Overview
From Chester the Welsh border is a few miles away, and from Liverpool or Manchester it's under an hour. One day is enough to go in by one valley and come out by another.
You walk the towpath across Telford's aqueduct, 38 metres above the Dee, then follow his London to Holyhead road west into the mountains, to Betws-y-Coed and Swallow Falls. The Conwy Valley takes you down to the sea at Conwy Castle, the best preserved of Edward I's fortresses in Wales.
The coast road brings you back to the city by evening.
This tour is an example: every trip is planned around the people taking it. How your tour comes together
- 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
- Mountains & lakes
- Heritage & culture
Itinerary
The Dee, the mountains and Conwy
Out through Wrexham to Pontcysyllte, its eighteen stone piers carrying the canal 307 metres across the valley, then Llangollen, below the hilltop ruins of Castell Dinas Brân. Over the moors into Snowdonia for Betws-y-Coed and Swallow Falls, down the Conwy Valley to the castle at the river's mouth, and back along the coast by Holywell.
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Roman walls, medieval Rows and Tudor streets in historic Cheshire
A historic city in Cheshire, England, known for its Roman walls, medieval Rows shopping galleries, and Tudor-style architecture. A common starting and finishing point for North Wales tours. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
St Winefride’s Well, the Lourdes of Wales, a pilgrimage site for 1,300 years
Holywell is a historic town in Flintshire, North Wales, famous for St Winefride’s Well, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Britain. The town has a rich history and is surrounded by beautiful countryside, making it a popular place for visitors interested in Welsh culture and heritage. Holywell is also close to the Dee Estuary and other attractions in North Wales. -
Roman walls, medieval Rows and Tudor streets in historic Cheshire
A historic city in Cheshire, England, known for its Roman walls, medieval Rows shopping galleries, and Tudor-style architecture. A common starting and finishing point for North Wales tours.
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.
- How many of us can come?
Up to 7 guests, travelling together in our Mercedes V-Class. Seven can be tight, so we usually recommend no more than 6. For a party of 8 or more, get in touch and we will make special arrangements.
- How far ahead should we get in touch?
Whenever suits you. Some guests write eight months ahead, some a few weeks before. It's best to confirm availability as soon as possible.
- Can children come?
Children are welcome. Not every tour suits every age, so tell us their ages when you get in touch and we will plan the day around them. We are not able to accommodate infants and babies.
- 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. Most of the castles are maintained by Cadw, part of the Welsh Government. Please visit cadw.gov.wales. We can advise you on the best deals when you book your tour with us.
- 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.
