Griff Harries

Biografía

KAYAKING WITH ELEPHANTS, SNOWBOARDING WITH LEOPARDS AND CELEBRITY BOG-SNORKELLING!!  Well, perhaps not – but that’s hopefully caught your attention, so please read on.   I’ve agonised over my photograph here – and I’m much better looking in real life, although the only way you’ll find that out for certain is if you book me to be your guide!

I’m here to tell you that the list of brilliant places we can visit and things we could do together is as long as my arm – longer actually!!   The manifold delights of Gower, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen, Swansea, Tenby, Brecon, the Vale of Neath and many – MANY – more await us. Come on – what are you waiting for?   Let’s go!

If you want golden beaches, breathtaking views, fascinating history, quaint villages, bustling towns, pretty theatres, impressive concert halls, lovely restaurants serving delicious Welsh fayre?  I am your man – I will make your tour fun and interesting and I will cater totally to your needs!!

I have an MA in Public History and Heritage and I’ve learnt that the area is a hotbed of magical places oozing charm, history and a fascination that very few people know about – but I do – and I’ll gladly share it with you. It can all be our secret!!

I can also offer tours with a difference – as a professional musician with over fifty years experience as a performer, conductor and Orchestral administrator, I can add a distinctive cultural twist. For example – how about a visit to Craig y Nos Castle which was once the home of the world famous soprano Adelina Patti, or shall we go to Penclawdd where Sir Karl Jenkins grew up.  I could show you where Sir Anthony Hopkins made his professional acting debut.  I was very honoured to be the Official “Richard Burton Centenary Tour Guide” throughout 2025 and I would absolutely love to take you to his birthplace and to see the stage on which he made his first appearance, or perhaps go to visit his hero Dylan Thomas’s birthplace.  Indeed, if you’re a fan of Dylan Thomas let me take you to Laugharne where he is buried and we’ll visit the castle which he so endearingly described as being “Brown as Owls”.   I’ll show you little spot in the castle which is of tremendous importance in his life story and it’s a secret that not even some of the locals are aware of.  I could take you to the grave of one of Wales’ greatest hymn-writers. He was known as “Gwyrosydd”  and he wrote the words to possibly the most popular Welsh hymn of all time –  “Calon Lan” which is about purity of heart and soul. He scribbled the words on the back of a cigerette packet in return for couple of pints of beer – allegedly!!

As an actor, I have worked on films and television shows such as “Under Salt Marsh” starring Jonathan Pryce and “The other Bennet sister” starring Ruth Jones and Richard E Grant,  “The Way” directed by Michael Sheen and “La Cha Cha” directed by Kevin Allen.  I would gladly take you to visit the filming locations.  Kevin Allen is the director of the iconic film “Twin Town” which was set in Swansea. If your’e of a certain age I’m sure this will certainly figure in your list of “must see” films. I’ll take you to the locations used in the film and then perhaps an opportunity to enjoy a Q & A with Kevin. Now that’s a trip that’ll certainly be different and it’ll be fun too – and of course there’ll be “hot dogs for tea”!!

I am a fluent Welsh speaker and a member of the National Eisteddfod of Wales’ “Gorsedd”. I would love to take you around the Eisteddfod (which is in west Wales in 2026) and tell you all about it. “Britain”s Got Talent” and “X Factor” don’t come close to the goings on at the Eisteddfod – eat your heart out Simon Cowell – this is how it’s done!

I offer all these and more –  but I’m running out of space here!  Phew – there’s so much I want to tell you and share with you!  Please get in touch and we can talk and plan.  I hope to hear from you and to guide you around very soon.

What’s that?  You want to do the kayaking with elephants?  I’ll see what I can do!  There’s a place near Swansea I’ve heard of – but I think they only do giraffes.  I’ll check it out.

Fel siaradwr Cymraeg, cynigiaf yr uchod yn ddwyieithog.