Our Celtic Caper is a wonderful introduction to West Wales as you gently walk the stunningly beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Find picturesque villages, a wealth of wildlife, and spine-tingling history along the way. At the end of each exciting day relax in a clutch of luxury hotels, each unique and offering some of the very best dining to be found in Wales.
From Neolithic standing stones to an Iron Age hill fort; medieval castles, and the final resting place of St David, the patron saint of Wales, you can immerse yourself in an ancient land. Climb the mountain where the blue stones of Stonehenge are reputed to have originated and walk down to the sea and explore the shoreline. Take a boat trip out, where you may see seals, dolphins, puffins, flocks of seabirds and maybe even a whale, and enjoy a drink in the favourite watering hole of Wales' most famous literary son. Keep your eyes peeled - you might even see a Welsh Dragon! This tour really has it all...
Holiday details
Price
- Luxury
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from £2,395 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Return transfers to Carmarthen station or your car at the start and end of your trip. Transfers between hotels as specified in the itinerary. RHIB boat trip around Ramsey Island. See what’s included as standard
Duration
7 nights
Start & Finish
Starts Fridays from Carmarthen station - alternative start points can be arranged on request.
Hotels
- Luxury
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4 and 5 star hotels - one boutique hotel, an old windmill, and a very special country house.
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle walking (4) More info...
Mileage
5 - 9 miles (8 - 14 km) per day with optional extras
Terrain
Coastal footpath with some rocky sections, plus some elevation.
Options
- Starting transfer from Fishguard can be arranged if you are arriving from Ireland
- Enjoy a guide for your first day of walking
Itinerary day-by-day
Luxury
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1. Day one
Arrive in Newport West Wales
Arrive by train or car to Carmarthen and we will transfer you to the quaint village of Newport, an undeveloped haven with a laid-back way of life. Nestled under Carningli (Mountain of the Angels), on the Nevern estuary, and within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, you'll find breathtaking beaches, rivers, woods and mountains all a stone's throw from your hotel door. If you have time, we can arrange a visit to a reconstructed Iron Age hill fort, complete with roundhouses and other buildings, where re-enactments throughout the summer bring the settlement to life.
This evening your host will meet with you to welcome you to Wales, go through your itinerary and give your some local flavour.
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2. Day two
Carn Ingli and The Parrog
Set out from your hotel to walk up Mynned Carningli. One of the most striking hills in Pembrokeshire, Carningli’s profile against a red setting sun makes the hill look rather like the volcano it once was. Don’t worry though, it last erupted around 450 million years ago! Whilst you may not get to commune with angels as legend has it, St Brynach did, you will enjoy the magnificent view and ponder how the huge bluestones from these Preseli Hills were transported to Stonehenge – 200 hundred miles away! After a well-earned lunch back in Newport spend the afternoon exploring the beaches and rock pools of the Parrog and the Nevern estuary before a second night in your hotel
4 miles (6km) with approx 500ft (150m) elevation plus exploring
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3. Day three
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path to Pwllgwaelod
This morning follow the coast path from Newport to one of the prettiest villages along the path. Above the beach is the end wall of a chapel. The rest was washed away in the enormous storm of 1859 that created all of Pembrokeshire’s pebble banks. A short headland walk beyond will hopefully give you the chance to view colonies of guillemots, razorbills and other seabirds that live on the cliffs. Stop at a favourite pub of ours in Pwllgwaelod and enjoy a relaxing lunch before we transfer you mid afternoon to St David’s for the next 3 nights.
7 miles (11km)
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4. Day four
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path and St Davids
Head directly out from your hotel to the coast path for a walk along what is arguably the most spectacular section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path with magnificent views over the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Reserve of Ramsey Island. The path will take you past the tiny chapel at St Non’s and a little further on you will reach the most westerly point of mainland Wales and the view of Ramsey Island. Turn inland to catch the local bus back into St Davids.
St David’s is the smallest city in the British Isles with a cathedral setting nothing short of stunning and a charm to be enjoyed. There has been a church on the site of this cathedral since the 6th Century and there is a shrine dedicated to St David – the Patron Saint of Wales. Your hotel is close by and is renowned for its good food.
7-9 miles (11-15 km) plus exploring
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5. Day five
Boat Trip around Ramsey Island
Today we transfer you to St Justinians for an exciting excursion around Ramsey Island and perhaps further afield in a RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) with a knowledgeable guide and skipper. Depending on the time of year you can expect to see porpoises, gannets, puffins, seals, a variety of other seabirds and possibly even a whale! After your exhilarating boat trip you have a choice – either return by bus back to St Davids, or continue yesterday’s walk further round the coast to Whitesands Bay, returning to the city in time for lunch. Spend a little more time exploring here - St David’s Bishop’s Palace is the most impressive medieval bishop’s palace in Wales. The whole site sends shivers down the spine, evoking a period when religion was the order of the day and bishops were power brokers par excellence. Don’t miss the Goat Street Gallery and a traditional sweet shop emporium.
Optional 2-4 miles (3-6km)
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6. Day six
Solva and Tenby
After breakfast set off from your hotel along the coast path that leads you eastward around St Brides Bay. 5 miles along the path will bring you to the little village of Solva with a choice of restaurants and art galleries and, just a mile inland, the Solva Woollen Mill – the oldest working mill in Wales with a range of traditionally made rugs, cushions and other crafts available. We will meet you after lunch to transfer you on to your your lovely hotel near Tenby.
5 miles plus optional additional 2 miles ( 8 or 11 km) to Solva Woollen Mill and back
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7. Day seven
Tenby
Enjoy your breakfast in these historic surroundings before we take you south to explore another area of this dramatic coastline. Set out again on your day’s walk along another stunning part of the Pembrokeshire Coast, with beautiful beaches and superb views of Caldey Island, and the coasts of The Gower and Exmoor, before you reach ancient Tenby castle with its delightful harbour and little shops. After some rest and refreshment take a disused railway path to reach your hotel for tonight.
7-10 miles (11-16 km)
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8. Day eight
Return to Carmarthen and depart
At the end of your Celtic Caper bid Hwyl fawr (good bye) to this land of stunning coastline and castles, patron saint and poet before we return you to Carmarthen and your journey home.