Llangollen
Llangollen
The gateway to wales this lovely town is a great place to visit full of interest for all the family, from canals in the sky and fortresses on the hillsides to beautiful mountain scenery.
Set in the beautiful dee valley and surrounded by the Berwyn and Llantysilio mountains, with the fast flowing river cascading through the heart of the town, Llangollen is a popular destination for tourists and especially walkers and outdoor pursuit fans.
The bridge across the river is one of the wonders of wales, it was extended in 1863 for the Wrexham to Barmouth line, following the railways closure a preservation society was formed.
Today you can ride a steam train on the Llangollen Railway to Carrog and visitors can admire the station a reminder of past times as well as the rolling stock, this a great day out for families and rail heritage lovers alike.
The Llangollen canal is one of the main attractions visitors can experience a horse drawn narrowboat cruise across the incredible aqueduct, which was built by Thomas Telford. The canal runs across the aqueduct where a cast iron trough takes it across the valley for 1000ft at a dizzying height of 120 feet.
On the hillside above the town is the mighty castle Dinas Bran once the stronghold of the princes of Powys. The views from the top up the Dee valley are fantastic and well worth the climb the castle ruins are quite extensive, lookout for the limestone crags of Creigiau Eglwyseg they are impressive and stretch to a place called worlds end.
Llangollen is also the venue for one of wales cultural event the national Eisteddfod which is held here bi annually alternating with the south, the event attracts visitor from all over the world, and is the welsh languages greatest festival.
Other nearby places of interest are:
Valle Crucis a ruined Cistercian Abbey this is remarkably well preserved and set in a beautiful location situated near a knoll known as velvet hill.
Plas Newydd, which was home to the ladies of Llangollen, Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby two society women who eloped from Ireland disguised as men, they settled here to enjoy a life of celibacy, friendship and knitting. Attracted by the romantic story many high profile figures of the day called to visit these included the Duke of Wellington and Wordsworth.
Erddig although a little out of the way is worth a visit there is a lot to See and do with activities for the children t is a national trust property and a Victorian stately home complete with art, furniture an all the trappings of the upper class lifestyle of the time. There is a full program of events throughout the year as well as gardens to explore.
Activities in Llangollen
Family Fun
Horse Drawn Boats - Horse Drawn Canal Boats
Visit abcbritain's profile on Pinterest.