Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

 

6 days 5 nights £385 / person couples, single suppl. £25

 

North Wales; an ancient Celtic land where the Welsh language is regularly used; with longstanding links to Ireland; and where the signposts look foreign. A land scattered with small ancient churches and holy wells introduced by Irish monks as far back as the 6^th century. Before them came the Romans, and before them there are signs of a much older people. Myths and legends abound coloured by stirring tales of the doings of the princes of Gwynedd and Owain Glyndwr. Their ancient castles now lie crumbling, while the huge castles built by Edward I of England to subdue the Welsh remain to dominate the landscape. In more recent times the chapels of Methodism arrived, now sadly waning, and industry – now largely gone – in the form of mining and quarrying for slate, copper, iron and granite left their marks. All this against a backdrop of breathtaking mountainous scenery. This tour will aim to capture some of the magic of this area.

The tour will be based at the simple but comfortable Royal Victoria Hotel on a dinner, bed, and breakfast basis, in the small village of Llanberis, sited between lakes Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris and bounded on the south by the majestic Snowdon mountain, whose rack railway starts close to the hotel, and on the north by the huge workings of Penrhyn slate quarries, now home to the National Slate Museum, and to Padarn Country Park. All rooms are en-suite and equipped for tea/coffee making. The hotel has pleasant gardens, and walks into open countryside can be made straight from the hotel. Travel will be by comfortable coach provided by Stephensons.

Prospective Itinerary

Day 1              Depart from Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York at 8.00 a.m. to Port Sunlight village where the remarkable story of “Soap King” William Hesketh Lever and the making of Sunlight soap and the creation of his Port Sunlight model community is told in the Museum. The Lady Lever Gallery which was created to house their many treasures is adjacent. A buffet lunch will be provided. Then to Holywell to see the (still functioning) total immersion well of St. Wilfride, and to learn of her interesting life in the adjacent museum. Finally on to famous Bodnant Gardens where new sections of garden have just been opened.  Then to our hotel for dinner.

Day 2              A relaxing day based round Llanberis with a choice of activities (see attached note) from which to select. There will be an included lunch at the hotel, and an optional visit (included) to Caernarfon town and Castle (Cadw) in the afternoon.

Day 3              A day on Anglesey. Firstly to Parys mountain – once the largest source of copper in the world, now used occasionally for bizarre film landscapes. Then to the nearby small quaint and historic port of Amlwch from which the copper was despatched. Call at the Sail Loft Museum for coffee and to learn about the rise of Amlwch port. Then a short walk to the nearby Copper Kingdom museum to learn more about the fascinating story of copper mining. Next, after an included lunch en-route, to Oriel Ynys Mon, a purpose built gallery to display work by celebrated bird artist Charles Tunnicliffe and noted Welsh artist Kyffin Williams, and including general information about the history of Anglesey. Then to Plas Newydd (NT) the home of the Marquess of Anglesey for a self-guided visit round the house with its huge painting by Rex Whistler, and its attractive gardens overlooking the Menai Straits. Tearoom available.

Day 4              We start the day with a drive down the Lleyn peninsula to Llanystymdwy to visit the home of “Welsh Wizard”, David Lloyd George, one-time Prime Minister.  There is a museum packed with memorabilia illustrating his turbulent life story and his humble house which is next door can be visited. His grave is a short walk away. Then to nearby Criccieth for included coffee  before going on to see the Italianate village of Port Meirion created beside the Mawddach estuary by architect Clough Williams Ellis. There are places in the village where refreshments can be obtained. After that we visit Plas Brondanw, the modest house where Clough Williams Ellis lived, and where we can see the gardens he designed there. From there we drive through the scenic Aberglaslyn Pass to Beddgelert, and then on to our hotel via Nant Gwynant and the Llanberis Pass.

Day 5              Off to Anglesey again today to visit another of Edward’s castles at Beaumaris (Cadw) and to the old Courthouse and also the old Gaol to see how “justice” was meted out and enforced in bygone times. There will be an opportunity to purchase lunch in Beaumaris. We then go to Plas Cadnant Garden, a recently restored “lost” garden which tumbles down a slope beside a stream (note – not flat!). Finally, to Penrhyn Castle (NT) the astonishing one-time home of the owners of Penrhyn slate quarry for a tour of the house. There is an eclectic museum on site and pleasant gardens. Tearoom available.

Day 6              After leaving our hotel, we head inland to Betws-y-Coed where there will be a short stop at the Swallow Falls for those who wish to view them. Then on to Llangollen where after a stop for coffee (included) we visit Plas Newydd, the home of the “2 old ladies of Llangollen”. We then have an included lunch in Llangollen before moving a few miles down the valley to view Stephenson’s acclaimed Pontcysyllte aqueduct which carries the Llangollen canal high up across the river Dee. There is a footpath beside the canal but boaters have a sheer drop on one side with no railings! After that we drive through Cheshire to the visitor centre at the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope complex where there are science displays, a planetarium, and an arboretum all run by Manchester University. There is a café where members can top up their stomachs if necessary before we cross the Pennines and return to York. Expected arrival time in York around 7.30 p.m.. Tour price includes meals and admission charges as stated. Some admission charges in Llanberis may be extra. Admission charges to National Trust and Cadw sites are not included. English Heritage & Historic Scotland  members get reduced or exempt admission.

If insufficient YPS members book the tour, it may be opened up after Easter to some other like minded bodies to make it viable.

To book, please complete and return the form attached with your deposit. PLEASE also indicate your likely choice of activity in Llanberis on Monday 8^th.  It would be appreciated if those people who have already booked and paid a deposit would also complete and return the paperwork.

Alan Owen

The Yorkshire Philosophical Society accepts no responsibility for any loss or injury suffered while taking part in its activities. Participants are advised to consider appropriate insurance cover.

 

Booking Request

 

                        YPS tour to North Wales,  Sun.7 – Fri.12 September inclusive

To Alan Owen , The YPS, The Lodge, Museum Gardens, York YO1  7DR

Please reserve  …………………  places for me / us on this tour

I enclose a deposit cheque (made out to YPS please.) for £…………… (£50 /person)

Accommodation Required (pl. circle)                  Double           Twin               Single

Name(s) ………………………………………..      Postcode       ………………………….

Address  ………………………………………..     Tel. No.          ……………………………

……………………………………………    email*             ………………………….

……………………………………………    * Please complete email address or send S.A.E.

……………………………………………                for acknowledgement of booking

Special dietary requirements ……………………………………………………………….

*   Early bird (9.00 a.m.) diesel train to Snowdon summit (1/2 hr at top)) 2 ½ hr.round trip.(£21  )       Advance booking desirable. Weather and views not guaranteed. Carriages enclosed. Cafe.

*   Guided tour of Electric Mountain pumped storage power station (£7.75. grp.discount poss ) 10.00 a.m. or 11.30 a.m. start (subject to availability on guided tour bus), 70 mins duration

*   National Slate Museum (Free). Café

*   Llanberis lakeside railway (£6.90 conc.) 60 mins round trip from near hotel or the Slate Museum

*   Local walks (all free), e.g. Dolbadarn Castle  < 1ml circuit; Llanberis waterfall 2mls circuit; Padarn Country Park, and Llyn Padarn circuit (1- 7 mls as required). Visit quarry hospital.  Café.

It would be quite feasible to combine Dolbadarn Castle, Slate Museum, and quarry hospital in a single morning’s walk of about 2 mls total (castle is en route to slate museum).

*   Do own thing. Decide on the day.

There will be an included lunch at the hotel followed by free coach transport in the afternoon to Caernarfon for those who wish.

(NOTE especially if you intend walking in open countryside or quarry where some paths may be uneven)

The Yorkshire Philosophical Society accepts no responsibility for any loss or injury suffered while taking part in its activities. Participants are advised to consider appropriate insurance cover