Royal Mint, Tintern Abbey & the Brecon Mountain Railway

This tour sees us visit some of South Wales' most popular attractions including Tintern Abbey, the Brecon Mountain Railway and The Royal Mint, with time at leisure in Cardiff and Swansea.Thursday: We depart the Travel Centre this morning and make our way west, making adequate comfort stops before arriving at the hotel late afternoon.

Friday: This morning we enjoy a guided tour of The Royal Mint Experience, where we see how metal becomes coins, observe the striking hall and even have the opportunity to strike our own coin. We spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure in Cardiff before returning back to the hotel.

Saturday: Today we visit the iconic Tintern Abbey, nestled on the banks of the River Wye. We have time to explore the remarkable remains of this once jewel in the monastic crown, founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks. Once a masterpiece of British Gothic architecture, its great west front is still breathtaking today and much photographed. In the afternoon we head for Swansea for some time at leisure.

Sunday: This morning we embark on a 6 mile return vintage steam train journey from Pant to Torpantau on the Brecon Mountain Railway. We journey along the Taf Fechan Reservoir before climbing to Torpantau high in the Brecon Beacons. Our 90 minute trip includes a 35 minute stop at Pontsicill station where there is a café and Steam Museum. We have free time for lunch back at Pant Station’s Tearoom and time to visit the locomotive workshop before heading to Penderyn Distillery where we enjoy a guided tour and tasting.

Monday: We bid a fond farewell to the hotel this morning as we make our way back east, making adequate comfort stops before arriving back at the Travel Centre this afternoon.Mercure Swansea Hotel
Relax on the doorstep of stirring Welsh countryside at this 4-star hotel, located just three miles from Swansea city centre. Set among landscaped gardens and tranquil lake views, this hotel is ideal for exploring the surrounding area.
All bedrooms are en suite with tea/coffee making facilities, television and hair dryer. Some rooms have views of the grounds and lake.

Hotels
• Mercure Swansea Hotel (Swansea) - View Information