Highlights of the Welsh Marches, Gardens and the ‘Stream In The Sky’

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then on to the Ramada Plaza, Wrexham for a five night stay.

Today it’s time to learn about the Industrial Revolution at Ironbridge Gorge and immerse yourself in the sights and smells of Old England at the open air village of Blists Hill, a perfectly recreated Victorian town with authentic shops and craft workshops which allow you to experience life over 100 years ago.

Welcome back to the Victorian age - as well as interacting with costumed characters, you can buy fascinating goods from a bygone era, watch traditional craftsmen in action and try your luck in the Victorian fairground.

We’ll start the day in Tatton Park. The estate contains a medieval Manor House, and a Neo-classical mansion where you can discover the dramatic contrast between life above and below stairs. The mansion’s opulent state rooms are resplendent with rich furnishings, important artwork collections and a fine library and the humble servants' quarters consist of scullery, kitchen and salting room - you can imagine them going about their daily tasks and preparations for elaborate dinner parties held by the owners, the Egerton family. There’s also a rare breed farm and deer park, set in fifty acres of lavish landscaped gardens for you to wander through at leisure.

In the afternoon we head to Cheshire’s Anderton Boat Lift where we take a combined lift and river cruise to see this magnificent Victorian boat lift in action. Climb aboard the glass sided boat, the Edwin Clark, named after the engineer who designed and constructed this clever bit of Victorian machinery. One of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways', the structure lifts boats and barges 50 feet from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal high above. Discover why the lift was so important on a guided cruise of the River Weaver to Northwich and back.

We head first to Carrog to begin today's adventure by boarding the Llangollen Railway steam train through the picturesque Dee Valley to the pretty village of Llangollen.

From here we’ll take a gentle ride on a horse drawn boat trip on the Llangollen Canal over the mighty Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, an 18 arched stone and cast iron construction known as the Stream in the Sky, the highest in the world, all the while enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

Today we'll enjoy a guided city tour of Liverpool, learning all there is to know about its history as an industrial force and, of course, its most famous sons.

From the impressive Liver Building to the renovated Albert Dock we’ll discover some of the city’s iconic landmarks, and take in some of the locations frequented by the Beatles such as the Cavern Club, Penny Lane, Strawberry Field and the homes of John and Paul.

The rest of the day can be spent at leisure in Liverpool.

Return home.