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North Wales Live
22-07-2025
- North Wales Live
Nerve-shredding activity at 126ft aqueduct rated among world's best Tripadvisor experiences
A nerve-shredding paddle across the world's highest canal aqueduct has been named among the world's best 'experiences'. Based on its reviews, travel platform Tripadvisor placed the Froncysyllte canoe excursions above trips to Stonehenge and Edinburgh's Harry Potter tours. The Llangollen Canal excursions are organised for paddlers who often have little experience of canoes. The highlight of the half-day trips is a journey across the 220-year-old Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which towers 126ft above the River Dee in on the Wrexham - Denbighshire border. Part of the Llangollen Canal World Heritage site, the iconic 'Stream in the Sky' has become a hugely popular destination for sightseeers and walkers in recent years. Crossing it in other ways – in canoes, kayaks and canalboats – is also booming. It's even been navigated by car. Organised by Llangollen -based Bearded Men Adventures, the canoe experiences are billed as a 'fun-filled activity' that is 'perfect for a stag or hen weekend, a great day-out with your friends or a unique family day-out'. As well as praised for offering value for money, the Bearded Men guides – some of whom are female – are universally saluted by reviewers for their friendliness and local knowledge. 'Bloody fantastic!' enthused a London woman on Tripadvisor. 'From start to finish it was amazing experience.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now The Bearded Men canoe trips were announced as among the winners of Tripadvisor's 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards in its 'Best of the Best Things To Do' category. The awards highlight the highest-rated attractions and experiences around the world. Based on reviews, the canoe aqueduct tours were cited as the world's third best Water Sports experience – eight places above its next best UK rival, high-speed boat trip on the River Thames in London. Another Bearded Men activity, whitewater rafting in Llangollen, was in 23rd place on the global water sports list. In terms of all-round experiences, aqueduct paddling was considered the UK's fourth-best. Recommended by 99% of people, 1,679 of 1,720 users have so far given the canoe tours five-star reviews. Though people clearly loved the experience, a few sighed about the waits that are sometimes necessary on the aqueduct. Canal boats get priority and any canoe failing to observe this rule will certainly come off second best. Topping the pile, for UK experiences, were tours of London's historical pubs. This activity was also named the world's third best 'Cultural & Historic Experience'. Guided tours of Edinburgh Castle were acclaimed by Tripadvisor as the UK's second best experience. In third spot was The Manchester City Stadium Tour. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Top experiences in the UK
Wales Online
09-06-2025
- Wales Online
You can do a white water raft trip into the prettiest river town in Wales with charming pubs overlooking the water
You can do a white water raft trip into the prettiest river town in Wales with charming pubs overlooking the water You probably didn't come to Wales expecting to crash through swirling rapids with gulp-inducing names like 'Serpent's Tail' The thing is, I'm not exactly what you'd call naturally coordinated, so negotiating a fast-flowing river was always going to be a challenge. (Image: Portia Jones / Bearded Men Adventures ) You probably didn't come to Wales expecting to crash through swirling rapids with gulp-inducing names like Serpent's Tail. But in the charming riverside town of Llangollen, thrill-seekers swap sightseeing for spray as the River Dee barrels straight through the heart of this picturesque riverside spot. One minute, you're admiring tearooms and canal boats; the next, you're kitted up in neoprene, plunging into frothing white water that surges past historic stone bridges and lush wooded banks. This is white water rafting in Wales, and it's wilder than you think. Here's how you can go white water rafting in Llangollen, dubbed one of the best places to travel to this summer by Tripadvisor. Cradled by the River Dee in Denbighshire, Llangollen fuses industrial grit with a proud Welsh music and culture scene and adventure activities. It sits where the Dee Valley narrows into a dramatic corridor carved through a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The 11-mile canal route from Gledrid to the Horseshoe Falls threads through this scenic stretch, soaring above the valley on the towering Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering. The popular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is also located here and is a must-visit destination for civil engineering enthusiasts, as it's one of the most astonishing achievements of the Industrial Revolution. Article continues below While the canals and Aqueduct are a huge draw, it's on the River Dee that the most thrilling activity is found, as Llangollen is home to some of the best whitewater rafting experiences in the UK. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Llangollen white water rafting Cradled by the River Dee in Denbighshire, the charming town of Llangollen fuses industrial grit with a proud Welsh music and culture scene (Image: Portia Jones ) The Dee is the largest River in North Wales, with a catchment area of over 1,800 km². It is one of the most highly regulated rivers in Europe, and along with Llyn Tegid, it has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It's on this 70-mile-long River that you can hop in a raft and bounce along grade two to four rapids towards Llangollen, where the Dee runs through the Vale of Llangollen and flows into the Atlantic Ocean just below Chester. The Llangollen section of the Dee is 2.5 miles of exhilarating white water, starting at the Horseshoe Falls and finishing at Town Falls. It's here that you can 'raft' on the rushing waters in a large boat. But what exactly is white water rafting? Rafting is an adventure activity where you navigate a fast-flowing river in an inflatable raft, usually with a small team and a guide who (thankfully) knows what they are doing. Armed with paddles, helmets, and nerves of varying steadiness, you work together to steer through swirling currents, drops, and foamy 'rapids', which are graded from gentle bobbing to a full-on rollercoaster ride through frothing waters. Armed with paddles, helmets, and nerves of varying steadiness, you work together to steer through swirling currents, drops, and foamy 'rapids' (Image: Portia Jones ) To safely experience the rush of rating here, take a guided rafting trip with Bearded Men Adventures down the lengthy River and enjoy the adrenaline of paddling against the surging rapids, ranging from grades two to four. On a thrilling raft trip, you'll traverse epic rapids, including Serpent's Tail and Town Falls, bounce through the waves, and surf holes while guides yell instructions like "back paddle, right turn, left turn, stop, get down, as you try to remember your left from your right. It's not as easy as it sounds when you're getting splashed in the face with icy water. As soon as I found out that you could raft into a pretty town with riverside pubs, I just knew I had to give it a try and dragged my long-suffering husband along for a "little river trip". As soon as I found out that you could raft into a pretty town with riverside pubs, I just knew I had to give it a try and dragged my long-suffering husband along for a "little river trip". (Image: Portia Jones ) Our rafting trip with Bearded Men Adventures began with a safety briefing and introduction section, where we met our guide and got acquainted with the basics while safely on dry land. Once kitted up, our large raft boats were launched at the picturesque Horseshoe Falls, part of the 11-mile-long UNESCO World Heritage Site that surrounds the Pontcysylte Aqueduct and Chirk. A masterpiece of Thomas Telford's engineering, this curved weir provides a thrilling start as you tip over it and enter the River with a big splash. Paddles at the ready, we were soon bouncing along the River towards reassuringly named rapids called Tombstones and "Serpents Tail" as our boat careened off rocky ledges and into frothing waters. Paddles at the ready, we were soon bouncing along the River towards reassuringly named rapids called Tombstones and "Serpents Tail" (Image: Portia Jones ) I've been white water rafting before, so I figured I had some idea of what I was doing. But as I perched on the edge of the inflatable raft, paddle in hand, listening to our guide bark out instructions —'Forward paddle! Back paddle! LEFT! No, your other left!' — it became painfully clear that muscle memory wasn't going to save me this time. The thing is, I'm not exactly what you'd call naturally coordinated, so negotiating a fast-flowing river was always going to be a challenge. Every time our extremely patient guide yelled, 'paddle left!' I had a mini panic. Which left? My left or the raft's left? I tried to follow the others, craftily copying whichever way their paddles went, hoping no one would notice the minor chaos I was causing on our side of the boat. Honestly, I'm amazed no one staged a mutiny and shoved me straight into the roaring river. Miraculously, I managed to stay on board as we hurtled towards the Town Falls in the centre of Llangollen. (Image: Portia Jones ) Miraculously, I managed to stay on board as we hurtled towards the Town Falls in the centre of Llangollen. It's here that your friends and family can watch from the Corn Mill Pub or the bridge above as you plunge over the dramatic falls! There are surely not many waterside pubs where you can watch rafters plunge over unforgiving rapids and hear their shrieks reverberate across the valley. Who doesn't love a bit of free entertainment? Your friends and family can watch from the Corn Mill Pub or the bridge above as you plunge over the dramatic falls (Image: Portia Jones ) Now, it was my turn to be the spectacle. There's a very specific moment in white water rafting when your brain switches from 'This is fine' to 'S*** we're definitely going in.' For me, that moment came as the raft lurched towards the Town Falls series of dramatic drops, a frothing swirl of cold white water tumbling over a stack of jagged, craggy rocks that looked like something out of a Netflix documentary titled Mistakes Were Made: The River Dee Files. Who would play me in the series? Billie Piper, obviously, we're practically daydreaming was soon interrupted by crashing through the rapids while inadvertently ignoring all issued instructions. You will get wet! (Image: Portia Jones ) I think our guide yelled, "Get down", the standard instruction when heading face-first into a rapid. I'm not sure; I was busy bargaining with the river gods for a happy ending and not appearing as the idiot tourist on the 6 o'clock news. Thanks to our calm and highly qualified guide, who had essentially been babysitting me for the last two hours, we emerged unscathed on the other side. Soaked to the skin and shrieking with laughter, we lifted our paddles in the air like victorious sea captains, conveniently forgetting that we'd mostly been along for the ride. Our guide, meanwhile, looked like a man in urgent need of a pint. Or possibly three. Thanks to our calm and highly qualified guide, who had essentially been babysitting me for the last two hours, we emerged unscathed on the other side (Image: Portia Jones ) White water rafting in Llangollen wasn't quite the gentle river trip I'd promised my husband, but it was a brilliant way to see a different side of this pretty town. I left soaked, full of adrenaline and with some pretty epic photos. If you're looking for a river adventure, this is the rafting spot for you. Article continues below For more information and booking, click here.
North Wales Live
21-04-2025
- North Wales Live
Beautiful North Wales river town with old-school steam trains, boat trips and waterside pubs
The charming town of Llangollen fuses industrial grit with a proud Welsh music and culture scene. It sits where the Dee Valley narrows into a dramatic corridor carved through a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The eleven-mile canal route from Gledrid to the Horseshoe Falls threads through this scenic stretch, soaring above the valley on the towering Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering. Llangollen is also well-known as Wales's festival capital. Each summer, it bursts to life with the International Musical Eisteddfod – a bold, joyful celebration of global performance. Here's why you should visit this riverside town. What to do in Llangollen Canals and Aqueducts UNESCO made the eleven-mile canal from Chirk Bank to splendid Horseshoe Falls in Llangollen a World Heritage site in 2009 for its engineering features and historical operation. The popular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is also found here and is a must-visit civil engineering destination as it's one of the more astonishing achievements of the Industrial Revolution. At 38 metres over the Dee Valley, the 'stream in the sky' is also the highest navigable Aqueduct in the world and the oldest in Britain. Designed and built by Thomas Telford and Williams Jessop, this architectural marvel is still in use over 200 years after construction began. It is a seemingly impossible canal spectacle. 18 arched stone pillars support deep cast-iron troughs filled with water, forming a River in the Sky that can be accessed by foot or boat. Each year, the canal and river trust welcomes nearly half a million visitors who arrive in droves to admire and photograph 'the stream in the sky', accessing the canal as walkers, boaters, anglers, cyclists, canoeists or kayakers. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here. Paddle across the aqueduct Explore the waterways by canoe, and you'll find that one minute you'll be leisurely paddling through a pretty tree-lined canal and next, you're 126ft in the air, still sitting in your boat. Book a guided canoe trip with local experts Bearded Men Adventures, to paddle across the sky with the pros and experience the most epic views as you glide across the towering Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. It's a very busy waterway with loads of traditional canal boats filled with day trippers slowly chugging along this scenic stretch, so you'll need to pay close attention and give way to these larger vessels. The first 11 miles of the Llangollen Canal is an outstanding piece of industrial and engineering heritage comprising embankments, tunnels, viaducts and aqueducts, including the historic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and 31 other listed structures. After a few glorious miles of spotting narrow boats, birdlife and cutesy cottages, you'll finally cross the 307-m-long aqueduct just 12 feet (3.7 metres) wide. This one's for the fearless: on one side, there's nothing but a sheer drop and a narrow wall separating you from a 126-foot plunge. But once you start paddling, you'll find yourself gliding high above a stunning Welsh valley, surrounded by lush greenery and jaw-dropping views in every direction. Horse-Drawn Boats Turn back the clock and experience a slow, traditional horse-drawn boat trip from Llangollen's canal wharf towards the Horseshoe Falls, built by Thomas Telford c. 1808 to feed water into the Llangollen Canal. Visitors have been enjoying leisurely trips from Llangollen Wharf for over 100 years. Today, you can still experience this leisurely, 45-minute-long trip aboard modern purpose-built boats with inside and outside seating areas. Step back in time and soak up the slower pace of life as you cruise along one of Britain's most beautiful canals. Sit back, relax, and watch lovely horses do all the hard work, effortlessly pulling your boat through the calm, treelined waters. White Water Rafting With rugged mountain peaks, rocky coastlines and some of the best rivers in the UK to raft on, it's easy to see why North Wales is known as the adventure capital of the UK. Take a guided rafting trip with Bearded Men Adventures down the lengthy River Dee in Llangollen and experience the adrenaline of paddling against the surging rapids, ranging from grades 2 to 4. Locally, these rapid sections are known as Serpent's Tail, Tombstones, and the classic Town Falls and are best navigated by qualified guides as part of an organised adventure activity. Enjoy scenic valley views as you crash through fast-flowing waves, sail through the shallows and plunge into deep pools on a river that shifts between turbulent and tranquil. Llangollen Railway Llangollen Railway is the only standard-gauge heritage railway in North Wales. It takes visitors on a vintage voyage through captivating Welsh scenery. Board a 1950s carriage hauled by a classic steam engine and enjoy a spot of nostalgia as the train follows the river and climbs the curves of a lush, green landscape. The line is a labour of love. For over 45 years, rail enthusiasts have meticulously rebuilt and restored 10 miles of neglected lines and stations between Llangollen and Corwen. The result is a splendid community asset that makes for a unique family day on Wales's heritage rails. Offa's Dyke Path The most dramatic section of the 177-mile Offa's Dyke path passes through the Vale of Llangollen, with shorter sections also available for keen hikers visiting the area. The scenic path passes through eight counties and two of Wales' Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the Wye Valley and Clwydian Range). According the Visit Wales, we've got Saxon monarchs to thank for the Offa's Dyke Path. In the 8th century, King Offa of Mercia erected a wide border rampart to separate Wales and England: Offa's Dyke. Much later, in 1971, the path was placed alongside it so that everyone could enjoy the ancient monument and the places it cuts through as it works its way from coast to coast. Alongside its mythical qualities, the path takes in some of Wales' most impressive landscapes and historic castles, loosely following the Welsh and English boundary. Day hikers can attempt the 13-mile-long Llangollen to Llandegla section to see highlights of the Llangollen Canal, Castell Dinas Bran and UNESCO landscapes. Visit curious Plas Newydd At the southern edge of Llangollen is the medieval chocolate box house of Plas Newydd, where the iconic 'Ladies of Llangollen' lived. In 1780, Sarah Ponsonby and Lady Eleanor Butler escaped from their aristocratic families in Ireland. They began a bohemian lifestyle together, away from the rather dull constraints of societal norms, instead choosing to embrace intellectual curiosities. The pair were said to be mildly eccentric and scandalised rural society at the time by dressing in top hats and men's clothing and decorating their abode in gothic chic. Notable visitors to the cosmopolitan residence included Robert Southee, William Wordsworth, and statesmen like the Duke of Wellington. Today, the house and manicured gardens are an unlikely tourist attraction and a quaint museum for visitors. Their grandiose and non-conformist quality sets the tone for the town's free-spirited and accepting nature. Where to eat This picturesque town has plenty of options for hungry visitors. From country pubs and cafes to fancy wine bars, there's something to suit all dining budgets. For waterside dining, The Corn Mill has a huge outdoor terrace overlooking the river and serves a selection of pub classics, including fish and chips, steak and pies. The pretty Wharf Tea Room next to the canal serves homemade cakes, scones and proper cooked breakfasts. For a local speciality, pop into Llangollen Oggie Shop and Fine Foods for Welsh oggies (a Welsh equivalent to the Cornish pasty). Also, try their artisan sausage rolls, scotch eggs, cakes and full dairy Welsh ice cream. Gales Wine Bar and Hotel is a superb place for a tipple or three in its impressive wood-panelled wine bar. They also serve various seasonal dishes featuring fresh local produce and delicacies. For homemade country fare and afternoon tea, head to Cottage Tearooms and Bistro. Located in a natural courtyard under 100m from the iconic landmark of Llangollen Bridge, the whitewashed, rustic tearooms are popular for cream tea in a historic setting. Where to stay Pretty Llangollen has modern and historic hotels, BandBs and even a 16th-century drovers' inn, where you can enjoy a restful night. For a boutique bed and breakfast stay near the River Dee, book the beautifully renovated Riversdale House. Winners of the North Wales Tourism Awards in 2023, this swish Victorian townhouse BandB features large, stylish rooms with views and a continental breakfast delivered to your door in the morning. Further afield lie a range of luxury properties within easy access to the Llangollen valley. The nearby five-star Chester Grosvenor Hotel offers a stylish stay with individually decorated rooms, spa facilities and a Michelin-starred restaurant and hatted doormen. Dating back to 1865, the Chester Grosvenor is a historic and luxuriously appointed hotel with muted tones of ivory, champagne, and gold and a grand column façade. Another opulent stay within reach of Llangollen is the distinctive 18-bedroom Pale Hall, a historic country home under new management, expertly transformed into a luxury destination hotel with fine dining.
Wales Online
21-04-2025
- Wales Online
The beautiful Welsh river town with old-school steam trains, boat trips and waterside pubs
The beautiful Welsh river town with old-school steam trains, boat trips and waterside pubs This beautiful and underrated riverside town in Wales has cosy waterfront pubs, canal boat trips and white water rafting Cradled by the River Dee in Denbighshire, the charming town of Llangollen fuses industrial grit with a proud Welsh music and culture scene (Image: Portia Jones ) Cradled by the River Dee in Denbighshire, the charming town of Llangollen fuses industrial grit with a proud Welsh music and culture scene. It sits where the Dee Valley narrows into a dramatic corridor carved through a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The eleven-mile canal route from Gledrid to the Horseshoe Falls threads through this scenic stretch, soaring above the valley on the towering Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering. Llangollen is also well-known as Wales's festival capital. Each summer, it bursts to life with the International Musical Eisteddfod – a bold, joyful celebration of global performance. Here's why you should visit this riverside town. What to do in Llangollen Riverside Llangollen is in the heart of the valley and is best known as the festival capital of Wales (Image: Wales Online ) Canals and Aqueducts UNESCO made the eleven-mile canal from Chirk Bank to splendid Horseshoe Falls in Llangollen a World Heritage site in 2009 for its engineering features and historical operation. Article continues below The popular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is also found here and is a must-visit civil engineering destination as it's one of the more astonishing achievements of the Industrial Revolution. At 38 metres over the Dee Valley, the 'stream in the sky' is also the highest navigable Aqueduct in the world and the oldest in Britain. Designed and built by Thomas Telford and Williams Jessop, this architectural marvel is still in use over 200 years after construction began. It is a seemingly impossible canal spectacle. 18 arched stone pillars support deep cast-iron troughs filled with water, forming a River in the Sky that can be accessed by foot or boat. Each year, the canal and river trust welcomes nearly half a million visitors who arrive in droves to admire and photograph 'the stream in the sky', accessing the canal as walkers, boaters, anglers, cyclists, canoeists or kayakers. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Paddle across the aqueduct This one's for the fearless: on one side, there's nothing but a sheer drop and a narrow wall separating you from a 126-foot plunge (Image: Portia Jones ) Explore the waterways by canoe, and you'll find that one minute you'll be leisurely paddling through a pretty tree-lined canal and next, you're 126ft in the air, still sitting in your boat. Book a guided canoe trip with local experts Bearded Men Adventures, to paddle across the sky with the pros and experience the most epic views as you glide across the towering Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. It's a very busy waterway with loads of traditional canal boats filled with day trippers slowly chugging along this scenic stretch, so you'll need to pay close attention and give way to these larger vessels. At 126ft high, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales is one of the most astonishing achievements of the Industrial Revolution (Image: Getty ) The first 11 miles of the Llangollen Canal is an outstanding piece of industrial and engineering heritage comprising embankments, tunnels, viaducts and aqueducts, including the historic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and 31 other listed structures. After a few glorious miles of spotting narrow boats, birdlife and cutesy cottages, you'll finally cross the 307-m-long aqueduct just 12 feet (3.7 metres) wide. This one's for the fearless: on one side, there's nothing but a sheer drop and a narrow wall separating you from a 126-foot plunge. But once you start paddling, you'll find yourself gliding high above a stunning Welsh valley, surrounded by lush greenery and jaw-dropping views in every direction. Horse-Drawn Boats Turn back the clock and experience a slow, traditional horse-drawn boat trip from Llangollen's canal wharf towards the Horseshoe Falls, built by Thomas Telford c. 1808 to feed water into the Llangollen Canal. Visitors have been enjoying leisurely trips from Llangollen Wharf for over 100 years. Today, you can still experience this leisurely, 45-minute-long trip aboard modern purpose-built boats with inside and outside seating areas. Step back in time and soak up the slower pace of life as you cruise along one of Britain's most beautiful canals. Sit back, relax, and watch lovely horses do all the hard work, effortlessly pulling your boat through the calm, treelined waters. White Water Rafting With rugged mountain peaks, rocky coastlines and some of the best rivers in the UK to raft on, it's easy to see why North Wales is known as the adventure capital of the UK (Image: Portia Jones ) With rugged mountain peaks, rocky coastlines and some of the best rivers in the UK to raft on, it's easy to see why North Wales is known as the adventure capital of the UK. Take a guided rafting trip with Bearded Men Adventures down the lengthy River Dee in Llangollen and experience the adrenaline of paddling against the surging rapids, ranging from grades 2 to 4. Locally, these rapid sections are known as Serpent's Tail, Tombstones, and the classic Town Falls and are best navigated by qualified guides as part of an organised adventure activity. Enjoy scenic valley views as you crash through fast-flowing waves, sail through the shallows and plunge into deep pools on a river that shifts between turbulent and tranquil. Llangollen Railway Llangollen Railway is the only standard-gauge heritage railway in North Wales. It takes visitors on a vintage voyage through captivating Welsh scenery. (Image: Ceidiog Communications ) Llangollen Railway is the only standard-gauge heritage railway in North Wales. It takes visitors on a vintage voyage through captivating Welsh scenery. Board a 1950s carriage hauled by a classic steam engine and enjoy a spot of nostalgia as the train follows the river and climbs the curves of a lush, green landscape. The line is a labour of love. For over 45 years, rail enthusiasts have meticulously rebuilt and restored 10 miles of neglected lines and stations between Llangollen and Corwen. The result is a splendid community asset that makes for a unique family day on Wales's heritage rails. Offa's Dyke Path The most dramatic section of the 177-mile Offa's Dyke path passes through the Vale of Llangollen, with shorter sections also available for keen hikers visiting the area. (Image: Getty Images ) The most dramatic section of the 177-mile Offa's Dyke path passes through the Vale of Llangollen, with shorter sections also available for keen hikers visiting the area. The scenic path passes through eight counties and two of Wales' Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the Wye Valley and Clwydian Range). According the Visit Wales, we've got Saxon monarchs to thank for the Offa's Dyke Path. In the 8th century, King Offa of Mercia erected a wide border rampart to separate Wales and England: Offa's Dyke. Much later, in 1971, the path was placed alongside it so that everyone could enjoy the ancient monument and the places it cuts through as it works its way from coast to coast. Alongside its mythical qualities, the path takes in some of Wales' most impressive landscapes and historic castles, loosely following the Welsh and English boundary. Day hikers can attempt the 13-mile-long Llangollen to Llandegla section to see highlights of the Llangollen Canal, Castell Dinas Bran and UNESCO landscapes. Visit curious Plas Newydd At the southern edge of Llangollen is the medieval chocolate box house of Plas Newydd, (Image: Ian Cooper ) At the southern edge of Llangollen is the medieval chocolate box house of Plas Newydd, where the iconic 'Ladies of Llangollen' lived. In 1780, Sarah Ponsonby and Lady Eleanor Butler escaped from their aristocratic families in Ireland. They began a bohemian lifestyle together, away from the rather dull constraints of societal norms, instead choosing to embrace intellectual curiosities. The pair were said to be mildly eccentric and scandalised rural society at the time by dressing in top hats and men's clothing and decorating their abode in gothic chic. Notable visitors to the cosmopolitan residence included Robert Southee, William Wordsworth, and statesmen like the Duke of Wellington. Today, the house and manicured gardens are an unlikely tourist attraction and a quaint museum for visitors. Their grandiose and non-conformist quality sets the tone for the town's free-spirited and accepting nature. Where to eat Llangollen Oggie Shop (Image: Portia Jones ) This picturesque town has plenty of options for hungry visitors. From country pubs and cafes to fancy wine bars, there's something to suit all dining budgets. For waterside dining, The Corn Mill has a huge outdoor terrace overlooking the river and serves a selection of pub classics, including fish and chips, steak and pies. The pretty Wharf Tea Room next to the canal serves homemade cakes, scones and proper cooked breakfasts. For a local speciality, pop into Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods for Welsh oggies (a Welsh equivalent to the Cornish pasty). Also, try their artisan sausage rolls, scotch eggs, cakes and full dairy Welsh ice cream, Gales Wine Bar & Hotel is a superb place for a tipple or three in its impressive wood-panelled wine bar. They also serve various seasonal dishes featuring fresh local produce and delicacies. For homemade country fare and afternoon tea, head to Cottage Tearooms & Bistro. Located in a natural courtyard under 100m from the iconic landmark of Llangollen Bridge, the whitewashed, rustic tearooms are popular for cream tea in a historic setting. Where to stay For a boutique bed and breakfast stay near the River Dee, book the beautifully renovated Riversdale House. (Image: Portia Jones ) Pretty Llangollen has modern and historic hotels, B&Bs and even a 16th-century drovers' inn, where you can enjoy a restful night. For a boutique bed and breakfast stay near the River Dee, book the beautifully renovated Riversdale House. Winners of the North Wales Tourism Awards in 2023, this swish Victorian townhouse B&B features large, stylish rooms with views and a continental breakfast delivered to your door in the morning. Further afield lie a range of luxury properties within easy access to the Llangollen valley. The nearby five-star Chester Grosvenor Hotel offers a stylish stay with individually decorated rooms, spa facilities and a Michelin-starred restaurant and hatted doormen. Dating back to 1865, the Chester Grosvenor is a historic and luxuriously appointed hotel with muted tones of ivory, champagne, and gold and a grand column façade. Another opulent stay within reach of Llangollen is the distinctive 18-bedroom Pale Hall, a historic country home under new management, expertly transformed into a luxury destination hotel with fine dining. Article continues below
