Wales

Group organisers will know there are many great reasons to visit Wales with a group, especially as there is always something new and interesting to discover regardless of which region of the Principality you decide to head for.

South Wales is where you will find Llancaiach Fawr Manor, a Tudor manor house in the village of Nelson near Caerphilly which stands proudly overlooking the Glamorgan Uplands as it has done since around 1550.Today it is a museum of living history with the Manor House restored and furnished as it would have looked like way back in 1645.

Guided tours provide an extra dimension to any visit, providing you with a first person interactive experience suitable for all ages as you step back in time and explore Llancaiach Fawr with the servants of Colonel Edward Prichard. Pre-booking for tours is currently still required with the popular Ghost Tour dates also now listed for winter 2022.

Groups can enjoy a range of experiences tailored to your needs based upon travel times, the time available within your itinerary and your group size. There is excellent wheelchair access to parts of the Manor House with a newly installed lift and full disabled access to the Visitor Centre and Gardens. There are discounted admission rates for groups, free entry to the Manor House and a free meal for the group organiser and coach driver, easy drop-off and pick-up point with dedicated free parking for coaches.

Pembrokeshire in West Wales is the location for Picton Castle Gardens, a stately home surrounded by 60 acres of beautiful woodland gardens and grounds.There is always something new to see and do at this award-winning visitor attraction, including their newest addition, The Welsh Owl Garden and Zoo, located in their East Garden.

Picton Castle consists of a 13th century castle with a splendid Georgian wing. Guided tours of Castle span nearly 800 years of history, with a wealth of family stories to find out about. Outdoors you can relax amid the idyllic gardens which are carefully planned to provide colour and interest all year round. There are nearly two miles of paths to enjoy including woodland walks which have strategically placed benches to sit and enjoy the views and the birdsong.

In addition to a changing programme of events and exhibitions throughout the year, Picton Castle welcomes pre-booked groups and offers reduced rates for groups of 20 or more and with options for your visit depending on your length of stay.

Moving north to Snowdonia is the beautiful setting for Plas Brondanw, a twentieth century garden which was owned and designed by the Arts and Crafts architect, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. He created a unique and characteristic garden landscape which provides a series of dramatic and romantic prospects set within the National Park, between Snowdon and the sea. Inspired by the gardens of Renaissance Italy, strong architectural influences are evident within the Plas gardens, stone walls, topiary and avenues of trees leading the eye to the dramatic back drop of the mountains beyond.

Plas Brondanw is host to a charming cafe located within the idyllic gardens with spectacular views of the landscape which surrounds the estate. Open seven days a week between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm during the summer months, you can look forward to tasting local Welsh produce at its very best whilst enjoying the tranquillity of the gardens. The cafe is managed by Mrs Lowri Jones who was brought up and continues to live on the Brondanw Estate and has a wealth of knowledge and experience both in the kitchen and of the local area.

Groups of more than 12 people, including tour bus groups, are welcome if they have bookings in advance. Guided tours of the gardens can also be arranged.

Powys in Mid Wales is home to The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, a delightful narrow gauge heritage railway which runs westwards from the town of Welshpool via Castle Caereinion to the village of Llanfair Caereinion in, Wales.

The line is around 8.5 miles long and the train trip takes you up some of the steepest gradients in Britain by steam locos and coaches from around the world. Most of the trains are steam hauled either by one of the unique original locomotives which include 'The Earl' and 'The Countess' supplied new to the railway in 1902 or one of our other operational steam locomotives were built for use in Sierra Leone and Romania.

The carriages too are special with those in regular use originating from Hungary and Austria. And it is this access to the enclosed seating area via an open balcony which provides visitors with a great way to watch the world go by and see the beautiful mid Wales countryside roll slowly by as you travel into the delightful Banwy Valley.

Groups are well catered for here with discounts for groups of 10 or more paying adults booked at least 24 hours before departure, for both single and return journeys.