Wonderful Wales 2025

Duration

6 Days

Departure Dates

18th August 2025, 8th September 2025

Prices from

£1,130 Per person

Steam through Snowdonia on this fantastic tour in wonderful Wales. Experience nostalgic steam journeys including the spectacular Snowdon Mountain Railway, journey on the beautiful Conwy Valley Line, enjoy a magnificent tram ride, and visit the beautiful Bodnant Garden. Discover the heritage, history, and beauty of Wales.

Overview
Itinerary
Further Information
Departure Dates
Useful Resources

Llandudno ©Shutterstock

6 days from £1,130

DEPARTS

Monday 12 May 2025

Monday 9 June 2025

Monday 7 July 2025

Monday 18 August 2025

Monday 8 September 2025

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Experience the spectacular Snowdon Mountain Railway
Ride behind steam on the characterful Llanberis Lake Railway
Journey on the scenic Conwy Valley Line
Enjoy a narrow-gauge steam journey on the world-famous Ffestiniog Railway
Steam into Snowdonia on the picturesque Welsh Highland Railway
Explore the magnificent Portmeirion with its Italian style feel
Visit the beautiful Bodnant Garden and indulge in a cream tea
Enjoy a vintage tramcar ride to the summit of the Great Orme
Relax at the renowned Empire Hotel, amidst friendly ambience and elegant comfort

Also included in your Tour Fare:

5 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 cream tea
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Llandudno and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Empire Hotel, our base for the next five nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

Today, we head into Snowdonia to take a five-mile return steam train journey on the characterful Llanberis Lake Railway* running alongside Lake Padarn and providing stunning views of Snowdon. After a relaxing break, we enjoy a steam railway adventure to the summit of Snowdon on the amazing Snowdon Mountain Railway** uncovering the hidden secrets of the mountain from viaducts, waterfalls, and gorges to the remnants of chapels and settlements. After enjoying this kaleidoscope of vistas, we return through the National Park and Conwy Valley to Llandudno.

*From the 6th September 2025 the Llanberis Lake Railway intend to operate a shorter passenger train service due to the National Grids electricity cable replacement project.
**In May, the Snowdon Mountain Railway will operate a traditional diesel service.

B, D

DAY 3

Today, we will enjoy a traditional "Great Railway Journey" as we head along the beautiful Conwy Valley Line to Blaenau Ffestiniog where we board our narrow-gauge steam train on the world-famous Ffestiniog Railway following the path of the old slate trains to Porthmadog. The afternoon is free to enjoy lunch, explore the harbour area, or visit the maritime museum before returning by steam train, climbing steep gradients back to Blaenau Ffestiniog, then down the Conwy Valley Line to Llandudno with seats on the opposite side as outward so no vista is missed.

B, D

DAY 4

After breakfast this morning, we enjoy a truly scenic rail journey as we board the magnificent Welsh Highland Railway at Caernarfon for a steam-hauled journey climbing into Snowdonia, twisting around forests to Beddgelert, and through the treasured beauty of the Aberglaslyn Pass. We then visit the magnificent Portmeirion with its Italian-style architecture and sub-tropical gardens before returning to our hotel via a brief stop at the alpine-style Betws-y-Coed.

B, D

DAY 5

Today, we journey to Bodnant Garden, picturesquely located above the River Conwy, where we will explore the beautiful gardens home to National Collections and Champion Trees and indulge in a sumptuous cream tea. On arrival back in Llandudno, we follow in the footsteps of Victorian holidaymakers aboard a vintage tramcar to the summit of the Great Orme, offering magnificent views across the Irish Sea and enjoy free time before reconvening for our final evening meal together.

B, LR, D

DAY 6

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Llandudno and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTEL

The Empire Hotel, Llandudno

Faithful to its Victorian character, the stylish Empire Hotel offers an award-winning restaurant, Watkins and Co, delivering a bespoke culinary service plus an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and gym. The bedrooms are furnished with antiques combined with modern comforts including a private bathroom with overhead shower, a hairdryer, TV with freeview, free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: Euston	£1,395	£1,269
Greater London	£1,445	£1,285
South of England	£1,489	£1,315
East Anglia	£1,519	£1,329
South West	£1,439	£1,285
Heart of England	£1,329	£1,235
Midlands	£1,345	£1,255
Yorkshire	£1,409	£1,285
North East	£1,489	£1,329
North West	£1,305	£1,219
South Wales	£1,445	£1,269
North Wales	£1,215	£1,169
Scotland	£1,499	£1,319
Join & Leave at Hotel	£1,140
Single Traveller Supplement	£180
Deposit	£115

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey.

£10 tour discount for National Trust Members

5 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 cream tea

Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)

Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described

All excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

Number of passengers:

Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
18th August 2025	£1,130 Per person	Book Now	Callback
8th September 2025	£1,130 Per person	Book Now	Callback

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The Empire Hotel, Llandudno

Llanberis Lake Railway

Snowdon Mountain Railway

Ffestiniog Railway

Welsh Highland Railway

Bodnant Garden

Great Orme Tramway

Llanberis Lake Railway ©Shutterstock

Snowdon Mountain Railway 1 ©SMR

Snowdon Mountain Railway 2 ©Shutterstock

Conwy Castle ©Shutterstock

Ffestiniog Railway ©Shutterstock

Welsh Highland Railway ©Shutterstock

Portmeirion ©Shutterstock

Bodnant Garden 1 ©G Johnson

Bodnant Garden 2 ©Shutterstock

Great Orme Tramway 1 ©iStock

Great Orme Tramway 2 ©Shutterstock

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