Railtrail Annual Brochure 2021

G rand T ours by R ail – W ales C oast

Another unique Grand Tour by Rail, visiting some of our best loved hotels, crossing Wales from coast to coast. From our bases in Carmarthen, Llandrindod, and Llandudno we tick off more steam and heritage railways than you could imagine, plus we bask in the wonderful scenery of the valleys, mountains, and coasts.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 We arrive in Carmarthen and walk to the short distance to the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, our base for the next three nights. (D) DAY 2 Our second day is spent exploring the scenic coastline by coach in a region known as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park , including a visit to cathedral city of St David’s , the smallest city in the UK and the resting place of St David, for which the city is bestowed the title of ecclesiastical capital of Wales. (B,D) DAY 2 Today we travel to train to the picturesque seaside resort of Tenby and have a free day to admire fantastic views of Caldey Island, stroll around the pretty cobbled streets or simply enjoy the beach and harbour area. (B,D) ★ ★ Dinner every evening ★ ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) ★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ ★ Explore the Pembrokeshire Coast & St David’s ★ ★ Enjoy a day in beautiful Tenby ★ ★ Visit the Teifi and Gwili Railways ★ ★ Travel along the picturesque Heart of Wales Line & Cambrian Line ★ ★ Experience the Talyllyn Railway, the mother of all preserved lines ★ ★ Steam on the Vale of Rheidol Railway – one of the Great Little Trains of Wales ★ ★ Marvel at reservoirs and mountains on the Brecon Mountain Railway ★ ★ Visit the Bala Lake Railway ★ ★ Enjoy the fabulous Llangollen Railway ★ ★ Explore Snowdonia on the Welsh Highland Railway, world famous Ffestiniog Railway and picturesque Llanberis Lake Railway ★ ★ Spectacular Snowdon Mountain Railway ★ ★ Conwy Valley Line scenic train journey ★ ★ Great Orme Mountain tram ride ★ ★ Stay in some of our most popular hotels Also included in your Tour Fare:

Fares From £1645

Tenby Harbour

© Visit Wales

DAY 4 No fewer than three interesting and contrasting railway experiences await us today, as we visit the Teifi Railway , a small narrow-gauge railway built by volunteers along a former Great Western Railway branch line. Afterwards, we sample the extended Gwili Railway , running for four miles through unspoilt countryside. Finally, transferring to Llandeilo, we join the Heart of Wales Line , one of Britain’s prettiest rural routes, travelling through tranquil scenery en route to Llandrindod Wells for our four nights stay at the Hotel Metropole. (B,D) DAY 5 A short transfer to Devil’s Bridge allows us to join the Vale of Rheidol Railway , one of the Great Little Trains of Wales. Running to the Cambrian coast, see the countryside change as we travel through rugged mountain scenery, woodland and wide open fields to Aberystwyth , where there is free time to take lunch before our return journey. (B,D)

DAY 6 Today we depart Llandrindod by coach to Newtown, sampling the Cambrian Line , a different route to coastal Cardigan Bay for a journey special to anyone with an interest in railway heritage. The Talyllyn Railway runs for seven miles from Tywyn to Nant Gwernol through the Fathew Valley, passing Dolgoch Falls. Opened in 1865 to carry slate, the railway fell on hard times in

Talyllyn Railway

© Talyllyn Railway

St. David’s

Llangollen Railway

© Shutterstock

© AdobeStock

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