Welcome to Wales - A Self-drive Tour

Day 1 – Arrive Cardiff
On arrival check into your centrally located hotel for the evening. Why not venture out and explore the capital city of Wales vibrant nightlife?
Overnight Cardiff Hotel

Day 2 – Cardiff and Caerphilly Castle
Cardiff is the capital and largest city of Wales. We start the day with a walking tour of the city, including a visit to Cardiff Castle. Cardiff Castle is a Norman marcher stronghold, founded by William the Conqueror himself, and built on the site of a Roman fort dating from the 1st-century AD, parts of which were reconstructed in the 20th-century. However, the Castle is most famous for its incredible Victorian apartments, designed by William Burges for the wealthy 3rd Marquess of Bute.
After lunch, collect your car and head to Caerphilly. In the heart of the town, you can't miss Caerphilly Castle with its sheer size and Norman might. The build began in 1268 and throughout the 20th century was meticulously restored, so it’s a great example of 13th century military architecture. Take a tour of the castle and make sure to give yourself time to explore the town before checking into your hotel for the evening.
Overnight Caerphilly Hotel (B)
(Cardiff to Caerphilly – 11 miles / 30 mins)

Day 3 – Pembrokeshire
This morning make the scenic drive west from the capital. We suggest stopping to visit to St Fagans National Museum of History – Wales’ most popular heritage attraction. Your destination today is Tenby. For many it's long and illustrious history, including its medieval town walls are what make Tenby renowned, but if you speak to others, it's the beaches and seaside charm that makes it so loved.
Overnight Tenby Hotel (B)
(Caerphilly to St Fagans – 12 miles / 25 mins)
(St Fagans to Tenby – 90 miles / 2 hours)

Day 4 – St Davids
A relaxed morning with time to explore Tenby at your leisure. Leave Tenby late morning and stop off for lunch in the attractive market town of Narberth. The journey then continues to St Davids, the smallest city in Britain and a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The 12th century St Davids Cathedral, built on the site of a much older religious buildings, is the reason for little St Davids' outsize city status. Constructed from dusky purple sandstone, it’s one of Wales’ most iconic religious sites and sits tucked away in a sheltered vale beside the River Alun. Spend time exploring the city and cathedral before travelling up through Cardigan Bay, following the coast north to Aberystwyth.
Overnight Aberystwyth Hotel
(Tenby to Narberth – 11 miles / 25mins)
(Narberth to St Davids – 28 miles / 50mins)
(St Davids to Aberystwyth – 73 miles / 2 hrs)

Day 5 - Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park)
Covering a total of 823 square miles, Eryri is Wales’ largest National Park. Home to over 26,000 people, Eryri’s landscape is steeped with culture, history, and heritage, where the Welsh language is part of the day-to-day fabric of the area. Weather permitting, you will be taking the train to the top of the largest mountain in Wales and England - Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). The journey time to the summit (3000ft) is approximately 60 minutes and passengers have a 30 minute stop-over at Hafod Eryri, the UK’s highest visitor centre. The round trip to the Summit and back is approximately 2.5 hours in total, including the 30-minute stop-over. Let us know in advance as pre-booking the train is advisable. After your mountain adventure, take the short drive to Caernarfon, where you will spend the night.
Overnight Caernarfon Hotel
(Aberystwyth to Llanberis – 75 miles / 2 hrs 25)
(Llanberis to Caernarfon – 9 miles/ 25 mins)

Day 6 – Caernarfon, Conwy and Llandudno
Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. This fortress-palace on the banks of the River Seiont is grouped with Edward I’s other castles at Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech as a World Heritage Site. But for sheer scale and architectural drama Caernarfon stands alone. Spend time exploring the castle and the town, before the short drive north to Conwy Castle. This is one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in Europe. In the distance rise the craggy mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) and spread out below you are the harbour and narrow streets of Conwy – still protected by an unbroken 1,400-yard (1.3km) ring of town walls. Your final stop of the day is the popular seaside resort of Llandudno.
Overnight Llandudno Hotel
Caernarfon to Conwy (25 miles / 35 mins)
Conwy to Llandudno (5 miles / 15 mins)

Day 7 – Welcome to Wrexham!
Wrexham is situated along the River Clywedog, about 5 miles (8 km) west of the border with Cheshire, England. Previously, the city was famous for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site and nearby Chirk Castle. Football (soccer) fans also recognised Wrexham AFC as the oldest club in Wales and the third-oldest professional association football team in the world.  Their home ground, The Racecourse, is also famous as the world's oldest international football stadium. Until recently, this was an interesting sidenote for most visitors. However, the purchase of the club in November 2020 by two Hollywood A-listers and the subsequent ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary changed everything. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s story has propelled the club and the city into the forefront of millions of global tv viewers! You can visit the ground and some of the place made famous by the documentary.
Overnight Wrexham Hotel
Llandudno to Wrexham (55 miles / 1 hr)

Day 8 – Powis Castle
Follow the Welsh-English border south this morning until we reach the market town of Welshpool. Just outside of the town is the National Trust Powis Castle and Gardens. Powis Castle, built around 1200 as a medieval fortress, sits high on a rock above its world-famous garden. It reflects the changing ambitions of the Herbert family, who occupied the Castle from the 1570s. Each generation enlisted artists to grow the family’s collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture, and tapestries on view throughout the house. It is worth paying the entrance fee to view the Clive Museum, one of the UK’s most significant collections of Indian objects. As major figures in Britain’s colonial East India Company, Robert Clive and his son Edward (later 1st Earl of Powis) looted many of these objects during their seizure of power in India and Myanmar and violent subsequent rule in the 18th century.
Powis is also one of the few Baroque gardens to survive almost intact since the 1680s and is a delight for enthusiasts as well as lovers of beauty and tranquillity. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, the garden is overhung with clipped yews and shelters rare and tender plants. It retains original lead statues and features an orangery on the terraces.
Overnight in Welshpool Hotel
Wrexham to Welshpool (30 miles / 50 mins)

Day 9 – Brecon and Bannau Brycheiniog
The journey south continues. Your first stop should be Llandrindod Wells, a Victorian spa town with plenty to see and do. Strolling through town, absorb the atmosphere of Victorian charm, with wide avenues, characterful shop fronts and ornate architectural flourishes. The Llandrindod Wells Heritage Trail guides you on a gentle walking tour taking in the architectural heritage of the town. After exploring Llandrindod Wells, the next stop is the town of Brecon, at the top edge of the glorious Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Brecon is known for the famous Brecon Jazz Festival, its independent shops and cafés, history, military connections and of course, the magnificent cathedral. Brecon is the perfect base for exploring the national park, water sports and fishing in the local rivers, canal and lakes, plus cycling and mountain biking. Let us know if you want to spend more time here to explore the National Park.
Overnight Brecon Hotel
Welshpool to Brecon (65 miles / 1 hr 40 mins)

Day 10 – Return to Cardiff
Head in to Bannau Brycheiniog this morning and take your time to enjoy the stunning views. Your drive will then head into the world famous Welsh Valleys. The former industrial heartland of Wales is an area of fascinating history, natural wonder, and a great place to enjoy fine food and drink. We would recommend the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery in Merthyr Tydfil. Merthyr was the focal point of iron production during the Industrial Revolution. It became the most populated town in Wales at the turn of the 19th century, with people drawn from all over the world to work at the ironworks owned by the Guest and Crawshay families. Cyfarthfa Castle was built by William Crawshay II in 1824 and the museum offers a fascinating insight into the colourful history of Merthyr. Continue on to Cardiff where we have the last night in the capital at the end of your self-drive tour of Wales.
Overnight Cardiff Hotel
Brecon to Cardiff (43 miles / 1 hr 10 mins)

Day 11 – Leave Wales
Check out of your hotel this morning and shop for any additional souvenirs you may want. You can return your car to a convenient location and if required we can arrange transfers to the international airport or the train station with excellent links to London.