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Places to SEE and things to DO in the area

EITHER scroll down page OR move the mouse over the map to find the photos. CLICK when arrow changes to pointing finger or similar.

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AQUEDUCT AT FRONCYSYLLTE
A WORLD HERITAGE SITE
The Pontcysyllte aqueduct carries the Llangollen canal over the River Dee. It is over 120 ft high in the middle and over 1000 ft long. The aqueduct was designed by Thomas Telford and William Jessop and is basically a cast iron trough supported by 19 stone arches.
The cast iron plates are made watertight by a mix of lime, horse hair and ox blood.It was completed in 1805, after several years of construction. Apart from basic maintenance the fabric of the canal is original.
The aqueduct joins the communities of Froncysyllte and Trevor. The tow path is used as a public footpath. There are railings to give a sense of security. Narrow boats can be rented by the day in Trevor basin.
Trips on a narrow boat can be obtained from Llangollen. These trips involve a cruise down the canal and over the aqueduct. The view over the side opposite the tow path is not for the faint hearted.
The Fron Male Voice choir was founded in Froncysyllte IN 1947.

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ERDDIG HOUSE [pronounced ‘erthig’]

Erddig is an 18th century country house. The National Trust took over its restoration in 1973. At that time the house and grounds were in a very poor state. Local coal mining had caused subsidence and significant structural damage. The house and grounds have been transformed to their former glory.
The novel feature of the house is the ‘upstairs and downstairs’ details. The house has been voted a best ‘stately home’ visit in a national poll.

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CHIRK CASTLE

The original castle was completed in 1310 and has been lived in for 700 years. As part of the many renovations over the centuries, AWN Pugin [he who designed the Houses of parliament] had a significant influence on the castle. The medieval tower is worth seeing for its dungeon and gardez -loos.
The castle sits on high ground and has splendid views over the Shropshire and Cheshire plains from its most attractive parkland and gardens.

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PYSTYLL RHAEADR
LLANRAEADR WATERFALL

The waterfall takes its name from the village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant which is in the Berwyn mountains. The road to the fall follows the steep sided valley from the village to the falls. There is car parking and a tea room at journeys end.

At some 75 metres high it is claimed to be the highest fall in the UK. It is higher than the Niagara falls - but not quite as wide!

The area around the falls is steeped in legend.

The village was the home of Bishop Morgan who was the first person to translate the Bible into vernacular Welsh. It is reported that he always entered the pulpit armed with a pistol. Thereby hangs a tale.

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WHITTINGTON CASTLE

The castle is the only community run castle in the UK. The castle was not built on a hill of cliff but is was in the middle of very marshy land. This was its first line of defiance and the existing moat is testimony to this. In these more peaceful times, the moat supports a wide range of bird life.

There are modern tea rooms through the main gate. Many activities are held throughout the year and the castle is very popular for wedding and photographs.

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LAKE VYRNWY [approx pronounced ‘vernwee’]

The dam for the lake was built in the 1890’s. The village of Llanwddyn was flooded and a new settlement built. Water from the lake feeds Liverpool. Water leaves the lake from a splendid gothic tower - more correctly know as the straining tower. The water travels underground to filter beds in Oswestry and then to Liverpool.

There are splendid walks around the lake with memorable views. The sculpture trails and bird watching opportunities give added interest. Shops, cafes, hotel and cycle hire provide well for the visitor.

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MONTGOMERY CANAL AQUEDUCT
OVER RIVER VYRNWY
One of the reasons for building the Montgomery canal was to ‘export’ the lime products from Llanymynech and Pant.
The canal is partly restored. There are narrow boat trips in Llanymynech in the season.
The canal tow path leads from Pant, through the Llanymynech Heritage LImeworks, past the unique locks at Carreghofa and to the Vyrnwy Aqueduct.

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LLANYMYNECH LIMEWORKS HERITAGE AREA

A map of this are is shown elsewhere on this website. [CLICK to go to the heritage are map]

The large stone wall with the viewing platform is on of the largest ‘bottle’ kilns in the area.

The chimney is part of the Hoffman kiln which was used from 1899 until the lime working ended in 1914.

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POWIS CASTLE WELSHPOOL

Powis castle is a National Trust property and often features heading their national advertising.

The gardens are nothing short of magnificent! The plantings, terraces, statues and walks all contribute to its world class status

The castle interior has many links with Clive of India with fascinating stories.

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SHREWSBURY

A medieval town which lies in a loop of the River Severn. Good sightseeing and shopping! Charles Darwin’s birthplace.

Darwin came to Llanymynech shortly before he went on the Beagle. He tested out his new inclinometer on exposed rock beds in Penyfoel lane. His notes put Llanymynech to the west of Shrewsbury!

His accuracy in observation and recording improved in later years.

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WROXETER
 

Wroxeter was the third largest Roman town in Britain. It is now under the management of English Heritage.

There are excellent audio tours which bring the whole site to life.

The bath house wall, shown left, is an impressive part of what is left of the town.

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IRONBRIDGE MUSEUMS
A WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The town of Ironbridge has the world’s first iron bridge which spans the River Severn. Iron was first made from coke in Ironbridge and the area claims to be the birthplace of the industrial revolution.
 

There are ten museums in the area. Perhaps the most well known is the reconstructed Victorian town at Blist’s Hill. Here you can ‘buy’ Victorian currency and spend it in the shops.

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