Glorious Gower & The Brecon Beacons
- Duration: 5 days
- Board Basis: Half Board
- Tour Ref: D2TCRU9638
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Coach
4 days
4 or 5 day break
Enjoy a South Wales break with a day out on the glorious Gower Peninsula (Y Gwyr), the 15-mile thumb of land which was designated the UK's first official AONB in 1956. Take a ride on a heritage railway through the handsome rural landscapes of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). NEW FOR 5-DAY TOUR Get to know Swansea (Abertawe), the Seaside City, with a gentle cruise along the River Tawe, time to explore the Marina with the excellent National Waterfront Museum and maybe pop into the largest indoor market in Wales.
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner
- Porterage
- Guided tour of Gower Peninsula (all tours)
- Welsh Cream Tea at Gower Heritage Centre (all tours)
- Return ride on Brecon Mountain Railway (all tours)
- Scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons (all tours)
- 90-minute river cruise on 'Copperjack' (5-day tour only)
Your Itinerary
Day 1 - After boarding your holiday coach, head to the South Wales coast with a stop en-route in the historic walled border town of Chepstow which sits on the Welsh side of the River Wye. Arrive in South Wales and check into 4* Mercure Swansea Hotel for your 3 or 4 night stay DBB
Day 2 - 3 (or 4) - At leisure in South Wales with two or three included excursions
INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Mumbles & Gower Peninsula (all tours)
Start the day on the other side of Swansea Bay in Mumbles, the 'Gateway to Gower' and much-loved seaside retreat of Swansea dwellers. Full of character with its lighthouse and famous Victorian pier, a visit to Mumbles is a charmingly old-fashioned delight - plenty of independent boutiques and quirky galleries too. Then head off to the Gower Heritage Centre, a rural life museum with a 12th century water powered mill, cider press and artisan craft shops. A local guide will take you on an exploration of the peninsula, a world of its own, pointing into the Bristol Channel. The region is fringed with sweeping yellow bays and precipitous cliffs whilst bracken heaths dot the interior where tiny villages, castle ruins and curious churches can be found. Enjoy a Welsh cream tea before returning to the hotel.
Brecon Beacons & Mountain Railway (all tours)
All aboard the Brecon Mountain Railway which runs from Pant, 3 miles north of Merthyr Tydfil, to Torpantau following part of the route of the original Brecon & Merthyr Railway which closed in 1964. The journey takes you through Pontsticill and along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir before climbing to Torpantau high in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). The return trip lasts about 90 minutes with a stop by Pontsticill station and Reservoir and time to visit the locomotive workshop at Pant station. Then take a scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons National Park which encompasses some of the finest and most varied scenery in Southern Wales. Hills of grass and rock tumble and climb around river valleys that lie between sandstone and limestone uplands, peppered with lakes and villages. Make a stop in Brecon, the picturesque market town in the Usk Valley famed for its Georgian architecture
'Copperjack' Cruise and Swansea Marina (5-day tour only)
On a gentle 90-minute boat trip along the River Tawe with on-board commentary, sit back and relax to discover Swansea's historic, industrial heritage and how it became known as 'Copperopolis', whilst viewing the passing scenery and riverbank wildlife. There is step free access to the boat from the quayside via a sloping wooden pontoon and the boat is level throughout with a toilet on board. There is a bar on board for drinks and snacks. Disembark in Swansea Marina with time to admire the different vessels moored there. There is a flat path all around the Marina with several cafes and eateries and a couple of bridges to cross from one side to the other. You may like to visit the excellent National Waterfront Museum (entrance FOC), which tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years. Later on you may like to visit historic Swansea Market, the largest indoor market in Wales and crowned as Britain's Best Large Indoor Market 2024! Open daily except Sunday (08.00 - 17.00), you'll find a fantastic selection of specialist stalls offering everything from fresh, local produce and delicious food to antiques and bespoke gifts.
Return Day - After breakfast head homewards with plenty of Welsh memories. Arrive in your hometowns early evening.
Accommodation
4* Hotel
Mercure Swansea Hotel
Set amongst landscaped gardens with tranquil lake views, this modern, low-rise 4* hotel is well located for exploring the nearby hills and coast.
It offers contemporary style together with a brasserie style restaurant, bar and fitness centre. Smart guestrooms feature flatscreen TV, high speed WiFi and tea / coffee making facilities.
Some rooms have views over the grounds and lake. There is no lift but there are ground floor rooms.
Singles are double / twin for sole use