VALLEYS HERITAGE TOUR

Images courtesy of © Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales.

A fantastic day out traveling north of Cardiff visiting the valleys of Rhymney and Rhondda. Sightseeing tour of the central area of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Visit the shop at Penderyn Distillery. Visit Wales’ largest castle at Caerphilly and photo stop at Castell Coch. Lunch stop and free time at Brecon, a Mid Wales market town. Return journey travels south along the Taff Valley passing Merthyr Tydfil, the former Iron Capital of the World.

Times: Departs 09.00 & Returns 17.30 approx

Prices:
Adult £45.00
Concession £40.00 (over 60s & Students)
Child £25.00 (over 5years & under 16 years

Departure Days: Monday all year round

ITINERARY

Depart Cardiff at 09.00 for a short journey north to Taff Valley and Castell Coch, (Red Castle), which nestles in scenic woods near the charming village of Tongynlais. The Victorian architect William Burges was commissioned by the 3rd Marquis of Bute to recreate a castle from the earlier foundations of a medieval structure, complete with turrets and round towers. Short photo stop.

We then make our way to the mountain road and descend into the Rhymney Valley to enter the town of Caerphilly, famous for its cheese and home of Wales’ largest castle and ‘leaning tower’. You can visit the Caerphilly Castle, the creation of ‘Red Gilbert’ de Clare Earl of Gloucester and Hertford and Marcher Lord of Glamorgan, truly one of the great strongholds of medieval Europe with its combination of land and water defenses heavily influenced the course of medieval architecture.

Next we drive through the friendly town of Pontypridd, which have produced an amazing trio of world-famous singers: Sir Geraint Evans, Stewart Burrows and Sir Tom Jones. Also birthplace of father and son songwriting team, Evan and James James, who composed both the music and lyrics of the Welsh National Anthem, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau. We enter the Rhondda Valley, discover the wilderness surrounding mining towns, as featured in Richard Llewellyn classic “How Green Was My Valley”, now the coal mines have long gone. We take a drive up through the steep-sided mountain road, delivering fine views of the valley below and rugged landscape as we make our way to Rhigos viewpoint at 472m/1550ft ASL. Refreshments and photo stop.

On to the quaint village of Penderyn to visit Wales’ only distillery opened in 2004 by Prince Charles. Short shop visit.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is a jewel in the crown of the UK's protected landscapes. Our journey explores the central area of the park with ample photo stops to capture the beauty and diversity of its stunning rolling hills and lush green valleys. This is a beautiful part of Wales, an abundance of wide open spaces where Welsh black cattle, mountain ponies and sheep graze.

Brecon, a traditional Mid Wales market town, positioned on the banks of the confluence of the Usk and Honddu rivers, and sheltered by the mountains. We drive through the narrow streets and passageways lined with Georgian and Jacobean shop fronts which all add to the charm of this historic town to the 18th century Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and drop off at a central local. Following lunch at Brecon we visit the Cathedral.

From Brecon a scenic drive to visit Libanus Visitors' Centre, some 335m ASL, offers stunning views over Mynydd Illtud common to Pen-y-fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain.

Our return journey to Cardiff traveling along the Taff Valley passing through Merthyr Tydfil, the former Iron Capital of the World, and from the roadside view Cyfartha Castle, the former home of one of the iron-masters.

Return to Cardiff at 17.30 approx.

Departure & Return Point: National Museum CF10 3NP Click here to see map

Inclusions
Mercedes Executive mini- coach with large panoramic windows to deliver the best views and air conditioned. Services of a professional driver, who will select the best scenic routes for your tour and personal guide to provide live commentary en route and be on hand all day to give advice and information.

Exclusions
Lunch and refreshments
Entrance to Caerphilly Castle. Adult £4.00 & Concession £3.60

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Your guide is on hand all day to give advice and information and your coach driver to select the best scenic routes for your tour. Mercedes coaches renowned for their reliability & safety, huge panoramic windows for the very best views above the hedgerows. 15 high backed coach seats, 3-point seat belts, first class sound system and air conditioned.

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