Overview
This tour started with a letter from two guests in Wisconsin, who wanted to know how Welsh people live day to day and what makes their lives rich.
Most of what built North Wales came out of the ground or off the hill: slate, copper, wool and milk. This day goes where that work was done, and where some of it still is. Parys Mountain, once among the largest copper mines in the world, its hillside still stained red, orange and purple. Trefriw's mill, weaving Welsh blankets in the same family for generations. And Llefrith Cybi on Holy Island, where Mei, who farms there, shows you round in Welsh or English.
Some of it is history now, and some of it you can still taste.
- 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
- Heritage & culture
Itinerary
Copper, slate, wool and milk
Anglesey's north coast first: the copper hillside at Parys Mountain and the port at Amlwch that shipped it, now a geopark centre. Back over the strait to Penrhyn's slate-and-sugar splendour, then up the Conwy Valley to the looms at Trefriw. The day ends on a family dairy farm on Holy Island, where the milk is sold within hours of milking.
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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. -
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. -
Former copper port, now a UNESCO Geopark site with a visitor centre
A key part of the GeoMon UNESCO Global Geopark located on Anglesey. This area boasts a rich geological history, including some of the oldest fossils found in England and Wales. Historically, it was a significant hub for copper mining. Today, the port features a visitor center that showcases exhibits on the region's geology and the historical impact of copper mining. -
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. -
Family mill weaving Welsh blankets and throws since the 1600s
A mill on the Afon Crafnant weaving Welsh tapestry blankets and throws, in the same family since Thomas Williams bought it in 1859. The original Vale of Conwy mill was built in 1820 higher up the river, and its cloth went down the Conwy by boat from Trefriw quay. Water wheels drove the spinning mules and the fulling hammers until 1900, when the first hydroelectric turbine went in. The weaving sheds are open to visitors, with a shop. -
Anglesey dairy farm making ice cream, with tours from the farmer
Located in Fourmile Bridge on Anglesey. Local small farm producing milk, ice cream and selling local food products. Welsh-speaking owner Mei is happy to meet visitors and offer a short tour around the farm.
What guests say
I am a solo traveler and was looking for a way to see N. Wales for a few days. I have family that immigrated to the US from Wales in the early 1900. I was curious what his life was like as a stone mason back in the day. I was so fortunate to find John (Celticos) Before I booked, he sent me a suggested itinerary we had some conversations and throughout the tour he made adjustments so that I was able to see and do what I wanted to. He quickly understood that I was not as interested in "hot" tourists spots but was more interested in Welsh, history, culture and language. Along the way John introduced me to several folks so I could have a chat and enjoy the lovely Welsh hospitality. It is hard to pick a single highlight but some that come to mind immediately are the neolithic sites, Parys Mt., Dinorwig Quarry, Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel high in the mountains where Hillary and Norgay trained for their historic summit of Everest in 1953 and a final stop at The Turf Club in Wrexford. John is charming, and well-versed in Welsh culture, history and language as he is a native of Northern Wales. We talked as we traveled each day I felt that the tour was a collaborative experience that completely met and surpassed my expectations. If you really want to "see" Wales book a tour with John...you won't regret it. Cymru am byth
"John of Wales," which is the moniker we bestowed on him, invited us into a deeper experience and appreciation of Welsh culture, language, and way of life. His profound understanding of the history, longings, struggles, and contribution of the Welsh people led us to “fall in love” with the Welsh by experiencing them through John’s open and loving heart. At every step along the way -- both planning and conducting our tour -- John was responsive, insightful, and always ready to make our tour custom-designed to fit our interests. We couldn't have been more pleased with our time with 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.
- 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.
