Stay in a beautiful 5-star luxury country house hotel on the edge of Snowdonia as your base to explore North Wales for three days of wonderful driving.
Explore the Snowdonia National Park with its striking scenery, its treasure trove of history, and wealth of flora and fauna. Discover the rich maritime history of Porthmadog, visit the medieval castle town of Conwy and follow the ancient mountain road and along the Menai Strait to the medieval town of Conwy. Visit the picture-postcard villages of Betws-y-Coed and Portmeirion. Explore the Isle of Anglesey with its rolling countryside, rich pasture and infinitely varied coastline. Travel through prehistory, visiting Iron Age and Celtic sites in an astonishing state of preservation to seeing a beautiful castle in its moat at Beaumaris.

Highlights of North Wales

• Stunning scenery of Snowdonia National Park & North Wales
• Visit the private village of Portmeirion with its dreamy Italian architecture and lovely views
• Enjoy a ride on the Snowdon Mountain Railway
• Visit the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, descending 500 feet underground inside the steepest mining cable railway in Europe
• Explore the Centre for Alternative Technology
• Visit Anglesey, also known as Mam Cymru, the ‘Mother of Wales’
• Discover the beautiful country house of Plas Newydd, in the care of the National Trust
• Explore historic castles such as Beaumaris, Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech, Dolwyddelan & Penrhyn
• Discover beautiful gardens including Bodnant, Plas Brondanw and Plas Tan y Bwlch
• Cultural delights such as historic churches, ancient towns & villages, & fascinating museums

Itinerary

May be subject to change.

Day 1:

Arrive at the hotel after 3pm to check into your room. Enjoy dinner in the outstanding three-rosette restaurant.

Day 2: 132 miles

Enjoy a circular drive around the northern part of the Snowdonia National Park, passing Snowdon itself then heading onto the coastal town of Caernarfon. Take time to visit the fabulous castle. Drive inland to Betws-y-Coed and then onto see the Lechwedd Slate Caverns. Perhaps take the Ffestiniog Railway, which was originally built to transport slate from the quarries in Blaenau Ffestiniog, but now it takes you on a 13½-mile journey from Blaenau Ffestiniog to the bustling harbour town of Porthmadog.

Finish the day driving the renowned Evo Triangle, so named as EVO magazine use this stretch of road to test drive cars for feature articles. The route has become very popular among driving enthusiasts, and one of the most talked about routes in the UK.

Return to the hotel for another excellent dinner.

Day 3: 129 miles

Spend the day exploring the southern part of the Snowdonia National Park. Visit the excellent Centre for Alternative Technology, before heading for the coast.

Drive north along the coast to Harlech and see the castle. Next, enjoy exploring the Italianate-style village of Portmeirion, which is well known as the location for the 1960s cult TV series The Prisoner. It comprises a cluster of colour-washed buildings around a central piazza, scenic surroundings and extensive woodlands, two hotels, historic cottages, gift shops, spa & award winning restaurants. Lunch is included at Portmeirion.

Then visit the pretty fishing village of Porthmadog and it’s a beautiful scenic drive back across Snowdonia National Park, passing a number of picturesque lakes, to the hotel.

Day 4: 162 miles

Drive to Anglesey, crossing the Menai Strait. Visit the beautiful National Trust property of Plas Newydd, an enchanting mansion and gardens, with views to Snowdonia. Set on the shores of the Menai Strait amidst breathtakingly beautiful scenery, this elegant house was redesigned by James Wyatt in the 18th century. The 1930s restyled interior is famous for its Rex Whistler association and contains his exquisite romantic mural and the largest exhibition of his works. A military museum contains relics from the First Marquess of Anglesey’s tenure, who commanded the cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo. There’s also a fine spring garden and Australasian arboretum, with an understorey of shrubs and wild flowers, an Italianate-style summer terrace, and massed hydrangeas which give autumn colour.

Also visit the wonderful castle at Beaumaris, with its classic proportions and perfect symmetry. Technically perfect and constructed according to an ingenious ‘walls within walls’ plan, Beaumaris Castle was the 13th-century hi-tech castle. Return along the north shore of the mainland to Conwy, where there is another superb castle and the pretty town to explore. Enjoy Bodnant Gardens, another National Trust property, before returning to the hotel.

Day 5:

Depart for home after a hearty Welsh breakfast

Accommodation

On the edge of Snowdonia National Park is a stunning, five-star, Victorian manor house hotel – a destination for a quiet retreat, comfort and culinary indulgence. The hotel is set in 16 acres of tranquil gardens, parkland and impressive woodlands with beautiful Welsh dramatic rolling landscape views. We have reserved all the elegant, stylish, individually designed bedrooms, each with well-appointed bathrooms, for this tour. The acclaimed three rosette fine-dining restaurant serves a varied menu including local Welsh produce and dishes with a blend of British and Welsh cuisine, prepared to the highest standards. This is a very special hotel to experience.