2025 Trains, Kites & A Castle - Magical Mid-Wales

This brand-new tour takes you to the very Heart of Wales staying in the delightful Victorian spa town of Llandrindod Wells within the beautiful Elan Valley. Bordered by the dramatic landscapes of two national parks, Mid Wales takes you away from the everyday hustle and bustle to a rural idyll of wooded river valleys, quiet market towns and undulating hillsides. \n\nThere's plenty to enjoy and discover in Wales' glorious green heart. A packed and varied programme of included excursions which will take you on heritage train rides, witness the breathtaking aerial acrobatics of graceful red kites feeding and visit a spectacular Welsh castle.
Full of included entrances and excursions
DAY 1 - After you join your holiday coach, you head off to Wales with suitable en-route stop/s. Continue to Llandrindod Wells to check in to the centrally located 4* Metropole Hotel & Spa for 4 nights. DBB\n\nDAY 2 - 4 - At leisure in Llandrindod Wells with three included excursions.\n\nLlandrindod Wells with its architectural heritage, canopied streets, delicate wrought ironwork and ornamental parks has been welcoming visitors since Victorian times who came to 'take the waters'. Popular attractions today include the National Cycle Museum (Admission approx. £5 in 2024 - not open daily - please check), the peaceful surrounds of Llandrindod Wells Lake as well as the town's Heritage Trail (leaflets available from the tourist information centre).\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nElan Valley & Red Kite Feeding Centre\nPart of the rugged Cambrian Mountain, the picturesque Elan Valley is known for its spectacular reservoirs and dams within an area of outstanding natural beauty and together with the moorland, bogs, woodland and river it is the most important area for land birds in Wales. Make a stop at the excellent visitor centre below Caban Coch Dam, a great place to learn about the amazing dams, truly remarkable civil engineering marvels. A local ranger will join the coach to give you a guided tour through the Elan Valley. Onto the town of Rhayader on the River Wye, known as the Outdoors Capital of Wales with time for a spot of lunch before arriving at Gigrin Farm, the small family-run farm, now known as the Red Kite Feeding Centre where hundreds of kites feed every day. It is a truly breath-taking spectacle as you observe the aerial antics from hides just a few metres away from where the kites are fed at 3pm. These incredible birds have wickedly hooked very sharp beaks designed for tearing meat and killing small prey animals. They have a wingspan of nearly two metres, but a relatively small body weight of 2 - 3 Ibs which means the bird is incredibly agile, and can stay in the air for many hours with hardly a beat of its wings. There is a coffee shop, gift shop and toilets on site and a hot drink and a slice of cake are included NB the hides are 130 metre away farmyard along a slightly uneven sloping farm track. Some of the hides have ramps.\n Credit: Paul Dinning - Red Kites Feeding at Gigrin Farm (Filmed in Slow Motion)Vale of Rheidol Heritage Railway & Aberystwyth\nHead to the seaside town of Aberystwyth on the Ceridigion coast to hop aboard one of the restored vintage locomotives of the 1902 Vale of Rheidol Railway which re-creates the Edwardian spirit of adventure with a stunning 12-mile journey along the Rheidol Valley. Travel through the Welsh mountain countryside to the beauty sport of Devil's Bridge with its unusual 18th century bridge crossing the famous gorge and waterfalls in the magnificent Cambrian Mountains. You will have an hour here before to explore heading back on the train to Aberystwyth. Here you will have time to stroll along the promenade passing the beach, marina and brightly coloured Victorian seafront buildings. The seafront also boasts the oldest pier in Wales (it was built in 1864), which offers the fabulous vantage point of the town. Credit: Vale of Rheidol Railway\n\nWelshpool & Llanfair Railway and Powis Castle\nThe Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway was built in 1903 to link farming communities with the market town of Welshpool and provide them with an outlet for their produce. The line was finally closed in 1956 but in1963 a group of enthusiasts rallied round and began to progressively re-open the line to what it is today. The train negotiates a viaduct and river bridge, climbs the notoriously steep Golfa Bank and chugs serenely through beautiful countryside (may operate with steam or diesel locomotive). Board at Llanfair Caereinion and disembark 45 minutes later in Welshpool where you have free time before heading up the road to the magnificent Powis Castle this afternoon. Built in the 13th century as a medieval fortress, the castle and garden you see today reflects the changing ambitions and visions of the Herbert family, who occupied the castle from the 1570s. Furnished with decorative fabrics, world-class paintings, furniture, tapestries and the unique Clive Collection of South Asian objects, the interior follows the Elizabethan period through to the Edwardian period. With views across the Severn Valley, the world-famous garden retains many of its original features including 17th century Italianate terraces lined with vibrant herbaceous borders and 30ft clipped yew trees, an Edwardian formal garden with century-old apple trees and rose beds, and a peaceful woodland area. NB There is a step-free route around the garden but also some steep slopes and uneven terrain. There is no step-free access to the castle. Head back to the hotel later this afternoon\n\nDay 5 - After your final Welsh breakfast, head back homewards with ample stops for coffee and refreshments. Continue back to the local joining points arriving back mid/late evening.

Tour Inclusions
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner- Porterage- Included excursions as stated- Return ride on Vale of Rheidol Railway - Aberystwyth - Devil's Bridge- Free time in Aberystwyth- Single journey on the Llanfair Railway- Entrance to Powis Castle & Gardens- Entry to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre- Ranger-led guided tour of Elan Valley- Entrance to Gigrin Farm Red Kite Feeding Centre with hot drink & slice of cakeElegant historic 4* hotel
METROPOLE HOTEL & SPA, LLANDRINDOD WELLS\nThis elegant and historic 4* hotel is located in the centre of Llandrindod Wells and was once the largest town in Wales. Built in 1896 and still privately owned by the family of the original owner, the hotel offers excellent facilities including the Rock Spa with 18m indoor pool, sauna, steam room, gym and spa treatments (charges may apply). All guestrooms are traditionally style and well sized with TV, hairdryer and tea / coffee making facilities. There is a modern bar, comfortable lounge and a spacious restaurant with a conservatory offering views of the surrounding countryside. The hotel has a few isolated steps and a lift to most floors.