The Complete Four Seasons Collection 2023-24

H eart of W ales S team & the B recon B eacons

Introducing four great preserved steam railways and a scenic mainline on one great rail holiday based in the Heart of Wales spa town of Llandrindod Wells. View coastlines, vales, reservoirs and mountains from your window on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, the Heart of Wales Line, the Brecon Mountain Railway and last but not least, the Talyllyn, the world’s first ever preserved railway.

5 DAYS

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ Travel along the picturesque Heart of Wales Line ★ Enjoy magnificent Aberglasney House and Gardens ★ Experience the Talyllyn Railway, the original preserved railway ★ Steam on the Vale of Rheidol Railway – one of the Great Little Trains of Wales ★ Visit Aberystwyth & Devil’s Bridge ★ Explore the unique industrial landscape of the Blaenavon UNESCO World Heritage site and visit the Iron Works and Big Pit Museums ★ Marvel at reservoirs and mountains on the Brecon Mountain Railway Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ Dinner every evening ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ Hotel Porterage DAY 1 We arrive in Llandrindod Wells , where our hotel is situated in the heart of this spa town.There is time to get to know your new surroundings before our evening meal. (D) DAY 2 A morning at leisure allows you to relax in the hotel’s leisure facilities or explore Llandrindod a little, as a small market takes place today.At around midday we step aboard the ‘Heart of Wales Line’, one of Britain’s prettiest rural routes, travelling through tranquil scenery en route to Llandeilo. Here we transfer to medieval Aberglasney House and

DEPARTS Thursday 17 August 2023 Thursday 14 September 2023

Fares From £645

FARES

FARE REGION London: Euston Greater London South of England East Anglia South West Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales Heart of England

FIRST £865 £875 £919 £945 £859 £779 £699 £855 £969 £789 N/A £789 £925

STANDARD

£749 £765 £779 £795 £749 £705 £679 £759 £819 £699 £709 £715 £779 £650

transports us south to Aberystwyth , where there is free time to take lunch before our journey by steam train through the beautiful Rheidol Valley. The Vale of Rheidol Railway is one of the Great Little Trains of Wales, running between Aberystwyth on the Cambrian coast and Devil’s Bridge. See the countryside change as you travel through wide open fields, woodland and rugged mountain scenery, the line twisting and turning as it clings to the hillside. (B,D) DAY 4

Scotland

Join & Leave at Hotels

£5 tour discount for holders of National Rail cards Single Room Supplement £55

We travel by coach to the Blaenavon UNESCO World Heritage site and visit the preserved Iron Work s and the Big Pit Museum to uncover the rich industrial heritage of South Wales. If free time allows you can also opt to travel on the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway, which transports visitors through the heritage site. This afternoon we continue to Pant for a journey on the Brecon Mountain Railway . Formerly part of the Brecon & Merthyr Railway, the line passes the full

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 the early 1950s. A team of pioneering enthusiasts took over the running of the line and built the world’s first preserved railway. Our coach then

Gardens, one of Wales’ finest gardens set in the beautiful Tywi Valley, before returning to Llandrindod. (B,D) DAY 3 Today we depart Llandrindod by coach, heading to coastal Cardigan Bay for a journey special to anyone with an interest in railway heritage.

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey. 4 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’hôte evening meal Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described All excursions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager Hotel porterage

DAY 5 Bidding farewell to Llandrindod Wells, we depart on our homeward journeys. (B)

length of the Pontsticill Reservoir on its way to Torpantau, high in the Brecon Beacons. (B,D)

HOTEL The Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells

Situated in the spa town of Llandrindod Wells, the 4-star Metropole Hotel is a great base for exploring the varied attractions of the Heart of Wales.The hotel is also a great place to relax, as its Victorian style conservatory houses an 18 metre pool, thermal suites, Jacuzzi and gymnasium.

54 54

55

Visit: www.railtrail.co.uk – for full tour details and fares, and to book online or call 01538 382323 – to book or to request a detailed tour itinerary