Welsh Borders & Brecons

The dramatic landscape of the Welsh Borders encompasses the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Cambrian Mountains, and is of sweeping views and of rugged escarpments, mountains and untamed moorland. See panoramas that stretch into the distance and take your breath away.

There are three circular tours to discover and enjoy: the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains and the beautiful Elan Valley, and the Wye Valley’s stunning beauty and chequered history between the ancient clans and Kings. Your hotel for the tour is a stunning and elegant country house hotel in beautiful grounds.

The Wye Valley is hailed as the most romantic valley in Wales. Ancient woodlands on the valley sides have created a haven for wildlife, with varied species of trees, wildflowers and birds.  Visit Tintern Abbey, the romantic 13th-century ruins that inspired Wordsworth and Turner. Explore Monmouth, famous as the birthplace of Henry V, who won the battle of Agincourt. A few miles to the southwest is Raglan Castle, with a hexagonal moated keep. On the other side of Monmouth is the Forest of Dean, a 40-sq-mile (105-sq-km) former royal hunting ground criss-crossed by trails. The Borders’ most famed destination is Hay-on-Wye. Its many book shops have helped make it the biggest second-hand book centre in the world.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is home to traditional Welsh market towns, stunning landscapes, waterfalls, mountains, caves, castles and wildlife. The park is to the west of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and its majestic peaks can be seen from all around, especially the iconic Sugar Loaf dominating the skyline.

Highlights of the Welsh Borders & Brecons

• Explore the Brecon Beacons National Park
• Discover the beautiful Wye Valley
• Wander around the ruins of the extraordinary Tintern Abbey
• See the magnificent Raglan Castle
• Stroll around Hay-on-Wye, the ‘town of books’
• Drive across the Abergwesyn Pass and up the Devil’s Staircase
• See the unusual Devil’s Bridge
• Enjoy some spirited driving along the Elan Valley

Itinerary

May be subject to change.

Day 1: 27 June 2022 47 miles

Beautiful country house hotel

Dining Room

Hotel bedroom

Arrive at your leisure anytime after 3pm.  It’s a lovely journey up the Usk Valley to the eponymous market town with its own castle. For those arriving early, why not enjoy a delightful Welsh afternoon tea on the hotel’s terrace overlooking the valley, possibly with a glass of Champagne.

There will be a Welcome Drinks Reception followed by a fabulous dinner.

Day 2: 28 June 2022 132 miles

Raglan Castle

Wye Valley

The first circular tour will lead you along the path of the old strongholds of the Normans as they fought to keep the Welsh armies at bay.  You will discover untold histories and witness ancient architecture as well as enjoy a fabulous spot of lunch in the most charming of country pubs that overlook these wonderful relics of our time. Drive south to Crickhowell and take a stroll around the pretty town which grew up around Alisby’s Castle, now a picturesque ruin and then Abergavenny overlooked by the Sugarloaf Mountain, and then onto Monmouth. In Agincourt Square is a statue of CS Rolls, of Rolls-Royce fame, whose family lived near here. Drive on to Raglan – home to one of Britain’s finest ruins, Raglan Castle, which was ransacked during the Civil War. Heading north through the gorgeous Wye Valley, past the ruins of Tintern Abbey and stopping for a fabulous lunch at a renowned pub on the way. Head up over the Black Mountains to Hay-on-Wye, ‘Town of Books’, known for its beautiful architecture and renowned for its literary festival and the extraordinary number of second-hand bookshops throughout the town.

Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3: 29 June 2022 120 miles

Jaguar XK120

Brecon Beacons

Sweeping roads

Today’s tour leads you deep into the heart of the Beacons. Witnessing some of the most spectacular valley views and scenic wonders this country has to offer, you will have an extravagantly beautiful drive.  Drive south to Talybont and then across the Brecon Beacons on some wonderful roads. drop down into the valleys, to the edge of the former coal-mining areas, before driving the fabulous Black Mountain Pass to Llandovery. Continue onto Brecon, which is a pure delight, encircled by hills at the meeting point of the Rivers Usk and Honddu. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 4: 30 June 2022 105 miles

Abergwysen Pass

Elan Valley

Jaguar XK120

Leave the hotel and head for the beautiful Abergwysen Pass and the Devil’s Staircase. Pass through delightful Welsh villages and towns which were built on the back of the droving communities. Head north to Devil’s Bridge (three bridges of different eras) and then head south down the stunning Elan Valley and on to Builth Wells. Return to the hotel for a farewell dinner.

Day 5: 1 July 2022

Depart for home after a hearty Welsh breakfast.

Accommodation

Set in 17 acres of beautiful gardens, Llangoed Hall offers luxurious accommodation. Dating from 1632, Llangoed Hall is in the picturesque Wye Valley and 12 miles from the popular market town of Brecon. Each of the spacious rooms is individually decorated and furnished and many rooms have stunning Black Mountain views. The hall was formerly the home of Sir Bernard and Laura Ashley. The 2 AA Rosette restaurant offers a superb menu, with locally-sourced produce, including fruit and vegetables from the hotel’s own organic gardens. A full Welsh breakfast is provided. There are also many onsite activities such as falconry, clay-pigeon shooting and fishing.

Requirements

This Welsh Borders & Brecon Tour is open to classic, vintage and sports cars of any age. However, the most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, deserving of the vehicles we love, relish character hotels and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers.

• Please ensure you have suitable travel insurance
• It is a good idea to carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, fluorescent jacket, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker.
• The most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, and relish individual, character hotels.

Bespoke Fitted Luggage

Make packing for your next tour simple and easy. Classic Travelling Luggage offers bespoke fitted cases for a large range of classic and sports cars. A 10% discount is offered to all tour participants.