The Wandering Bard's Valley Tour or the Swansea Bay Tour.
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
On this tour you are accompanied by a historian with a deep passion and knowledge of Wales. You will learn some Welsh, sample traditional Welsh food and learn about the ancient history and culture of Wales. Gareth, your guide is a fluent Welsh speaker and he will give you an insight into Wales that wouldn't be available with a standard tour operator.
South Wales is the most populated area of Wales and it is the area of Wales that is the most iconic around the world. This area includes neolithic sites, Roman remains, breathtaking waterfalls, imposing Norman castles, industrial heritage, dramatic mountain scenery as well as beaches voted as some of the best in the world. The wandering bard offers either a Valleys tour, taking in some of Wales's best known ancient wonders or the Swansea Bay option which shows off some of Britain's most beautiful coastline. Both are fantastic days out and have been given excellent feedback by 99% of customers. Please check which tour you have booked.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A maximum of 8 people per booking
Customers need to be aware that there are two tours available. There is the Valleys option calling at Tintern Abbey, Chepstow Castle and Caerphilly Castle and there is the Swansea Bay option calling at Rhossili Bay, Mumbles, Neath Abbey and Melin Court waterfall. Gareth is the only guide so only one of these trips goes ahead per day. Please check your booking to see which trip you have booked. They are both the Wandering Bard's tour but one goes to Swansea Bay whereas the other goes inland to the Valleys. This has caused confusion with customers in the past.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Caerphilly Castle
This is on the Valleys tour. Marvel at the size and location of the UK's third biggest castle.
Tintern Abbey
This is on the Valleys Tour. Enjoy the abbey and the scenic views of the River Wye.
What‘s Included
Local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional guide
Tour escort/host
Driver/guide
Drinks
Food and drinks, unless specified
Lunch
Options
Swansea Bay tour
Duration: 8 hours: Pick up at 0800 from the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff City Centre with drop off at 1630 at the same place.
Swansea and the Vale of Neath : The Swansea Bay tour. This tour visits Rhossili beach on the Gower, Mumbles, Neath Abbey and Melincourt Waterfalls
The valleys tour
Duration: 8 hours
The Bard's valley odyssey: Travel through the beautiful Wye Valley stopping off at some of Wales's most iconic landmarks.
Reviews
393 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The best of Wales
G3471HRmariak,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The idea of organizing a full day around castles and abbeys is something I have been looking for, and I definitely didn’t regret it. There is so much to see! Can’t recommend it enough! Our driver, Gareth, was kind and very knowledgeable, which made the experience even better. A great way to explore Wales in a day. Cadw’s Explorer Pass offers great value for castle entry
great experience
viginac,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00our guide, Gareth, is very knowledgeable, providing history of various topics, it is a great experience and worths every penny
Informative Valley Tour
Chris B,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day trip visiting castles in the Wandering Bard's valley tour. Our guide, Gareth, was knowledgeable and thoughtful and provided us with relevant background on each stop as well as answering a variety of unrelated questions about Wales and the UK. The time went by quickly without feeling rushed.
Sk.
scottkT8471AY,,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Superb day out highly recommend if visiting this beautiful country with the opportunity to learn all about its history along the way.👍👍
Great castles day!
Karen F,,Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Just the right amount of time between stops to enjoy the sites! 3 castles and an abbey! Get the 3 day explorer pass!
Just ok
Virginia F,,Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00If you're mostly looking for transportation to the castles because you don't have a car then this tour is fine. There was very little info about the history of Wales. We learned a little bit but I would not consider it in depth. I wish I had learned more about each of the castles rather than relying on the audio guides. We decided to do a sit down lunch at Caerphilly but it took up most of our time and we barely got to see the castle so keep that in mind when choosing a place to eat.
Glorified Taxi
Michele R,,Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00This tour offered 2 choices- Castles or Swansea Bay. We originally wanted castles but Gareth said the Bay choice was a better one. We feel we may have chose poorly. The drive was very long. We stopped at a seaside town which was breathtaking. Then a drive to a small town which was basically a lunch stop. The Abbey stop was nice but not much to do/see. The last stop was a waterfall but seemed more like a restroom break and then the long ride back to Cardiff. Although Gareth was pleasant and knowledgable, it was an expensive tour for what you got to experience and felt like we spent most of our time in the van. Bottled water would have been a nice touch as is usually provided on private tours.
A Very Pleasant Experience
christophersB8472RQ,,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a lovely time traveling across the Welsh countryside and seeing the beautiful coastlines. Gareth was a fantastic host and guide who provided lots of interesting historical and cultural information about Wales.
Good Tour
Beth D,,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Gareth provided a good tour and some interesting history. Worms Head scenery was gorgeous and we enjoyed the town of Mumbles.
Good tour for those wanting to visit castles
Tom T,,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The trip was fine to see a couple of small towns and to see a few castles. We learned a lot though our guide talked too fast for me to get more than about 60% of his information. He was a very nice guy. Unfortunately we travelled all of the way to Wales to see the coast area and somehow we didn’t get that tour, they have both. Likely my mixup.
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Operated by Tours of Wales