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Itinerary
The Stream in the Sky, Llangollen Rail & Charming Chester
From a morning pickup in your local area, we travel by coach to our hotel.
The Stream in the Sky, Llangollen Rail & Charming Chester
We embark on our unique canal journey, which features a trip along the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Translated in English as ‘the bridge that connects’, the incredible feat of Victorian engineering carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Next up is an idyllic horse-drawn cruise, instantly transporting us to a bygone era. Llangollen is part of an 11-mile stretch of canal which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and our leisurely trip is the perfect way to soak up the peace and tranquility of the town’s beautiful waterways. We travel via Horseshoe Pass, also known as, ‘Pass of the Cold Stream,’ a mountain pass that separates Llantysilio Mountain to the west and Marilyn Cryn-y-Brain to the east. The pass is known to cyclists as one of the most spectacular routes to ride, but no peddling is required, we can sit back, relax and enjoy the fantastic views!
Full Day
The Stream in the Sky, Llangollen Rail & Charming Chester
We enjoy a guided walking tour of Chester, famed for its beautiful black and white Tudor buildings and unique ‘rows’ where the picturesque galleries run above the central shops. The most prominent buildings in the city centre include the town hall and cathedral, formally the church of St Werburgh’s Abbey, dating back to the Norman era, plus the remnants of the Roman city walls. After our tour, enjoy time at leisure. As well as an abundance of historical attractions, Chester also has a thriving shopping centre with a host of cafés, restaurants and pubs to tempt you after our tour.
Full Day
The Stream in the Sky, Llangollen Rail & Charming Chester
We head back to picturesque Llangollen and climb aboard one of the vintage carriages at the town’s heritage Steam Railway, operated by volunteers, and watch the ever-changing scenery unfold on a spectacular journey through the Dee Valley to Corwen.
Afterwards, we drive through the stunning landscapes of Snowdonia National Park to the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed. There are plenty of craft shops and cafés to enjoy, set against the backdrop of coniferous forests, which has earned this area the name ‘Little Switzerland’. Elsewhere, look out for the ancient 14th-century church of St Michael’s, which is one of the oldest in Wales, or head to the historic Pont-y-Pair bridge for postcard-perfect views.
The Stream in the Sky, Llangollen Rail & Charming Chester
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and board the coach for the journey home.
Chester Guided Walking Tour, Cathedral Quarter & The Rows
Join a guided walking tour through Chester’s black-and-white streets, where medieval and Victorian facades frame lively shops and cafes. See the Eastgate Clock, stroll beneath and above the boutiques of The Rows, and admire sandstone vistas in the Cathedral Quarter.
Hear tales of Deva Victrix as you trace segments of the Roman city walls with views to the amphitheatre site, the ornate Town Hall, and richly carved cathedral. Architecture and archaeology combine to reveal a compact city layered with nearly two millennia of history.
Snowdonia Panoramic Drive & Betws-y-Coed Village Visit
Savour a scenic drive through Snowdonia National Park, where rugged peaks, forested slopes, and tumbling rivers set a cinematic backdrop. Glimpses of slate villages and stone bridges punctuate the valleys as the landscape opens toward the Conwy and Llugwy.
Arrive in Betws-y-Coed, a picturesque village of galleries and outdoor outfitters. Seek the thunder of Swallow Falls, cross the Pont-y-Pair bridge, or step into St Michael’s Church from the 14th century—timeless corners that pair mountain air with Welsh village charm.
Llangollen Horse-Drawn Canal Cruise & Horseshoe Pass Scenic Drive
Drift back in time on a horse-drawn boat cruise along the Llangollen Canal, moving at the gentle pace of hoof and towline. With only the clip of hooves and birdsong for company, the still water mirrors trees, stone bridges, and cottage gardens.
Complement the calm with a panoramic drive over the Horseshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant), curving between Llantysilio Mountain and Cyrn-y-Brain. Heathered slopes, sheep-dotted moorland, and misty mountain passes create classic Welsh vistas without the need to pedal or hike.
Llangollen Steam Railway Heritage Journey to Corwen
Relive the romance of rail as you climb aboard a heritage steam train on the Llangollen Railway, settling into vintage carriages for the scenic run beside the River Dee. Meadows, woodlands, and stone farmsteads slide by in an ever-changing valley panorama.
Operated by dedicated volunteers, the line preserves Great Western ambience with polished brass and station flowerbeds. Rolling into Corwen, birthplace of Owain Glyndwr, the Dee Valley setting invites pause for photos and reflection before browsing the market town’s historic square.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Canal Cruise — The Stream in the Sky
Discover the Dee Valley from above as you cruise the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a breathtaking canal crossing and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your narrowboat glides through a slender cast-iron trough designed by Thomas Telford, with soaring views over the River Dee and green hillsides unfurling far below.
Opened in 1805, this pioneering structure—Europe’s highest navigable aqueduct—embodies Thomas Telford’s engineering vision. Feel the hush of water and heights mingle on a serene passage often called the “stream in the sky,” a moment made for contemplation and photographs.
