| Wales Trains and Treasures |
| 11 to 14 August 2012 |
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| Page updated on: 09 March 2012 |
| Our exploration of Ireland has come to an end, but take heart – Wales is just two hours away by fast ferry. The land of song, scenery, stories, a dramatic history and some superb narrow gauge steam trains awaits. Join Geoff as he explores this, one of his favourite locations in the British Isles. Find out how to defend an 13th Century castle, where you can see four kingdoms from one spot and why some steam trains have two boilers whilst others have two sets of wheels. Saturday, 11 August 2012 Across the Irish Sea to Wales (B, D) This morning, transfer to the Dublin ferry terminal for a two hour ride across the Irish Sea on the high speed ferry Jonathan Swift – destination, Holyhead on the island of Anglesey, north Wales. Continue by road via LlanfairPG for a photo call and lunch before we cross the Menai Straights over the Menai Bridge, built by Thomas Telford in 1828 and still standing as a proud example of that engineer's skill. Motor through the university city of Bangor to Penrhyn Castle, where we will visit the stately home built in mock Norman style by the Tennant family. See the house, some extraordinary kitchens, a museum that tells the story of slavery, sugar, slate and rum. Another museum will tell you about the slate industry and the railways that moved the slate on the terraces and to the port for shipment around the world. Our hotel near Caernarfon is the Seiont Manor Hotel. This country hotel is a firm favourite with Trains and Treasures travellers, a restful retreat in the Snowdon foothills. Dinner tonight is included at the hotel. Laundry: The hotel offers an in-house laundry service which guests are most welcome to make use of. Sunday, 12 August 2012 Steam and song (B, D) Today is steam train day! We will ride a steam train, probably Garratt powered, on the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, followed by a second steam journey, this time probably with a Fairley locomotive, on the Ffestiniog Railway from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Complete your journey with a third train ride down the attractive Conwy Valley Line to Betws y Coed. Enjoy dinner in Betws y Coed before attending a Male Voice Choir concert at St Mary's Church, a popular tradition on Geoff's tours. Our coach will return us to Sieont Manor later this evening. Monday, 13 August 2012 Ride up, and into, a mountain (B, D) This morning we will ride to the top of Wales's highest mountain on a train. The Snowdon Mountain rack (cog) Railway has carried tourist up the mountain since 1896, and remains one of the favourite train rides in Wales. On a fine day the Welsh say you can see five kingdoms from the top of the mountain - Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man, England and the Kingdom of Heaven. Next, visit the Slate Museum to find out how Wales roofed the world and take a bus tour into the heart of Elidir Mountain, the largest man-made cavern in Europe, to see a huge power station - more interesting than you may think. Overnight at the Seiont Manor Hotel with dinner included. Tuesday, 14 August 2012 A castle, a walled town, a tram and a church (B, D) This morning, motor to Conwy to visit the castle and town walls, both built by Edward 1st in the 13th Century. This castle is one of the best preserved in Wales, giving Geoff an opportunity to show you how Edward built and defended his fearsome Iron ring of colossal fortresses that at the time represent Europe's most ambitious and concentrated building project. Continue to the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno to ride a cable tram up the Great Orme. Llandudno is Wales's largest resort, uniquely situated between the Great and Little Ormes with two wonderful beaches, the award winning North Shore and the quiet, sand duned West Shore. During the Victorian era, roads on the Great Orme were still fairly primitive and the steep slopes prevented all but the most sure footed from reaching the summit. It wasn't long before local businessmen latched on to the idea of a cable tramway. On 31st July 1902 the first car moved off from Victoria Station, to the sound of the town band playing "God save the King". This afternoon, continue to Manchester, stopping en-route at Bodelwyddan to see the marble church and adjacent First World War Canadian war cemetary. Spend tonight at the Etrop Grange Hotel, close to Manchester Airport, dinner included. Etrop Grange is a gracious Grade II listed Georgian Mansion, originally built in 1780, and although just a short distance from Manchester Airport, is anything but an 'airport hotel'. All guests enjoy complimentary airport transport to and from Manchester Airport terminals and railway station on request. Wednesday, 15 August 2012 Either end your tour this morning with your onward flight, or continue to Scotland. |
| Joining the tour in Wales It is not difficult to start your tour in Wales. Geoff can advise on the best option when your travel plans are known. There are regular trains from Manchester and Manchester Airport to Hollyhead, LlanfairPG and Bangor. Carrying on Manchester Airport offers flights to America and Europe as well as to a number of destinations in the United Kingdom. It is also a useful starting point for rail journeys to all corners of the Britain. If you prefer to sit back, relax and continue to see the sights with new found friends and your host Geoff Cooke, continue with the tour to Scotland. |
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