Discover what
North Wales has to offer
- All Activities
- Dog Friendly5
- Festival4
- Food4
- Golf1
- Heritage & Culture9
- Mountain1
- On the water3
- Walking7
- 34
River Tubing
Our friends at Bearded Man Adventures will take you and your friends on this unique adventure down the River Dee, where we tackle the exciting rapids and whitewater waves along the way.
This is an adrenaline-fuelled activity that is perfect for an amazing day out for family and friends. These tubes are powered by the river’s flow and steered by pure arm strength.
- All equipment & Instruction included
Archery & Axe Throwing
Be Robin Hood for a day or unleash your inner Viking with our open field archery and axe throwing sessions.
Our good friends at Bearded Man Adventurers have all you need to have a great day learning to shoot a bow and arrow or throw an axe!
- All equipment & Instruction included
Erddig Hall
In 1682, Joshua Edisbury was appointed High Sheriff of Denbighshire and began bulding Erddig; Edisbury was unable to finish before going bankrupt.
Erddig Hall is a Grade-I listed National Trust property in Wrexham. Located 2 miles south of Wrexham town centre, it comprises a country house built during the 17th and 18th centuries amidst a 1,900 acre estate, which includes a 1,200-acre landscaped pleasure park and the earthworks of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle.
Erddig's gardens have an astorment of rare fruit trees including 180 different type of apple trees!
Eddrig's owners have had a bumpy financial history. The National Trust took ownership in 1973 and began a four year period of restoration.
- National Trust Castle
Chirk Castle
Chirk was never planned as a family home, the castle was built by King Edward to keep control of the Welsh people. The King gave Roger Mortimer the Chirklands, and was built by master-builder James of St. George (the builder of Harlech, Beaumaris, Caernarfon and Conwy castles).
The castle was a symbol of English power and might, controlling the border and it dominating the surrounding land. Originally lime washed white, Chirk Castle stood out prominently in the treeless landscape.
The castle was purchased in 1595 for about £5,000 by Sir Thomas Myddelton, a son of the governor of Denbigh Castle and successful London merchant. As a founder of the East India Company, an investor in the expeditions of Drake, Raleigh and Hawkins, he had the means to convert Chirk into a comfortable Tudor residence. His new stone north range contained a hall, buttery and kitchen, with upstairs drawing and dining rooms. This range, with alterations, became the main living quarters of the castle, while the old south range was gradually given over to servants.
Inside the Castle rooms of different periods rub up against each other unlike the usual suite of rooms that flow seamlessly. As you walk through the State Rooms, you will pass historic interiors that are examples of the latest fashions of their time, and a collection that has grown through the centuries.
- National Trust Castle
Llangollen Golf Club
Formed in 1908, the Vale of Llangollen Golf Course is regarded as one of the top courses in Wales and it has become a highly favoured venue for many County, National and Professional events. With its manicured fairways and superb greens, the course is nestles the picturesquely on the banks of the River Dee, overlooked by the glorious Welsh hills.
Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and within the designated area of a World Heritage Site (The Froncysyllte Aquaduct). As far as we know, there is NO OTHER golf club in the World to have such a unique pedigree.
The Vale of Llangollen Golf Course has been awarded Gold Status by the HSBC ranking system and is regarded as the top inland course in North Wales.
The 9th is regarded as one of the best holes in British golf.
There is a minimum standard of dress. Everyone is asked to wear normal golfing clothing and footware on the course and smart casual in the clubhouse: collared or golf specific shirts, tailored trousers or shorts with socks and appropriate golf footwear on the course is required.
- The 9th is regarded as one of the best holes in British golf.
Valle Crucis Abbey & Eliseg’s Pillar
Valle Crucis was truly Welsh from the moment it was founded in 1201 by Prince Madog ap Gruffydd and the ‘white monks’ of the Cistercian order.
Its Latin name (Valley of the Cross) refers to the nearby ninth-century Pillar of Eliseg, erected for the glory of a Welsh chieftain. Monks had names like Tudur and Hywel.
Such home-grown sympathies might well explain the damage suffered during the wars of the English King Edward I and the uprising of Owain Glyndŵr. But it remains one of our best-preserved and most atmospheric medieval abbeys.
Valle Crucis began in austerity but was later celebrated by poets for its lavish hospitality – meals served in silver vessels and ale ‘flowing like a river’. In Wales, only Tintern Abbey was richer when it was dissolved by royal decree in 1537.
You’ll believe it when you first glimpse the majestic west front of the abbey church. Elsewhere among the romantic ruins (painted by Turner) are the rib-vaulted chapter house and the only surviving monastic fishpond in Wales.
- Atmospheric medieval abbeys.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a World Heritage Site.
You can walk across, or save your legs and take a leisurely boat ride over 'the stream in the sky'. But there's one thing you have to take with you. A camera. The views are something else.
- Walk, Canoe or Boat over.
The Three Eagles
The Three Eagles is a food pub in the middle of Llangollen. It's very popular so we'd recommend booking your table as its very rare to find a table as a walk-in.
Dogs are welcome at the bar and outside in the courtyard.
- Seasonal Menu
Llangollen Fringe Festival
Llangollen Fringe Festival offers a week-long eclectic mix of Music, Arts & Crafts, Comedy, Workshops, Storytelling, Theatre & Exhibitions.
- Every July
Plas Newydd & The Ladies of Llangollen
Plas Newydd is a stone house converted into a gothic ‘fantasy’ by its most famous inhabitants – ‘The Ladies of Llangollen'. The Ladies of Llangollen - Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby ran away from Ireland in 1778 to start a new life together in Wales.
Eleanor and Sarah arrived at Plas Newydd in 1780 and lived there for the next 50 years. Notable visitors included The Duke of Wellington, Wordsworth, Sir Walter Scott and Josiah Wedgewood.
Plas Newydd continues to welcome visitors to the house and garden today. The 'garden' is ten acres of grounds ranging from formal ‘parterre’ and rose gardens to beautiful woodland and dell areas where the ‘Cyflymen’ (fast flowing one) stream is to be found, all this set against the backdrop of the beautiful Welsh hills in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- March - October
Llan Bike Fest
LlanBikeFest is run by a group of North Wales enthusiasts who are mad about bikes of all kinds – on road, off road, racing, touring, classics and custom. If they have two wheels (or three at a pinch), we love ‘em – including scooters! That’s why LlanBikeFest is an ‘International Festival of Motorcycling’. A celebration of biking – not just a show.
- August
Llangollen Food Festival
Discover great Welsh food and drink at the annual Llangollen Food Festival. Wales' best food producers and chefs come together to celebrate Wales' vibrant food scene.
- No
Sun Trevor
The Sun Trevor is an 18th century traditional Welsh pub just off bridge 41 of the Llangollen Canal.
Popular with walkers, climbers, cyclists and narrow-boaters. The Sun Trevor is a great place to refuel after a days adventuring serving hearty home-cooked food.
The Sun Trevor is dog friendly.
- Yes
The Corn Mill
The Corn Mill is a riverside pub; as the name suggests, it was previously a mill, and as you walk through the door you will be greeted by a great jumble of old beams everywhere, and the water wheel turning slowly behind the bar. The decks outside are built directly over the mill race and the rapids and, on the opposite bank of the river, steam trains arrive and leave from the restored station.
The pub is dog friendly downstairs and offers a selection of local ales alongside a seasonal menu. Perfect for refuelling after a busy day walking.
- Yes
North Berwyn Way
This linear trail climbs the wild North Berwyn Mountains to the south of the River Dee. To walk the full 13 miles, start at either Corwen or Llangollen. Both towns are on the main A5 (London-Holyhead) road.
The route is waymarked, and split into five sections that start and finish at easily accessible points. This is a challenging route, for experienced walkers, and it’s essential to be properly equipped with walking boots, waterproof clothing and the large scale 1:25,000 OS Explorer map (orange cover) “255 Llangollen and the Berwyns”, on which the route can be followed in greater detail.
- Strenuous Walk
- 8 hours
- 24.35 km
White Water Rafting
Here in North Wales we have some of the best rivers in the UK to raft on. White Water Active offer a 4km guided trip down the River Dee, adrenaline-filled fun for everyone.
- Grade 2 -4
- 2 - 2.5 hours
- 4 - 32
Walk The Castle Ruins
Walk up to the Castle ruins.
Built in the 1260s by a local Welsh ruler, Prince Gruffudd ap Madoc, to guard the strategic route through the Dee Valley, Castell Dinas Brân appears as an impressive landmark.
Towering high above the Dee Valley and the bustling town of Llangollen, home of the International Eisteddfod, Castell Dinas Bran occupies one of Britain's most spectacular sites. A rugged, foreboding pinnacle, the hillock was the ideal spot to erect a castle. It seemed completely impenetrable, commanded views for miles around, and offered quick recognition of an approaching visitor, whether friend or foe. Yet, the native Welsh princes of Powys occupied the hilltop for only a few decades.
Today, that same site is open to exploration by the public. Forced to climb to the summit, modern visitors experience the struggle and the exhilaration that the castle's medieval inhabitants - and their Edward I attackers - must have felt. Without a doubt, the walk is a breathtaking challenge. However, that climb heightens the allure of Dinas Bran.
- Easy
- 2 hours
Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod
The first International Musical Eisteddfod was held in Llangollen in June 1947. In the following 70 years its celebration of “Peace and Harmony” has made it one of the world’s great music festivals.
It began with a vision that the ancient Welsh eisteddfod tradition could provide a means of healing the wounds of the Second World War, and help to promote lasting peace.
People come from around the world to showcase their songs, dance and culture. There is also a parade through Llangollen where everyone wears their country's traditional clothes.
More than 300,000 competitors from over 100 nationalities have performed enthusiastically on the Llangollen stage.
- First week of July
Canoeing
Paddle over the Poncycsllte Aqueduct - a world heritage site with stunning views!
You can hire a canoe or have a guided tour over Thomas Telford's world heritage marvel of engineering which stands 38 metres (126 ft) above the River Dee, after a tranquil and picturesque journey down the Llangollen Canal.
- Easy
- 3 hours
- 2 - 3 adults per canoe
Rock Climbing
The Llangollen area is not perhaps the first place that springs to mind when you think about rock climbing in North Wales. People often travel West to the famous routes and crags of Snowdonia, but the climbing around Llangollen has a lot to offer and is much less crowded.
Much of the climbing is contained within the Eglwyseg valley. This extends from the Trefor quarry area just behind Dinas Bran Castle, to Worlds End, a few miles to the North.
Whether you've done it before or you fancy having a go for the very first time White Water Active offer days out for a range of ages and abilities.
- Suitable for people aged 8 and up
Heritage Railway
Llangollen railway once stretched as far as London, today its a very much shorter, stopping off at Stations in Berwyn, Carrog, Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen.
The line takes you through the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Beauty and often has special event arranged throughout the year.
- 1.5 hours
Horseshoe Falls Walk
The Horseshoe Falls are a popular attraction, despite being a man made weir rather than a natural wonder. Start from the Berwyn, a station Llangollen Railway (or you can park nearby) and follow the Clwydian Way along the Afon Dyfrdwy (River Dee).
The Horseshoe Falls are actually a man-made feature built by Thomas Telford in order to feed the Llangollen Canal. The nearby A5 was also built by Telford as the main London – Holyhead road, now largely used by tourists.
The Chainbridge has recently been restored and makes an interesting and popular way to cross the Afon Dyfrdwy (River Dee) to the Chainbridge Hotel. It was built by the incredibly named – Exuperious Pickering – in 1814 to transport lime from the Llangollen Canal to the A5, though the original has been rebuilt and strengthened. The Route The walk itself is a straightforward ramble that follows the Clwydian Way and you can either return the same way or follow a slightly higher return via the road if you want to do a circular walk.
- Easy
- 1 hour
- 1.28 km
Walk up Moel Tan y Coed aka the Velvet Hills
This walk up Moel Tan y Coed, also known as Velvet Hill – with neither name appearing on the OS mapping – starts from the Llangollen Railway station at Berwyn and also includes the popular Horseshoe Falls. There are also three pubs and a brewery on the route, so you’ll be fine if you get thirsty.
The Horseshoe Falls, like the nearby A5 were built by Thomas Telford and aren’t natural despite their popularity. There’s also the recently renovated Chainbridge near the start of the walk that provides an interesting way to cross the Dee.
Moel Tan y Coed, or Velvet Hill, provides unrivalled views across Llangollen and the valley and can be walked as a quick up and down walk for those who are looking for a shorter walk. The route returns to the start via the flanks of Llantysilio Mountains.
- Easy
- 2 - 3 hours
- 5.22 km
Llangollen History Walk
The Llangollen History Walk takes in the Horseshoe Falls, Valle Crucis Abbey and Castell Dinas Bran along the way. The Clwydian Hills are probably one of the best kept secrets in North Wales. There are many walking routes in the area, this is one from the official Clwydian AONB site. The Route The walk start off from Llangollen and follows the banks of the River Dee and the canal via The Clwydian Way. The route passes Vale Crucis Abbey and on the final section you’re straight uphill to the hilltop castle of Castell Dinas Bran before ending on a short decent to Llangollen.
- Moderate Walk
- 4 - 5 hours
- 11.17 km
Eglwyseg Mountain Walk from Trevor Rocks – Offa’s Dyke
This walk follows the Llangollen Panorama Walk as well as Offa’s Dyke National Trail and the limestone escarpment of Eglwyswg Mountain. The walk follows the clifftops of Eglwyseg Mountain on the way out as far as World’s End before returning along Offa’s Dyke National Trail to the start. Route Start Location: Trevor Rocks near Llangollen - on the Panorama Walk Parking : LL20 8EG (Free parking in large layby at start).
- Hard Walk
- 5 hours
- 15.64 km
Llantysilio Mountain Walk from Rhewl
This a short walk from Rhewl near Llangollen along the Clwydian Way Trail to the bwlch (pass) on Llantysilio Mountain, taking in stunning views of the valleys either side.
You could easily extend the walk to Moel y Gamelin or Moel Morfydd.
- Easy but can be extended.
- 2 hours
- 5.3 km