Holidays
7 Night Snowdonia Discovery Tour

7 Night Snowdonia Discovery Tour

7 nights

131kg CO2

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Groups of 10+

020 3974 8865

A trip fit for royalty, this 7-night discovery tour lines up a trio of UNESCO-listed castles that each played a pivotal role in the history of the British monarchy. You’ll visit the quirky village of Portmeirion and also tour Plas Brondanw, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis’ former home. And to cap it all, there’ll be a ride on the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) itself.

What You’ll Love

Discovering the royal history of Wales
Admiring the enchanting Italianate style village of Portmeirion
Enjoying a scenery-rich journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway
Exploring the National Slate Museum
Visiting Caernarfon Castle
Staying at Dolserau Hall, our Victorian country house

What's Included

Tickets for the Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) Mountain Railway
Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
Cream tea on arrival day
Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
Daily packed lunches
Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
Guided sightseeing with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
All transport to and from sites of interest
Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently

Please note - Entrance fees are not included. See more information tab for details.

Trip Suitability

Trip suitability

Our Discovery holidays give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the local area through active sightseeing.

On each Discovery day, you will be walking throughout the course of the day as you explore the venues and locations we visit. You'll also be hopping on and off the coach throughout - you should expect to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Most of this walking will be at attractions but some may be across country tracks or footpaths so be sure to bring sturdy shoes. There will also be stairs to climb in the majority of the venues you visit, though other more accessible options may be available. At some venues, there may also be uneven surfaces, such as cobbles or rocky paths.

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

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Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

We’ll kick off the holiday with a castle fit for a king – King Edward I to be exact. You’ll visit Conwy Castle, whose mighty fortress and towers preserve the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales. Then following the town walls, you’ll find out just how easily the castle was captured.

Another of King Edward I’s statements of power, Harlech Castle dominates with its dramatic position atop a plinth of rock. You’ll delve into its equally dramatic past as you wander the battlements – an eye-opening story of battles, sieges, and capture that goes beyond the late 13^th century.

During the afternoon, you have the option of heading to Mawddach Estuary for a short yet scenic walk.

Discover more about Dolserau Hall and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.

The 13^th century medieval Powis Castle houses an enchanting collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, and tapestries. You’ll get a sense of its historical and strategic importance for Wales as you visit the rooms and world-famous gardens - first built by a Welsh prince and now cared for by the National Trust.

Their theatrical mix of dramatic terraces, sophisticated flower borders, and precise topiary combined with jaw-dropping views never fail to impress.

Then in the afternoon, we’ll stop off at RSPB reserve on Lake Vyrnwy and have time to explore the market town of Bala.

Today we make tracks for Llanberis where if the weather’s kind we’ll take a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world.

On a clear day, you’ll trundle past plunging waterfalls and open mountain vistas as you journey through valleys climbing towards the top of Snowdon. You’ll not want to miss a second.

At the National Slate Museum, we gain a fascinating insight into the history and lives of the slate workers, and there'll also be the option to take a ride alongside the shores of Llyn Padarn on the Llanberis Lake Railway.

Our fourth castle provides a fitting finale to the holiday – a building that’s hailed as one of the greatest of the Middle Ages. We’ll visit Caernarfon Castle, a royal fortress-palace, which has witnessed its fair share of rivalries, feuds, and storied history throughout the centuries.

The location itself is steeped in history too. Add to that the sheer scale of this extraordinary castle and you’ve got a sight to behold - climb the Eagle Tower and you’ll have an eagle’s-eye view over it all.

In more recent times, the investiture of HRH The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, was held here in 1969.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

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Accommodation

Dolserau Hall

We’re delighted to share that Dolserau Hall has now reopened following a significant investment in this much‑loved Welsh HF Country House. With beautifully updated social spaces, refreshed bedrooms, and thoughtful enhancements throughout, it’s the perfect moment to rediscover this special spot in southern Eryri (Snowdonia). Read more. Dolserau Hall enjoys arresting countryside views at this Victorian manor house at the southern end of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. The location is idyllic; think ancient woods and craggy uplands in all directions (parts of the park served as the inspiration for Middle Earth in JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings). There’s no shortage of things to do, either, including following the Mawddach Trail along the edge of the Mawddach Estuary, discovering the compact range of hills known as the Rhinogs, and climbing the rugged foothills of Cader Idris – the highest mountain in southern Snowdonia (Eryri) at 893 metres. You’ll also be close to Dolgellau, the small market town best known for its once flourishing woollen industry (ruins of the Pandy fulling mills used to remove fats and grease from the wool cloth can still be seen along the Afon Aran River). With only 21 rooms, it's one of HF Holidays' smaller country houses and 40% of it's rooms are reserved for singles, making it easier than ever to have your own space.

A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).

Evening entertainment

While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.

Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.

The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.

Check in & check out

You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.

• 21 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 31 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm • Full-board (including a cream tea welcome) • Free Wi-Fi • Free on-site parking • Boot room and drying room • Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks • Books and games to borrow • Licensed bar • Lounge • Garden • Well-behaved dogs welcome • Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point

Seasonal dining, tailored for you

Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a 40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.

Welcome Cream Tea

What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home. A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.

A hearty breakfast to start the day

Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.

Our famous picnic lunch

Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.

3-course evening meals

Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.

A choice of guest rooms at Dolserau Hall

Designed with your comfort in mind, Dolserau Hall has 21 well-appointed guest rooms available in two categories: Classic and Premium.

Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.

We love: The rooms in the main house or converted coach house. Some come with standout views of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park.

Premium single	Premium double/twin	Choose your room
£20 pppn	£20 pppn	£30 per room

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location

Choose Your Room Service

Some guests love choosing a particular room, for the view, a quiet spot in an annex, or to be close to the dining room. Many return to the same room time and again, creating a familiar and comforting sense of place for only £30 per room.

For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Dolserau Hall

View more details View holidays here

More Information

Carbon Footprint - 131kg CO2

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: DOL07-HCR05

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7 Night Snowdonia Discovery Tour

What You’ll Love

What's Included

Trip Suitability

Itinerary