Overview
From Penmon Point, looking out at Puffin Island, to Aberdaron at the end of the Llŷn, and from the Dee at Llangollen to the cliffs of South Stack: a full week reaches every corner of North Wales.
There's time for the walk up to Aber Falls, for two very different Plas Newydds, one the Marquess of Anglesey's and one the Ladies of Llangollen's, and for the beach at Morfa Nefyn, with its pub on the sand.
The last day saves the mountains for the end: over the passes under Snowdon, then down to the sea at Portmeirion.
- Duration
- 7 days
- 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
- Houses & gardens
- Heritage railways
- Coast & beaches
- Mountains & lakes
Itinerary
Day 1 Anglesey, north and east
Over Telford's bridge to Beaumaris and out to Penmon Point, where a priory and a lighthouse face Puffin Island. The north coast follows: Moelfre and its lifeboat, the copper-stained slopes of Parys Mountain, St Patrick's church on its clifftop, and Church Bay, looking out over the Irish Sea.
-
Telford's 1826 span, the world's first major suspension bridge
Thomas Telford's suspension bridge of 1826, the first major one in the world, crossing the Menai Strait where the ferries used to run. The small town on the Anglesey bank takes its name from it, with a waterfront walk to Church Island, and shops and restaurants near the bridge. -
Elegant Georgian seaside town with its World Heritage castle and cafes
A small Georgian town on the Menai Strait, laid out beside the last of Edward I's castles, which sits in its moat at the top of the main street. The Victorian pier looks across the water to Snowdonia and up the strait to Puffin Island. Independent cafes, restaurants, gift shops and galleries, and the old courthouse and gaol to visit. -
Headland views across to Puffin Island and the mainland coast
A scenic headland on Anglesey offering panoramic views of the Menai Strait, Puffin Island, and the coast of mainland Wales. The area is home to historic landmarks including Penmon Priory, a 12th-century priory, and Penmon Lighthouse, built in 1838 and still in operation today. -
Whitewashed coastal village with a small harbour and sea views
A picturesque coastal village on the Anglesey Coastal Path, offering stunning views of the Irish Sea and the surrounding countryside. The village retains its traditional charm with whitewashed cottages, a small harbour, and a lovely beach. -
A vivid copper-mined landscape of red, orange and purple rock
Copper was dug here in the Bronze Age and by the Romans, but Parys Mountain's great age was the late 18th century, when it was the largest copper mine in the world and its ore sheathed the hulls of the Royal Navy. Women, the copar ledis, broke the ore with hammers on twelve-hour shifts, and children carried it to them. What is left is a hillside stained red, orange, purple and green, with a marked trail around the open pit. -
One of the oldest churches in Wales, on the north Anglesey coast
Is located in the town of Llanbadrig on the northern coast of Anglesey. It is one of the oldest churches in Wales, with origins dating back to the 5th century AD. According to tradition, the church was founded by St Patrick himself during his missionary work in Wales and Ireland. The current building dates primarily from the 13th century, though it has undergone various renovations and restorations over the centuries. -
Former brickworks village with Irish Sea views, tea and cake
An old brickworks village on the coast of Anglesey, offering a warm welcome with stunning sea views over the Irish Sea. A great spot for a cup of tea and cake. The village features a charming 17th-century cottage where you can experience life as it was centuries ago.
Day 2 Anglesey, south and west
The other half of the island: the chamber tomb at Bryn Celli Ddu, the Marquess of Anglesey's house on the strait, and salt drawn from the water beside it. Then Aberffraw, where the kings of Gwynedd held court, Rhoscolyn's cliff walks, and the lighthouse at South Stack below its seabird ledges.
-
The village with Europe's longest name, and the photo to prove it
The village with the longest place name in Europe, 58 letters, stretched to that length in the 1860s as a stunt to bring visitors to the new railway station. It still works: everyone stops to be photographed under the station sign. The name means roughly 'St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and St Tysilio's church by the red cave'. -
A 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber, remarkably well preserved
The Mound in the Dark Grove: a Neolithic passage tomb on Anglesey, around 5,000 years old, built on top of an earlier henge, so that it is two monuments in one, tracing a change in belief. You can walk into the chamber, where a stone carved with spirals stands. The passage is aligned so that the rising midsummer sun lights the chamber. -
Marquess of Anglesey's mansion and gardens on the Menai Strait
The Marquess of Anglesey's house on the Menai Strait: a 1470s house rebuilt in the 1790s by James Wyatt and restyled in the 1930s, when Rex Whistler painted the 58-foot mural in the dining room, his largest work, an imagined harbour with Snowdonia beyond. Gardens and woodland walks along the strait, and the National Trust since 1976. -
Artisan sea salt harvested from the Menai Strait, with tours and shop
Salt was made on Anglesey until the late 18th century, when the makers were fined for cutting the brine with Cheshire rock salt. Halen Môn revived the craft in the 1990s, drawing seawater from the Menai Strait, already filtered by a mussel bed and a sandbank, charcoal-filtering it and hand-harvesting the flakes with nothing added. The saltcote at Brynsiencyn runs tours and tastings and has a shop. -
Former royal seat of Gwynedd's kings, near St Cwyfan's island church
A village steeped in history, once serving as the royal court of the kings of Gwynedd during the medieval period. Its significance in Welsh culture and governance is evident through its role in preserving the Welsh language and traditions. While its prominence waned after the Norman invasion and subsequent shifts in power, Aberffraw remains an important historical site in Wales. A 5 minute drive down to St Cwyfan's church. -
Quiet Anglesey village with a golden beach and clifftop walks
Rhoscolyn is a peaceful village located in the far south-west of the island of Anglesey. With beautiful coastal landscapes that have views of Snowdonia and the Llŷn Peninsula. The place's major attractions include Borthwen beach with its golden sands and safe waters, as well as stunning cliff walks with views of sea arches, St Gwenfaen’s holy well, and the Rhoscolyn Lookout Station. The village’s popular attraction is the White Eagle pub. -
Clifftop seabird colonies around one of Wales's most photographed spots
A lighthouse of 1809 on a rock off the west coast of Holy Island, reached down 400 steps and across a bridge: an island off an island off an island. The cliffs hold thousands of guillemots, razorbills and puffins in early summer, and choughs all year, and the RSPB's rare-breed sheep graze the heath above. Above the car park are the Iron Age hut circles of Tŷ Mawr.
Day 3 Waterfalls, slate and Caernarfon
A walk up the valley to Aber Falls, then the Ogwen road to Cwm Idwal, Wales's oldest nature reserve. Down to Penrhyn Castle, built on slate and sugar money, and along the Menai through Y Felinheli to Caernarfon, Edward I's grandest castle.
-
Rhaeadr Fawr, a 37-metre waterfall at the end of an easy valley walk
Rhaeadr Fawr drops about 37 metres, 120 feet, off the northern edge of the Carneddau above Abergwyngregyn. The walk in from the car park is about two and a half miles there and back on a clear, mostly level path up the valley, with a second fall, Rhaeadr Bach, off to the side. -
Wales's oldest nature reserve, a dramatic hanging valley and lake
A hanging valley and lake under the cliffs of Glyder Fawr, Wales's first National Nature Reserve, where Darwin came in 1831 and only later realised he had been looking at the work of glaciers. The legend is darker: Idwal, a prince's son, was drowned in the lake by his guardian, and no bird, they say, has flown over it since. The circuit of the lake is about three miles from the Ogwen car park. -
Vast Victorian fantasy castle of slate and sugar wealth, near Bangor
Penrhyn Castle as we see it today was built near Bangor between 1822 and 1837 by Thomas Hopper, who created a fantasy Norman castle around a medieval fortified house, glimpses of which can still be seen. His client, George Dawkins Pennant, had inherited a fortune made from sugar in the Caribbean and slate from Snowdonia. The interiors are strikingly rich, with a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria, and the Victorian kitchens below stairs. The stable block holds a railway museum of the quarry's industrial locomotives, and the grounds run to 45 acres of parkland, walled garden and exotic trees. National Trust. -
Maritime village with a small harbour looking over the Menai Strait
Is a village in Gwynedd, Wales, located near the Menai Straits and close to the city of Bangor. It has a rich history and offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, including Snowdonia. The village is known for its maritime heritage, with a small harbor and opportunities for outdoor activities like walking and sailing. -
Edward I's mightiest fortress, guarding the Menai Strait since 1283
Edward I's fortress palace at the mouth of the Seiont, begun in 1283, its banded masonry and polygonal towers modelled on the walls of Constantinople. The first English Prince of Wales was born here in 1284, and the investiture of Prince Charles took place here in 1969. A World Heritage Site with its walled town, and one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe.
Day 4 The Dee Valley
East through Ruthin and Wrexham to the Dee. Walk the aqueduct, visit the house the Ladies of Llangollen covered in carved oak, and stop at the Rhug estate's farm shop on the way back west to Betws-y-Coed.
-
Denbighshire town of historic squares below the Clwydian Range
Is a picturesque town in Denbighshire, celebrated for its rich history and scenic landscapes. Dating back to Roman times, it features the historic Ruthin Castle, a 13th-century building that now serves as a hotel. The town's heart is St. Peter's Square, surrounded by attractions like the Ruthin Craft Centre and the Old Courthouse, which hosts galleries and community events. Nestled near the Clwydian Range and the River Clwyd, Ruthin offers ample opportunities for hiking and enjoying nature. -
Wales's newest city, with St Giles' tower and a famous football club
Wales's newest city, since 2022, and the largest in the north-east. St Giles' Church has one of the Seven Wonders of Wales, its 16th-century tower, and the grave of Elihu Yale, who gave his name to the university. Wrexham AFC, one of the oldest professional clubs in the world, is owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whose documentary put the city on screens everywhere. -
Telford's 1805 aqueduct, the highest navigable one in the world
Thomas Telford's aqueduct of 1805 carries the Llangollen Canal 307 metres across the Dee on 18 tapering stone piers, hollow at the top to save weight, 38 metres above the river: the highest navigable aqueduct in the world and a World Heritage Site. You can walk the towpath across, with a railing on one side and the drop on the other, or see it from the riverbank below. -
Dee Valley town below the Berwyn Mountains and Castell Dinas Bran
A small town at a crossing of the Dee, in the narrowest part of the valley below the Berwyn Mountains. The river runs fast here and canoeists fight through it under the old bridge, while a horse pulls the passenger boats along the canal above the town. Each July the International Musical Eisteddfod fills the Royal Pavilion with singers and dancers from around the world, and a heritage railway runs ten miles up the valley to Corwen. On the hill above are the ruins of Castell Dinas Brân. -
The black-and-white house of the Ladies of Llangollen
Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby left Ireland together in 1778 and made this cottage above Llangollen famous across Europe, receiving Wordsworth, Scott and Wellington. They encrusted it with carved oak given by visitors, and laid out the terraced gardens. -
Organic estate farm shop, cafe and restaurant on the Rhug Estate
The farm shop is renowned for its high-quality products and commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices. It aims to provide customers with fresh, wholesome, and ethically produced food. In addition to the farm shop, Rhug Estate also encompasses a cafe and restaurant where visitors can enjoy meals made using ingredients from the farm. Prince Charles opened the shop in 2013 and has been known to stop by. -
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.
Day 5 The Llŷn to its tip
Along the Llŷn from the hillfort at Dinas Dinlle to Aberdaron, the pilgrims' last village before Bardsey. Trefor's quarry pier, Nant Gwrtheyrn in its valley and Ty Coch on the beach at Morfa Nefyn on the way out; Porth Towyn, Abersoch and Criccieth's castle on the way home.
-
Iron Age coastal hillfort with views across to the Llŷn Peninsula
An Iron Age hillfort thought to have been constructed around 300 BCE, serving as a defensive structure offering protection to its inhabitants. Located on the coast near Caernarfon with views across to the Llŷn Peninsula. -
A quarry village under Yr Eifl with a stone pier and a shingle beach
Trefor grew around the Yr Eifl granite quarry, which shipped setts from its own pier to pave the cities of Victorian Britain. The quarry closed in the 1960s and the village is now a quiet base for walking the three peaks of Yr Eifl and the Llŷn coast path. -
Restored quarry village, now a Welsh language and heritage centre
A beautifully restored Victorian quarry village set on a 200-acre site in a secluded wooded valley overlooking Porthdinllaen Bay on the Llyn Peninsula. Transformed into a Welsh language and cultural centre, Nant Gwrtheyrn is a wonderful spot to enjoy stunning coastal scenery and learn about Welsh culture and heritage. -
Sandy Llŷn beach, and the Ty Coch pub right on the shoreline
Is particularly famous for its picturesque beach, which stretches along the coast and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The beach is sandy and attracts a number of visitors. Ty Coch pub has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. Its idyllic setting makes it a popular spot for enjoying a drink or a meal while taking in the breathtaking coastal views. -
The last village before Ynys Enlli, and the end of the pilgrims' road
Aberdaron sits in a bay at the tip of the Llŷn, the final stop for medieval pilgrims crossing to Ynys Enlli (Bardsey). St Hywyn's church stands on the beach itself, and Y Gegin Fawr fed pilgrims waiting for a crossing from the thirteenth century onwards. -
A sheltered sandy cove on the north coast of the Llŷn
A small west-facing beach near Tudweiliog, backed by low cliffs and reached down a farm track. Sand at all states of the tide and clear water, with views along the coast to Yr Eifl. -
A sailing village with two beaches and the St Tudwal's islands offshore
Abersoch is the Llŷn's sailing centre, busy with boats through the summer and looking out to the two St Tudwal's islands. The main beach runs south towards Llanbedrog; the Warren beach behind it is private. -
Seaside resort with castle ruins on a headland above two beaches
Located on the Llŷn Peninsula and is known for its beaches, scenic views and castle ruins. Great spot to take in the views and admire the stunning backdrop of a Welsh castle later taken over by King Edward I in the 13th century, perched on the hill. The town began developing into a seaside resort back in 1868, when the Welsh Coast railways were beginning to be constructed.
Day 6 Conwy and its valley
Llandudno's promenade and Conwy's walls, still complete after seven centuries. Up the Conwy Valley to Bodnant's food hall and a walk through its garden, then Llanrwst, and Swallow Falls in the woods above Betws-y-Coed.
-
Victorian seaside resort with a grand promenade, pier and bay
A popular seaside resort town located on the north coast of Wales, known for its Victorian-era charm and architecture. It gained popularity as a holiday destination during the 19th century and has retained much of its original Victorian character. The town's elegant promenade, pier, and crescent-shaped bay contribute to its nostalgic appeal. -
Edward I's exceptionally preserved fortress on the River Conwy
Built for Edward I by Master James of St George from 1283, on a rock at the mouth of the Conwy: eight towers, two barbicans and a great hall in one long ring, with no need for the concentric walls of his other castles because the rock did that work. It cost about £15,000, the most Edward spent so quickly on any Welsh castle, and it is the best preserved of them all. A World Heritage Site together with the town walls, which still run unbroken round the old town. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
Day 7 The mountains to Portmeirion
Llanberis, Pen y Gwryd and the pass under Snowdon, then down to Beddgelert. South through Dolgellau to Harlech, and the week ends at Portmeirion, an Italian village on a Welsh estuary.
-
Slate village at the foot of Snowdon, on the shore of Llyn Padarn
Lies at the foot of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales and England. It is known for its industrial heritage. The nearby Llyn Padarn lake was once a hub for slate quarrying, recently recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dolbadarn Castle is also situated in the village and was built in the early 13th century by Llywelyn the Great, a Welsh prince. It was constructed as a strategic stronghold to control the Llanberis Pass, which was an important route through the mountains. -
The inn where the 1953 Everest team trained before setting out
Gained historical significance as the base camp for the 1953 British Mount Everest expedition led by Sir John Hunt. The expedition aimed to conquer Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. The team, which included renowned climbers such as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, used Pen y Gwryd as their training ground before departing for Everest. -
Mountain pass high in Snowdonia, a classic start for Snowdon walks
A mountain pass at the top of the Llanberis Pass in Snowdonia, offering dramatic views of the surrounding peaks. A popular starting point for walks up Snowdon and a stunning drive-through experience. -
Often called the prettiest village in Wales, and famed for ice cream
Often called the prettiest village in Wales, where the Glaslyn meets the Colwyn under the mountains. The name means Gelert's grave, and the story of the prince who killed his faithful hound by mistake is told at the grave a short walk downstream. Parts of the village date from the 12th century; it grew on copper mining in the 18th and 19th. Famous for its ice cream, and for the National Trust's Tŷ Isaf shop in a late 17th-century house in the centre. -
A stone-built market town, the gateway to southern Snowdonia
A historic market town with a rich history dating back to medieval times. Dolgellau features 17th-century houses, narrow streets, and the iconic stone bridge Pont y Wernddu. The architecture reflects the town's heritage and contributes to its considerable charm as a gateway to southern Snowdonia. -
Edward I's clifftop fortress above Cardigan Bay, a World Heritage Site
Edward I's castle on its rock above Cardigan Bay, built to the concentric plan in only twelve years, 1283 to 1295, by nearly a thousand craftsmen and labourers. The sea once came to the foot of the rock. A siege in the Wars of the Roses, when a small garrison held out for seven years, is said to be the origin of 'Men of Harlech'. A World Heritage Site. -
Clough Williams-Ellis's Italianate fantasy village on the estuary
Clough Williams-Ellis wanted to show that a beautiful site could be built on without spoiling it. He looked for twenty years, then in 1925 bought the Aber Iâ estate on the Dwyryd estuary near his home and spent the next fifty building Portmeirion: an Italianate village of towers, colonnades and painted facades, its streets turned so that each corner opens onto the estuary or the mountains, with woodland gardens behind. It was the Village in The Prisoner. A hotel, restaurants and shops.
What guests say
I traveled from Minneapolis to Wales as part of a group of six terrific women. We were incredibly fortunate to have John as our guide. He is the best! Not only is he a master driver navigating the ancient and beautiful roads of the Welsh landscape, but he is passionate about his country and knows so much about its history. Every day (we were with him for seven days) was a great adventure. John made the trip memorable in more ways than I can count. He is incredibly respectful, reliable, and dependable. More than that, though, he is one of the most positive people I have ever met. Charming, kind, fun, funny, and overall a complete joy to be with. I recommend Celticos fully. You will be sad to leave Wales because you will be leaving a new friend!
I’m a frequent traveler and have had a lot of tour guides. But this tour and John were hands down, one of my favorites ever. It was like a very kind family member was taking us to all his favorite local spots. I feel like we got a great overview, and can’t wait to go back and explore more of the country with him. Thank you for everything John. See you soon hopefully.
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.
