The beautiful west coast of North Wales is our own favourite little piece of paradise – our first-choice destination when we have a few days off. Every bit as stunning as Snowdonia and the north coast but a little quieter, less travelled, and less well represented in the tourism guides. It is a firm favourite with our guests with regular comments like ‘Wow, we never knew Wales was so beautiful’ and ‘What a great day – we never expected Wales to be like this’
The area is typified by great mountains tumbling down into broad sandy estuaries and deserted golden beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. Pretty seaside towns with once busy fishing harbours and ancient castles dot the landscape. The Gulf Stream brings warmer air and water temperatures to the area and it is not unusual for the area to see the highest temperatures in the country.
Set at the end of the beautiful Mawddach estuary, Barmouth is a pretty little coastal town with impressive Victorian architecture and a picture-postcard harbour looking out over the Cadair Idris mountain range. The Mawddach Estuary was also the centre of the welsh gold mining industry with gold from the local mines being used in royal wedding jewellery as recently as the marriage of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018.
Heading north past Cardigan Bay’s deserted golden beaches we come to the tiny village of Harlech with Edward 1st 13th century UNESCO castle perched atop an inaccessible cliff top. With the Irish sea and Llyn Peninsula stretching out to the west and the high mountains of Snowdonia to the north, Harlech and its castle enjoy a spectacular setting and commanding position.
The Italianate village of Portmeirion is a quirky piece of magic and madness designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the early 20th century. A fantasy of colourful riviera style houses and ornamental sub-tropical gardens set within a spectacular welsh coastal backdrop, its onsite 4-star Hotel and restaurant looking out over the Dwryd estuary makes a great base for a few days exploring North Wales.
Just a few miles north and we arrive at the bustling coastal town of Porthmadog. Once one of the busiest ports in Britain shipping slate from the great mines of Gwynedd, you can now take a ride on one of the narrow-gauge steam trains that once bought slate from the mountains down to Porthmadog’s harbour.
So – the west coast – see the most amazing sunsets, keep your eyes peeled for a chance to see dolphins dancing in the waves, wander along your own deserted beach or discover the 5th-century chapel in the sand dunes – the west coast of North Wales is truly amazing.
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!
