The Welsh Wander, based at the four-star Metropole Hotel in the picturesque Victorian spa town of Llandrindod Wells is designed to be a relaxing break in rural Wales with a classic or vintage car, but you are, of course, welcome in a modern!
The hotel was run by the same family from 1897 until recently and has an illustrious history, including being used as a halt on numerous rallies, especially the RAC during the fifties and sixties. It's also renowned for good food and the package includes three- course dinners each evening with coffee / tea and full welsh breakfasts each morning.
There's an indoor heated swimming pool and spa facilities.
Surrounded by stunning countryside, Llandrindod Wells itself is an interesting little town and its slightly faded Victorian grandeur has luckily not been blighted by modern development.
The itinerary is as follows:
Friday, August 1st. Arrivals at the 4-star Metropole Hotel & Spa during the day followed by dinner at 7.30pm.
One of the Elan Valley Dams
Saturday, August 2nd. After a leisurely breakfast we depart for a run through lanes and the spectacular Elan Valley lakes, but the first stop is Riversimple Engineering for a brief tour of the hydrogen car manufacturing facility. Never mind batteries, the future is fuel cell!
The scenery around the Elan Valley is stunning, and the visitor centre at the first dam is a must as you can learn the fascinating history of how they were constructed. There's a cafe so worth grabbing a coffee before the next section which takes us past the other dams and on to Devil's Bridge and its waterfall.
Following lunch in Rhaeadr there's a chance to see a demonstration at Welsh Royal Crystal before arriving at Grigin farm and the red kite feeding.
Once back in Llandrindod Wells you’ll have time to relax, visit the National Cycle Museum a short distance from the hotel, and perhaps explore the town a little before dinner.
Sunday, August 3rd. Another scenic route, this time to Hay-on-Wye, world famous for its myriad second-hand bookshops and, of course, it’s the location for the annual literary festival.
A buffet lunch will be arranged.
The return route to the Metropole takes in more scenic roads.
Monday, August 4th. Departure for home.
The cost for the event is just £345 per person, based on two people sharing. Single supplement £30 per night. There is a reduced rate of £80 per person dinner, bed & breakfast if you wish to stay an extra night.
Included in the price are the following:
- Three nights’ accommodation on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis at the 4-star Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells
- Use of hotel swimming pool & facilities
- Free use of swimming pool
- Buffet lunch in Rhaeadr
- Red kite feeding at Grigin farm
- Entry to National Cycle Museum
- Buffet lunch at Hay-on-Wye
- Detailed, easy-to-read, route instructions
- Information pack on arrival with leaflets on local attractions
- Rally plate and windscreen stickers
- Tour organiser present throughout to deal with any queries
- Plus more!
You can sit outside with a drink and watch the world go by!
The Metropole has a reputation for excellent food
All bedrooms are ensuite but the building is Victorian so layout varies. Above shows one of the tower rooms.
Hay-on-Wye Book Shop Llandrindod Lake
National Cycle Museum Llandrindod Wells Street
ENTRY FORM – WELSH WANDER
August 1st – 4th (5th) 2025
Name (driver)……………………………………………………………………….....
Name (co-driver)………………………………………………………………………
Car (if known)……………………………….Year………………Reg………….......
Address & Post Code………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Tel. No…………........................Mobile……………........Email……………………..
Amount enclosed £…………………………Date…………………………………….
Any special requirements (mobility, allergies, vegetarian, twin beds, dislikes, etc.)?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Do you wish to stay the extra night?........................... A deposit of £45 per person secures your place with the balance payable by May 30th (an invoice will be sent). Please make cheque payable to Country Lane Tours, and send with form to Country Lane Tours, Tirionfa, Bodfari Road, Llandyrnog, Denbigh, LL16 4HP. Deposits are refundable in full (less £5 admin fee) up to May 29th. The bank details for direct payment are: Account Name: Country Lane Tours. Account number: 02149028. Sort Code:09-01-50. If paying by transfer please mark entry form 'TRANSFER'.
Space precludes a detailed description of everything you will see, so details here are necessarily a synopsis. However, the leisurely daily mileage allows plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery and quiet roads as well as the hotel facilities. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to call me on 01824 790280, or email countrylanetours@gmail.com.
Please note! There may be slight variations in the advertised schedule if conditions dictate.
All marques and ages welcome!
