Wales 2017 Tour
This was a great trip, my first time going with a tour group and is definitely something I'd like to do again.
Pat E., April 2017
This was a wonderful tour for me, the itinerary was varied, a great mix...I particularly enjoyed the fiber focus, the mill tours were amazing and the local wool festival was a great way to start the trip. Meredith E., April 2017
Pat E., April 2017
This was a wonderful tour for me, the itinerary was varied, a great mix...I particularly enjoyed the fiber focus, the mill tours were amazing and the local wool festival was a great way to start the trip. Meredith E., April 2017
Day 1 -- April 20, 2017
After our arrival at the Cardiff Airport, we headed to St. Fagan's National History Museum, a delightful open-air museum in Cardiff chronicling the historical lifestyle, culture, and architecture of the Welsh people. The museum has an outstanding collection of period buildings - houses, shops, dwellings, churches - gathered from all corners of Wales and re-built here.
Marci's favorite visit was the Rhyd-y-car ironworkers' cottages from Merthyr Tydfil. Built originally around 1800, each of the six houses, each with their own strip of garden, was furnished in the style of a different era - from 1805 to 1985 - a great glimpse into the working-class Welsh life over the last 2 centuries!
From there we took a scenic drive through the Vale of Glamorgan, a rich pastoral landscape with a cliff-fringed coastline broken by long, sandy beaches. Then on to our lodgings at St. Mary's Hotel, situated outside Cardiff and nestled among the Welsh hills, for a wonderful welcome dinner.
Day 2 -- Friday, April 21, 2017
After breakfast, we took a tour of Cardiff. Our first stop was the Llandaff Cathedral -- one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain. The first Cathedral at this site dates back to 546, and the Celtic Cross below is said to be the only remaining relic from the original church.
The Cathedral today dates from the Norman period, 1120 and is magnificent with its multiple chapels and Rosetti Triptych. On January 2, 1941, a borne land-mine exploded demolishing the roof and part of the south entrance.
Our next stop was Cardiff Castle, the geographical and historical heart of the city. The original fort here dates back to the Romans. Having been the seat of many powerful families, its most intense development came under the Bute family, who owned it for over 150 years, ending in 1947. We were given a tour of the castle apartments, explored the Black Tower and Clock Tower, the Norman Keep and the battlements, under which were the wartime tunnels, used as bombing shelters during WW II.
Cardiff, being a main gateway to the sea and the heart of Welsh industry, was heavily bombed during the war. As we walked through the air-raid shelters, we heard the bombs exploding and the voice of Winston Churchill declaring war. On exiting the exhibit, we saw the photos of the destruction in the city, including Llandaff Cathedral that we had just visited! Very impressive.
We then left town and drove through a 'deep wood' and along the picturesque Wye River to Tintern Abbey, the best preserved medieval abbey in Wales. The present-day remains are a mixture of buildings spanning a 400-year period from the 12th to 16th centuries. Begun in 1131 by Cistercian Monks from Normandy, it had become massive in its hey-day in the 14th century. Now in ruins, it is still a truly impressive structure!
Day 3 -- April 22, 2017
After breakfast, we left for Builth Wells to attend the Wonderwool Wales Wool Festival, the premier wool and natural fiber festival in Wales. We met a lot of people and made new friends, including several local artisans as well as Marie Wallen, the girls from Baa Ram Ewe, and the girls from Cambrian Mountain Wools.
After breakfast, we left for Builth Wells to attend the Wonderwool Wales Wool Festival, the premier wool and natural fiber festival in Wales. We met a lot of people and made new friends, including several local artisans as well as Marie Wallen, the girls from Baa Ram Ewe, and the girls from Cambrian Mountain Wools.
After lunch we left for Hay-on-Wye, located on the border of England and Wales, home of the second-hand bookstore. The first bookstore was opened by Richard Booth in 1961 (at left), and the town now boasts over 30! Richard declared Hay's independence from the UK in 1977, appoints his own ministers, and issues passports. Another one of our favorite shops was called 'Murder and Mayhem'.
After tea, we headed to Swansea through the lovely Brecon Beacons National Park, a lovely mountian range in the south of Wales and home to the Welsh Mountain Pony. Ponies could be found here in nature prior to 1600BC. Commonly used in the many coal mines in Wales, they have now evolved, with the help of the Arabian and Thoroughbred lines, into a lovely riding breed for both children and adults. The next couple of nights we spent at the Mumbles Carlton Hotel in Swansea, overlooking the Swansea Bay.
Day 4 -- April 23, 2017
After breakfast, we boarded our bus for a scenic tour along the Gower Peninsula to Rhossili. Gower was the first place in Britain to be designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here we spent time exploring the coast, walking the trails and strolling through the quaint village of Rhossili.
After breakfast, we boarded our bus for a scenic tour along the Gower Peninsula to Rhossili. Gower was the first place in Britain to be designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here we spent time exploring the coast, walking the trails and strolling through the quaint village of Rhossili.
The 13th century church of St Mary's is located in the center of the village. Its thick-set stone construction with Norman carved door archway, scratched-in sundial and saddleback tower make it a distinctive church. And we were able to witness a service in progress!
In the afternoon, we returned to our hotel and enjoyed a sightseeing tour of the Swansea waterfront. We visited the Dylan Thomas Centre followed by a visit to the Mission Gallery.
Day 5 -- April 24, 2017
Today we headed to the Pembrokeshire Coast. We visited St. Davids, the smallest city in the United Kingdom and the final resting place of the patron saint of Wales. St. Davids was first considered Holy when William the Conqueror visited here to pray in 1081. The present Cathedral was begun in 1181, and has had many expansions and renovations since then. Boasting three services a day, every day, it is a famous place of pilgrimage for many.
After we explored the adjacent Bishop's Palace. The site here dates back to the 6th century, although the buildings themselves are from the 1100s. St Davids was the home of the Marcher Lords that guarded the Wales/England border.
On the way back to Swansea, we stopped for a tour at the delightful National Wool Museum, located in the little village of Dre-fach Felindre in the Teifi Valley.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, this village was the heart of the Welsh wool trade, with 43 working mills in and around the village. Today there are only 12 fully operational mills in all of Wales. The museum was initially the Cambrian Mills. The exhibits are excellent and span the entire methods of wool processing. Most impressive was the 'Mighty Mule' with its 400 spindles spinning the wool into yarn!
Day 6 -- April 25, 2017
After breakfast, we said farewell to Swansea and the south of Wales and headed north to Caernarfon. On our way we stopped at Powis Castle, and had a delightful surprise when we got there - our friend Sasha Kagan, long-time designer for Rowan, greeted us with a lovely trunk show, with several of her garments and books for sale. Powis Castle (Castell Coch - Red Castle), was built in the 13th century by Welsh ruler Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn, lord of Powys, and is currently owned by John Herbert, the 8th Earl of Powis. The interior is truly a masterpiece, full of exceptional art, statues, furniture and textiles from Europe, India and the Orient. The terraced gardens are just as amazing, and as we strolled through them, it began to snow! Sasha's hats came in handy! We all had a lovely lunch and good catch-up.
After breakfast, we said farewell to Swansea and the south of Wales and headed north to Caernarfon. On our way we stopped at Powis Castle, and had a delightful surprise when we got there - our friend Sasha Kagan, long-time designer for Rowan, greeted us with a lovely trunk show, with several of her garments and books for sale. Powis Castle (Castell Coch - Red Castle), was built in the 13th century by Welsh ruler Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn, lord of Powys, and is currently owned by John Herbert, the 8th Earl of Powis. The interior is truly a masterpiece, full of exceptional art, statues, furniture and textiles from Europe, India and the Orient. The terraced gardens are just as amazing, and as we strolled through them, it began to snow! Sasha's hats came in handy! We all had a lovely lunch and good catch-up.
After our lovely tour of Powis Castle, we continued our journey to Caernarfon where we spent the night at the historic Black Boy Inn, built in 1522 and located in the Royal Borough of Caernarfon within the medieval town walls. With its roaring open fires and big oak beams, it was very welcoming!
Day 7 -- April 26, 2017
After breakfast, we took a short stroll to Caernarfon Castle. Construction on this most impressive castle was begun in 1283 by Edward I. This castle was the strongest link in his Iron Ring. The views from the tops of the polygonal towers and the walkways between them was magnificent. It was here in 1969 that Charles was invested as Prince of Wales.
After breakfast, we took a short stroll to Caernarfon Castle. Construction on this most impressive castle was begun in 1283 by Edward I. This castle was the strongest link in his Iron Ring. The views from the tops of the polygonal towers and the walkways between them was magnificent. It was here in 1969 that Charles was invested as Prince of Wales.
In the afternoon, we traveled to the famous Trefriw Woolen Mills , located in the charming village of Trefriw, Conwy. Dating back to 1825, they are known for their Welsh Tapestry Bed Spreads. We toured the mill and saw the water driven turbine that generates the electricity to power the machinery. And then a lovely stroll through town.
Day 8 -- April 27
After breakfast, we headed out for a day at the famous Snowdonia National Park, home of the largest mountain in Wales and England, Mount Snowdon. We took the Snowdon Mountain Railway, and although a bit foggy, still great fun! We then went to the slate museum next door for a lovely tour and demo of how to 'cut' slate.
Day 9 -- April 28, 2017
After breakfast, we said good-bye to Caernarfon and Wales and began our trip to the Peak District of England. En route, we stopped in the lovely seaside resort of Llandudno where we took the tram to the top of the Great Orme and strolled along the Victorian Pier.
Our next visit was the amazing Bodnant Gardens. Created in 1874 by Henry Pochin, The garden consists of 80 acres of manicured lawns, flower-filled terraces, wildflower meadows and pastoral glades, waterfalls and towering trees, and the grandest laburnum arch in the UK. Many new plant species have been brought here by botanical explorers from the Andes to the Himalayas, and many hybrids have been born and bred here. Wow!
Then on to Buxton, a lovely spa town considered the gateway to the Peak District National Park. Located on the River Wye, it is famous not only for its beauty, but also its geothermal spring.
We spent the next two nights at the Old Hall Hotel ,reputed to be the oldest hotel in the UK. Originally owned by George Talbot, the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife Bess of Hardwick, gaolers of Mary Queen of Scots. Mary is said to have stayed here during the summers to take in the baths.
Day 10 -- April 29, 2017
After breakfast, we visited the famous Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, ancestral home of the Cavendish family since the 1550's. This impressive estate contains works of art that span over 4,000 centuries. It can be a bit overwhelming - with over 30 rooms to explore, from the magnificent Painted Hall to the family chapel, regal State Rooms, beautiful Sculpture Gallery, and gardens. One of its most impressive claims is the number of famous women that have resided here including - Bess of Hardwick, Mary, Queen of Scots, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, Kathleen Kennedy and Deborah Mitford.
After breakfast, we visited the famous Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, ancestral home of the Cavendish family since the 1550's. This impressive estate contains works of art that span over 4,000 centuries. It can be a bit overwhelming - with over 30 rooms to explore, from the magnificent Painted Hall to the family chapel, regal State Rooms, beautiful Sculpture Gallery, and gardens. One of its most impressive claims is the number of famous women that have resided here including - Bess of Hardwick, Mary, Queen of Scots, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, Kathleen Kennedy and Deborah Mitford.
Chatsworth is famous for its Emperor's Fountain. It was built in 1844 by Joseph Paxton as the worlds highest fountain (it can reach 296 feet high) for the anticipated visit of the Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. The 8-acre Emperor lake situated 350 feet above the house supplies the natural water pressure. Another charming feature is the Water Cascade which flows down a series of 24 cut steps from the Cascade House. Built in 1696, each step is slightly different and cut with a variety of textures so that each gives a different sound when water runs over them.
The current exhibit, 'House Style, Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth' displayed a number of original costumes worn at the Devonshire House Ball, held in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, in which 400 guests, dressed as allegorical figures, attended - it was the grandest ball of the century!
Next, we visited Haddon Hall, a medieval and Tudor manor house off the beaten path from Chatsworth and often missed by visitors. It turned out to be a real gem and one of our favorite stops.
Built in the Norman style with Derbyshire gritstone and limestone, early parts of the house and chapel date back to 1150. We toured the Banqueting Hall, Dinning Hall, Long Gallery, Parlour and Earl's apartments, saw Bombee glass panes, the beautiful garden terrace with its climbing roses, and most exciting of all, the famous Tapestries, the most famous being those of the five senses belonging to Charles I. Sadly, 60 Tapestries were destroyed in a fire in 1925, but those that remain are most impressive!
And what an impressive chapel - the South Aisle dates from the 1100s. It is still the parish church of Nether Haddon which is one of the smallest parishes in the country.
After a most impressive day in the Derbyshire area, we headed back to Buxton for our last evening and a wonderful dinner.
Day 11 -- April 30, 2017
After our last breakfast together, we board the bus for the last time to drive to Manchester Airport for our return flights home.
You two did a great job in planning this trip. I enjoyed it so much and am so glad I went...what wonderful memories!......................Mavis G., April 2017