The English City of Chester sits right on the border of North East Wales and its rich history and heritage, and bustling city centre, make it one of the most exciting cities to visit in Britain.
Founded as a Roman garrison town in the 1st century it later became immensely wealthy as one of the main trading ports in Britain. The Roman walls are still in fine repair and form a 2-mile ring circling the city. Nowadays they offer a fine walk offering panoramic views of the bustling city centre and linking many places of interest like the Roman Amphitheatre, the 1000-year-old cathedral and the ‘Rows’. The 700-year old half-timbered ‘Rows’ are the focal point of shopping in Chester. The two-tiered galleries built in Tudor style are packed with modern shops, galleries, and restaurants. And if shopping is your thing, the largest designer outlet village in the UK is just 10 miles outside the city centre.
Chirk Castle is one of a number of medieval Marcher fortresses built along the Welsh/English border to subdue the Welsh after the conquest of Edward 1st in the 13th century. Commanding fine views over the surrounding countryside, its location was chosen to protect trade along the English borders and into Wales via the Dee and Ceiriog Valleys. During the medieval period, Chirk’s fortunes swung from glory to disgrace as 5 of its treasonous owners were executed by the state. In 1595, Sir Thomas Myddelton, a founder of the East India Company and a future Lord Mayor of London, bought the castle for the princely sum of £5000 – his descendants continuing to live at Chirk to this day. As a result, rooms with different themes and styles from different centuries sit next to each other offering a fine view of the high life through the ages
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal were granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2010. Completed in 1805, the canal was built to take slate, limestone, and other natural resources across the steep Dee valley and onwards to the industrial heartlands of England. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct carries the canal 126 feet over the Dee valley and is a pioneering masterpiece of engineering and monumental metal architecture. Now a major tourism destination, a museum charts the life of the canal and aqueduct through the ages. A stroll to the centre of the aqueduct is a must and you can cross on a canal boat or even canoe over if you are feeling brave.
Your personal guided tour timetable
Your touring day starts at your accommodation at 9:30 am. Your day will include rest, coffee and a lunch stop in addition to stops for the listed sites, attractions and activities. Along the way, your driver will tell you all about Wales’ history, culture and myths and legends whilst pointing out places of interest and recommending the best stops for food, refreshments and photos. We aim to have you back at your accommodation at about 6:00 pm.
We will endeavor to visit all locations listed on this tour however, Start/Finish times, order of itinerary and places we visit may change depending on your pickup and drop-off location, weather, road conditions or other events out of our control. Therefore, all tour timings are approximate, and we reserve the right to change the tour itinerary at any time. .
What is Included in your tour
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or cruise berth within North Wales.
The services of your professional driver/guide throughout your tour.
The use of our luxury Mercedes people carrier to suit your party size
All fuel, parking and road tolls.
What is excluded from your tour
Food and drink and admission fees to sites, attractions and activities where payable.
Personal travel insurance
What to bring with you.
Please bring a wind or waterproof coat and sensible footwear for some light walking. Whilst rare, Wales can have 4 seasons in one day!
