Retracing Charles Darwin’s travels in North Wales

Highlights

• Walk in the footsteps of famous scientist and geologist Charles Darwin and discover sites from his childhood and the places where he trained for his legendary voyage on HMS Beagle.
• Witness the spectacular landscapes of north Wales, including the mountains of Snowdonia’s National Park, the tranquil Llyn Ogwen Lake, and the rugged coasts of Anglesey.
• Relive the experience and evidence that Darwin used to unravel the origin of these landscapes in 1831 and 1842.
• Learn the human history behind Darwin’s discoveries, as you travel on a small group tour of Wales with a Darwin expert and our Tour Leaders.
• Stay in style at highly recommended hotels, including a Darwin-themed hotel in Shrewsbury, and a welcoming country house hotel in north Wales.

Overview

Discover the story behind Charles Darwin’s 1831 and 1842 tours of Wales, with a six-day, five-night small group journey to Shrewsbury and Snowdonia. See the dramatic Welsh landscapes and travel to key sites visited by Darwin.

Immerse yourself in the story of Darwin’s life with a local Darwin expert and our Tour Leaders, as you explore Darwin’s hometown of Shrewsbury, take short walks in Snowdonia and see incredible sights. Hear how Darwin trained in understanding the Welsh landscape and geology before his famous voyage of discovery on HMS Beagle, which led to the groundbreaking Theory of Evolution.

Uncover the best of Wales with a tour of the mountainous Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), and a day to beautiful Anglesey, with its rich geological treasures and impressive coastlines, where Darwin travelled with Cambridge Professor Adam Sedgwick.

Admire sites such as South Stack Lighthouse on Anglesey, scenic Llyn Ogwen and the incredible glacier-formed landscapes around Llanberis and Cwm Idwal. See signs of Welsh history and conflict around ruined forts and well-kept castles.

Enjoy comfortable accommodation throughout your tour, starting with a Darwin-themed Georgian townhouse in Shrewsbury that boasts a relaxing garden and well-appointed rooms. Travel on to a welcoming country house hotel and restaurant in north Wales, offering an exceptional menu of delicious Welsh dishes.

Take away a unique experience of travelling in Wales and Snowdonia, with a fascinating look at Darwin’s life and work, and enjoy walks to areas of incredible beauty and interest.

Start/finish

Your tour starts and finishes in Shrewsbury, England.

Activity Level

Moderate. The walks are generally less than 3km (2 miles), with a few optional, longer walks across the Welsh landscape. Paths are well marked, with occasional rocky stretches, coastal outcrops and beaches (view our activity level definitions).

Transport

Weather

Accommodation

Two nights’ stay at Darwin’s Townhouse, Shrewsbury, a welcoming boutique townhouse named after the man himself. Three nights’ stay at Ty’n Rhos, Caernarfon, a 19-bedroom country house hotel nestled in the Welsh countryside. A la carte dinner at the hotel each night of the trip.

Testimonials

"Michael Roberts is a gem and I really valued his experience and insights.  You will have to bottle him for the future. You don’t have to be a Darwin fanatic, but it helps.  Also, be prepared to have some of your misconceptions challenged – and that is what science is all about!  A pleasant ramble through the North Wales countryside – with a purpose."

Darwin in Wales | Jim M, May 2024

"My best bits were: –

• The majesty and beauty of the North Walian landscape in general, but also that of the specific places we visited such as Castell Dinas Brân, Cwm Idwal, and the open country beyond the Cwt-y-Bugail slate quarry.  
• Following a detective trail. 
• Serpentine!  Surely one of the earth’s most heroic rocks, with its journey from the very depths to the light of day. 
• Seeing puffins!

Michael’s encyclopaedic knowledge of Darwin’s North Walian itinerary and the insights he gave us into how he had pieced the evidence together, combined with Rob’s ability to explain all the related geology, even to the geologically illiterate like me, was an ideal “double act”.

The pre-tour information was better than that I have received for any other holiday, and I had a great deal of help pre-holiday from Julie. It was always a joy to speak with her!"

Darwin in Wales | Rowena S, May 2024

"Leaders were enthusiastic. They conveyed information in an interesting & understandable fashion.

Akin to a small group field trip, based in two excellent hotels, this tour was fun, relaxed, and as educational as you chose it to be whether you were geologically minded or not. Led by two experienced geologists, one of whom had himself identified on the ground the locations visited by Darwin.

As we explored the sites our enthusiastic leaders explained in an interesting & understandable way how the landscapes had been fashioned by their geology and other factors and how geology had developed as a science."

Darwin in Wales | Elaine G, September 2024

"Best bits – The stunning scenery; Rob’s geological knowledge; a perfect group size.

A really great, well organised trip, with beautiful scenery and stunning geology. Plus, I learned a lot."

Darwin in Wales | Lori-Ann F, September 2024

"The Tour leaders were brilliant, very knowledgeable, and good at explaining almost anything anyone asked. I know a lot more about Darwin’s early work on geology and have become even more interested in geology. Meals were excellent.

I thoroughly enjoyed the tour; the other members of the tour were all very friendly and easy to get on with. Most importantly, the tour guides were knowledgeable, good communicators, and very friendly."

Darwin in Wales | Patrick, W, September 2024