The Heart of Wales

Sunday 21st Sept

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 22nd Sept

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 visitors centre enjoy some time visiting the exhibition. In the afternoon we visit Powis Castle - a medieval castle dramatically positioned above celebrated gardens. There is an amazing collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and tapestries inside the castle. Dating back 300 years, the gardens are steeped in history.

Tuesday 23rd Sept

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 24th Sept

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 25th Sept

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