Railtrail Annual Brochure 2020

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Heart of Wales S team &
the Brecon B eacons
DAY 1
We arrive in Llandrindod Wells, where our hotel is
situated in the heart of this spa town. There is time
to get to know your new surroundings before our
evening meal. (D)
DAY 2
A morning at leisure allows you to relax in the hotel’s
leisure facilities or explore Llandrindod a little, as a
small market takes place today. At around midday we
step aboard the ‘Heart of Wales Line’, one of Britain’s
prettiest rural routes, travelling through tranquil
scenery en route to Llandeilo. Here we transfer to
medieval Aberglasney House and Gardens, one of
Wales’ finest gardens set in the beautiful Tywi Valley,
before returning to Llandrindod. (B,D)
DAY 3
Today we depart Llandrindod by coach, heading to
coastal Cardigan Bay for a journey special to anyone
with an interest in railway heritage. The Talyllyn
Railway runs for seven miles from Tywyn to Nant
Gwernol through the Fathew Valley, passing Dolgoch
Falls. Opened in 1865 to carry slate, the railway fell on
DEPARTS
HOTEL
Thursday 18 June 2020
Thursday 23 July 2020
Thursday 13 August 2020
Thursday 10 September 2020
Introducing four great preserved steam railways and a scenic mainline on one great rail
holiday based in the Heart of Wales spa town of Llandrindod Wells. View coastlines, vales,
reservoirs and mountains from your window on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, the Heart of
Wales Line, the Brecon Mountain Railway, the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway and last but
not least, the Talyllyn, the world’s first ever preserved railway.
© Vale of Rheidol Railway
© Talyllyn Railway
© Nigel Mcall
© Crown Copyright (2012) Visit Wales
Vale of Rheidol Railway
Talyllyn Railway
Aberglasney House and Cloister Garden
Big Pit Mining Museum
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
★ ★ Travel along the picturesque Heart of Wales
Line
★ ★ Enjoy magnificent Aberglasney House and
Gardens
★ ★ Experience the Talyllyn Railway, the original
preserved railway
★ ★ Steam on the Vale of Rheidol Railway – one of
the Great Little Trains of Wales
★ ★ Visit Aberystwyth & Devil’s Bridge
★ ★ Explore the unique industrial landscape of the
Blaenavon UNESCO World Heritage site
★ ★ Ride on the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway
★ ★ Marvel at reservoirs and mountains on the
Brecon Mountain Railway
5
DAYS
hard times in the early 1950s. A team of pioneering
enthusiasts took over the running of the line and built
the world’s first preserved railway. Our coach then
transports us south to Aberystwyth, where there is
free time to take lunch before our journey by steam
train through the beautiful Rheidol Valley. The Vale of
Rheidol Railway is one of the Great Little Trains of
Wales, running between Aberystwyth on the Cambrian
coast and Devil’s Bridge. See the countryside change
as you travel through wide open fields, woodland and
rugged mountain scenery, the line twisting and turning
as it clings to the hillside. (B,D)
DAY 4
We travel by coach to the Blaenavon UNESCO
World Heritage site, where we visit the preserved
Iron Works and the Big Pit Museum to uncover the
rich industrial heritage of South Wales. A highlight of
the visit is the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway, which
transports us through the heritage site. This afternoon
we continue to Pant for a journey on the Brecon
Mountain Railway. Formerly part of the Brecon &
Merthyr Railway, the line passes the full length of the
Pontsticill Reservoir on its way to Torpantau, high in
the Brecon Beacons. (B,D)
DAY 5
Bidding farewell to Llandrindod Wells, we depart on
our homeward journeys. (B)
The Metropole Hotel,
Llandrindod Wells
Situated in the spa town of Llandrindod Wells, the 4-star
Metropole Hotel is a great base for exploring the varied
attractions of the Heart of Wales. The hotel is also a
great place to relax, as its Victorian style conservatory
houses an 18 metre pool, thermal suites, Jacuzzi and
gymnasium.
FARES
FARE REGION FIRST STANDARD
London: Euston £730 £625
Greater London £775 £645
South of England £785 £655
East Anglia £810 £669
South West £725 £625
Heart of England £649 £585
Midlands £579 £559
Yorkshire N/A £635
North East £825 £689
North West £665 £585
South Wales N/A £589
North Wales £659 £595
Scotland £795 £655
Join & Leave at Hotels £535
£5 tour discount for holders of National Railcards
Single Room Supplement £55
4 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte evening meal
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base
(Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Hotel Porterage
Fares
From
£530