Enthusiastic, Entertaining and Enlightening Guided Tours of West Wales

‘Mark met me at the train station in Tenby, Wales with a sign welcoming me back to my ancestral homeland. My ancestors had immigrated from Pembrokeshire, Wales to Pennsylvania for mining opportunities in 1850. I now live in California and as far as I know, I am the first of many generations descended from that family to be back in that area in well over 100 years! 

Mark proceeded to guide me on a personalized tour of the area, pointing out historical landmarks and points of interest. He really made my visit there so enjoyable and informative. He gave me a sense of what it must’ve been like to live there during my ancestor’s time. We really hit it off and have a great friendship to this day. I would highly recommend Mark as a tour guide. Through his many stories, anecdotes and factual recall, Mark has an intuitive knack for making history come to life and be relevant. Honestly, he is the best and I give him my highest recommendation!’

We had visited Carew Castle before but this was a totally different enhanced experience. Mark knows so much about the history of the castle and what we learned from him filled some gaps in our knowledge of both Welsh and Tudor history. Mark pointed out interesting and rare things we’d never noticed before!

The anecdotal history was engaging and funny, and Mark’s delivery was pitched at the right level so that it was all easily understood and contextualised. Mark was kind enough to walk the tour route before we arrived to make sure everything was accessible to Mum’s wheelchair. We had a thoroughly lovely time and will definitely sign up for more of Mark’s tours in the future.

Many years ago, Anna and I went on our own coastal tour of Wales. Unfortunately, the weather was distinctly Scottish and the first few days were terrible. So bad in fact, that driving became impossible. As a result, we missed going to a few places we had scheduled. One of these was Carew Castle.

When Mark Cole offered a tour of Carew Castle and Tenby, it was too good an offer to turn down, irrespective of the distance involved. So we finally got to the see the castle, a decade later than planned and I’m pleased to say it exceeded expectations.

As for the tours, if our experience was anything to go by, then I would definitely recommend Mark as a tour guide. I learned a lot I didn’t previously know and it was a good day out. You won’t meet a friendlier tour guide anywhere, nor many that have such an obvious interest in their subject matter.

My quest started so that I could find the answers about why my father never knew or met his father. The information I had was very limited.

Lo and behold, Mark Cole, reached out to me and filled in the blanks!!! Including going to cemeteries and sending me pictures!!! As I live in the USA, he’s incredibly thorough.

Mark also introduced me to people that have become such dear friends. He really goes that extra mile and he’s a true library of information. His delivery is very captivating. With a wonderful sense of humour thrown in as a bonus.

He has given me a gift that I can pass onto my family. I am forever grateful to this inspiring young man. His passion is very contagious!!

Terrific little weekend away with a guided walk around the perimeter of Carew Castle and a walking tour around Tenby. I thoroughly enjoyed myself on Mark’s tour. It was a great start in building up my knowledge of Welsh history. Diolch!

Diwrnod ardderchog gyda Mark Cole fel ein arweinydd i Gastell Caeriw a Dinbych y Pysgod. Mae Mark yn wybodus, yn gyfeillgar ac yn frwdfrydig, a rhoddodd ddwy daith drefnus wedi'u paratoi yn ofalus i’n grŵp o alluoedd, oedrannau a diddordebau cymysg, a phawb yn mwynhau. Gwelsom lawer nad oeddem wedi sylwi arno ar ein pen ein hunain mewn ymweliadau blaenorol.

Da iawn, ‘rydyn ni ar flaen y ciw ar gyfer y daith nesaf!

I'm continually amazed and forever grateful to Mark Cole for his research and storytelling with regard my Shadrach family history, which originated in Pembrokeshire before emigrating to America in 1871!