Overview
Welsh slate, they used to say, roofed the world, and this day follows the money.
It starts where the slate was dug, at Llanberis under Llywelyn the Great's tower at Dolbadarn, and goes on to Penrhyn Castle, the Victorian fantasy that slate and Caribbean sugar paid for. In between is Caernarfon, and after it the mountains themselves: the glacial Ogwen Valley between Tryfan and the Carneddau, and Betws-y-Coed.
It ends in Beddgelert, often called the prettiest village in Wales, and named, the story goes, for a faithful hound.
- 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
- Mountains & lakes
- Myths & legends
Itinerary
Slate country and the high valleys
Llanberis first, at the foot of Snowdon, where the quarried hillsides across Llyn Padarn are now a World Heritage Site. Caernarfon's walls, then Penrhyn's lavish rooms, before the road climbs the Ogwen Valley under Tryfan. The afternoon runs down through Betws-y-Coed to Beddgelert and a walk beside the Glaslyn.
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Working quarry workshops and machinery telling the slate story
(Closed for redevelopment until summer 2027.) The National Slate Museum occupies the Victorian workshops of the Dinorwig quarry, under Elidir mountain in Llanberis, kept as though the quarrymen and engineers had just put down their tools and gone home: a foundry, a forge, the joiners' shop and the great water wheel that drove them all. Craftsmen split slate by hand in demonstrations through the day, and a row of quarrymen's cottages moved here from Blaenau Ffestiniog shows how the families lived. -
Llywelyn the Great's round tower guarding the Llanberis Pass
Built in the early 13th century by Llywelyn the Great beside Llyn Padarn, to hold the route from Snowdonia to Caernarfon through the Llanberis Pass. Its round keep, forty feet high and forty across, is the finest surviving piece of Welsh-built castle work. Llywelyn the Last kept his brother Owain prisoner here for more than twenty years. It fell to Edward I in 1282 and saw one more fight in Owain Glyndŵr's rising around 1400. -
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. -
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. -
A rugged drive between Snowdonia's mountains, lakes and rivers
A beautiful valley located in Snowdonia National Park. It is known for its stunning natural scenery, including the rugged mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and rushing rivers that flow through the valley. -
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. -
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. -
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.
What guests say
We toured Wales /Snowdonia region with John from Celticos Tours as our guide and had a wonderful time exploring the nooks and crannies. John was a superb host, giving us great options for hitting so many beautiful locations. He struck the right balance of nature, culture, history and food options. We truly enjoyed our time in Snowdonia region and could relax as John handled the driving and logistics.
Our tour of North Wales with John was the absolute highlight of our UK trip. John was knowledgeable, professional, flexible, and kind. He was able to tailor a tour that related to our interests but he also put a lot of the control in our hands. We were so lucky to see some of the beautiful landscapes of Snowdonia, to tour some incredible castles, and to learn about welsh language and culture. We could not recommend celticos enough!
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.
