Welsh Treasures & The Royal Mint

Welsh Treasures & The Royal Mint

6 Days 30^th June 2025

 

Based just outside the capital city of Cardiff, this tour captures the essence of Welsh culture and spectacular scenery and includes a wealth of attractions and visits making it a fascinating insight into Welsh heritage.

 

Tour Itinerary

 

Monday – Leaving Wiltshire we travel across the border and into Wales crossing the Severn Bridge into Monmouthshire and the gateway to Wales ‘Chepstow!’ this picturesque border town, famous for its racecourse and medieval castle sits at the southern end of the Wye valley in an area of outstanding natural beauty. An opportunity to have lunch here before we continue to our hotel just outside Cardiff. Plenty of time to relax before this evening’s dinner.

 

Tuesday – Our first visit today is Caerphilly for a visit to the biggest castle in Wales, second only to Windsor in the whole of Britain, ‘Caerphilly Castle’. Massive walls, towers and gatehouse were combined with sprawling water defences that took 3 years to construct at a considerable cost in 1268. Explore this sleeping giant before we continue into the town itself for some lunch. After lunch we venture deeper into the Welsh valleys to the fascinating and highly entertaining Llancaiach Fawr Manor. This historical manor has been restored and furnished as it would have been in 1645. You will be stepping back in time to the 17^th century. Characters you may meet from the Lord and Lady of the manor, their children and servants all waiting to greet you (in role play) to give you an in site into 17^th century life and times.

 

Wednesday – Today we are taking you into the City of Cardiff for an introductory tour of Cardiff Bay. We will then enjoy a cruise around the bay with commentary before some free time to have lunch and explore Europe’s largest waterfront development with its extensive restaurants and shops and even an opportunity if you wish to visit ‘Senedd’ and take a tour of this iconic building, the seat of Welsh democracy and the Welsh assembly.

 

Thursday – Our day takes us to the foothills of the Brecon Beacons National Park and a morning visit to ‘Big Pit mining museum’ to learn the regions heritage. As well as an underground tour of the mine there is a virtual tour above ground, providing a moving and entertaining illustration of the lives of miners at work and at home too. This afternoon is the Penderyn Visitor centre to learn about whisky making in Wales and an opportunity to taste it too!

 

Friday – This morning we will enjoy an escorted tour of the Royal Mint Visitor Centre to see the production of the coins in your pocket! Your host will guide you to parts of the Royal mint that are only accessible to the public as part of a guided tour. You’ll witness first hand their workforce producing coins, learn about the machinery used, the state-of-the-art equipment that processes the creating of a coin. The exhibition area is home to some of the most important and historical artefacts in the 1,100-year history of the Royal mint. You will be free to explore this exhibition at your own pace. This afternoon we will be visiting the open-air St Fagans National Museum, there are over 50 historic buildings from all over Wales, rebuilt for you to experience the life and times of the Welsh folk from Celtic times to the present day.

 

Saturday – We leave our hotel this morning after a leisurely breakfast to begin our journeying home via one of the biggest towns in mid Wales, Aberystwyth, and today is market day! Enjoy the Victoria style architecture, pier and bandstand and the local beach, a spot of lunch or an ice-cream before we head home. Your taxis will be waiting for you late afternoon after a memorable Welsh break.

 

Your hotel

4* Mercure Cardiff North Hotel - Cardiff

 

Just 3 miles from Cardiff city centre this modern comfortable hotel offers en-suite bedrooms with free toiletries, TV, safe, hairdryer, kettle and free Wi-Fi. The hotel has a bar, restaurant, lounge area and lift.

 

Price Includes

Luxury Coach Travel with Extra Leg Room

Home Pickup, Full Hostess Service

5 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

Tea/Coffee after Dinner

Admission to Caerphilly Castle

Admission to Llancaiach Fawr Manor

Guided Tour of Royal Mint

Tour of Cardiff Bay

Visit to Big Pit Mining Museum

Tour & Tasting at Penderyn Visitor Centre

Cruise Around Cardiff Bay

Visit to St Fagans Heritage Museum

Visits to Chepstow and Aberystwyth

 

6 Days £799.00

Single Supplement £145 (Limited)

Double for Sole use