The Royal Mint & Tosca in Cardiff

We depart Sussex and head west using the motorway network. Having made a suitable stop en-route we arrive in the delightful town of Marlborough for a midday break. After lunch we continue our journey arriving at our centrally situated hotel late afternoon.

We enjoy a guided tour of this much changed city that will take in the major sights before enjoying some free time to make your own visits. The Castle is always a popular destination and the National Museum of Wales is certainly worth a visit, housing one of Europe's finest art collections. Five hundred years of magnificent paintings, drawings, sculpture, silver and ceramics from Wales and across the world, including one of Europe's best collections of Impressionist art.

We have arranged an early 3 course pre-theatre dinner at The Millennium Centre this evening at 17.30. After dinner you can make your way in to the auditorium for this evenings performance of Tosca. After the performance the coach will take you back to the hotel. 

Please Note

If you wish to come on this tour but do not wish to see Tosca this is possible and I will reduce the tour price by the price of the ticket which is £48.00.  Your tour price still includes the 3 course dinner at the Millenium Centre. Please fill out the booking form accordingly.

After a leisurely breakfast we make our way to The Royal Mint at Llantrisant. Led by your Visitor Host we will enter one of the manufacturing areas, to discover how blank pieces of metal are made before being struck to become coins. From a viewing area, you will look into the striking hall where thousands of coins are produced, 24 hours a day. Following the Factory Experience, you will be escorted to the self-guided Interactive Exhibition to explore six different zones at your own pace.  Visitor hosts will be on hand; ready to answer any questions and to help you get the most out of your visit.  There are fascinating displays that go back over 1,000 years to explore the origins of The Royal Mint, its links with the Tower of London and its move to Wales. Learn about Sir Isaac Newton’s innovations while Master of The Royal Mint and technological advances invested in the new 12-sided £1 coin. Find out more about the coins and medals they have produced for 100 countries worldwide. And of course there is the obligatory gift shop !!  This afternoon we make our way to Castell Coch. While resting on ancient foundations, Castell Coch (Red Castle) is relatively modern, the by-product of a vivid Victorian imagination, assisted by untold wealth. The Middle Ages fascinated the Victorians as much as the Victorians fascinate us today. High Gothic was the order of the day.  The ‘eccentric genius’ William Burges was given free rein by his paymaster, John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, the 3rd marquess of Bute, to create a rural retreat to complement the opulence of his main residence, Cardiff Castle. He didn’t hold back. Dazzling ceilings, over-the-top furnishings and furniture were liberally applied. You can enjoy a 45 minute self guided audio tour of this unusual building. (There are some spiral staircases

This morning we depart Cardiff and head back across The Severn Estuary. Having made suitable stops we expect to arrive back in the Maresfield area by approximately 18.00