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Gwydir Castle, Bodnant Garden and Welsh Railways for Tripsmiths

Ascend on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, discover the secrets of Plas Cadnant Gardens with a guided tour and light lunch. Uncover 500 years of history at Gwydir Castle. Enjoy a visit to Bodnant Garden with a history stretching back 250 years plus admire the beautiful interior of Bodrhyddan Hall, a stately home passed down through many generations. This is a holiday which brings together some of the most fascinating highlights of North Wales. We spend each night at our 4-star accommodation in Llandudno, overlooking the promenade.

Your Tour Includes

  • coach transfers for our excursions
  • 4 nights' half board accommodation at the Llandudno Bay Hotel
  • Services of our experienced Tour Manager
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Itinerary

Make your own way to our hotel, where you meet our Tour Manager and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Includes Dinner

This morning we head to Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens. Described as one of North Wales’ best kept secrets, the hidden world of Plas Cadnant Gardens is situated at the side of the Menai Strait, hidden from view near to the Menai Bridge on the Isle of Anglesey. In 1996 the semi-derelict estate was purchased by Anthony Tavernor, a former dairy farmer from Staffordshire. Work began on a huge programme of restoring the historic buildings and gardens: large areas had disappeared under a dense canopy of self-seeded trees, laurel, and wild rhododendron, and the walled garden and valley areas were only accessible with the use of a chainsaw. Since then, Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens have undergone a dramatic transformation. Discover the estate’s history from the early 19th century through to its decline and to the rediscovery and restoration of the gardens over the last 25 years. Appreciate the formal beauty of the walled garden and lose yourself in the stunning valley gardens. On arrival, we have a short talk over tea and coffee before heading off on a guided tour of the gardens. We also include a light lunch here of soup and sandwiches with tea or coffee. Next, we head to the village of Llanberis which sits on the southern bank of Lake Padarn and the foot of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales at 1085 metres. Whilst here we board the Snowdon Mountain Railway for a return journey to Clogwyn which is the ¾ point on the mountain and offers fantastic views over the valley. Later this afternoon we return to the hotel. Dinner in the hotel tonight.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Snowdon Mountain Railway

We start our day with an included visit to Gwydir castle. One of the most important Tudor houses in Wales, Gwydir was acquired in 1994 by Peter Welford and author Judy Corbett. At this point, it was in desperate need of restoration, so they took on the mammoth task of restoring the house and gardens whilst managing to retain Gwydir's timeless atmosphere and natural beauty. Of note is the returned 17th century panelled dining room, which was bought by William Randolph Hearst of Citizen Kane fame, and has now been reinstated in its rightful home of Gwydir. A guided tour will take you back through over 500 years of history as the castle shares its stories and secrets. We also enjoy an included cream tea. Next, we head to the picturesque riverside village of Beddgelert. Here we take time to take a stroll around the village before we join the Welsh Highland Railway for a relaxing journey. The train meanders its way along the line with views of forests and mountains before heading towards the coast and the imposing Caernarfon Castle. Once arriving at Caernarfon station, we travel by coach back to our hotel for dinner together.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Gwydir Castle

This morning we include a visit to Bodnant Gardens to explore the gardens at your own pace. Spanning across 80 acres and over 250 years of horticultural history, the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden is home to Italianate terraces, wildflower meadows, woodland, and riverside gardens. From champion trees and national botanic collections, seasonal delights include daffodils, bluebells, camellias, magnolias, the laburnum arch, and rhododendrons in spring and rich autumn colours which lead to a stunning display in the Winter Garden.  When Victorian industrialist Henry Davis Pochin bought Bodnant at auction in 1874, it was an estate with a walled garden, woods, and plantations. It was Pochin's grand vision which originally shaped Bodnant into the world-renowned garden that we see today. Gifted to the National Trust in 1949, the donor family continue to maintain a link to the garden which have, in a new era of 21st century developments, brought about the opening of previously private areas such as the Winter Garden, Old Park, Yew Dell, The Far End and Furnace Wood. After spending our morning at Bodnant Garden, we head to Bodrhyddan Hall, the home of Lord Langford and his family. Bodrhyddan has been home to successive generations of the same family and is one of the few remaining family-owned stately homes in Wales. As the hall passed through the generations, styles and tastes changed, with the most recent additions being designed in 1874 by the renowned architect, William Eden Nesfield. The gardens cover around 12 acres and include a formal parterre, cascading lawns, and a Japanese walk of life.  Home to numerous native trees, they also feature others from further afield, including giant sequoia, cedar of Lebanon and an Indian bean tree. After a guided tour we enjoy coffee and cake before exploring the gardens at leisure. Later this afternoon the coach returns to the hotel. Dinner in the hotel this evening.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Bodnant Gardens

After breakfast you are free to check out of the hotel and depart at leisure. You could even take the opportunity to make your way up the Great Orme in Llandudno or visit the neighbouring town of Conwy before you make your way home.

Includes Breakfast


Single Room Supplement from £100.00 (5 days).

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at the Llandudno Bay Hotel.