Overview
The Dee, the Menai Strait and the mountains shape North Wales, and this tour gives each of them a day.
The Dee has Telford's aqueduct, 38 metres above the river. Across the strait, Anglesey's coast runs from the seabird cliffs at South Stack to a hillside turned red and purple by copper mining. And the mountains take you over Pen-y-Pass under Snowdon and down to the Llŷn.
It finishes on the sand at Morfa Nefyn, where the Ty Coch pub sits right on the beach.
- Duration
- 3 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
- Mountains & lakes
- Coast & beaches
Itinerary
Day 1 The Dee
Llandudno's bay and Conwy's walls in the morning, then east to Wrexham and the Dee Valley. Walk across Pontcysyllte, look up at Castell Dinas Brân from Llangollen, and stop at the Rhug estate's organic farm shop on the A5, before the evening in Betws-y-Coed.
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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. -
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. -
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 2 The Straits
Past Cwm Idwal and over the Menai to go right round Anglesey. The west gives you the cliffs and lighthouse at South Stack, the north the old brickworks village of Church Bay and the copper-coloured slopes of Parys Mountain. The east has a Romano-British village at Din Lligwy, the lifeboat village of Moelfre, and Beaumaris to end.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
An ancient settlement on Anglesey dating back to the Roman period (late 1st c...
A Romano-British settlement hidden in trees above Lligwy Bay, occupied into the fourth century: two round houses and several rectangular buildings inside a stone enclosure wall, the masonry still standing to a good height. Nearby are the Lligwy burial chamber, a Neolithic tomb under a huge capstone, and the ruined 12th-century chapel of Hen Capel Lligwy. -
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. -
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.
Day 3 The Mountains
Llanrwst's old bridge and Swallow Falls, then over Pen-y-Pass beneath Snowdon and down to Beddgelert. Out along the coast by Criccieth to the Llŷn, where Nant Gwrtheyrn's quarry village hides at the bottom of its valley, and on to the beach at Morfa Nefyn to finish.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
Small coastal town with sandy beaches on the Llŷn Peninsula AONB
A small coastal town located on the Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd, Wales. It is known for its scenic beauty, sandy beaches, and its location within the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) of the Llyn Peninsula. -
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.
What guests say
John Pritchard and Celticos is the Best!!!!
Three couples traveled to Northern Wales with John in June 2026. We had the time of our lives. For three days he kept each and every one of us not only happy but entralled. We had to work around some bad weather and he adjusted his schedule to make it work. His love for his country realy showed and his knowledge is impressive. When the group wanted to do two different things, he arranged everything. He had to pick 3 of us up at 6 am to climb Snowden, and then pick the rest up at 9 am. He gave great advice throughout the trip. We felt like we got to know the region much better with him as our quide. His enthusiasm and love for Wales are infectious. We traveled in his very nice travel Mercedes van each day and he had water ready for us.
I would whole-heartily recommend John.
John was an excellent tour guide and a really great guy. Our group of four spent three days touring northern Wales with him. He was always quick to respond to emails, picked us up promptly, very flexible, extremely informative about everywhere we went, and even had snacks! I highly recommend Celticos and John!
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.
