2025 - Welsh Borders - Rail & Sail

Itinerary

Welsh Borders - Rail & Sail

5 day tourDay 1  Join your tour coach and head to Shropshire with comfort stops en route. Accommodation has been arranged for the next 4 nights at the 4* Mercure Shrewsbury Albrighton Hall Hotel & Spa in a tranquil and rural location just north of Shrewsbury DBB

Days 2 - 4 At leisure with three included excursions

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Llangollen Rail & Sail
Cross the border into Wales and explore the picturesque town of Llangollen with the River Dee running through its heart. Experience the peace and tranquillity of an included horse-drawn canal boat trip along the Llangollen Canal, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy Llangollen's wealth of independent shops and take a stroll along Victoria Promenade, before a nostalgic trip back in time through the Dee Valley on the Llangollen Railway to the recently re-opened station at Corwen (may operate with steam or diesel engine). It’s a beautiful journey following the course of the River Dee through the idyllic Denbighshire countryside

Shrewsbury - Severn River Trip
Shrewsbury is one of England's finest medieval market towns with over 600 listed buildings including many black & white half-timbered Tudor buildings. Sit back and relax on a cruise along the River Severn (tea / coffee & biscuits included) with beautiful views and an onboard commentary. There will be time afterwards to explore this lovely town which was the birthplace of Charles Darwin. Shrewsbury is home to a Norman castle, an Abbey and The Quarry, which at its heart lies The Dingle, a floral masterpiece designed by the famous gardener Percy Thrower. Time permitting, a brief stop will be made at Percy Thrower's Garden Centre on the outskirts of town

Welshpool & Llanfair Railway and Powis Castle 
The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway was built in 1903 to link farming communities with the market town of Welshpool and provide them with an outlet for their produce. The line was finally closed in 1956  but in1963 a group of enthusiasts rallied round and began to progressively re-open the line to what it is today. The train negotiates a viaduct and river bridge, climbs the notoriously steep Golfa Bank and chugs serenely through beautiful countryside (may operate with steam or diesel locomotive). Board at Llanfair Caereinion and disembark 45 minutes later in Welshpool where you have free time for lunch before heading up the road to the magnificent Powis Castle this afternoon. Built in the 13th century as a medieval fortress, the castle and garden you see today reflects the changing ambitions and visions of the Herbert family, who occupied the castle from the 1570s. Furnished with decorative fabrics, world-class paintings, furniture, tapestries and the unique Clive Collection of South Asian objects, the interior follows the Elizabethan period through to the Edwardian period. With views across the Severn Valley, the world-famous garden retains many of its original features including 17th century Italianate terraces lined with vibrant herbaceous borders and 30ft clipped yew trees, an Edwardian formal garden with century-old apple trees and rose beds, and a peaceful woodland area. NB There is a step-free route around the garden but also some steep slopes and uneven terrain. There is no step-free access to the castle

Day 5  Check out after breakfast and head homewards with a stop on the way to arrive at interchange late afternoon

Highlights

• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner
• Canal Boat Trip from Llangollen Wharf
• Heritage Train Journey on Llangollen Railway 
• Severn River Trip with tea & biscuits
• Time at leisure in Shrewsbury 
• En-route visit to Percy Thrower's Garden Centre (time permitting)
• Journey on the Welshpolol & Llanfair Railway - one way
• Entrance to Powis Castle & Gardens
• Porterage and welcome tea & biscuits

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Accommodation

Mercure Shrewsbury Albrighton Hall Hotel & Spa

This 4* hotel is set inside a beautiful 18th century Manor House, boasting 15 acres of beautifully landscaped and secluded grounds and an ornamental lake. The 300-year-old hotel has 87 guest rooms and is conveniently located just four miles from Shrewsbury centre.

The Oak Room Restaurant serves seasonally inspired dishes and there is also a bar. Leisure facilities feature a large indoor heated swimming pool and fitness suite. Single rooms are double / twin rooms for sole use.

All bedrooms have WiFi access, hair dryers, ironing facilities and tea and coffee making facilities.

The hotel comprises of the main house plus 3 new accommodation blocks (external access only and no lift but ground floor rooms available with a minimum of 6 steps to negotiate). There are some steps to the Lakeside bedroom block (approx. 50 yards walk outside from reception) which is where Crusader bedrooms are likely to be located but this block does have a lift. Walk-in showers may be available on request (no twin rooms) but these rooms are located in the Stable Block (approx 100 yards walk from main building). Back to top