The Isle of Anglesey & Snowdonia | Beaumaris

5 Days - Mon 16th October 2023

+£80 Single Supplement

We stay on the Ilse of Anglesey for the first time, and we have chosen the captivating seaside town of Beaumaris! It boasts a mix of mediaeval, Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture and is home to a castle constructed by Edward I in his bid to control the Welsh. We spend two days on the island and visit the Welsh ‘Mainland’ for a tour of Snowdonia. Our hotel is a stunning Grade I listed hotel right in the centre of town. The highlight is a boat tour to Puffin Islands where we can see seals, sea birds and possibly porpoises and dolphins.

Monday We take a lunchbreak in Llangollen, then continue through Snowdon and over the Menai Bridge, the first suspension bridge in the world built in 1826 and 30m above sea level to allow large ships to pass underneath, to Anglesey and our hotel. Tours whilst at resort

A | We have an eighty-minute boat trip to Puffin Island at the entrance to the Menai Straights, it was once home to a saint and his monastery is still visible. It is now a bird sanctuary and resting site for many species. Cormorants and shags are on the island all year round as are the resident Atlantic Grey Seals. The remainder of the day is free to explore Beaumaris, maybe visit its castle, the great unfinished masterpiece that was began in 1295 by Edward I but never completed (entry not included).

B | Travelling via Conwy, we follow the Conwy River to make a morning stop in Betws-y-Coed, the gateway to Snowdonia, in its magical setting with a distinctly Alpine feel. We continue, viewing Snowdon from the spectacular Llanberis Pass to our lunchtime stop in Caernarfon. Caernarfon is home to Wales’ most famous castle, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s narrow town centre streets and stylishly redeveloped waterfront are also worth a visit.

C | Scenic tour of the Isle of Anglesey with its stunning landscapes, unspoilt coastlines and picturesque towns and villages. We make a morning stop in Llanfair PG, the longest placename in Britain, then we take a circular tour of the island. Our lunch stop is the largest town on the Island, Holyhead. We pass through Llanfachraeth, Cemaes Bay & Amlwch including a photo stop overlooking Bull Bay. We also make a stop at Parys Mountain where we can either stay on the coach to enjoy the view or make a short walk to the top of the Great Opencast where there is a viewing area with a stunning panorama that shows the excavation’s amazing colours of reds, oranges, pinks, browns, purples, blacks, greens, and yellows!

Friday We return home with a stop in Shrewsbury, which has nearly 800 listed buildings all built on a huge loop in the River Severn.

Bulkeley Hotel

Built in 1832 as a Georgian showpiece to accommodate Queen Victoria, it has panoramic views of the Menai Straights and Snowdonia. WIFI | BAR bulkeleyhotel.co.uk