Name: Snowdonia Discovery Tour 2024
Brand: DHTour
SKU: 1
Price: $2,870 pp
Availability: InStock

Snowdonia Discovery Tour: 7 nights based at Dolserau Hall, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Snowdon, Wales

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

A trip fit for royalty, our 7-night Snowdonia (Eryri) Discovery Tour lines-up a trio of UNESCO-listed castles that each played a pivotal role in the history of the British monarchy. Hear about Harlech Castle and the English Civil War, explore the imposing riverside fortress of Caernarfon, and visit Conwy – one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the world. And to cap it all, there’ll be a train ride aboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) itself.

Tour Details

Highlights:

Discovering the royal history of Wales
Admiring Powis Castle and its world-famous gardens
Enjoying a scenery-rich journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway
Exploring the National Slate Museum
Visiting Caernarfon Castle, site of the Prince of Wales investiture
Staying in the comfort of a country houses

Pick Up Location & TIme

Dolserau Hall, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 2AG (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.

Drop off Location & Time

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward.

Price Includes

High quality en-suite upgraded accommodation at Dolserau Hall
Excellent food in our country house, full board (B,L,D daily)
The services of our knowledgeable leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday
Full-day excursions with all transport on touring days in a good-quality, comfortable mini-coach

Meals

7 breakfasts
6 lunches
7 dinners
1 tea

Price Excludes

Airfare
Transfers
Pre / Post hotel nights
Travel to/from the Country Hotel (The nearest train station is Machynlleth)
Admissions (please allow approx. £10 per day for entrances)
Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
Travel Insurance

What to Expect

Unpack Once!

Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination. Our knowledgeable leaders will provide fascinating detail to bring it all to life. Travel between locations by mini-coach or public transport following a carefully planned itinerary.

Accommodation at a country house hotel
Full Board Meals – from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
Knowledgeable leader
Transport between locations

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

On each Discovery day, you will be walking roughly 3-5 miles (5-8km) throughout the course of the day as you explore the venues and locations we visit. You’ll also be hopping on and off the coach throughout – you should expect to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Most of this walking will be at attractions but some may be across country tracks or footpaths so be sure to bring sturdy shoes. There will also be stairs to climb in the majority of the venues you visit, though other more accessible options may be available. At some venues, there may also be uneven surfaces, such as cobbles or rocky paths.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day

You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards where you’ll have a complimentary cream tea to tuck in to. (D, T)

Accommodation: Dolserau Hall

Day 2Conway Castle

We’ll kick off the holiday with a castle fit for a king – King Edward I to be exact. You’ll visit Conwy Castle, whose mighty fortress and towers preserve the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales. Then following the town walls, you’ll find out just how easily the castle was captured. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Dolserau Hall

Day 3Harlech Castle and Mawddach Estuary

Another of King Edward I’s statements of power, Harlech Castle dominates with its dramatic position atop a plinth of rock. You’ll delve into its equally dramatic past as you wander the battlements – an eye-opening story of battles, sieges, and capture that goes beyond the late 13^th century.

During the afternoon, you have the option of heading to Mawddach Estuary for a short yet scenic walk. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Dolserau Hall

Day 4Free day

A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House. Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Dolserau Hall

Day 5Powis Castle and Lake Bala

The 13^th century medieval Powis Castle houses an enchanting collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, and tapestries. You’ll get a sense of its historical and strategic importance for Wales as you visit the rooms and world-famous gardens – first built by a Welsh prince and now cared for by the National Trust.

Their theatrical mix of dramatic terraces, sophisticated flower borders, and precise topiary combined with jaw-dropping views never fail to impress.

Then in the afternoon, we’ll stop off at RSPB reserve on Lake Vyrnwy and have time to explore the market town of Bala. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Dolserau Hall

Day 6Snowdon Mountain and Llanberis Lake Railway

Today we make tracks for Llanberis where if the weather’s kind we’ll take a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world.

On a clear day, you’ll trundle past plunging waterfalls and open mountain vistas as you journey through valleys climbing towards the top of Snowdon. You’ll not want to miss a second.

At the National Slate Museum, we gain a fascinating insight into the history and lives of the slate workers, before taking a ride alongside the shores of Llyn Padarn on the Llanberis Lake Railway. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Dolserau Hall

Day 7Caernarfon Castle

Our fourth castle provides a fitting finale to the holiday – a building that’s hailed as one of the greatest of the Middle Ages. We’ll visit Caernarfon Castle, a royal fortress-palace, which has witnessed its fair share of rivalries, feuds, and storied history throughout the centuries.

The location itself is steeped in history too. Add to that the sheer scale of this extraordinary castle and you’ve got a sight to behold – climb the Eagle Tower and you’ll have an eagle’s-eye view over it all.

In more recent times, the investiture of HRH The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, was held here in 1969. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Dolserau Hall

Day 8Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)

Dates and Prices

Departure Dates	Per person (single or twin)	Single in a double room
2024: July 5	$2,870	$3,150
2024: August 16	$2,870	$3,150

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.

Supplement applied for single in a double room.

Rates include room upgrade (premium) and membership fees.

Rates are in $ CAD.

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.

During your Discovery Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.

Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £10 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Travel Details:
Address is: Dolserau Hall, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 2AG

By Rail:
The most convenient railway station to Dolserau Hall is at Machynlleth.

By Taxi:
The 16-mile journey from Machynlleth railway station takes approximately 30 minutes. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Mach Taxis. As a guide price, it cost £30 per 4-seat taxi in 2020. 8- seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. Mach Taxis will arrange shared taxis wherever possible. Please prebook your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting:

Mach Taxis*
Tel: +44 (0) 1654 702048
Email: taxi@machtaxis.com
The return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the House Manager.
*Mach Taxis is not owned or managed by us.

By Bus:
From Machynlleth take the X27 bus to Dolgellau. The 2 mile journey to Dolserau Hall from Doglellau can we completed by taxi. Alternatively alight at Dolgellau Starbucks, form where it a 1-mile walk along a quiet country lane to the house.

By Car:
Dolserau Hall is approximately 1 1/2 hours’ drive from the M56 at Chester or the M54 at Telford.

From the North head to Chester, then take the M53 and A55 around the south of Chester. Join the A550 then the A5104 for about 20 miles, then finally the A494 signposted to Bala. Stay on the A494 through Bala heading towards Dolgellau. A mile after going poast a junction for the B4416 to Brithdir, take the next turning on the left, after the campsite. Follow the country lane for 1/2 mile to Dolserau Hall.

the A5104 for about 20 miles, then finally the A494 signposted to Bala. Stay on the A494 through Bala heading towards Dolgellau. A mile after going poast a junction for the B4416 to Brithdir, take the next turning on the left, after the campsite. Follow the country lane for 1/2 mile to Dolserau Hall.

Hotel Descriptions

Dolserau Hall

Walkers in the know head to southern Snowdonia to uncover one of Wales’ best-kept secrets. Stood in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, just a couple of miles from the attractive market town of Dolgellau, Dolserau Hall makes a superb base for getting off the beaten path. The tranquillity of the location wraps around you. A smart country house with breathtaking views from every room, attractive gardens and vistas that stretch across the valley to the summit of Cadair Idris, you’re surrounded by rural inspiration. Depending on what mood strikes, explore the Rhinogs, take on a classic ridge walk with great views, set foot on the Mawddach Trail or follow the coast to Harlech, where the eponymous medieval castle stands on a wonderful position overlooking the sweeping sands of Cardigan Bay. Croeso I Cymru, as they say around here.

Address: Dolserau Hall, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 2AG

Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi

Stay in the smartly presented rooms in the main house or in one of the handful of bedrooms in the converted coach house close by. With 23 rooms, Dolserau Hall has plenty of space and there’s a range of ‘Classic’ and ‘Premium’ Rooms to choose from. Enjoy the extra space of Room 1 and soak luxuriously in the tub that comes with the room, or watch the light change outside from the comfort and privacy of the sofa in front of the large picture window in Room 5.

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.

Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, extensive garden, lounge bar, library and board games to borrow

After a day rambling over the slopes of the Rhinogs or summiting a cracking peak, come back to the house and its specially tailored walkers’ facilities. Wander through the Coach House garden and admire the far-reaching views. Settle into the lounge bar and sink into the comfy leather sofas here. Grab a book or a board game and make yourself comfortable.

Map

Photos

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