Things to do in North Wales

The tour leaves Manchester in the morning and heads straight for the border of Wales. Conwy is the first stop of the day, one of the most picture-perfect harbor towns in the world. Here you can see a castle perched by the sea, the world's smallest house, and lots of cute restaurants serving up the best fish and chips. Venture along the winding, scenic roads of the Snowdonia National Park before arriving in Betws-Y-Coed. This quaint town is known as the gateway to Snowdonia and is famous for its alpine trees and cozy cafes. Chester is your next stop. This is one of England’s most historic towns and there is plenty to do here. It's advised to go straight to the ancient cathedral and learn about its remarkable past.

From the moorings at The Groves, Chester, you will head upstream under the Queen's Park Suspension Bridge and past the city's rowing clubs. You will then follow the sweeping bend of the Earl's Eye, passing some stunning riverside properties, and turn around at the city limits. On the return journey, the commentary details the history behind some of the more interesting riverside buildings, and the city's rich Roman, Medieval, and industrial heritage. The cruises will then finish with a great view of Chester Weir and the Old Dee Bridge, before disembarking back at The Groves.

The splendid Welsh resorts of Llandudno and Conwy lie between two gorgeous beaches and have retained much of their Victorian charm. With two different routes available, you'll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the Great Orme, the Pier, Conwy Castle, and the surrounding countryside. Hop-on board with your 24-hour ticket and enjoy panoramic views from the top deck of an open-top bus as you explore these locations. See all the highlights of these beautiful seaside towns. The North Parade is home to Llandudno Pier, a grade II listed building originally built in 1858. If you purchase a ticket for the blue route, you'll get a chance to discover the Great Orme. Lying in the shadows of Llandudno, explore the beautiful views along the coast whilst traveling to the summit of this stunning mass of limestone. This tour also includes a stop at the Great Orme mines, which during the late 17th and into the 18th century, used to mine copper. Full list of tour stops along the 2 available routes: Red Route: 1. Llandudno Pier 2. Nant y Gamar Road 3. Queen's Road 4. Glan y Mor Road 5. Conwy Road 6. Rose Hill Street 7. Town Ditch Road 8. Conwy Road 9. Deganwy Station 10. West Shore 11. Gloddeath Street Blue Route: 1. Llandudno Pier 2. Great Orme Summit

Take a drive on the Great Orme Road, the longest of its kind in the UK, with spectacular cliffs, wildlife, and views out to the Irish Sea and Anglesey. Explore the ancient and medieval castle town of Conwy and admire the castle’s domineering and towering walls, whose magnificent towers stand tall over the beautiful estuary. Marvel at this little gem set upon the bank of the estuary and built into the castle walls is Great Britain’s smallest house. With arms outstretched, you can touch either side. Visit the famous Conwy suspension bridge, the first-ever of its kind, built in 1819. Enjoy a 45-minute walk of Caernarfon village and circumnavigate the outside of this spectacular and immense castle. Take a tour of Portmeirion, a colorful enchanting Italianate style colorful village like no other. Riviera-inspired houses, ornamental garden, and campanile are a beautiful pocket of madness like no other in a majestic setting. Travel through Snowdonia National Park and its spectacular driving routes. Pause at several viewpoints, witnessing great lakes, rivers, and views of Mount Snowdonia Summits. Stop at the 360°awe inspiring viewpoint of the valley below and its lakes. See the majestic Swallow waterfalls, where Snowdonia's water cascades over the rocky outcrops in a deep gorge setting. Stop at Tu-Hwnt-I'r Bont, one of Snowdonia’s most photographed and painted images. Take a scenic drive through Conwy Valley and the traditional Welsh villages en route back to Llandudno.

Immerse yourself in Welsh culture, heritage, and history on an unforgettable sightseeing day trip. Visit numerous attractions in the area including Snowdonia National Park, Caernarfon Castle, and Conwy Town and Castle all from the comfort of a minibus.   Start your day with a drive on the Great Orme Road, with spectacular views of cliffs, wildlife, and the Irish Sea and Anglesey. Your first stop may just be the highlight of your day: take a tour of the ancient Conwy Town and Castle. Walk the castle walls, stroll along the Conwy estuary, see some old Tudor houses, and take in traditional Welsh art and craft shops. In town, you’ll also see the finest surviving townhouse of the Elizabethan era to be found anywhere in Britain, as well as Great Britain’s smallest house and the world's first suspension bridge built in 1819. Drive along the beautiful north wales coastline before heading into the mountains. Visit the fierce fire breathing Welsh dragon guarding the Snowdonia National Park and Welsh from invaders, hidden within the trees Then, drive into the glacial Nant Ffrancon Pass and Roman Road, and Ogwen Valley in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, where you’ll take in views of the lakes, mountain villages, and the towering Snowdonia mountain range. Stop at Llyn Ogwen and learn the history of a fascinating find on the shores of the lakes from the 5th century. Soak up the 360° panoramic and spectacular view of Snowdonia Viewpoint. Possibly the finest view in Wales. Here, your guide will share with you some local history, Welsh myths, and legends along the way, including a drive down the famous Pen Y Pass. Breath-taking Llanberis and Padarn Park National Slate Museum is tlhe unch stop and is set within some of the most spectacular scenery in North Wales . Slate industry was one of the main economic motors of Wales. Step back in time and immerse yourself in a variety of talks and demonstrations to give you a real insight into the hardships of past quarry life. Admire the spectacular setting of Dolbadarn Castle ruins through the forest to the gateway of Snowdonia to learn about its fascinating past. Finally, visit Caernarfon Village and Castle. Take a walk around this UNESCO World Heritage Site, before heading back to the starting point.

Travel in air-conditioned comfort from Liverpool's Port passing under your ship as you cross the Mersey River. This fully narrated day tour will travel through the area known as the Wirral before cutting across the border into Wales where you will see your first glimpse of a castle or two as you make your way to Conwy. Arriving in Conwy, you will have free time to explore this beautiful and popular town, maybe go into the castle and listen out for the voices of those past in the narrow stairways that lead up to the top of the turrets. Or take a walk on the towns defensive wall to get another view of one of the finest examples of a Medieval Castle anywhere in the world. Moving on, head into the National Park known as Snowdonia where you can stretch your legs and build up an appetite for lunch as you walk into the Valley. Maybe even take a short hike up to where the water cascade over the rocks fed by the lake high in the mountains? Lunch time in Betws-Y-Coed offers a number of choices from fast food to table service and pub food (for that sneaky pint of Welsh Beer!). Take a short walk to visit the little 14th Century Chapel that gave name to the town surrounded by a small wood. Some of the trees are over a 1000 years old! Finally, you will need to find a little bit of courage as you walk across the sky at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct also known as "the stream in the sky". This superb piece of industrial engineering was constructed over 200-years ago and crosses the gorge that was cut out by the Dee River, 1000's of years ago. Finally, you will be whisked back to port, your head full of the stories that you heard throughout the day and your camera memory cards crammed with photos that you will look back on in future years with great fondness.

Soak up the beauty of Llyn Padarn lake on this guided kayaking tour in Snowdonia. Take a dip in the glacial waters at the base of Mount Snowdon. Dive into local culture with a local guide that is eager to share the region's history and folklore.Meet your guide near the lake and get set up with kayaks, paddles, wetsuits, buoyancy aids, and water shoes. Once your are all geared up, watch as your guide demonstrates the kayaking basics before embarking on your lake adventure. Set sail on the open waters of Llyn Padarn which can only be accessed by boats without motors. Take in the tranquility with views Snowdon Mountain as you glide over water that is fresh from the mountain. Stop to admire a 16th century castle that was once occupied by a Welsh King. Hear the story of the king's ill-fated brother. Pass by the memorizing Welsh Slate Quarries. Keep an eye out for buzzards, peregrines, marlins, and goshawks.Have the option of cooling off with a wild swim or get supper-adventurous by going for a ride on a giant rope swing. Return to your meeting point at the end of your tour. 

Day 1: Leave London and travel west to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds through England’s prettiest historic villages. Get the best photos and hear the most fascinating local tales. Travel through the Welsh Marches marked out by the ancient Offa’s Dyke. Head into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and beautiful Elan Valley. Finally, head to the beautiful seaside town and cultural center of Aberystwyth, where you spend the next two nights. Day 2: Travel to the mountainous region of Snowdonia National Park. Visit the mountain village of Beddgelert to see the famous grave of Gelert, the legendary dog, or explore the nearby copper mine. Next, head to the town of Machynlleth to see the ancient clock tower and the quaint houses, and go antique hunting. Move on to Porthmadog and over the Cob causeway before reaching the impenetrable medieval Harlech Castle. After a fulfilling day, return to Aberystwyth in the late afternoon. Day 3: Travel around the coast of Cardigan Bay through Aberaeron to New Quay. Explore the picturesque harbor and get the chance to spot dolphins and whales. Head into the foreboding Black Mountains to explore a bedrock cave under a castle, before you visit Laugharne, where Dylan Thomas wrote the famous play Under Milk Wood. Move on to Tenby, a charming seaside town and your base for two nights. Day 4: See some of Britain’s most gorgeous coastlines at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Travel to the tiny cathedral city of St Davids for lunch and exploration, and stop in the county town of Pembroke to enter the thick medieval walls of the castle. From here, return to Tenby for a relaxed evening. Day 5: Leaving Tenby in the morning, begin your return journey to London. Head past the industrial cities of South Wales to the outskirts of Cardiff, and visit the outdoor National History Museum. Take the Severn Bridge back into England, and take a break at Castle Combe, a Cotswold village perfect for a relaxed stroll amongst 16th-century ironstone cottages.

Leaving Chester, the majestic Snowdonia National Park will open up as you travel across a stunning mountain road with a stop at Llyn Ogwen, a beautiful lake with amazing mountain views. Rumored to be the final resting place of King Arthur's sword Excalibur. Proceed towards the honeypot village of Betws-y-Coed. You will have time here to find some lunch and explore this beautiful place. After Betws-y-Coed, head to Great Orme, a giant limestone headland. See the historic seafront with its 19th-century pier and take in fantastic views of Anglesey and Snowdonia. Continue towards Llandudno on the North Wales Coast. Along the way look out for great sea views, as you head along the main coastal road.  Leaving Llandudno you will get your first glimpse of the world famous Conwy Castle. The final stop before the return to Chester will be at Conwy where there will be an opportunity to take in views and photograph the famous castle. After leaving Conwy the tour returns back to Chester.

Begin your Journey outside Liverpool’s most famously haunted hostelry, The Philharmonic Pub Hope Street, surrounded by the former hospitals, asylums, workhouses, and children’s homes once served by the Necropolis. View the surrounding neighborhood that envelops the Dormitory of the Dead, St James’ Cemetery. Enter Liverpool’s Père Lachaise, City of the Dead, St James’ Secret Garden Cemetery. Listen to your guide masterfully weave ghostly tales and gruesome fables, medical accounts of the realities of the many Public Health crisis experienced by the city’s residents all swept up in the melancholy moods that pass through this great green lung. Absorb Liverpool’s awe-inspiring Anglican Cathedral “head and shoulders of the City” from the underbelly of this sea-soaked sanctuary. Experience the otherworldly soul of St. James’ Cemetery Gardens after dark, where nearly 58,000 of Liverpool’s great and good are entombed. Visit the venerable Chalybeate spring, where Liverpool’s only remaining natural spa waters flow from the rock bed of the town, believed to possess enlivening healing properties. Marvel at the impressive mausoleums and shrines including William Huskisson- the first victim to fall beneath the grinding might of a locomotive train- whose ghoulish presence still haunts his final resting place.