Tour Ref: VR4/1
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May we introduce this 4-day adventure based in the heart of the Capital of Wales. Brimming with activity, branch lines, and interesting attractions, this tour has so much to offer.
We meet at Cardiff Central Station around lunchtime and are introduced to the city by way of a guided tour to see the important buildings of Government and history by coach and rail. We also take to the water for a cruise from the recovered and vibrant waterfront, up the Taff, past the Millennium Stadium, to the Castle. Here we will enjoy a guided tour which gets you into rooms otherwise not open to the public.
A big day out starts by rail to Treherbert and then a stunning drive over the top and into the Brecon Mountains National Park. We’ll have Welsh Cakes while enjoying views of Pen Y Fan at the National Park Centre and then head to Pant. Here we discover the Brecon Mountain Railway. A 90-minute ride, behind steam, in the National Park will make for a memorable afternoon. We return to Cardiff by rail from Aberdare and should still have time to offer the option of a rail journey to Coryton…because we can!
More Valleys Lines rail starts us off as we rattle up to Merthyr Tydfil and attack the Heads of the Valleys Road. Our day is spent in the Blaenavon area where there are two excellent attractions. The Big Pit Mining Museum was a working coal mine for 100 years and here we will learn all about the life of the miner and take a trip deep underground. Then, it’s time for steam which comes courtesy of the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway. We will take a chug through the remote upland scenery and have a nose around all that is here. Our circular day is completed by rail back to Cardiff from Rhymney.
Time to head for home but not before a final morning of rail and history. We start off with a circular rail trip to do the Cardiff Airport line that you wouldn’t normally use unless you wanted to go to the airport. So, Cardiff to Bridgend and then Bridgend to Penarth. Nearby is the fascinating Cosmeston Medieval Village, a recreation of a village that stood here 600 years ago. We have a guided tour to bring the place to life hopefully led by Henry Hogg the swine herd. Homeward bound journeys commence from Cardiff Central Station early afternoon.
Heritage DMU rides between Barry Town and Barry Island - a super friendly visit.
Narrow gauge line running through the highly scenic Brecon Beacons National Park
Lovely, leafy journey for 4 1/2 miles between Lydney and Parkend
Purpose built miniature steam line near Coleford
Steam train rides through the industrial landscape next to Big Pit Mining Museum
This large, comfortable, hotel is ideally situated in the city centre close to Cardiff Queen Street Station. There are many modern hotels in the city but this one is only modern on the inside being a traditional hotel that has been completely, and stylishly, renovated by this reputable hotel group.
