Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Tours |
|---|---|
| Country |
United Kingdom |
| Travel type |
Make your own way |
| Price range | From £259 |
| Travel partner | Travel Editions |
| Duration | 2 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6761 |
Roman and Medieval Treasures of Wales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A new tour which radically revisits our knowledge of Welsh Castles and early Roman occupation.
Special Event highlights: Spectacular Chepstow Castle, perched on the banks of the River Wye.
Some of Europe's best preserved Roman ruins at Caerwent Extensive Raglan Castle, deliberately ruined after the Civil War The Roman fortress of Isca Augusta, with expert guide who will explain the most recent discoveries Castle expert Dr Marc Morris Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley contain many historical gems which reflect the rich cultural heritage of the area, from the Roman occupation right through to the creation of the county Monmouthshire in 1535.Your hosts are Mike Stone, archaeologist, author and Blue Badge guide, also accompanied by Marc Morris, historian and broadcaster, best known for his Channel 4 series 'Castle'.
Special Event highlights: Spectacular Chepstow Castle, perched on the banks of the River Wye.
Some of Europe's best preserved Roman ruins at Caerwent Extensive Raglan Castle, deliberately ruined after the Civil War The Roman fortress of Isca Augusta, with expert guide who will explain the most recent discoveries Castle expert Dr Marc Morris Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley contain many historical gems which reflect the rich cultural heritage of the area, from the Roman occupation right through to the creation of the county Monmouthshire in 1535.Your hosts are Mike Stone, archaeologist, author and Blue Badge guide, also accompanied by Marc Morris, historian and broadcaster, best known for his Channel 4 series 'Castle'.
Included
- Two nights' accommodation with full breakfast the the 4-star Hilton Newport
- Welcome reception
- Friday private three-course dinner with wine
- Saturday three-course dinner in the hotel restaurant
- All guided tours, talks and admissions
- Tour manager and coach transfers throughout
Not included
- Holiday insurance Single room supplement
- Extra nights
- Meals other than those stated
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
- Porterage and gratuities
Friday evening
Welcome reception followed by an illustrated talk by Mike Stone on "Celts & Romans in South Wales".
Saturday
Travel to the Roman fortress of Isca which was established in about 74AD and was the headquarters of the Second Legion Augusta. Excavations have uncovered some of the buildings and we begin with a visit to some of the best preserved barrack blocks in Prysg Field, followed by entering the Legionary amphitheatre to view the remains of entrances, the arena and the banks on which the wooden seats were placed. From near the amphitheatre we can look over the grounds towards the river and hear about the spectacular new discoveries of a monumental complex associated with the fort. We then walk back into the fort, visiting the Roman Legionary Museum which contains important remains of artefacts from excavations. Finally, we enter and view the excavated remains of the fortress baths under its covered building, viewing remains of the outdoor swimming pool and suites of rooms for bathing in. After lunch (not included), we travel to the nearby Roman town of Caerwent and enjoy a walking tour around one of the best circuits of town walls in Roman Britain, erected around 330AD and still standing to a height of 5 metres. Entering the town we visit the remains of a Roman-Celtic temple, courtyard house, shops and the impressive remains of the forum and basilica. Saturday evening: Dr Marc Morris presents "An Introduction to Castles". Marc is a medieval historian, author of the bestselling biography of King Edward I, and an expert on castles. In this talk he explains how our understanding of these fascinating buildings has been radically revisied in recent decades and how they often functioned more as stately homes and status symbols than as fortresses.
Sunday
Travel to Raglan Castle, one of the finest late medieval castles in Britain, for a guided tour. Established in the fifteenth century, Raglan was extensively added to throughout the Tudor period making it one of the grandest stately homes in the kingdom, but was besieged during the English Civil War and deliberately ruined afterwards. We then cross the Wye in Herefordshire for a short visit to Goodrich Castle, a splendid border fortress rebuilt in the thirteenth century, which contains some of the best preserved domestic accommodation for a building of its date. Finally ,we make our way down the Wye to Chepstow, a historic market town surrounded by medieval walls and dominated by its giant castle. Begun immediately after the Norman Conquest, Chepstow spans every era of castle-building and its great tower is now thought to have been constructed by William the Conqueror himself. We will also visit the recently reconstructed medieval hall with its furnishing and fittings. Return to the hotel at approximately 17.00pm.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion
Welcome reception followed by an illustrated talk by Mike Stone on "Celts & Romans in South Wales".
Saturday
Travel to the Roman fortress of Isca which was established in about 74AD and was the headquarters of the Second Legion Augusta. Excavations have uncovered some of the buildings and we begin with a visit to some of the best preserved barrack blocks in Prysg Field, followed by entering the Legionary amphitheatre to view the remains of entrances, the arena and the banks on which the wooden seats were placed. From near the amphitheatre we can look over the grounds towards the river and hear about the spectacular new discoveries of a monumental complex associated with the fort. We then walk back into the fort, visiting the Roman Legionary Museum which contains important remains of artefacts from excavations. Finally, we enter and view the excavated remains of the fortress baths under its covered building, viewing remains of the outdoor swimming pool and suites of rooms for bathing in. After lunch (not included), we travel to the nearby Roman town of Caerwent and enjoy a walking tour around one of the best circuits of town walls in Roman Britain, erected around 330AD and still standing to a height of 5 metres. Entering the town we visit the remains of a Roman-Celtic temple, courtyard house, shops and the impressive remains of the forum and basilica. Saturday evening: Dr Marc Morris presents "An Introduction to Castles". Marc is a medieval historian, author of the bestselling biography of King Edward I, and an expert on castles. In this talk he explains how our understanding of these fascinating buildings has been radically revisied in recent decades and how they often functioned more as stately homes and status symbols than as fortresses.
Sunday
Travel to Raglan Castle, one of the finest late medieval castles in Britain, for a guided tour. Established in the fifteenth century, Raglan was extensively added to throughout the Tudor period making it one of the grandest stately homes in the kingdom, but was besieged during the English Civil War and deliberately ruined afterwards. We then cross the Wye in Herefordshire for a short visit to Goodrich Castle, a splendid border fortress rebuilt in the thirteenth century, which contains some of the best preserved domestic accommodation for a building of its date. Finally ,we make our way down the Wye to Chepstow, a historic market town surrounded by medieval walls and dominated by its giant castle. Begun immediately after the Norman Conquest, Chepstow spans every era of castle-building and its great tower is now thought to have been constructed by William the Conqueror himself. We will also visit the recently reconstructed medieval hall with its furnishing and fittings. Return to the hotel at approximately 17.00pm.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion
Hilton Newport
Located close to the glorious Welsh countryside and just off the M4 motorway, the 4-star Hilton Newport offers a bar, restaurant, indoor pool, fitness centre and comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, TV and telephone. Parking is available on-site at the hotel for £3 per day (payable directly to the hotel).
Located close to the glorious Welsh countryside and just off the M4 motorway, the 4-star Hilton Newport offers a bar, restaurant, indoor pool, fitness centre and comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, TV and telephone. Parking is available on-site at the hotel for £3 per day (payable directly to the hotel).
This offer has no reviews. [NEED SOME TEXT HERE AND MAYBE A LINK TO THE REVIEW FORM].
