The Welsh Wander, based at the four-star Metropole Hotel in the picturesque Victorian spa town of Llandrindod Wells is designed to be a relaxing break in rural Wales with a classic or vintage car, but you are, of course, welcome in a modern!
The hotel was run by the same family from 1897 until recently and has an illustrious history, including being used as a halt on numerous rallies, especially the RAC during the fifties and sixties. It's also renowned for good food and the package includes three- course dinners every evening with coffee / tea and full welsh breakfasts each morning.
There's an indoor heated swimming pool and spa facilities.
Surrounded by stunning countryside, Llandrindod Wells itself is an interesting little town and its slightly faded Victorian grandeur has luckily not been blighted by modern development.
The itinerary is as follows:
Friday, August 7th. Arrivals at the 4-star Metropole Hotel & Spa during the day followed by dinner at 7.30pm.
One of the Elan Valley Dams
Saturday, August 8th. After a leisurely breakfast we depart for a run through lanes and the spectacular Elan Valley lakes, but the first stop is Riversimple Engineering for a brief tour of the hydrogen car manufacturing facility. Never mind batteries, the future is fuel cell!
The scenery around the Elan Valley is stunning, and the visitor centre at the first dam is a must as you can learn the fascinating history of how they were constructed. There's a cafe so worth grabbing a coffee before the next section which takes us past the other dams.
Kite feeding
Travelling through Rhaeadr there are more scenic backroads to our lunch halt at the Lion Inn in Llanbister after which we travel the short distance to the kite feeding at Gigrin Farm.
Once back in Llandrindod Wells you’ll have time to relax, visit the National Cycle Museum a short distance from the hotel, and perhaps explore the town a little before dinner.
Sunday, August 9th. Another scenic route, this time to Hay-on-Wye, world famous for its myriad second-hand bookshops and, of course, it’s the location for the annual literary festival.
A buffet lunch will be arranged with the return route to the Metropole taking in more scenic roads.
Monday, August 10th. Departure for home.
The cost for the event is just £395 per person, based on two people sharing. Single supplement £30 per night. There is a reduced rate of £85 per person dinner, bed & breakfast if you wish to stay an extra night.
Included in the price are the following:
- Three nights’ accommodation on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis at the 4-star Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells
- Use of hotel swimming pool & facilities
- Free use of swimming pool
- Light buffet lunch in Llanbister
- Red kite feeding at Gigrin farm
- Entry to National Cycle Museum
- Light buffet lunch at Hay-on-Wye
- Detailed, easy-to-read, route instructions
- Information pack on arrival with leaflets on local attractions
- Rally plate and windscreen stickers
- Tour organiser present throughout to deal with any queries
- Plus more!
You can sit outside with a drink and watch the world go by!
The Metropole has a reputation for excellent food
All bedrooms are ensuite but the building is Victorian so layout varies. Above shows one of the tower rooms.
Llandrindod Lake
Hay-on-Wye Book Shop
National Cycle Museum Llandrindod Wells Street
ENTRY FORM – WELSH WANDER
August 7th – 10th (11th) 2026
Name (driver)……………………………………………………………………….....
Name (co-driver)………………………………………………………………………
Car (if known)……………………………….Year………………Reg………….......
Address & Post Code………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Tel. No…………........................Mobile……………........Email……………………..
Amount enclosed £…………………………Date…………………………………….
Any special requirements (mobility, allergies, vegetarian, twin beds, dislikes, etc.)?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Do you wish to stay the extra night?........................... A deposit of £45 per person secures your place with the balance payable by May 30th (an invoice will be sent). Please make cheque payable to Country Lane Tours, and send with form to Country Lane Tours, Tirionfa, Bodfari Road, Llandyrnog, Denbigh, LL16 4HP. Deposits are refundable in full (less £5 admin fee) up to May 29th. The bank details for direct payment are: Account Name: Country Lane Tours. Account number: 02149028. Sort Code:09-01-50. If paying by transfer please mark entry form 'TRANSFER'.
Space precludes a detailed description of everything you will see, so details here are necessarily a synopsis. However, the leisurely daily mileage allows plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery and quiet roads as well as the hotel facilities. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to call me on 01824 790280, or email countrylanetours@gmail.com.
Please note! There may be slight variations in the advertised schedule if conditions dictate.
All marques and ages welcome!
A few things people said about the 2025 Welsh Wander
I love your attention to detail and give you 100% for organization! J.Z. BMW Z4
Really enjoyed the kite feeding and the Sunday lunch at Kilverts was excellent. R&J. M. Sunbeam Alpine
Great driving roads through Elan Valley. Talk on Riversimple hydrogen cars very interesting and inspirational. N.&J. W. Morris Minor Convertible
Good fun, places we would rarely visit on interesting roads. Up to your usual standard. D.& T. D. Mercedes S350
The kite feeding was amazing and our favourite bit of the trip. D.&S. Volvo 340
Really enjoyed the hydrogen car. Very helpful hotel staff. P.T. Triumph Stag
Cycle museum very interesting. R.O. Bentley Continental
Excellent hotel staff, most helpful. S.C. MG
Very enjoyable tour – looking forward to more. P. & G. L. Morgan 4/4
Thoroughly enjoyable. We’ll be back! S.&T. C. Jaguar XK120
We had a wonderful time and met some lovely people. A. & R. B. BMW Z3.