Overview
Three builders on one stretch of coast, and only one of them was building for pleasure.
Edward I raised Harlech on its rock to hold Cardigan Bay, and it stands quieter than the other three, so you can picture holding it. Llywelyn the Great put Criccieth on its headland between two beaches, and Glyndŵr's men burned it in 1404. From 1925 to 1975 Clough Williams-Ellis built Portmeirion, an Italian village on a Welsh estuary, its streets turned so each corner opens onto the sea or the mountains. It was the Village in The Prisoner.
The day ends out on the Llŷn at Nant Gwrtheyrn, a quarry village where people now come to learn Welsh.
- 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
- Coast & beaches
Itinerary
Castles on the shore
Morning in Portmeirion's piazzas and gardens. Then Harlech, the castle that gave Wales 'Men of Harlech', and Criccieth's twin-towered gatehouse above the bay. Porthmadog is the harbour slate built, at the foot of the Ffestiniog line, and the last stop is down the steep road to Nant Gwrtheyrn, alone in its valley above the sea.
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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. -
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. -
A Welsh-built castle on its own rock between two beaches
Criccieth was built by Llywelyn the Great, taken by Edward I's forces some fifty years later and remodelled by them, including a tower for stone-throwing engines, then captured and burned by Owain Glyndŵr's troops in 1404, in the last great Welsh rising. The twin-towered gatehouse and the view along Cardigan Bay are the reasons to climb it. -
A harbour town built on slate, and the terminus of two heritage railways
Porthmadog was built to ship slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog, brought down to the quay by the Ffestiniog Railway. The harbour is now a marina, and the town is the terminus for both the Ffestiniog Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway, along with a third short line at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. -
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.
What guests say
John took us on a great day tour: we had always wanted to visit Portmeirion. Such a great drive through beautiful valleys and green pastures. Views of Snowdonia and we were blessed with good weather too!
Would recommend without hesitation. Great knowledge, good company, considerate and thoughtful. Thank you John and Celticos.
Well guided tour of North Wales. Talking history about the country. Visited former Welsh castles which were conquered by the Norman invaders. Visits to quaint villages and sampled local cuisine. We deviated from our itinerary to the recommended destinations of John, our highly educated driver and 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.
- What time do we start and finish?
Usually around 9am to 5pm, but we are flexible. What matters most is that you have a good time, so if starting earlier or finishing later makes for a better day, that is what we will do.
- How many of us can come?
Up to 7 guests, travelling together in our Mercedes V-Class. For a party of 8 or more, get in touch and we will make special arrangements.
- Can children come?
Children over 12 years old are welcome. Not every tour suits children, 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.
- 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.
