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Castles and Characters of North Wales
11 June - 13 June 2004
 Between 1277 and 1295, King Edward I created in Wales a magnificent series of military castles, without rival in these islands. Their construction was a carefully organized state enterprise and their fortifications were the most advanced of their day. On this short tour we shall visit three of these beginning with the royal castle of Caernarfon, site of the investiture of HRH Prince Charles as Prince of Wales and the location of the regimental museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers described in the Independent as "one of the best small museums in the country" - and the only military museum to be placed in that select category.
We shall also visit Beaumaris, described as "Britain's most technically - perfect moated Medeival castle" with its spectacular views over the Menai Straits and Snowdonia and the ruins of Criccieth castle used by the famous artist Turner as a backdrop for his painting of storm-wrecked mariners.
North Wales has its share of characters. We shall visit the boyhood home of Lloyd George - the Welsh Wizard at Llanstumdwy and the magnificent home of the Marquess of Anglesey, Plas Newydd. Here we shall see the military museum, which contains many fascinating artifacts of the first Marquess who commanded the calvary at Waterloo. We shall also hear about the famous poets of the Royal Welch Fusiliers - Sassoon, Graves, Jones and Hedd Wynn.
The tour concludes with a visit to the village and gardens of Portmeirion created by the architect Clough William-Ellis between 1926 and 1976. Today the grounds are designated as a Conservation Area and most buildings are listed Grade II.
| Itinerary |
Day 1 (Friday):
Meet at the Cletic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon for welcome drink, dinner and talk by Guest Speaker.
Day 2:
Caernarfon Castle, cross the Menai Straits and Beaumarus Castle. Lunch break in Beaumaris. Plas Newydd. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3:
The Lloyd George Museum, Llanstumdwy. Criccieth Castle. Portmeirion including lunch break. Return to hotel or station.
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