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Valleys and Railways of Mid Wales

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4.2 stars(114 reviews)
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Explore the very heart of the renowned Welsh countryside

5 days From £615 per person

2023 Tour code: MWS23

About the tour

From picturesque coastline to rolling hills, explore the heart of the beautiful Welsh countryside on this holiday. Enjoy classic heritage railway journeys, a private tour with a ranger in the Welsh Lake District, and walk in Royal footsteps as you try your hand at the Welsh language at Aberystwyth University.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Llandrindod Wells

We meet in Llandrindod Wells at the Metropole Hotel and Spa, where we stay for four nights.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The Rheilfford Talyllyn Railway

We board the steam-hauled Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway to Tywyn. Tucked away in the wildflower meadows of southern Snowdonia, the beautiful Talyllyn Railway paints a cheerful red trail over the bridges and through the forests of North Wales. Originally opened in 1865, the seven-mile journey takes us past waterfalls, streams and the delightful Merioneth mountains. Enjoy some free time in Tywyn. You could visit the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum. Or maybe see the Awdry Study, a partial reconstruction of Reverend Wilbert Awdry's study, author of the much-loved Thomas the Tank Engine, and a volunteer on the Talyllyn Railway.

*Steam-hauled where possible

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Elan Valley, the Vale of Rheidol Railway and Aberystwyth

We head into Elan Valley, an area known as the 'Welsh Lake District' where several man-made lakes are connected by six dams. The most impressive, Craig Goch, is built in the Birmingham Baroque style, with elegantly curved walls and a series of narrow arches. We enjoy a guided tour with a local ranger, discovering the stunning architecture. We continue to Devil's Bridge, where we join the steam-hauled Vale of Rheidol Railway for a scenic journey through the Welsh valleys to Aberystwyth. We transfer to the university for an insight into Welsh heritage, with an 'Introduction to Welsh Language' lesson. Aberystwyth University is the perfect place to learn about the language; it's the school where Prince Charles studied Welsh, and his time here featured in Netflix's The Crown. You enjoy a little free time in Aberystwyth; perhaps take a stroll down the traditional seafront.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Powis Castle and Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway

We discover the medieval Powis Castle and its attractive formal gardens. The castle dates back to the 13th century and its gardens are a paradise steeped in history. Afterwards, we travel by coach to Welshpool, where we board the steam-hauled Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway for a journey through the heart of Wales. Making its way through the wild countryside, a canvas of deep forests and impressive mountains, the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway first opened in 1903. Its route from Welshpool to Llanfair is one of the British Isles' most historic rail journeys, with the charming old carriages and green steam engine recalling the halcyon days of train travel. Back at our hotel, we're joined by a local ladies' choir who provide entertainment during dinner.

*Steam-hauled where possible

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Home

After breakfast, our holiday concludes and you're free to depart. 

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour features the same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed above.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

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

Metropole Hotel Llandrindod Wells

Metropole Hotel Llandrindod Wells

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Trains

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway
Vale of Rheidol Railway
Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway

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Reviews

4.2 stars4.2 / 5 · 114 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (48)
  2. 4 stars
    (48)
  3. 3 stars
    (15)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

A Town

4 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2022

Excellent - good to put all these Railways together. A lasting memory

Collected by Trustpilot

M Harris

5 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2022

Excellent.

Collected by Trustpilot

A Hinam

4 stars

Submitted 16 Oct 2022

Enjoyable. Long coach journeys unavoidable. Not made clear that the visit to the Elan Valley dams was to be by coach, several of the group expected a long and muddy walk. Some days no opportunity to find lunch.

Collected by Trustpilot

V Town

4 stars

Submitted 14 Oct 2022

Brilliant holiday with a fabulous hotel. The excursions were well organized and very good. Would definitely recommend this trip

Collected by Trustpilot

V Town
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MW Salisbury

4 stars

Submitted 14 Oct 2022

Good choice of hotel accessible by road and rail. Good rooms but cramped, we were fortunate to be allocated a family suite so we could use the bunk-room for suitcass etc. Access to room satisfactory; no level access to lifts. Generous servings of food, unfortunately the Welsh braised lamb was NOT up to the standard of the other dishes. A family run hotel spa facilities and added bonus with exceptionally pleasant, professional and helpful staff. A very good touring programme, however the tour guide was unfamiliar with it. Uncertain what coffee stops and what where meal breaks. Elan Valley led a local ranger worthwhile and interesting but turned out to be a bus rather than a walking tour. Vale of Rheidol. Spectacular train journey but did not visit Devils Bridge and should have been advised to buy snack-lunch to eat on the train. Welsh Lesson. Turned out to be very entertaining hour. Obtained a sandwich from the Student Union canteen - limited choice because of late lunch. Talyllyn Rail. Charming despite the rain. Aberdovey. Left to our own devices to find lunch. Powis Castle. Surprised that an NT guide did not provide a welcome and introduction. Some less mobile guests found the steep sided site and steep stairs challenging. Llangollen an acceptable alternative to Llanfair. Should be much better next season when their steam trains rather than diesel railcars should be running. A long day did not return to Llangollen until 1900. Tour guide unavailable Friday morning. Presumably, due to the forthcoming rail strike, he caught the 0620 Friday morning train.

Collected by Trustpilot

Ken

5 stars

Submitted 28 Sep 2022

I've already reviewed this holiday, thank you

Collected by Trustpilot

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