Overview
Before the coast road was cut, everyone came to Conwy over the Sychnant Pass. You still can, and from the top Anglesey and the Menai Strait lie spread out behind you.
Then up the river the Victorians followed into the mountains: Bodnant's eighty acres of terraces looking across to Snowdonia, Llywelyn the Great's tower on its crag above the Lledr valley, and a cottage that legend says went up in a single night.
The valley starts at the sea and ends in the mountains at Betws-y-Coed, and so does the day.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Group size
- Up to 7 guests
- Vehicle
- Mercedes V-Class
Includes
- Expert bilingual local guide
- Travel in a Mercedes V-Class
- Daily pick-ups & drop offs
- Fully customisable
Excludes
- Flights, transfers and accommodation
- Food and drink
- Entry fees to attractions
- Castles
- Heritage & culture
Itinerary
Sea to mountains
Over the old pass and down into the valley for the gardens at Bodnant, then the old bridge at Llanrwst and Tu Hwnt i'r Bont, the ivy-covered house beside it. The land climbs from there: the stone bridges of Betws-y-Coed, Dolwyddelan's lonely tower, and Swallow Falls, the waterfall the Victorians came up from the cities to see.
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The old road over the hills from Penmaenmawr to Conwy
Before the coast road was cut, this steep narrow pass carried the traffic between Penmaenmawr and Conwy. Worth stopping at the top to look back over the Menai Strait and Anglesey laid out below. -
Eighty acres of terraced gardens with views to the Snowdonia range
Eighty acres above the River Conwy, sloping west with Snowdonia across the valley. Formal Italianate terraces and a rose garden run down into the Dell, a wooded valley of streams and glades planted with seeds and cuttings brought back by plant-hunting expeditions more than a century ago. Something is at its best in every season: daffodils and magnolias in spring, the laburnum arch in late May, summer meadows, autumn colour and frost on the terraces in winter. There are record-breaking trees among the two-hundred-year-old ones. -
Welsh farm shop, bakery and tea room championing local producers
A farm shop, bakery and tea room in the heart of the Conwy Valley, built around Welsh producers and their award-winning food and drink. A good place to see, and buy, the range of what the north of Wales makes. -
A Conwy Valley market town beside the 17th-century Pont Fawr
A small market town on the River Conwy. Pont Fawr, the three-arched bridge of 1636, is attributed by tradition to Inigo Jones, and Tŷ Hwnt i'r Bont beside it is a 15th-century house, now the ivy-covered tearoom in every photograph of the town. Gwydir Castle, the Wynn family's Tudor house, is across the river. -
Victorian resort village of stone bridges and riverside woodland walks
A gem of a village and the gateway to Snowdonia, Betws-y-Coed has been a popular holiday destination since the Victorian era. Situated in a picturesque valley at the confluence of the River Conwy and River Llugwy, the village offers charming stone bridges, woodland walks, and a wonderful selection of outdoor shops and cafes. -
Llywelyn the Great's hilltop tower, watching over the Lledr valley
Was built in the late 13th century, likely by Llywelyn the Great. Its circular tower and stone walls exemplify medieval Welsh architecture. The castle, situated on a hilltop, served as a lookout and played a key role in conflicts between Welsh princes and the English crown. -
Snowdonia's most popular waterfall, a short way from Betws-y-Coed
A series of falls on the Afon Llugwy two miles above Betws-y-Coed, the most visited waterfall in Snowdonia since the Victorians came by train. The Welsh name, Rhaeadr Ewynnol, means the foaming fall; 'ewynnol' sounds like 'y wennol', the swallow, and the English name stuck. -
A one-night cottage of legend, now a woodland cafe and centre
The Ugly House is in reality far from that. It is believed to have been originally built as a hafodunos, which means a house built overnight to conform to an ancient law providing land for development. It is now a very picturesque visitor centre and cafe in a beautiful woodland glade.
What guests say
Wasn’t happy with options for bus tours. So glad that I found Celticos. John worked with us on an itinerary that maximized our day seeing mountains, sea cliffs, a waterfall, plus so much more. We strolled along a river winding through a picturesque village and had warm Welsh cakes waiting when we were done. There was even time for a meal in a 16th century pub! It was amazing how much we were able to see and do.
We wanted to get the most out of stay in North Wales so we booked this private tour. It was amazing. Our tour guide was from the local area and gave us a lot of information and color about the local history. We booked the one day tour and were able to pack a lot into the day without feeling rushed. Highly recommend visiting the area and using Celticos as your tour guide?
Frequently asked questions
- Can we change the itinerary?
Yes. Every tour we run is customised, so treat this itinerary as a starting point. Tell us what interests you and we will build the days around it.
- Can this tour be combined with other tours, or made longer or shorter?
Yes. A day tour can be built into a multi-day tour, and a multi-day tour can be shortened, extended or joined to another. Tell us how many days you have and we will plan around them.
- Are admission fees included?
No. Entry to castles, gardens and other attractions is paid on the day, where a fee applies. Many of the castles are cared for by Cadw, and we can advise on the best-value tickets when you book.
- Is food included?
No. As we tour we will suggest eating places that our guests have enjoyed.
- What should we wear and bring?
Sensible footwear for some light walking, and a rain jacket, just in case.
- How much walking is involved?
Some, and none of it strenuous: the walk from the car to a castle gate or a viewpoint. If walking is a concern, tell us and we will plan the stops accordingly.
- Where should we stay?
Somewhere central, so that touring time is not spent driving to the start. Our accommodation advice lists places our guests have used, and we are happy to suggest a base for your tour.
