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Valleys and Railways of Mid Wales

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4.2 stars(71 reviews)
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Explore the very heart of the renowned Welsh countryside

You are viewing the 2022 itinerary. Select your departure year
20212022
5 days From £545 per person

2022 Tour code: MWS22

About the tour

From picturesque coastline to rolling hills, explore the very heart of the renowned 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, our home 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 its merry red trail over the bridges and through the forests of North Wales. Originally opened in 1865, the seven-mile journey takes us past waterfalls and streams and through the delightful Merioneth mountains. Enjoy some free time in Tywyn. You could visit the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum or the Awdry Study, a partial reconstruction of Reverend Wilbert Awdry's study, author of the much-loved Thomas the Tank Engine books and an early 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' that's home to a scattering of man-made lakes connected by six dams. The most impressive, Craig Goch, boasts 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 journey through the 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, with 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 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 · 71 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (27)
  2. 4 stars
    (31)
  3. 3 stars
    (12)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

G Griffiths

5 stars

Submitted 29/Sep

All the three days of excursions were well organised. The information on each days itinerary provided by Lin Martin was excellent. Each day we left the hotel on time and arrived at our destination with time to spare. This enabled us to get refreshments and use the toilets before boarding the train. The hotel was of a good standard with a good buffet choice for breakfast and a nice selection of courses for the evening meal. The quiz on the last evening organised by Lin was very entertaining. The only annoyance of the holiday was when someone (not on a Great Rail Group) set off the fire alarm at 2.30am causing everyone to evacuate the hotel. It was the source of a lot of conversation the following morning. Overall a very good holiday

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G Griffiths
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Brian Musgrave

4 stars

Submitted 27/Sep

Beautiful part of the country. Llandrindod Wells a lovely little spa town. Excellent tour manager and hotel. Quality coach every day with the same very good driver. However, not five star in my opinion because there was far too long on the coach on the first day (Talyllyn Railway) and far too early a start on the last day (Elan Valley & Vale of Rheidol), neither of which was apparent when originally booking.

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Patrick O'Donnell

4 stars

Submitted 27/Sep

Hotel. Not four star standard. More like three star. Powys castle was dark gloomy and boring inside. Gardens wonderful. Trains five star, but not enough time on trains for a train holiday.

Collected by Trustpilot

John Rogers

5 stars

Submitted 27/Sep

Lots of lovely scenery & lots of lovely NG railways. A lovely hotel, too. Maybe not enough walking on a couple of days, though.

Collected by Trustpilot

Michael Tedstone

4 stars

Submitted 27/Sep

Excellent tour guide, hotel good (especially food) but too much coach travelling, miles and miles of it and we were on a train holiday!

Collected by Trustpilot

C Murray

5 stars

Submitted 22/Sep

This is the best of all the rail holidays i have been on, and except for an impatient camper van driver at rheader on the way back the holiday was perfect.

Collected by Trustpilot

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Europe by Rail 2022

Europe by Rail 2022

The definitive guide to our 2022 summer rail holidays to a wide range of destinations in Europe. When ordering for postal delivery, you will only receive our collection of European holidays. If you are interested in UK holidays, these are available on the website.

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Explore the very heart of the renowned Welsh countryside

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