Snowdonia and The Northern Fells Train Tour
- Michelle's Monologues
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
This past July, I was leading a group of 19 people on an eight-day tour from Liverpool across Cumbria and North Wales on the best of British Steam Trains (perfect time, as 2025 is the 200th anniversary of train travel). Across magnificent landscapes, including the 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct, beside the Irish Sea, and passing through seaside resorts and on a variety of ‘Great Little Trains’ on the railways of Snowdon Mountain, Llanberis Lake, and Ffestiniog.
Snowdonia and The Northern Fells Train Tour
Starting in Liverpool at the Holiday Inn Liverpool City Centre. Liverpool is a great city with so much to see and do including art galleries, museums, theatre, and lots of good shopping. Having visited on many an occasion, I didn't wander too far from the hotel on this trip.
After a delicious dinner and a good night's rest, it was time for our first steam train trip on board The Cumbrian Mountain Express.
The Cumbrian Mountain Express takes in beautiful scenery from Liverpool up to Carlisle including the magnificent 440-yard long structure with 24 arches - Ribblehead Viaduct. Construction started in October 1870 and opened in August 1875 with over 100 men losing their lives. The land around and underneath the viaduct is preserved as an ancient monument, where the remains of the construction site and navvy settlement (railway builders were called "navvies") can be found. Located just over the border from Cumbria into North Yorkshire. Hauled by LMS Black 5-4-6-0 No. 45212.
We enjoyed a delicious breakfast on board, and soon it was time to get off and explore Carlisle. Highly recommend a visit to Carlisle Castle. One of the few medieval castles that has been continuously occupied since its construction in 1092 by William II. The keep, or great tower is well worth seeing, as well as the medieval castle rooms, exhibition, and you also might like to take a stroll along the castle walls.
Soon it was time to rejoin The Cumbrian Express and enjoy dinner silver served at our seat, while making our return journey back to Liverpool Lime Street Station.
Day 3
After a delicious full English breakfast, we took the short walk to Liverpool Lime Street Station to board the North Wales Coast Express.
North Wales Coast Express is a special, steam-hauled tourist train that allows passengers from Merseyside and Cheshire to experience steam travel on the picturesque North Wales Coast line. The route finishes at Holyhead. Regularly hauled by famous steam locomotives, such as the LMS Coronation Class 4-6-2 No.6233 "Duchess of Sutherland".
We alighted at Llandudno Junction to board the private coach for a visit to the National Trust - Penrhyn Castle & Garden.
The castle (former home to the Pennant family and built on the proceeds of North Wales slate industry and sugar plantations in Jamaica.), walled garden, and old stable buildings (home to a Railway Museum and more) is really beautiful and interesting. Don't miss seeing the incredible one-ton slate bed!
It was soon time to re-board the coach for our transfer to The Imperial Hotel on the beautiful 2-mile-long Llandudno Promenade with Llandudno pier, built in 1884.
Day 4
Today was a definitive tour highlight with a trip over the rebuilt Welsh Highland Railway, one of the rail wonders of the 21st century. We boarded for the 25-mile journey in Caernarfon to Beddgelert taking in the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass.
Then it was a coach transfer to Lianberis for the incredible Snowdon Mountain Railway. It was touch-and-go with the high winds if it was going ahead. We all crossed our fingers and toes. Soon we were given the good news and boarded for the spectacular journey up the volcanic rocks of Snowdonia. With a steep gradient, like that of 'Yr Wyddfa' (Mount Snowdon) regular railway tracks don't work. The Abt System, invented by Dr. Roman Abt, a Swiss railway engineer, in 1885. Enjoy the stunning views along the 4.7 miles with an average gradient of 1 in 7.86 from the only public rack and pinion railway in the United Kingdom. The round trip takes 2.5 hours including a 30-minute stop at the UK's highest visitor centre (south of the Scottish Highlands - Ben Nevis), Hafod Eryri (1,085 meters/3,560 feet).
Back in time for a glorious sunset in Llandudno. Don't miss the summer concerts by the town band on Sunday and Monday evenings between 7.30-8.30pm at the bandstand (weather permitting).
Day 5
Today it was a trip on board the UK's only cable-hauled street tramway - The Great Orme Tramway. Originally used to transport passengers, goods, and parcels up and down the Great Orme since 1898. Today you can enjoy not only the incredible views, perhaps see a mountain goat or two and enjoy a fascinating exhibition on the history of the tramway.
Soon it was time for lunch (soup and a sandwich) at 16th century The Oakley Arms, originally known as the Tan y BwIch Inn. Lovely restored by the present owners, with original and period features. The Oakley Arms are proud of its distinctive crest, a symbol of the hotel since the 19th century. It means "I'm cautious but I do not fear".
Coach transfer to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway to Porthmadog. The world's oldest narrow gauge railway with almost 200 years of history. We travelled along the 13 1/2-mile journey from the slate quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the harbour in Porthmadog, climbing over 700ft from sea level, to mountains, through forests, and past lakes. Part of the UNESCO "Slate landscape of North Wales" World Heritage Site.
Tonight the group is staying at the colourful village of Portmeirion with fine dining.
Day 6
A glorious morning to explore the nooks and crannies of Portmeirion village before a delicious breakfast and coach transfer to Fairbourne Railway. Fairbourne Railway has been running from Fairbourne village to the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary, connecting with the ferry to Barmouth for over 100 years, converted to a 15-inch gauge railway in 1916. The whole line was rebuilt in 1986 to a 12.25 inch gauge. Then onto nearby Tywyn Station for the narrow gauge Talyllyn Railway. Once the backbone of Bryneglwys slate quarry, that employed 300 men and produced 300,000 tons of slate and slabs. Today all is but invisible from the main valley road and from the present-day station at Nant Gwernol.
Tonight at The Gwest Marine Hotel on Cardigan Bay, Aberystwyth.
Day 7
Today I arranged a special visit to one of the local shops - Driftwood Designs. Driftwood Designs is co-owned by Lizzie Spikes (Welsh artist & illustrator) and Becky Barratt. They met at school in Aberystwyth and opened the shop in Aberystwyth in 2017 before moving to larger premises 3 years later on Pier Street. After seeing some of their beautiful products and hearing about the new collaboration with Coco Pzazz (chocolate), I was excited to visit and share with the group. They kindly opened the shop early so we could visit. The shop is lovely with a wide range of gifts, both home and personalised. I couldn't visit and not buy some of the chocolate (more coming soon about the chocolate in another blog), and also a delightful autumnal decorated ceramic matchstick pot. Excited to put on display in my home (just not sure where yet). If you are visiting Aberystwyth, please do pop in and say hi.
Soon it was time to board the coach and join the Vale of Rheidol Railway to Devils Bridge. Established in 1897, opened to the public December 22, 1902. The 24-mile round-trip journey travels through the Welsh countryside with stunning terrains. While there you might like to visit the Engine Shed Display to explore historic locomotives and carriages from the golden age of steam travel. There is also a temporary exhibition taking place from now until 2nd November 2025 - Pete Waterman's World Record Model Railway. Then onto LIanfair Railway from LIanfair Caereinion.
Day 8
It was an early departure by coach, back to Liverpool Lime Street Station. The journey went well, and it went all too soon, like the whole week! We all sadly said fairwell and went for our respective trains.
Are you traveling by train this year? A special steam train journey to celebrate the 200th anniversary of train travel? I would love to hear all about it! Leave me a comment below.
Until next time...happy travels,
Michelle x
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