Heart of Wales

Sunday 23rd May

We leave Devon and head into the heart of Mid Wales in the spectacular Elan Valley to our hotel with stops on route. Arriving with time to settle in and unpack, before enjoying dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Monday 24th May

After breakfast, we visit the Elan Valley visitors' centre. One of their knowledgeable rangers will come aboard our coach and take us on a fascinating 1.5-hour tour, taking in 4 dams as we travel in a clockwise direction through the valley. On return to the visitor's centre enjoy some time visiting the exhibition. Afterwards we visit Gigrin Farm, famous for its Red Kite Feeding. Located half a mile from Rhayader, hundreds of Red Kites feed here every day. It's a breath-taking spectacle and is the best place in the UK to see and photograph wild Red Kites (including rare Leucistic Red Kites).

Tuesday 25th May

Today we travel to The Vale of Rheidol Railway and step aboard a steam train for a nostalgic return trip along the line from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge - a spectacular, scenic trip through ancient woodlands nestled in the magnificent Cambrian Mountains. In the afternoon we enjoy a ride on the Cliff Railway - once at the summit visitors can experience the views afforded by the one of the world's largest camera obscuras, which offers a bird's eye view of 1000 square miles of land and seascape.

Wednesday 26th May

After a leisurely breakfast, we take a scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons to the town of Brecon to enjoy a gentle canal cruise passing through a canal lock and over an aqueduct on the River Usk. Afterwards enjoy some free time in Brecon.

Thursday 27th May

Today we head we head to Hay-on-Wye on market day, a pretty town on the Welsh border famous for its huge number of book shops and an array of quirky, independent shops and medieval ruins. Later in the day we travel home to South Devon.

D=Dinner, FE=Full English Breakfast