Wales Grand Tour 2026
Tour season 2026 arrived in style. Eight couples from the US flew into London Heathrow to begin their Wales Grand Tour, a fully hosted UK driving holiday, Land Rover edition across Wales. If you are not familiar with Wales, it is a stunning part of the British Isles that sits to the West of mainland England. Wales is a seperate country in it’s own right and forms part of the United Kingdom. It has it’s own flag with the iconic Welsh Dragon.
The next 9 days await a trip of a lifetime for our guests…
Day 1
Our guests were greeted with welcome drinks at 144 On The Hill in Richmond, London, our starting point for this carefully planned, done for you itinerary through the UK. For this particular trip, many of our guests were returning from 2025, having previously joined our Great Scotland Tour and Swiss Alps Tour. It was great to see familiar faces again. That is one of the things we value most with our group tours of the UK. Guests return, friendships build, and over time, many become good friends.
Guests arriving for dinner on day 1
Day 2
It was an early start as we made our way across the border into Wales. The Land Rovers were delivered early, ready for the journey ahead. After breakfast, we headed west, beginning the driving holiday properly, with our first stop being lunch at an ancient abbey. By mid afternoon, we arrived in Saundersfoot on the south west coast of Wales, where we stayed for the next two nights.
Our guests had the use of a fantastic spa, time to relax and settle in before we headed out on a short walk into the coastal village for dinner.
Day 3
A day to slow things down and enjoy Tenby, one of the most picturesque coastal towns in Wales. Set within ancient stone walls, Tenby is a classic stop on any UK holiday itinerary. Colourful houses overlook the harbour, small streets lead you through the town, and the coastline opens up at every turn.
The weather was perfect, clear skies and sunshine all day, giving our guests time to explore, take it all in, and enjoy this part of the UK at their own pace.
Day 4
The Wales Grand Tour always felt like moving through chapters of history, and this part of the journey took us into the heart of Wales’ industrial past. We made our way north into the valleys, an area shaped by the coal industry over the last two hundred years. Our guests experienced a private underground mine tour, a real insight into how life once was. It is one of those moments on a driving holiday that gives real depth to the places you visit.
From there, we continued to Lake Country House Hotel, set in the middle of Wales. Surrounded by woodland and rivers, it offered a completely different pace, something we always build into our done for you UK itineraries.
Day 5
A choice of experiences today, which is something we like to include in our UK group tours. Guests could head to rally school for a full driving experience, or take a slower day at the hotel with a scenic drive and lunch.
At the rally school, it was proper hands on driving. Learning to control a Subaru rally car on loose surfaces, mud, gravel, and fast corners. A completely different side of a driving holiday, but one that always stands out.
Day 6
We continued north, this time stepping back into classic motoring with a day in vintage Land Rovers. This is what Land Rover tours in the UK are all about! Proper vehicles, real landscapes, and routes you simply would not find on your own. We headed high above the Elan Valley, taking the vehicles off road with incredible views all around.
That evening, we arrived at a Victorian hotel overlooking a reservoir that once supplied water to Liverpool. As the sun dropped, the red sky over the lake was breathtaking! One of those rare moments captured in the hearts of our guests.
Day 7
Leaving our hillside hotel, we made our way back towards the coast before heading into Snowdonia. Along the route, the sea took on a deep blue, almost purple tone, something you do not see often. We stopped at Portmeirion, one of the more unique locations in Wales, before continuing with a beach drive and then inland to our mountain retreat.
That evening, we headed out locally, and treated our guests to what many say is the ‘best pizza in Wales’.
Day 8
Our final full day in Wales began with the Snowdon Mountain Railway, taking us to the summit of the highest mountain in Wales.
The views stretched for miles, helped by a full week of clear weather. Spring in the UK really is one of the best times for a driving holiday, quieter roads, fresh air, and everything starting to come to life. In the afternoon, guests had time in Caernarfon, a historic town known for its medieval castle built by Edward I. A key stop for anyone exploring North Wales.
Day 9
This brought our time in Wales to a close before heading back to London for our final evening together. It was one of those trips that reminded us exactly why we do this. A great group, incredible locations, and a properly thought through itinerary that allowed everyone to enjoy the UK without needing to plan a thing. Memories that will stay with us for a long time.
If you are looking at UK driving holidays, group tours of the UK, or a fully organised, done for you itinerary, this is exactly what we offer.
For 2027, we will be doing it all again, this time with a fleet of Mini Coopers, as we introduce our Mini Cooper tours across Wales.
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The best UK driving holidays combine scenic routes, interesting stopovers, and quality accommodation. Wales is particularly popular, offering coastal roads, mountain passes, and historic towns all within relatively short driving distances.
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Yes, Wales is one of the best regions in the UK for a driving holiday. You have a mix of coastline, national parks like Snowdonia, quiet rural roads, and places like Tenby, Elan Valley, and Caernarfon, all within easy reach.
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A typical Wales road trip can include coastal towns like Tenby, historic sites such as Caernarfon Castle, scenic drives through the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia, visits to places like Portmeirion, and experiences such as the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
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Yes, many people choose self drive tours of Wales. You can plan your own route, or follow a structured, done for you itinerary where accommodation, routes, and key stops are already organised.
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A done for you itinerary is where the entire trip is planned in advance. Hotels, routes, driving times, and recommended stops are all taken care of, so you can simply follow the journey and enjoy the experience.
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Yes, there are organised group tours where guests follow the same route, often with planned stops and shared experiences along the way. These tours allow you to enjoy the social side of travel while still having the freedom to drive independently.
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A Land Rover driving tour is a UK road trip using Land Rover vehicles, often including off road sections and more rugged routes. These tours are popular for exploring areas like the Welsh valleys and the Elan Valley.
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Not necessarily. Most routes in Wales are accessible by standard cars, but a 4x4 like a Land Rover can add to the experience, especially if off road driving is included.
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Popular places include Tenby, Saundersfoot, the Pembrokeshire coastline, and historic sites such as ancient abbeys and castles.
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North Wales highlights include Snowdonia National Park, Snowdon itself, Caernarfon Castle, the coastal drives, and unique locations like Portmeirion.
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Yes, Snowdon is one of the most visited natural landmarks in the UK. You can hike it or take the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit for panoramic views.
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Portmeirion is a unique Italian style village on the Welsh coast. It is well known for its architecture and setting, and it is a popular stop on many North Wales itineraries.
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Spring and early summer are ideal. The roads are quieter, the scenery is fresh, and the weather is generally more settled compared to later in the year.
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Yes, driving holidays in the UK are very popular with couples. They offer a good balance of independence, shared experiences, and flexibility.
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Yes, many visitors from the US and other countries choose driving holidays in the UK. Routes are easy to follow, and organised tours make the process simple from arrival to departure.
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Mini Cooper tours are driving holidays using Mini vehicles, offering a more classic British driving experience. These are often run on scenic routes where the driving itself is part of the enjoyment.
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You can, but many people prefer a structured or fully organised itinerary. This removes the time spent planning and ensures you do not miss key locations or experiences.
