Wales - Castles, Coast & Steam Trains with Midi & Marguerite

Wales - Castles, Coast & Steam Trains

Our first stop was home to the magnificent Powis Castle, perched proudly atop a hill. As we approached, we were struck with awe. It really was a fairytale sight, bold and regal, standing watch over the land below. The grand entrance, with its sweeping stone steps and the commanding statue of a lion at the front, set the tone for the day ahead which was impressive and unforgettable. To start with we enjoyed an informative video tour of the inside of the castle.

We the walked through the ancient halls which felt like stepping back in time. We admired the beautifully painted walls, grand tapestries, and elaborately patterned rugs. The collection of pottery and paintings was vast, and the opulence of the rooms, especially the grand bedrooms which truly impressed us. We noticed the beds were surprisingly small by today’s standards, which sparked a fun conversation about how people must have been shorter back then. The hidden bookcase door got lots of love, and we were fascinated by the Roman pottery, the countless portraits, and the bear-skin rug (complete with head!) in one of the bedrooms.

It was full steam ahead as today was our first steam train day on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. This historic narrow-gauge railway has been running since 1903, originally built to link rural communities around Llanfair Caereinion with the market town of Welshpool. Today, it’s lovingly preserved and run by volunteers, offering a nostalgic journey through the heart of the beautiful Welsh countryside. The air was warm, the carriages were waiting, and excitement buzzed as we caught our first glimpse of our engine for the day: The Earl 822 – a vintage steam locomotive built in 1902 by Beyer Peacock of Manchester. It’s one of two original locomotives for this line and still running strong more than a century later. Before long, we were chugging along at a steady 5mph – just enough to feel the breeze and take in the surroundings without rushing past.

Our second train journey of the holiday was on the historic Vale of Rheidol Railway. Parked up and tickets in hand, excitement built as we boarded the train. Pulled by the beautifully restored Llywelyn 8 steam engine, the journey from Devil’s Bridge to Aberystwyth is something truly special, especially in the summer months. The narrow-gauge line twists and turns through remote Welsh valleys, lush forests, and over winding rivers, offering uninterrupted views of the Cambrian Mountains and distant peaks.

A beautiful morning was spent at the magical CwmRheidol Valley, just outside Aberystwyth, home to the Magic of Life Butterfly House. Tucked beside a hydro-electric station and surrounded by nature. Inside the butterfly tent, we stepped into a tropical world filled with colourful butterflies fluttering freely, some landing right on us. We marvelled at the vibrant wings, the giant moth on display, and a fascinating little plant called the “sensitive plant” (Mimosa pudica) - which closed its leaves when touched, much to everyone’s amazement!

Next, we made our way to the famous Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, the longest electric funicular railway in Britain! We used the accessible entrance and excitedly boarded at the bottom. Moving at a gentle 4mph, we climbed slowly up the hillside, many of us riding a train like this for the first time. On a clear day like today, the views were incredible of the sparkling Cardigan Bay coastline.

Of course, we couldn’t leave Aberystwyth without stopping by the castle ruins, a tourist spot by the coast. We wandered the grounds, grabbed an ice cream.....