South Wales by Steam

Meet at your hotel in Swansea, where you spend five nights. Set amidst the rolling hills and golden sands of Swansea Bay, the city is an ideal base for exploring South Wales.

On Day 2, journey on the Brecon Mountain Railway from Pant. This heritage railway takes you through dramatic landscapes, its vintage steam locomotive winding through leafy countryside and alongside the mirror-like waters of the Taf Fechan Reservoir. Climb to the summit of the original line, Torpantau, nestled high in the Brecon Beacons, admiring the wild surrounding vistas from the observation carriages before your return journey. Stop off en route at Pontsticill. With a little free time here, you could visit the Lakeside Café or take a scenic walk along the waterfront. Continue by coach to Caerphilly Castle, a striking medieval fortress and Britain's second-largest castle after Windsor. Sprawling across 30 acres and surrounded by an artificial lake, the 13th-century ruins are perhaps best known for the 'Leaning Tower', a tower to the South East of the castle that leans out over the lake at a jaunty 10-degree angle, beating even the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You have time to explore the castle and grab lunch in Caerphilly before returning to the hotel.

Enjoy a free day in Swansea. Perhaps gain an insight into the city's rich cultural history with a visit to the fascinating Swansea Museum, or step back in time at 1940s Swansea Bay, a museum that details what life was like here during the Second World War. You could visit a local café to sample traditional Welsh fare for lunch. The country is known for its Welsh rarebit, toast topped with a cheese sauce, often with ale and Worcestershire sauce, and laverbread, a puréed edible seaweed that's locally known as 'Welshman's caviar'.

Travel to Abergwili Junction for a nostalgic journey on the Gwili Steam Railway. This preserved heritage line harks back to a time when life moved at a slower pace, taking you on a round trip alongside the River Gwili, past rocky outcrops and the cascading waters of Gwili Falls. As you soak up the scenery, you're treated to a 'Welsh Elevenses' service, enjoying tea or coffee accompanied by delicious traditional Welsh cakes. Next, transfer by coach to the breathtaking Gower Peninsula. This beautiful promontory juts into the Bristol Channel, creating a seemingly endless stretch of rugged cliffs, topped by dense woodlands and fringed by sandy beaches. Such is its scenic allure, the area was designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty in 1956 - the first place in the UK to receive the title. You visit the delightfully named The Mumbles, a pretty little seaside town crowned by a medieval hilltop castle. The Mumbles epitomises Welsh seaside charm; with some free time here, maybe visit the historic lighthouse, which was built in 1794, or take a stroll along the Victorian Pier. For lunch, you could indulge in some 'fresh off the boat' seafood, followed by an ice cream from one of the famous Welsh-Italian ice cream parlours.

You're immersed in more of South Wales' stunning scenery today as you embark on a full-day coach excursion around Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Designated a National Park in 1952 due to its splendid coastline, this area is highly regarded as one of the most beautiful in the UK. Stop at historic Fishguard, a typical fishing village split into two parts, Fishguard and Lower Fishguard, connected by a winding hill. Next, you visit Milford Haven, a vibrant town situated by one of the world's deepest natural harbours. Finally, explore the charismatic seaside town of Tenby. Surrounded by 13th-century walls and known for its sandy shores, pastel-hued houses, and winding cobbled streets, the town is steeped in history. Lunch today is delicious local fish and chips, the perfect accompaniment to a day spent exploring the magnificent Welsh coast.

After breakfast on Day 6, you're free to make your way home.