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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Railways & Castles of Wales

Six-day escorted tour of Welsh mountain railways and castles from Llandudno

Illustration of Railways & Castles of Wales

Great Rail Journeys operates this six-day escorted tour based in Llandudno on the north coast of Wales, with a backdrop of Snowdonia National Park. You stay five nights at the Dunoon Hotel, a 4-star property that serves as your base for exploring the region's heritage railways and castles. Days blend guided experiences with free time: you ride the Ffestiniog Railway, the world's oldest independent railway, from Caernarfon through mountain scenery to Beddgelert; ascend Mount Snowdon aboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway to see panoramic views of lakes and valleys; tour Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site from 1283, and Conwy Castle with a guide; visit Gwydir Castle, a Tudor country house where the current owners conduct the tour; and explore Plas Cadnant Gardens on Anglesey. A Tour Manager leads the group throughout, and breakfast and dinner are provided each day. Day 4 is free to wander Llandudno at your own pace. This tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking heritage railways, history lovers interested in castles and gardens, and couples or small groups who appreciate guided comfort with a home-base stay.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single-room supplement is GBP 60 (roughly 6.7% of the base price); confirm availability of Superior room upgrade at the time of booking
  • Day 4 is free and unguided; you arrange your own activities in Llandudno
  • Snowdon Mountain Railway journey depends on weather; visibility may limit views from the summit

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Llandudno

    The coastal beauty of Llandudno

    Your holiday begins in the 'Queen of Welsh Resorts', Llandudno, where the Tour Manager meets us at the hotel, whose owners pride themselves on attention to detail and high levels of service and comfort. Nestled on the rugged north coast of Wales, with a backdrop of Snowdonia National Park, this is an ideal base for exploring. Once you have arrived and settled in, you may wish to get to know your new surroundings while wandering the waterfront or strolling past the town's Victorian buildings. This evening, you are served a four-course dinner in the hotel's award-winning restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Llandudno

    The historic Ffestiniog Railway and Portmeirion

    Transfer by coach to Caernarfon Station for an excursion on the Ffestiniog Railway to Beddgelert. Travelling from the coast into the mountains with panoramic views as far as Anglesey. Free time over lunch in Beddgelert to stroll along the river and learn about the village legend of Gelert. Continue to Portmeirion, inspired by Portofino on the Italian Riviera, with time at leisure. Rejoin the Ffestiniog Railway at Porthmadog, taking a different route to Blaenau Ffestiniog through rugged mountains, past Llyn Ystradau reservoir. Note: on the 16th June departure, guests will ride on the Llangollen railway from Llangollen to Corwen before visiting Portmeirion.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Llandudno

    Caernarfon Castle and the Snowdon Mountain Railway

    Guided tour of Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating to 1283, one of Europe's best examples of medieval defensive architecture. Board the Snowdon Mountain Railway for a journey over the dramatic Llanberis Pass to the summit of Wales' highest mountain, Mount Snowdon (weather permitting). Panoramic views of the lakes, mountains and valleys of Snowdonia National Park unfold as you climb. Return to the hotel with time to relax before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Llandudno

    Discovering historic Llandudno

    Free day to explore Llandudno at your own pace. Options include visiting the Victorian pier (the longest pier in Wales), taking a trip on the Great Orme Tramway through a country park to the summit of Great Orme, or riding the Llandudno Cable Car for views over the Irish Sea and the Snowdonia mountain range. Dinner at the hotel this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Llandudno

    Exploring the castles and gardens of north Wales

    Guided tour of the UNESCO-listed 13th-century Conwy Castle, revealing its history from a Cistercian monastery to its role in the War of the Roses. Continue to Plas Cadnant, a series of historic gardens on the Isle of Anglesey featuring a walled garden, secret valley garden and water garden across a 200-acre estate. Final visit to Gwydir Castle, one of the finest Tudor country houses in Wales, with an informative guided tour from the current owners. Celebrate the final evening with a 'Taste of Wales' dinner accompanied by a harpist.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, check out of the hotel and bid farewell to Victorian Llandudno and scenic north Wales. You are free to make your way home or continue exploring Wales independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Travel on the Ffestiniog Railway from Caernarfon through Snowdonia to Beddgelert, with views toward Anglesey
  • Day 3Ride the Snowdon Mountain Railway to Mount Snowdon's summit (weather permitting) for panoramic views of lakes, mountains and valleys
  • Day 5Guided tour of Gwydir Castle, a Tudor country house, with a tour by the current owners

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 5 nights' 4-star accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • All tour excursions including heritage rail journeys

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Standard Class rail travel on all four heritage railways (Ffestiniog Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Welsh Highland Railway, and Llangollen Railway), plus all coach travel, are included in the price.
Is this tour guided or independent?
This is an escorted tour. A UK Tour Manager accompanies you from start to finish. Most days include guided activities such as castle tours; Day 4 is free to explore Llandudno at your own pace.
What is included in the price?
Five nights at a 4-star hotel (Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno), breakfast and dinner daily, all rail and coach travel, a Tour Manager, and all tour excursions including heritage rail journeys and guided castle tours. Cancellation and travel insurance are not included.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers nine departures between July 2026 and October 2027, in April, May, June, July, August, September, and October.
What castles will we visit?
You will visit Caernarfon Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage site from 1283), Conwy Castle (UNESCO-listed, 13th century), and Gwydir Castle (a Tudor country house with a tour by the current owners). You will also visit Plas Cadnant, a historic gardens estate on Anglesey.
How much walking is involved?
Walking includes city explorations in Llandudno and Conwy, strolls in Beddgelert village and Portmeirion, and touring castle grounds. The Snowdon Mountain Railway ascends by train; the journey to the summit is by rail, not walking.

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