The Welsh Experience: Countryside, Train & Castle
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Port
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$239.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
8½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Wales boasts more castles per square mile of breathtaking landscape than anywhere else in Europe -- just one aspect of this country's many rich legacies. Its rugged mountains, lush valleys and craggy coastlines have witnessed hostile occupation and conflict since prehistoric times.
Visit Northern Wales to view delightful scenery, travel on a steam-hauled rail journey, and tour the bastion of an Edward I castle.
Traveling via the tunnel under the River Mersey, you'll cross the Wirral Peninsula and enter Wales before traveling on to the small town of Welshpool. This charming market town, located near the Welsh-English border, offers Georgian architecture, cultural heritage and beautiful scenery. It is also home to the historic Powis Castle.
The historic Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway was set up in 1903 to connect the rural communities of Llanfair Caereinion with the market town of Welshpool. It eventually closed in 1956 but reopened in 1963 as a heritage railway and is now operated by a group of enthusiastic volunteers. Ride on this heritage railway through the mid-Wales countryside to Llanfair Caereinion.
Reboard your motorcoach and continue to Llangollen for lunch at a local hotel.
The afternoon begins with a short transfer to Chirk Castle. King Edward I built this border stronghold on its hilltop site around 1295. Since then, it has been occupied continuously, and the elegant stately home that you'll visit today combines the styles of many different architectural periods. The spirit of the original structure is preserved in Adam's Tower, which has a magnificent dungeon and clearly shows the 15-foot-thick walls. Don't miss the 'murder holes' through which burning pitch could be poured onto anyone trying to batter or burn down the doors below. Now owned by the National Trust, the castle is surrounded by beautiful formal gardens with topiary hedges and many flowering shrubs. Wander through the gardens for fine views of the castle's bastion exterior.
Then, commence the return journey, leaving behind the delightful Welsh countryside, crossing the border into England and heading back toward Liverpool.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. A diesel locomotive may be substituted if required by the conditions of the day.