Scenic Railways of North Wales

Following breakfast we will transfer the short distance to the station in Caernarfon, the starting point for our journey on the Welsh Highland Railway. The most powerful 2' gauge steam locomotives in the world takes us through the fabulous scenery of the Snowdonia National Park, snaking around seemingly impossible bends, up hard gradients and around the foothills of Snowdon to arrive at Rhyd Ddu, about 12 miles from Caernarfon and high up in the Snowdonian mountains. As the line ‘zig-zags’ down the steep hillside new and unexpected vistas of the surrounding mountains are revealed at every turn. We continue on the recently completed section that will take us all the way through to Porthmadog.

After a break here we continue our narrow-gauge journey on the Ffestiniog Railway, the oldest independent railway company in the World, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832. The railway was built as a gravity and horse drawn line to transport slate from the quarries in the mountains around Blaenau Ffestiniog. As the slate industry flourished, so did the railway, which was extremely successful and introduced many innovative engineering solutions to cope with the rapid increase in output from the quarries and in the number of passengers it carried. Following a decline in the slate industry the railway closed for a period after the second world war but fortunately was taken over by a group of enthusiasts and is now one of Wales’ top tourist attractions. The little narrow-gauge steam engines have great character and are perfectly suited to the task of hauling their trains of colourfully liveried carriages through the peaceful Welsh countryside.

We alight at the terminus in Blaenau Ffestiniog and return to our hotel by coach, travelling via the Snowdonia National Park

After breakfast we return to the heart of Snowdownia and a unique railway journey up the slopes of Snowdon itself, the highest mountain in England and Wales (1085m). Since 1896, visitors from around the world have travelled on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, appreciating the truly spectacular views they have experienced while claiming the ascent of Snowdon as a lifetime adventure. As the train climbs through the atmospheric landscape of Snowdon (at a stately 5 mile per hour) we will absorb ourselves in the rich myth, legend and history Snowdonia has to offer. Based on Victorian engineering Snowdon Mountain Railway is the only public rack and pinion railway in the United Kingdom and a true majestic mountain adventure. Arriving at the summit there will be an opportunity for refreshments in the critically-acclaimed new café and visitor centre which in 2009 replaced the building previously described by Prince Charles as the ‘highest slum in Wales’

After our round trip there will be an opportunity for lunch at Llanberis (not included). In the afternoon we will return to Caernarfon where the remainder of the afternoon is free to explore our host town. Recommended is a visit to the impressive Caernarfon Castle (entrance not included), where in 1969 HRH Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales on a specially created dais of Welsh slate which remains in situ.

This morning we travel to Colwyn Bay where we visit Bodnant Garden situated above the River Conwy spanning some 80 acres looking across the valley towards Snowdonia.  The garden has two parts – the upper garden around Bodnant Hall, which consists of the terraced gardens and informal lawns, and the lower garden – known as the “Dell”, formed by the River Hiraethlyn and containing the wild garden. Bodnant has a range of beautiful plants from all over the world, particularly China, North America, Europe and Japan, which are suited to the Welsh climate and soil.  Care has been taken to ensure that they enhance each other and contribute to the general beauty of the garden throughout the seasons.  At certain times of year if you are very lucky, you are able to see the stunning Laburnum arch in bloom, which has graced many a postcard and calendar.

This afternoon we make our way to the walled market town of Conwy to visit Aberconwy House, one of the oldest datable medieval merchant houses in Wales. We will see furnished rooms and enjoy an audio-visual presentation which shows the daily life from different periods in its history.

After our visit there will be some free time in Conwy, an opportunity perhaps to walk the famous Conwy Suspension Bridge and visit the Toll House and garden, where you will discover how a husband and wife team kept the Thomas Telford’s bridge open every day of the year and during their time as keepers created a vegetable garden and sold any surplus food to people crossing the bridge (entrance to the Toll House is included with Aberconwy).

After breakfast the group will disperse and travel home independently.