Llangollen is a town in Denbighshire, Wales.
- Plas Newydd, LL20 8AW, +44 1978 862834. A half-timbered black and white house in extensive grounds. This was once the home of the 'Ladies of Llangollen' from 1780 to 1831 and their tomb can be found in the grounds of St Collen's Church in Llangollen (which you will see on your right as you enter via the A5). The inside has many intricate carvings many brought by visitors (including the Duke of Wellington) to the ladies - Miss Sarah Ponsonby and Lady Eleanor Butler. The two women are amongst the most celebrated of the town's former residents. They arrived after eloping from their families in Ireland. The exact nature of their relationship is ambiguous, however they formed a lifelong partnership until they died within two years of each other in 1829 and 1831.
- Pontcysyllte aqueduct. As you approach the town by either road from the east you will see the Pontcysyllte aqueduct carrying the Llangollen Canal over the River Dee, it is 126 feet high and a 1007 feet long. The aqueduct is an impressive sight, with 19 arches each of 45 feet and holds 1.5 millions litres of water. Construction was started in 1795 by Thomas Telford and it was completed in 1805. Built from local stone the aqueduct is the largest anywhere in Britain. The name Pontcysyllte is Welsh for 'bridge that connects', and is pronounced "pont-cuh-SUTH-(l)tee". You can take a walk across the aqueduct or traverse it on a boat.
- Castell Dinas Brân. A ruined castle, overlooking the town from a nearby mountain top. It is an open site (i.e. no admission charge), and the view is worth the long walk and climb. Just beyond the town centre and on the far side of the canal, is the beginning of the walking path leading up, perpendicular to the canal. You will find this directly over the canal bridge and the initial part of the footpath runs alongside the school of the same name. Dinas Bran was constructed in or around 1260 AD and is on a site that is believed to have held a wooden hillfort. The site was barely occupied for 20 years before falling into disuse.
- St Collen's Church. This church was founded by St Collen in the 6th century and the name 'Llangollen' (meaning 'church of Collen') was derived from this early inhabitant. The site has been developed since then from what had been a simple stone cell. Amongst the main features of the church are its stained glass windows and its 15th-century carved roof. It is claimed by some that the timbers for this roof came from nearby Valle Crucis Abbey.
- Valle Crucis Abbey, Llantysilio. A ruined abbey offering tours. There is a nearby caravan park.
- Llangollen Motor Museum, Pentre Felin, +44 1978 860 324. A small car museum.
Plas Newydd, LL20 8AW, +44 1978 862834. A half-timbered black and white house in extensive grounds. This was once the home of the 'Ladies of Llangollen' from 1780 to 1831 and their tomb can be found in the grounds of St Collen's Church in Llangollen (which you will see on your right as you enter via the A5). The inside has many intricate carvings many brought by visitors (including the Duke of Wellington) to the ladies - Miss Sarah Ponsonby and Lady Eleanor Butler. The two women are amongst the most celebrated of the town's former residents. They arrived after eloping from their families in Ireland. The exact nature of their relationship is ambiguous, however they formed a lifelong partnership until they died within two years of each other in 1829 and 1831.
Pontcysyllte aqueduct. As you approach the town by either road from the east you will see the Pontcysyllte aqueduct carrying the Llangollen Canal over the River Dee, it is 126 feet high and a 1007 feet long. The aqueduct is an impressive sight, with 19 arches each of 45 feet and holds 1.5 millions litres of water. Construction was started in 1795 by Thomas Telford and it was completed in 1805. Built from local stone the aqueduct is the largest anywhere in Britain. The name Pontcysyllte is Welsh for 'bridge that connects', and is pronounced "pont-cuh-SUTH-(l)tee". You can take a walk across the aqueduct or traverse it on a boat.
Castell Dinas Brân. A ruined castle, overlooking the town from a nearby mountain top. It is an open site (i.e. no admission charge), and the view is worth the long walk and climb. Just beyond the town centre and on the far side of the canal, is the beginning of the walking path leading up, perpendicular to the canal. You will find this directly over the canal bridge and the initial part of the footpath runs alongside the school of the same name. Dinas Bran was constructed in or around 1260 AD and is on a site that is believed to have held a wooden hillfort. The site was barely occupied for 20 years before falling into disuse.
St Collen's Church. This church was founded by St Collen in the 6th century and the name 'Llangollen' (meaning 'church of Collen') was derived from this early inhabitant. The site has been developed since then from what had been a simple stone cell. Amongst the main features of the church are its stained glass windows and its 15th-century carved roof. It is claimed by some that the timbers for this roof came from nearby Valle Crucis Abbey.
Valle Crucis Abbey, Llantysilio. A ruined abbey offering tours. There is a nearby caravan park.
Llangollen Motor Museum, Pentre Felin, +44 1978 860 324. A small car museum.
- Llangollen Steam Railway, Abbey Road, LL20 8SN, +44 1978 860979. The train departs from the station in the town. You can enjoy a 3-course meal on the train or just go for the ride.
- Horse-drawn canal boats. Available 50 m from the town centre at weekends and during the summer. Make sure you sit on the right side of the boat and then you'll be able to look over the side and down a 100-ft drop as you pass over the Pontcysyllte aqueduct!
- Canoeing. The fast flowing and rocky River Dee is popular with canoeists. You can bring your own canoe or use one of the many companies in the area to hire one or get tuition.
- ProAdventure, The Fringe Shed, Parade Street, LL20 8RT, +44 1978 861912. ProAdventure offers adventure holidays, skills training and qualifications in canoeing, white-water rafting, kayaking, climbing, gorge walking, bushcraft and survival skills, and archery and axe throwing.
- Safe & Sound Outdoors, Chapel Street, LL20 8NW, +44 1978 860471. Safe and Sound Outdoors run activities on a day basis and for multiple days, including: hen and stag activities, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, gorge walking, paintball, mountain biking, high ropes, bushcraft, and first aid.
Llangollen Steam Railway, Abbey Road, LL20 8SN, +44 1978 860979. The train departs from the station in the town. You can enjoy a 3-course meal on the train or just go for the ride.
Horse-drawn canal boats. Available 50 m from the town centre at weekends and during the summer. Make sure you sit on the right side of the boat and then you'll be able to look over the side and down a 100-ft drop as you pass over the Pontcysyllte aqueduct!
Canoeing. The fast flowing and rocky River Dee is popular with canoeists. You can bring your own canoe or use one of the many companies in the area to hire one or get tuition.
ProAdventure, The Fringe Shed, Parade Street, LL20 8RT, +44 1978 861912. ProAdventure offers adventure holidays, skills training and qualifications in canoeing, white-water rafting, kayaking, climbing, gorge walking, bushcraft and survival skills, and archery and axe throwing.
Safe & Sound Outdoors, Chapel Street, LL20 8NW, +44 1978 860471. Safe and Sound Outdoors run activities on a day basis and for multiple days, including: hen and stag activities, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, gorge walking, paintball, mountain biking, high ropes, bushcraft, and first aid.
The town has the usual selection of gift shops that you'd expect to find in Wales.
The town has a wide selection of restaurant types, including Indian, Italian and Chinese.
- The Gallery, 15 Chapel Street, LL20 8NN, +44 1978 860076. The oak-beamed Gallery Restaurant opened in 2002 and remains a family-owned and family-run business. The Gallery is at first floor level and caters for up to 40 visitors. Booking is recommended, especially during peak season. £10-25.
- The Cornmill, Dee Lane, LL20 8PN, +44 1978 869555. The Cornmill is a pub/restaurant in an old mill on the river Dee in Llangollen, overlooking the Llangollen Railway. Food is served M-Sa noon to 9:30PM and Su to 9PM. Booking is recommended, especially during peak season. £10+.
- Gales Wine Bar, 18 Bridge Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8PF, +44 1978 860089. Family-run wine bar and restaurant, in the premises of the one time Lion Inn.
The Gallery, 15 Chapel Street, LL20 8NN, +44 1978 860076. The oak-beamed Gallery Restaurant opened in 2002 and remains a family-owned and family-run business. The Gallery is at first floor level and caters for up to 40 visitors. Booking is recommended, especially during peak season. £10-25.
The Cornmill, Dee Lane, LL20 8PN, +44 1978 869555. The Cornmill is a pub/restaurant in an old mill on the river Dee in Llangollen, overlooking the Llangollen Railway. Food is served M-Sa noon to 9:30PM and Su to 9PM. Booking is recommended, especially during peak season. £10+.
Gales Wine Bar, 18 Bridge Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8PF, +44 1978 860089. Family-run wine bar and restaurant, in the premises of the one time Lion Inn.
Most of the pubs are worth a visit. The Bridge End Hotel is popular with decent food and drinks offers.
- The Cornmill, Dee Lane, LL20 8PN, +44 1978 869555. M-Sa noon to 11PM, Su to 10:30PM. The Cornmill is a pub/restaurant in an old mill on the river Dee in Llangollen, overlooking the Llangollen Railway.
- The Ponsonby Arms, Mill Street, LL20 8RY (on the road towards Wrexham towards the Health Centre, +44 1978 447985. Serving large selection of real ales.
The Cornmill, Dee Lane, LL20 8PN, +44 1978 869555. M-Sa noon to 11PM, Su to 10:30PM. The Cornmill is a pub/restaurant in an old mill on the river Dee in Llangollen, overlooking the Llangollen Railway.
The Ponsonby Arms, Mill Street, LL20 8RY (on the road towards Wrexham towards the Health Centre, +44 1978 447985. Serving large selection of real ales.
Carry on westwards along the A539 and you will end up going through the scenic Horseshoe Pass and at the peak is the Ponderosa Cafe Complex, though avoid this if you don't like heights! Stop off on your journey towards 'The Pass' and you will find Valle Crucis Abbey on your right, as well as nearby 'Elliseg's Pillar'.