Overview
The road along the north coast has always been the road to Ireland, and it's lined with the places travellers stopped on the way: a holy well pilgrims have walked to for 1,300 years, the smallest ancient cathedral in Britain, and Edward I's castles from Flint, the first he built in Wales, to Beaumaris.
It ends at Holyhead, at a church standing inside the walls of a Roman fort, above the harbour where the Irish ferries still leave.
The North Wales Way is one of the Wales Way routes devised and promoted by Visit Wales.
- Duration
- 2 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
- Heritage & culture
- Coast & beaches
- Mountains & lakes
Itinerary
Day 1 The border to the Orme
Flint Castle on the Dee estuary, the first of Edward I's Welsh castles, then St Winefride's Well at Holywell, a pilgrimage site since the 7th century. St Asaph's tiny cathedral and Rhuddlan's diamond-plan castle bring you to the sea at Llandudno, and up the Great Orme to finish.
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The first of Edward I’s Welsh castles, on the Dee estuary
Flint Castle is a historic medieval castle located in Flintshire, North Wales, overlooking the River Dee. Built by King Edward I in the late 13th century, it was one of the first castles constructed during his campaign to conquer Wales. The castle is famous for its unusual design, including a large circular tower, and played an important role in the history of Wales and England. Today, its impressive ruins attract visitors interested in history, architecture, and the beautiful North Wales landscape. -
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. -
The smallest ancient cathedral in Britain
St Asaph is a small historic city in Denbighshire, North Wales, located along the River Elwy. It is famous for St Asaph Cathedral, which has a long history dating back many centuries and is one of the smallest cities in the UK. The city is surrounded by beautiful countryside and provides a peaceful place to explore Welsh history, culture, and architecture. -
A diamond-plan Edwardian castle above a canalised Clwyd
Rhuddlan is a historic town in Denbighshire, North Wales, famous for its impressive medieval castle. Rhuddlan Castle was built by King Edward I in the 13th century as part of his campaign to conquer Wales. The town has a rich history and is located near the River Clwyd, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Today, Rhuddlan is a popular place for visitors interested in Welsh history and medieval architecture. -
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. -
Limestone headland above Llandudno with a Bronze Age copper mine
A limestone headland above Llandudno with a Bronze Age copper mine, one of the most important prehistoric mines in the world, a Victorian tramway and a cable car to the summit. The headland has plants found nowhere else on earth; in 2015 the National Trust bought Parc Farm on top and let it for £1 a year to a shepherd whose sheep graze it for the wildflowers.
Day 2 Across Anglesey to Holyhead
Conwy, a walk up the valley to Aber Falls, and over the Menai Strait to Beaumaris. Then across Anglesey on the road to Ireland, over the old crossing at Four Mile Bridge to Holy Island, Trearddur's coves and South Stack. The last stop is St Cybi's, a 6th-century church in a 3rd-century Roman fort.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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'. -
The old crossing to Holy Island across the strait
Four Mile Bridge is a small village on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales, situated between Holyhead and Rhoscolyn. It is named after the historic bridge that crosses the Cymyran Strait, connecting Anglesey with Holy Island. The area is known for its peaceful surroundings, coastal scenery, and nearby beaches, making it a pleasant place to explore the natural beauty of North Wales. -
A sandy Holy Island bay of coves and rock
Trearddur Bay is a popular seaside village on Holy Island, off the coast of Anglesey in North Wales. It is well known for its beautiful sandy beach, clear waters, and rocky coastline. The bay is a great place for swimming, walking, and water sports, while the surrounding scenery offers lovely views of the Irish Sea. Trearddur Bay is a popular destination for both locals and visitors looking to enjoy the coast. -
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. -
A 6th-century church standing inside a Roman fort at Holyhead
Dating back to the 6th century, St Cybi's Church is uniquely located within the walls of a 3rd-century Roman fort overlooking the port of Holyhead on Anglesey. This remarkable combination of Roman and early Christian heritage makes it one of the most historically significant sites on the island.
What guests say
John organized a thoughtful schedule for our group of three during the half day that we had available to tour Anglesey before taking the ferry from Holyhead. We really enjoyed the tour as John had planned how to make the most of a few hours to allow us to see Anglesey’s natural beauty and historical sites. Not only is John delightful and easy to interact with, but his knowledge of the area provided informative backdrops as he skillfully drove us around. He was flexible and accommodating with the stops, totally reliable, excellent communicator, and we just had a fantastic time! It was good to catch up with John as this was the second time that we toured with Celticos. I will definitely reach out to him on a next trip to Wales. Thanks John!
I did a two-day tour with John. We arrived in Wales via ferry from Ireland, and he helped me find the ferry that worked best with our tour schedule. He picked us up at Holyhead Port and drove us to Southampton, England. He worked with me to create an itinerary that best fit my needs. I wanted to see historical sites and must-see places, and John delivered. He created a memorable itinerary that felt more like a road. One that I will never forget!
We saw two castles, charming villages, a few UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and many other beautiful places.
John also took us to a sheep farm, which was one of my favorite stops—I still think about it often!
I highly recommend this company to anyone visiting Wales and England. John is amazing—kind, patient, and very knowledgeable.
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.
