Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STAYING IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Elan Valley Trust
(
www.elanvalley.org.uk
)
Has the best-preserved long house in Wales (Llannerch y Cawr), as
well as the wonderfully isolated farmhouse of Tynllidiart.
Landmark Trust
( 01628-825925;
www.landmarktrust.co.uk
)
Lets a tower in Caernarfon Castle, a Victorian
fort in Pembrokeshire and what is probably Britain's fanciest chicken shed at Leighton.
National Trust Cottages
(
www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk
)
Lets Abermydyr, a Georgian estate cottage near
Aberaeron designed by no less an architect than John Nash, as well as the Old Rectory at Rhossili, which is the
only building above what is consistently voted as Wales' finest beach.
Portmeirion
(
www.portmeirion-village.com
)
Provides the opportunity to stay in Clough's architectural master-
piece in either self-catering cottages, the waterfront hotel or the boutique-chic Castell Deudraeth.
Under the Thatch
(
www.underthethatch.co.uk
) Specialises in traditional thatched cottages but also lets a conver-
ted Edwardian railway carriage by the sea at Aberporth and traditional Romany caravans.
A one-year
Cadw
( 0800 074 3121; cadw.wales.gov.uk) membership costs £34 for individuals and £57 for a fam-
ily (two adults plus all children under 16 years). Wheelchair users and the visually impaired, together with assisting
companions, are admitted free to all Cadw monuments.
A one-year
National Trust
(NT; 0844 800 1895;
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
) membership costs £55 for individu-
als and £97 for a family (two adults plus all children or grandchildren under 18 years). Children under five get in free at
NT properties.
Membership of one, or both, of the trusts is well worth considering, especially if you're going to be in Wales for a
couple of weeks or more. Both organisations care for hundreds of spectacular sites and membership allows you to visit
them for free. You can join at any staffed Cadw or NT site, by post or phone, or online.
The
Hudson's Explorer Pass
(
www.hudsonsexplorerpass.com
) gives free access to almost 600 properties under the
care of Cadw, NT (and NT Scotland), Historic Scotland and English Heritage. A three- /seven- /15- /28-day adult pass
costs £49/79/109/179 irrespective of age, but it's available only to non-British citizens. You can buy the pass online, and
in the UK at many international airports and seaports and selected tourist offices.
It's also worth noting that students carrying valid National Union of Students (NUS) cards and people carrying a valid
16-25 Railcard
(
www.16-25railcard.co.uk
)
can get discounted entrance to many attractions across Wales.
Travellers aged 60 and over can get 50% off standard National Express bus fares with a
Senior Coachcard
(
ht-
tp://www.nationalexpress.com/waystosave/senior-coachcard.aspx
;
no card required) and 30% off most rail fares with a
Senior Railcard
(
www.senior-railcard.co.uk
; 1-year card £26) . Many attractions have lower admission prices for those
aged over 60 or 65 (sometimes 55 years for women); it's always worth asking even if it's not posted.
If you plan to do a lot of travelling by bus or train, there are some good-value travel passes. Most local bus operators
also offer day and family passes.
