by rail

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
6 days From £745 £695 per person
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2023 Tour code: WDS23

About the tour

From our base in charming Llandudno, we experience the best of North Wales. Soak up the scenery as we ride aboard historic steam railways, and travel back in time to a beautiful mountainous region, with castles dotted along the coastline.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Llandudno

Our holiday begins in the 'Queen of Welsh Resorts', Llandudno, where we meet at our hotel. Nestled on Wales' rugged north coast and surrounded by the backdrop of Snowdonia National Park, this is an ideal base for our explorations. We enjoy a drinks reception before dinner in the hotel's award-winning restaurant.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The Welsh Highland Railway & Portmeirion

Today we join the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway for an excursion to Beddelgert where you have free time for lunch, before we continue to Portmeirion. You have time to explore this unusual village, which was designed in 1925 by architect Clough Williams-Ellis who wanted to create a town that wouldn't look out of place on the Italian Riviera. Next, we transfer to Blaenau Ffestiniog where we join the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway to Porthmadog. With a 200-year-old history, we enjoy a nostalgic trip back in time. We enjoy a five-course dinner at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Caernarfon Castle

We begin our day with a guided tour of Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site which dates back to 1283. One of the best examples of medieval defensive architecture in Europe, its striking polygonal towers are linked by a honeycomb of wall walks and tunnels. Next, we join the Snowdon Mountain Railway for a journey over the dramatic scenery of the Llanberis Pass to Llanberis, where we visit the National Slate Museum. This evening we dine at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Llandudno

You're free to explore Llandudno at your own pace. The town's nostalgic Victorian pier is well worth a visit and boasts the title of the longest pier in Wales. Here you'll enjoy excellent views of the seafront promenade and Llandudno behind you, as well as a number of traditional seaside attractions, food stalls, and shops. Another option is to take a trip on the Great Orme Tramway, which takes you from Llandudno through a country park up to the summit of Great Orme, where you can enjoy outstanding views of the town and coastline. We enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Conwy Castle, Plas Cadnant Garden, Gwydir Castle

We visit Conwy Castle, a UNESCO-protected 13th-century castle. A guided tour reveals its intriguing history, from its beginnings as a Cistercian monastery to its role in the War of the Roses. Next, we visit Plas Cadnant Garden, one of North Wales best kept secrets. Our final visit of the day is Gwydir Castle, one of the finest Tudor country houses in Wales. With a rich and illustrious history, the castle is fascinating to discover, and we're treated to an informative guided tour from the current owners. This evening, we celebrate the final evening of our holiday with a delicious 'Taste of Wales' gala dinner at the hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Home

Our holiday concludes, and you're free to make your way home or continue exploring at your own pace.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure Information

Please note: The itinerary order may differ dependent on departure. Please call for more details.

17/04/2023, 07/06/2023, 13/09/2023 and 25/09/2023

  • Day 2 - Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon Castle and Plas Cadnant
  • Day 3 - Gwydir Castle, Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeiron
  • Day 5 - Conwy Castle, Slate Museum and Snowdon Mountain Railway

22/04/2023 and 04/10/2023

  • Day 2 - Gwydir Castle, Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeiron
  • Day 4 - Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon Castle and Plas Cadnant
  • Day 5 - Conwy Castle, Slate Museum and Snowdon Mountain Railway

02/05/2023

  • Day 2 - Gwydir Castle, Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeiron
  • Day 4 - Conwy Castle, Slate Museum and Snowdon Mountain Railway
  • Day 5 - Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon Castle and Plas Cadnant

13/05/2023

  • Day 3 - Gwydir Castle, Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeiron
  • Day 4 - Conwy Castle, Slate Museum and Snowdon Mountain Railway
  • Day 5 - Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon Castle and Plas Cadnant

18/05/2023

  • Day 3 - Conwy Castle, Slate Museum and Snowdon Mountain Railway
  • Day 4 - Gwydir Castle, Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeiron
  • Day 5 - Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon Castle and Plas Cadnant

16/05/2023, 30/06/2023, 21/07/2023, 04/08/2023, 25/08/2023 and 08/09/2023

  • Day 2 - Gwydir Castle, Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeiron
  • Day 3 - Conwy Castle, Slate Museum and Snowdon Mountain Railway
  • Day 5 - Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon Castle and Plas Cadnant

21/06/2023, 05/06/2023, 09/08/2023

  • Day 2 - Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon Castle and Plas Cadnant
  • Day 4 - Gwydir Castle, Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeiron
  • Day 5 - Conwy Castle, Slate Museum and Snowdon Mountain Railway

04/09/2023

  • Day 3 - Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon Castle and Plas Cadnant
  • Day 4 - Gwydir Castle, Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeiron
  • Day 5 - Conwy Castle, Slate Museum and Snowdon Mountain Railway
Departure times

On many of our UK & Ireland tours, you may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after  14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between  16:00 and  18:00. You will receive a welcome drink at 18.00 just before dinner at 18.30.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno

Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno

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Trains

Ffestiniog Railway
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Welsh Highland Railway

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Upgrades

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UK rail connections

Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 311 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (167)
  2. 4 stars
    (117)
  3. 3 stars
    (19)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (5)

M Scott

4 stars

Submitted 5/Jun

Great tour, hotel very pleasant, old fashioned , but great food. And staff. Loved all the tours, RR great fun. Would have liked a central area in hotel with info about meeting times, daily temperatures , where to meet. Was recommended by UK friends and I Have recommended .

Collected by Trustpilot

C Phillips

4 stars

Submitted 3/Jun

We went on the holiday with family from Australia and we’re all very pleased with the arrangements . The courier Frances was exceptional and we all four of only had praise for the way she helped the tour take place, her empathy and helpfulness were most notable Coach and driver were very good and hotel room and food to a high standard. The only small comment was that it was clear that the hotel was struggling to provide regular staff in the restaurant as a result at the end of the holiday payment of my bar bill became confused but was eventually sorted The daily visits were excellent so all in all very satisfied and thank you .

Collected by Trustpilot

John Griffin

5 stars

Submitted 1/Jun

Railways and Castles of Wales is a tour to be recommended The nine places visited were all interesting and complemented each other. Hotel very good as was the tour guide and coach driver All in all a good holiday I shall be booking again with Great Rail Journeys

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr Michael Hembest

5 stars

Submitted 30/May

We had a wonderful time.

Collected by Trustpilot

A Proctor

5 stars

Submitted 29/May

Excellent holiday, hotel and very interesting tours.

Collected by Trustpilot

E ROOK

5 stars

Submitted 29/May

Good weather, guide, hote,l and coach driver

Collected by Trustpilot

E ROOK
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UK by Rail 2023

UK by Rail 2023

Your guide to our 2023 UK rail holidays.

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