Tours in Other Areas of the UK
Many of our guests visit North Wales as part of their bigger vacation to the UK
North Wales is ideally positioned in the centre of the British isles to link to other areas of the UK and Ireland, quickly and easily, without long transfer times.
To the west, Ireland is a quick 3-hour ferry ride from Holyhead Port or a short 45 min hop from Liverpool or Manchester Airports. The English Lake District is a 2-and-a-half-hour drive north whilst Edinburgh is a half-day drive or 2-hour train ride from Manchester Piccadilly railway station. To the south, The Cotswolds, the Southwest and London are all half-day drives or shorter railway rides.
Our driver/guides have extensive experience of touring in other areas of the UK such as South and Mid Wales, the Cotswolds, and the English Lake District. In other areas such as the South West, Yorkshire, London, Scotland and Ireland we work with partners who are the local specialists.
We can organise transfer tour days between any of these areas and North Wales for you. You can then either continue your tour with your Welsh driver/guide or meet up with one of our recommended local partners to continue your holiday with them.
Have a look at some of the options below and, when you are ready, tell us where, when, and how you would like to travel, and what you’d like to see and do, and we will seamlessly link your time in North Wales into your bigger vacation of the British isles.
The Cotswolds, Bath and the South West
The Cotswolds is England’s very own Garden of Eden. A lush green landscape filled with quintessentially English villages and towns made rich by the wool trade. An area with centuries of history, grand stately homes and dreamy private gardens.
A private guided tour is the best way to really experience the Cotswolds. Our guides know the real secrets that lie within the inspiring Cotswold landscape, found down country roads that lead to hidden villages and amazing views.
Visit picture-postcard villages with pretty cottages built from honey coloured stone. Discover the region’s historical mansions and castles and find out about their royal links. Discover the locations where Harry Potter and Downton Abbey were filmed and where Lewis Carrol, A.A. Milne and JM Barrie penned their literary masterpieces. Meet the locals, the farmers of the Cotswolds, the real curators of this unique landscape. Discover the secrets of guiding their sheepdogs with a series of whistles and calls, feed the pigs and cattle or, if you are lucky to be here in early spring, get ‘hands on’ with lambing and help bring a new life into the world.
Stonehenge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site believed to have been built 5000 years ago and is one of the most famous landmarks in Britain. One of the most extraordinary features of Stonehenge is its orientation to the setting and rising sun. Some say that this is simply because the local tribes worshipped the gods of the sun whilst others believe it was part of an astronomic calendar that allowed tribal villagers to map out the seasons of the year, and to develop early agricultural skills.
The ancient city of Bath was built by the Romans for pleasure and relaxation. The ancient thermal waters of this City caught the interest of the Romans and nowadays, the ancient Roman baths are truly worth a visit if only to gaze at how the Romans used to live! The amazing honey-coloured Georgian architecture, iconic Royal Crescent and the splendid Pulteney Bridge should also not be missed. Next door, the architecture and stained-glass window in Bath Abbey are also a must to see. Bath is a foodie heaven and has some of the finest ‘shopping’ in Britain, so be sure to put enough time aside to experience all Bath has to offer.
Devon and Cornwall form the far southwest tip of England. This is one of Britain’s most popular tourist areas, with its long sandy beaches, and a picturesque interior of moorland, hills, and valleys. The southeast facing coast of Devon, around Torquay and Paignton, is known as the “English Riviera” and is noted for its mild climate. East of Plymouth, the south coast is rockier with many inlets and small estuaries that are very popular with water sports enthusiasts and sailors. The north coast, characterised by its long sandy beaches and rocky coasts, takes the full force of the Atlantic swell and has some of the most dramatic surf beaches in Europe. In Cornwall in particular, tourism has now replaced the traditional occupations of fishing and farming as the main source of employment and income.
Scotland
Scotland will surprise you with the sheer size and the majesty of its scenery – it’s not known as the ‘Big Country’ for nothing! From the Lowlands through the Highlands, and on to the Islands you will experience magnificent scenery at every turn.
The vibrant cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow are steeped in heritage and culture and offer a wealth of sights and places of historical interest. Visit the home of Scotland’s kings and queens in Stirling or marvel at the magnificent scenery as you visit the highland capital of Inverness.
There is so much to see and do on your Caledonian adventure. Traveling through serene glens and past mighty mountain ranges, history is everywhere. Discover the stories of the clans and the Jacobite’s struggles against the English conquerors as you visit castles, battlegrounds and clan settlements.
A visit to the west coast is a must. Leaving Glasgow, you pass the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and head north over the awe-inspiring Rannoch Moor. Passing the spectacular Glen Coe and sea loch of Loch Linnhe you arrive at the bustling coastal town of Fort William. Fort William sits under the shadow of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom and is the southern entrance to the spectacular Great Glen.
The Great Glen is a geological fault bisecting the Grampian mountains to the southeast and the northwest Highlands. It runs over 60 miles northeast to the highland capital of Inverness. The mighty waters of Loch Ness and Loch Lochy cover the Great Glens valley floors and it’s here that you can experience some of the most amazing scenery in Scotland. (whilst keeping an eye out for the elusive Nessie!)
Scotland is not all about awe-inspiring scenery and rich natural history and culture though. To spice up your tour you could take a wee dram at one of the 125 whiskey distilleries in Scotland! Or how about a round of golf or an afternoon fly fishing on a quiet Scottish backwater – Scotland is rightly famous for the quality of its golf courses and its fishing. There is also a plethora of film and tv locations to visit. From Bond to Braveheart and Outlander to Harry Potter there is plenty to keep film and TV buffs occupied.
The incredible mountains and lochs also make Scotland a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with some of the best hiking, mountaineering and water sports locations in the UK being north of the Scottish border. Did you know there are actually 5 commercial ski areas in the Highlands! A Scottish friend once told me – we love the winters here in the Highlands. When it rains, it falls as snow so we ski on it – then it melts and flows into the rivers so we kayak and raft on it – then it flows through the glens and down to the sea so make whisky from it!
The Lake District
Tucked away in England’s northwestern corner, in the ancient county of Cumbria, lies The Lake District. Its shimmering lakes, silent forests, and craggy mountains (the Fells) have inspired poets, writers, and artists such as Wordsworth, Wainwright and Potter through the centuries. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District is dotted with quaint villages and small bustling towns where its history, heritage and culture sit side by side with the beautiful but hard landscape. The Lake District is one of the largest National Parks in Britain and has a wide range of activities and attractions alongside world-class accommodation and fine dining.
From the standing stones of the Ancient Britons through to the stately homes of the Victorians – whichever way you turn in the Lake District, you will find a rich heritage and a fascinating history. The story of early settlers, the Vikings and Saxons, can be read in the names they left behind like fell, beck and ghyll, whilst later arrivals came not to conquer, but to bask in the beauty of the landscape. William Wordsworth, John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter are just a few of the famous names who were inspired to greatness by the natural beauty of the Lake District. Here you can visit stone circles, historic houses and the gardens, birthplaces, homes and workshops of famous poets, writers and artists.
For the more adventurous, the Lake District is full of attractions and experiences. Cruise Lake Windermere on a Lakeland steamer, enjoy the stunning views of lakes and fells aboard a heritage steam train, find out how the local farmers use their sheepdogs to bring the herds off the fells or drive deep into the mountains with an off-road adventure. The more active can go mountain biking or walking in the fells, canoe or kayak on the many tranquil lakes and white-water rivers or even try rock climbing or ghyll scrambling with one of the many outdoor centres in the area.
For a more relaxing day out, our Best of the Lake District guided tour offers a day of high mountain passes, stone circles, spectacular waterfalls and, of course, the shimmering lakes that make the area famous. We add in special moments such as walking amongst Wordsworth’s daffodils, standing alongside the mighty Aira Force waterfall, and experiencing the surprise view over the northern lakes. During our rest breaks and stop-offs you can experience a Taste of Lakeland – maybe a bowl of local Herdwick lamb stew, a Lakeland cream tea, or even some Grasmere gingerbread.
South and Mid Wales
Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is a vibrant and bustling modern city that deserves at least a day of your holiday!
Visit Cardiff Bay – Europe’s biggest waterfront development and home to the National Assembly for Wales, The Wales Millennium Centre, and the Norwegian Church. A 30-minute stroll (or a short bus or taxi ride) and the Principality Stadium, the home of Welsh rugby, looms over the river Taff. From here you are seconds from Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Museum, and the bustling Victorian shopping arcades.
Heading west past towns made famous by coal and steel, we reach Swansea and the Gower peninsula. Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty feels a million miles from the bustling centre of Cardiff. Broad sandy beaches, pounding surf and lofty clifftop walks are the order of the day on ‘The Gower’
A visit to the busy seaside town of Tenby is also a must. The light and colours have attracted artists and tourists for centuries. Tenby is known for its 13th-century town walls, sandy beaches, and its delightful little harbour.
The next stop is the ancient county of Pembrokeshire. Don’t miss Pembroke Castle, the birthplace of Henry VII or St Davids, the smallest city in Britain. Its magnificent cathedral was founded in the 6th century by St David, the Patron saint of Wales. A RIB ride around Ramsey Island to see seals, sea birds and ‘The Bitches’ tidal race (and dolphins if you are lucky!) shouldn’t be missed.
Now turn north past pretty coastal villages like Fishguard, Cardigan and Aberaeron. Stop off at the mysterious 5000-year-old burial chambers at Pentre Ifan then take a ride on the Cwm Rheidol heritage steam railway. Whilst here, keep your eyes peeled, you may spot the national bird of Wales, the Red Kite, soaring majestically alongside you. The next stop is the busy university town of Aberystwyth and onwards the gateway to Snowdonia and North Wales.
For an alternative route, from Cardiff or Swansea, head north to the Brecon Beacons, the highest mountains south of Snowdonia. The ‘Beacons’ form the northern end of the great coal-mining valleys of the industrial revolution. Industry in these valleys in the 19th century helped make Wales one of the first industrial super nations. Whilst here visit ‘Waterfall Country’ and the whisky distillery at Penderyn for a ‘wee dram’ of Wales’ finest spirit.
Now turn north through the sparsely populated heartlands of mid-Wales. Visit Builth Wells, home of the annual Royal Welsh agricultural show. A narrow mountain road through the wild Cambrian Mountains takes you past the great reservoirs of Mid Wales. Built to provide water for the industrial cities of the English midlands this landscape almost has a Scandinavian feel to it. Our last stop before we head north to the busy university town of Aberystwyth is the beacon of tranquillity and reverence that is the former Cistercian abbey of Strata Florida.
