Coasts & Castles of Wales & England 2025

This morning, you have free time to explore Tenby at your leisure. You have time to walk down the steps to the beach; take in the views of the sea as you walk along the cobbled streets; or wile away the morning in one of the local bakeries.

Departing Tenby, you continue along the Welsh coast and make your way onto Laugharne, on the estruary of the River Tâf. Here, your guide will show you the route to Dylan Thomas’s Boathouse, the home of the lauded Welsh poet who spent the final years of his life in this peaceful coastal town; or perhaps you would prefer to wander outside the imposing castle with a coffee in hand.

We take another drive heading north, heading away from the sea and deeper into the rolling hills of the countryside. In the afternoon, you visit Careg Cennen Castle. Perched on a limestone crag above the River Cennen, you can see for miles around as you explore the dramatic hilltop castle, and delve into the unique natural cave that cuts deep into the hill. You also have time for some traditional Welsh cawl (soup) in the farmhouse.

Once you’ve had your fill of history, it’s time to take a scenic drive through the wild and rugged Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, the spectacular mountain range in the south of Wales. With a photo stop or two along the way, you travel to Abergavenny, another small but popular market town, known as the “Gateway to Wales”. This is your home for tonight. (B)

Your overnight accommodation will be in Abergavenny.

It’s the final day on tour; and we’re leaving Abergavenny. You leave the hills of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park behind, and travel to the world’s first book town, Hay-on-Wye.

Your morning is spent meandering the cobbled streets of Hay-on-Wye, exploring the many themed book shops, Thursday market stalls, and maybe have a coffee or two as you relax in the UK’s first book town. With your bags filled with books, soon you will be making your way over the border back into England.

Crossing the border into England, you travel to the market town Ross-on-Wye, in the heart of the Wye Valley. You can have lunch here and soak in the atmosphere before you change the bus and meet up with the new group on your second part of the tour. Next, it’s onwards to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. Famous for the picturesque villages scattered between rolling hills, we take a scenic drive weaving through the fields towards Broadway. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’, this village is great to wander. You can take your time meandering through the scenic streets lined with historic buildings, before it’s time to head back on the road towards your overnight stop.

You’ll arrive to Stratford-upon-Avon in the late afternoon, with free time to explore the many historic sites before heading to your accommodation. As well as snapping some pictures of iconic timber-framed houses, you may want to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace or Anne Hathaway’s House; fans of the bard, you’ll be spoilt for choice. (B)

Your overnight accommodation will be in Stratford-upon-Avon.

With all that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer, you may be sad to leave this morning – but not for long, as your driver-guide takes you along a scenic route through the Cotswolds towards Blenheim Palace.

Arriving at Blenheim Palace, one of the grandest houses in England, you’ll be in awe. You have the full morning to explore the Palace State rooms and the extensive gardens of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is also our lunch stop for the day; and there is so much to choose from, with cafes, restaurants, and snack shacks scattered around the grounds.

Oxford truly is a dream destination and there is so much to discover, in this city famous for its Gothic architecture, and home to the oldest university in the UK. You might wander the canal and soak up the luscious scenery, or you’ll explore the alleyways filled with treasure-trove shops and great cafes. But, most of all, you’ll marvel at its architecture and history of this collegiate town. From Christ Church College and Cathedral to the dusty tomes slumbering at Bodleian Library, Oxford is impossible to ignore.

After a day filled with history and exploration, it’s time to return to Bristol. Your driver-guide takes you through the rolling hills of the Wessex Downs as you reminisce about the memories you’ve made. (B)