Visit north east wales 2014 by Jonmark198

Altogether fun 2014

S OFFA’ DYKE

Talacre Lighthouse

Harbour Bridge

Just

Must see attractions across the region

Prestatyn

Hoptheover border

Rhyl

St Winefride's Well Rhuddlan Castle

to Liverpool

A55 Holywell

&you’re on holiday.

to Chester

St Asaph Cathedral

AR EA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

5 52

to Manchester Moel Famau Jubilee tower

Denbigh

From Iron Age hillforts and seaside towns to exciting festivals and action-packed outdoor activities; this stunning part of the world has all the makings of an unforgettable holiday, all year round, for all ages.

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Fall under the spell of our spectacular scenery and hear exciting tales of historic battles. Discover miles of rolling hills, heather-clad moorland, and the beautiful beaches of the North Wales coast. Check out our unique cultural scene. Meet the wildlife. Explore our tracks and trails on a bike, a horse, or on foot. Take a food trail, or just paddle in the sea. Visit our fascinating ancient castles, or build your own on a beach.

Ruthin Gaol

North East Wales is a great place to lose yourself, but it’s very easy to find your way around and just as easy to get to. Literally right next door to England, with great transport links by car, bus, train, plane and ferry. You can even arrive by canal boat if you like. Just hop over the border and you’re on holiday. North East Wales will captivate you from the moment you arrive, and have you planning your next visit when it’s time to go home.

Ruthin

94 A4 Owain Glyndwr ˆ Statue

Wrexham WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Dinas Bran

A4 94

Corwen Pontcysyllte

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Come & find yourself in North East Wales.

Denbigh Castle

A4 83

Welcome to North East Wales.

Mold

A5 Railway Llangollen-Corwen

Llangollen

to Bala

If you would like to receive more information about the area, events, attractions or special offers please visit www.northeastwales.co.uk/altogetheryou

to Shrewsbury

Countryside

Coast

Heritage

Erddig

Holidays by

Enjoy

the coast without the cars Pont y Ddraig (Welsh for Dragon’s Bridge)

the sea

How do you like yours? Whether you like active holidays of the sun and fun variety, or prefer to admire the scenery from a bike or a park bench, this part of the world has something for all ages, all year round. It’s little wonder that the seaside towns of Rhyl and Prestatyn are so popular with visitors. Each town is a great base for exploring coast and country, but with miles of big sandy beaches and so much to see and do, they’re excellent destinations in their own right. Head to the bustling resort of Rhyl for exciting attractions and events, or go down a gear and explore Prestatyn’s beautiful natural surroundings and heritage.

Break for the beach There’s nothing quite like a proper seaside holiday to recharge the batteries and make you feel brand new.

Rhyl has no fewer than four sandy beaches to choose from, and Prestatyn has three, so there’s plenty to keep even dedicated beach fans busy. Paddle in the sea, fly a kite, build a sand castle. Or give your sense of adventure a workout and try something new; our big open shorelines are perfect for windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding and more. Sounds too much like hard work? Watching the world go by from the comfort of a deck chair also comes highly recommended.

Rhyl’s brand new harbour development gives anyone on foot, on a bike, in a wheelchair or a pram, the chance to admire harbour and seaside views, and to enjoy the coast without the traffic. This iconic bridge is the last link in a 15 mile cycling route which enters the county of Denbighshire, and is part of both the National Cycle Network Route 5 and the Wales Coastal Path. Opened by Paralympic cyclist Mark Colbourne MBE in 2013, the bridge quite literally closes the gap in the coastal route;

Drift park Don’t be fooled by the name, Drift is not your average park. For starters, this awardwinning park has its own water park complete with fountains and a paddling pool. Then there’s a mini golf course, a children’s playground and an array of impressive outdoor sculptures and artworks, and last but not least, an open-air theatre.

that is, when it’s not opened vertically to allow boats into the harbour. And, as if the bridge weren’t impressive enough by day, the whole thing lights up after dark. The harbour has excellent facilities for seafarers, with new harbour-side facilities coming soon for landlubbers to enjoy too.

Marine Lake and Miniature railway Though Britain’s oldest miniature line has been running since 1911, it’s still the best way to get around Marine Lake. This year’s events include a Wizard Weekend in May, Sprint Triathlon Festival in June and an opportunity to race a train in July.

www.rhylminiaturerailway.co.uk

Go on, rself treat you

ote eal antid id r u o y If holiday to a busy of is a spot schedule ’ll rapy, you retail the llent y of exce t n le p d fin nd in Rhyl a shopping n. Prestaty s in

Rhyl

There’s loads of stuff to do on the coast... Catch a live show at Rhyl’s sea-front Pavilion theatre, where big names topping the bill this year include Martha Reeves and Billy Ocean.

Fancy a night at the movies? You can watch the latest blockbusters With so much to do and lots of great places to stay, and more at Rhyl’s Vue Cinema or Rhyl and Prestatyn are pretty much made for holidays. Prestatyn’s Scala Cinema and Arts Centre, where there’s a live stage too. And there’s always something going on. Look out for a varied programme of events of all kinds, with highlights including Rhyl’s annual Air Show, where you can join thousands of visitors on the seafront and be amazed by the awesome sight of dramatic displays by the stars of British aviation.

To find out about this and our other brilliant events, check out the listings on page 32.

SeaQuarium, Rhyl What better location for a marine attraction than right on the seafront? Home to subterranean species from around the world Rhyl’s SeaQuarium is where you can get up close with British sharks, rays and conger eels in the underwater tunnel, catch a performance by the harbour seals at Sea Lion Cove, and sneak a fantastic underwater peek as they lark about in their 33,000 gallon pool.

www.seaquarium.co.uk

Travel the coast under your own steam

Probably the best way to see our beautiful coastline is on a bike.

Route 5 of the National Cycle Network runs along the coast from Prestatyn. It’s fully signposted and forms part of the Wales Coastal Path which runs around the entire coast of Wales, with access to inland cycling routes, too. The section between Prestatyn and Rhyl lets you cycle along the edge of a beach, along proms and paths and enjoy jaw-dropping scenery on the way.

www.sustrans.org.uk

Make tracks

et name high stre all From big re, to sm homewa d n a n g io fash rs sellin ent trade an independ and artis ts if rafts, g n o ti c unique c sele . A good produce ts and n ra u ta s re es of cafés, reat plac g sens are s te a c li . e d rds e afterwa to recharg

You might think that Rhyl town centre is a strange location for a cycling track.

But Marsh Tracks, located on Route No 5 of the National Cycle Network, is North East Wales’ latest and most exciting traffic-free cycling venue, with a national standard BMX track, a 1.3km closed circuit road track and a 2km pump track with attitude. It’s not just for bikes though. The circuit track is designed for everything from cycling and disabled cycling, to running, walking, in-line skating and nordic walking. There are training courses for all ages and you can even hire a track if you like. www.marshtracks.co.uk

Rhyl Botanical Gardens Established in the late 19th Century, Rhyl Botanical Gardens are believed to have been part of 17th century Ty’n Rhyl estate. The gardens fell into decline during the 20th century before receiving a well-earned makeover in 2004 by Rhyl South West Central Resident’s Association. Today the gardens have tennis courts, a bowling green, playground, café, and lots of green spaces for strolling and picnicking.

Excellent golf, remarkable surroundings A break on the North East Wales coast is a great way to make the most of the outdoors and get a few games in while you’re at it. The challenging 9 hole links course at Rhyl Golf Club will test the mettle of players of all standards and it’s open all year round. With a history going back to Victorian times and celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2015, it’s officially the oldest golf club in North Wales.

www.rhylgolfclub.co.uk Rhuddlan Golf Club is a championship parkland course with awesome views of the Clwydian Range and 18 holes to challenge even the most accomplished player. The Club regularly hosts county and national championship events, including the Welsh Ping Mixed Foursomes Finals in 2015.

www.rhuddlangolfclub.co.uk

Gronant Dunes Gronant Dunes lies between Prestatyn and Talacre beaches and is the largest area of unspoiled sand dunes on the North Wales coast. A Local Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation all in one, this protected coastal habitat is home to rare plant and animal species including sea holly, brown hares, skylarks and the elusive sand lizard. Gronant is probably best known as the home of Britain’s largest – and Wales’ only – colony of little tern, which can be seen from a viewing platform just off the Wales Coast Path.

walk about

Prestatyn Whether you’re arriving on foot or just starting your journey, the walking here is seriously good whichever way you approach it. The North Wales Path begins its 60 mile journey west to Bangor here, and Offas Dyke Path National Trail begins its 177 mile journey to Chepstow here too. Take the easy Coastal Path, or slightly more tricky Offas Dyke Path National Trail, the start (or end) of which is marked with exceptional views across the coast and Irish Sea and towards Snowdonia at Gwaenysgor viewpoint.

As the first town in Wales to be awarded ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status, it’s no surprise that walking is serious business in Prestatyn.

’s Offa e k y D

Each route can be divided into smaller sections to be tackled in just a few hours, or you can keep walking if the mood takes you. Alternatively for a quick walking fix, try one of the many shorter circular and linear routes around the town.

Dyserth Dyserth Waterfall plummets a whopping 70 feet over a limestone cliff on the slopes of Moel Hiraddug in the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Pack a picnic and enjoy the scenery, or join one of many walks around the village. Look out for rare violets and orchids, buzzards and the odd peregrine falcon too. Evidence of the rich history of Dyserth village ranges from the Iron Age to the Industrial Revolution; and the village even gets a mention in the Domesday Book.

Rhuddlan Nature Reserve Not so long ago Rhuddlan Nature Reserve was an area of derelict land.

Prestatyn Walking Festival, 16-18 May 2014 Every day’s a walking festival in Prestatyn, but May’s annual Walking Festival makes it official. It’s three whole days of walking activities and no fewer than 25 walks, most of which are free. Walks range in difficulty from an easy stroll to a full-on challenging hike, with highlights including Offa’s Dyke, the Wales Coast Path and the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Every walk is different, but they all have one thing in common: each one is a great way to get to know the coast or countryside on foot.

www.denbighshirecountryside.org.uk/walking

Now fully transformed, the reserve provides an ideal habitat for nesting and feeding birds and is already home to many species including kingfishers, otters, coots, moor hens, herons and water voles; and with a view of Rhuddlan Castle and the National Cycle Route running through it, it’s pretty great for visitors too.

Bridlewood Riding Centre, Gwespyr

Point of Ayr RSPB nature reserve

As any horse will tell you, nothing beats a dash across a wide open beach with the wind in your mane.

Location, location, location. The coastal waters, mud flats and salt-marsh around the Dee Estuary make a pretty ideal home if you’re a wading bird.

Bridlewood Riding Centre – Highly Commended by the British Horse Society – has direct private access onto the five mile sandy beach at Talacre, so you can get out there and really experience the freedom of the beach. Whether on the sand or on a hillside, riders can admire the scenery on horseback, accompanied by fully qualified instructors, with activities for all ages, including ‘Own a Pony’ days for young riders.

www.bridlewood.co.uk

Star species to look out for at the RSPB reserve include sandwich terns in spring; peregrines and pintails in autumn and winter; and oystercatchers all year round.

Rhuddlan The ancient town of Rhuddlan on the banks of the River Clwyd is probably best known for the ruins of its mighty medieval fortress. The castle was built by English King Edward I in 1282 to subjugate the locals, and the same qualities that made Rhuddlan such an attractive location for Edward’s building project still stand today. Though these days visitors are welcome to explore our town and countryside and make it their own.

Explore

our coastal heritage... St Mary’s Church, Rhuddlan St Mary’s Church sits on the banks of the River Clwyd just a few hundred yards from Rhuddlan Castle. Original parts of the church date back to the 14th Century with a bit of a makeover in the 19th century by renowned architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. Look out for the Bodrhyddan mausoleum and a 17th-century sundial.

Twthill Motte and Bailey Castle, Rhuddlan You’d be forgiven for thinking that the big earthen mound next to Rhuddlan Castle is, well, a big earthen mound. In fact, it’s the site of not one, but two much earlier castles. Built in 1073 by Robert of Rhuddlan at the behest of William the Conqueror, Twthill Motte and Bailey Castle was itself built on the site of the royal palace of native Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Llywelyn.

Roman Bath House, Prestatyn Tucked away down a cul-de-sac in a residential area of Prestatyn you’ll find the ruins of a Roman civilian bathhouse dating from around AD 120. The foundations are remarkably intact, so you can see where our Latin ancestors kicked back and enjoyed a spa day, Roman-style.

Point of Ayr Lighthouse Built in 1776 at the northernmost tip of mainland Wales, The Point of Ayr Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Wales. Unoccupied since Victorian times until recently. The Lighthouse is now home to a 7ft high stainless steel keeper, the work of sculptor Angela Smith.

Bodrhyddan Hall Home to Lord Langford’s family for over 500 years, this Grade I listed country house contains a treasure trove of riches including armoury, artworks, furniture, and – wait for it – a 3,000 year old mummy. The treasures continue outside with a woodland garden, lovely picnic area and a formal box-edged parterre designed by architect William Eden Nesfield who remodelled much of the house itself in the 19th century.

Rhyl Museum This town centre museum tells Rhyl’s unique story. Fascinating exhibits span the centuries and include a Roman tile with markings of the 20th Legion; a model of Rhyl’s long-departed pier from 1880; a WWII Home Guard dummy practice rifle; and a ‘Miss Rhyl’ sash from 1939’s contest, the last one before the outbreak of WWII.

Bodelwyddan Castle Set in 260 acres of parkland, Bodelwyddan Castle is an historic house and accredited museum, with formal gardens and woodland, adventure playground and garden maze. Inside, this partner of the National Portrait Gallery showcases many remarkable historic artworks displayed in a stunning authentic period setting.

Beautiful that’s official. &

Big open spaces, clean fresh air, miles of tracks and trails and plenty of off-roading make the Clwydian Range one of Britain’s best places to explore on foot. This string of hills runs south from Prestatyn to the Nant y Garth pass; and from the Vale of Clwyd eastwards to the Dee Estuary, covering no fewer than 390 square kilometres with its wonderful mix of open heather moorland, craggy limestone, woodland walks and lush green farmland. Commanding magnificent views in every direction and stunning in its own right, you won’t be surprised to hear that together the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, one of only five in the whole of Wales.

Every step marks a new adventure here

Tracing ancient footsteps

Stretch your legs, Saxon style

Quite literally the high point in the Clwydian Range, Moel Famau is a good place to start exploring.

With its unique chain of 2,500 year old Iron Age Hillforts, the Clwydian Range is an archaeologist’s fantasy come true.

Each year thousands of walkers tread Offas Dyke Path National Trail, the 177 mile coast-to-coast National Trail from Prestatyn to Chepstow.

With iconic Georgian Jubilee Tower at the summit it’s easily spotted, and after a bit of legwork to the top you’re rewarded with incredible panoramic views across Merseyside, the coast, Snowdonia and the Dee Valley. Keep a lookout for the locals; skylarks and rare black grouse are just two of the species at home in the open heather moorland.

It’s among Wales’ most important historic landscapes with one of the highest concentrations of Iron Age hillforts in Europe, but you don’t have to be a member of Time Team to appreciate them. They’re just as much fun for walkers as they are for historians, so you can trace the footsteps of our ancestors in more ways than one. Hillfort highlights include Penycloddiau’s roundhouse sites; ramparts and ditches at Moel Arthur and Moel Fenlli; and stunning views over the Dee Valley from Caer Drewyn in Corwen. Try one of the many audio trails available as part of the Heather and Hillforts project, or do it your way and be your own guide.

The Trail criss-crosses the border with England and roughly follows Offa’s Dyke, the 8 metre rampart built by 8th century Saxon King Offa. In its entirety the Trail can take a couple of weeks to hike, so most people like to strike it off in manageable chunks. The section passing through the North East Wales is the 34 mile Llangollen to Prestatyn trail which takes in Eglwyseg at Llangollen, the Iron Age hillforts and Moel Famau. It’s easily accessible along the way so you can walk as little or as much of it as you like.

On Pilgrimage

Put your feet up

This long distance footpath through the countryside links places of historical religious interest and roughly follows the ancient pilgrimage route from St Winefride’s Well in Holywell to Bardsey Island off the Lleyn Peninsula coast.

After a hard hike around our beautiful countryside you’ll probably be in need of a recharge.

It’s some 240km in length all told, with St Asaph Cathedral, Llanasa, Tremeirchion are just three of the highlights en route with digital hubs full of local points of interest.

www.pilgrims-way-north-wales.org

We have lots of walkingfriendly places to eat and drink, all conveniently located for easy access to and from our tracks and trails. Whether you fancy a charming country pub with a view as good as the food and real ale, such as the White Horse at Hendrerwydd, or a friendly cafe, such as Caffi Florence at the foot of Moel Famau, each one offers a warm welcome to walkers and a good excuse to break your journey and rest tired limbs while you decide where to go next on your big adventure.

The adventure starts here

Adventures in Llandegla Forest

Not only is cycling the final word in low carbon travel, it’s also a great way to see the parts of the countryside you don’t get to see from a car.

A working forest with a reputation for some of the best mountain biking trails in Britain.

Our rolling hills and mountain tracks are perfect for exploring on a bike, with easy rides for pure enjoyment and mountain biking for something a bit tougher. With many of Britain’s best routes right on the doorstep, and views as breathtaking as the climbs, you’re bound to find your perfect trail.

Llandegla has no fewer than 44km of purpose-built top-class mountain bike trails and a mountain biking centre with bike hire, skills courses, tune-ups and award-winning bacon butties. It’s no wonder people come from all over the UK to ride here. But if you prefer to enjoy the outdoors on two feet rather than two wheels there are plenty of waymarked walks through stunning forest scenery.

www.oneplanetadventure.com

Hop on a bike and try our tracks and trails For bike riding, the whole family can try Llyn Brenig reservoir’s ‘Around the Lake’ route.

great weekends What

are made of

The ingredients of a proper getaway are right here: hills, valleys, lakes, tracks, trails, rivers, you name it. But the best thing? Whether you’ve a hankering for biking on rough terrain, or a meander through the woods is more your thing, you’re never more than a few minutes away from an amazing experience in the great outdoors.

Fancy something a bit harder? Go up a gear and try ‘Over the Top’ to the highest permitted point for mountain bikes. Or for something really challenging ‘Loop the Loop’ will test the skills of even hardened riders. Our superb bike trails come in all degrees of toughness, each one guaranteed to give your sense of adventure a good airing.

www.ridenorthwales.co.uk

The wetter the better If you’re up for something properly exhilarating, you won’t be disappointed. Our challenging inland waterways are perfect for those who crave that white-knuckle feeling with a host of excellent outdoor challenges. Give white water rafting or abseiling a go, visit a local gorge or take a kayak out for a spin. For something a bit more relaxing have a go at sailing on Llyn Brenig.

www.whitewateractive.co.uk

Ceiriog Valley If you really want to get away from it all, the Ceiriog Valley is the place to be. ‘A little bit of heaven on Earth’ is how Lloyd George described it and it’s easy to see why. Probably Wales’ best kept secret, this quiet valley is just a few miles from the English border and enjoys mile after mile of wonderful scenery, best enjoyed on a bike, on a pony or on foot. Try the Ceiriog Valley Walk from Chirk to Llanarmon where you can hop on a bus if you need a rest. Have a go at trout and sea trout fishing on the River Ceiriog. Or enjoy the wide open space of the Berwyn Mountains where you might just have the whole place to yourself.

Llangollen packs a lot in

Surrounded by rolling hills and the Berwyn mountains, the small town of Llangollen on the River Dee packs a lot in.

With more events than you can fit on a calendar; from the Dee Rocks festival to Llangollen Fringe and the International Musical Eisteddfod, there’s no shortage of things to occupy you for a whole weekend or longer. Plenty of places to stay, from cottages to campsites; and loads of great cafés, bars and restaurants to keep you fed and watered. If you’ve ever fancied a ride in a canal boat pulled by a horse, the Llangollen Canal is the place to try it.

The Woodland Skills Centre

Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre

Nant Mill Visitor Centre

If you fancy yourself as the next Ray Mears.

There’s so much to do at Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre.

The Woodland Skills Centre is a good place to learn the ropes. Set in 50 acres of woodland with permanent forest school sites and workshops. You can learn all about bushcraft right in the heart of the Clwydian Range AONB, through a range of courses, adventure days and family weekenders in the woods.

Enjoy world-class fly fishing on an upland reservoir stocked with rainbow trout. Hire a bike and go for miles on the tracks and trails. Walk around the man made lake. Or sail over it. Enjoy tea and cake while the kids go free-range in the adventure playground.

Set in ancient woodland on the River Clywedog, Nant Mill Visitor Centre is a great place for families, with a playground, mole tunnel and minibeast display.

www.woodlandskillscentre.co.uk

www.llynbrenig.co.uk

Alyn Waters Country Park

The town’s top attraction, Llangollen Railway Station is now beautifully restored complete with vintage Brief Encounter-style tea rooms. If trains are your thing, don’t miss the chance to see classic steam locomotives in all their glory, or be the first to ride the new extension to Corwen.

This country park in the beautiful Alyn Valley is split down the middle by the River Alyn.

Greenfield Valley Heritage Park More than just a country park. This 70 acre heritage site near Holywell has woodland, reservoirs and ancient monuments, including the ruins of 12th Century Basingwerk Abbey, and tells the fascinating story of local industrial heritage.

www.greenfieldvalley.com

Llangollen Railway This charmin g heritage rail way takes you th rough the beautifu l Dee Valley 7.5 m iles from Llangollen to Carrog.

Thanks to th e hard graft of volunteers w orking on th e line to restor e this well-lo ved railway, this summer you’ ll be able to carry on to Corwen .

www.llango llen-railway.c o.uk

Ty Mawr Country Park Under Cefn Viaduct on the banks of the River Dee is a pretty unusual setting. But then everything’s a bit unusual here; not least the llamas keeping foxes at bay. Feed the free-range chickens and ducks, and see traditional hay meadows full of colour in summer at this pesticide and chemical-free working farm. Enjoy a picnic of goodies, then take a walk with a ‘calorie map’ afterwards.

Will you choose to explore the Gwersyllt side with its visitor centre; or the Llay side with children’s playground and Local Nature Reserve? The whole site has an exciting programme of activities throughout the year as well as Green Flag accreditation, so why not try both?

Watch the birds, squirrels and bank voles from the bird hide and race ducks on the river, or give your legs a bit of a workout and join The Clywedog Trail which passes through the grounds at Nant Mill.

Loggerheads Country Park Brimming with wildlife and history. Enjoy wonderful walks along the river, through the woodland and take in the amazing views from the top of the rocks. Explore the old water mill or visit our audiovisual room revealing the stories of the area. The Tea Gardens are an open green space ideal for family picnics and games. If you haven’t got a picnic, Caffi Florence serve local, homemade food with a smile. To help plan your visit pop into the Clwydian Range Centre where our staff can help or you can pick up a leaflet, buy a map, book or beautiful gift. Like us on facebook Loggerheads Country Park.

forget Don’t

your camera!

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site

The story begins here The 18 kilometre long World Heritage Site kicks off at Horseshoe Falls where the Llangollen Canal gets its water from the River Dee. The waterway we know and love today was originally part of the Ellesmere Canal, Thomas Telford’s first big project. It links Llangollen with Cheshire and Shropshire and is Britain’s most popular canal. Probably the best way to enjoy it is on a horsedrawn canal boat trip from the wharf in Llangollen. Visitors have enjoyed gliding through the Welsh countryside this way for over 100 years.

High Adventure

A Scheduled Ancient Monument, an UNESCO However you do it, Thomas Telford World Heritage Site, a Grade I Listed structure and William Jessop’s awesome and part of the Offa’s Pontcysyllte Aqueduct has to be Dyke National Trail, this crossed to be believed. masterpiece of civil engineering is more than two centuries old and still standing strong. The aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal over the River Dee and every year 1000 canal boats make the 1007 feet journey across this ‘stream in the sky’ – a terrifying 126 feet up. Its monumental proportions make it the longest and highest navigable aqueduct in the world. Whether you choose to cross it on a canal boat, or on foot or by bike, those with even the tiniest fear of heights best not look down.

www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk

www.horsedrawnboats.co.uk

Chirk Aqueduct

The Dee Valley Way

Just a few miles downstream from Pontcysyllte is Thomas Telford’s other aqueduct at Chirk.

This 15 mile waymarked walking route takes you from Corwen to Llangollen, or the other way round if you prefer.

Built in 1801, this navigable aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal across the Ceiriog Valley to the English border. At 70 feet high and 710 feet long it’s no match size-wise for its big sister, but it still cuts an impressive figure on the landscape and enjoys fabulous views of the Ceiriog Valley below.

With stunning scenery all round, highlights include Caer Drewyn hillfort, the villages of Carrog and Glyndyfrdwy, the Llantysilio Mountains, Llantysilio church and Telford’s Horseshoe Falls. For something a bit shorter, just choose a section and start walking. Too much like hard work? Hop on a steam train or horse-drawn canal boat and give your legs a rest.

Fly fishing in the Dee Valley

Set out on foot in Denbighshire

A perfect habitat for fish makes the River Dee one of the best fly fishing rivers in Wales, with a reputation amongst aficionados as one of the best grayling rivers in Britain.

You don’t have to book a week off work and spend days hiking to appreciate our surroundings.

Expect to see (and with a bit of luck catch) brown trout, salmon, and sea trout here too.

Denbighshire’s Community Miles is a collection of short waymarked walks which just take an hour or a bit longer if you like. Though less challenging than some, they still show off our best bits and you can try mountain, vale, woodland, riverside or coastal varieties. Alternatively there are lots of shorter, circular walks around our heathlands, forests, and country parks, many linked by the local bus service.

Denbigh The fortress was so sturdy it survived attacks by Owain Glyndwr ˆ in 1400, the Earl of Pembroke during the Wars of the Roses, and Cromwell during the Civil War. Today it’s a bit easier to get in. Borrow the keys to the town walls Denbigh’s mighty 13th from Denbigh Library and explore century castle sits above one at your leisure, and enjoy views of the Clwydian Range while you’re at of the largest and strongest it. Other things to check out include set of town walls in Wales. Burgess Gate (the main entrance to the old town), Leicester’s Church, the bustling high street and Denbigh’s array of exciting activities throughout the year, from a monthly people’s market and a Plum Festival to a fireworks display from the castle walls.

www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Grand designs How do you like your castles? Big, small, falling down? Our castles come in all states and sizes, from a dilapidated Welsh ruin on a hill, to the only one of Edward I’s fortresses still occupied today. Many of Europe’s finest surviving medieval forts are right here, including Rhuddlan Castle, 13th century military architecture at its most deadly. Plus a few ruins, like those of Castell Dinas Brân, the reputed last resting place of the holy grail. For a real break with history why not spend the night in a castle? Ruthin Castle is now a luxury hotel and spa, where anyone with a feel for history will feel right at home.

Castell Dinas Brân

Rhuddlan Castle

Flint Castle

High on a hill above Llangollen stand the ruins of a medieval castle constructed on the site of an Iron Age hill fort in about 1260.

Built by Master James of Saint George for Edward I in 1282, there’s no mistaking what this brawny castle said to would-be attackers.

Immortalised by Shakespeare in Richard II, Flint Castle on the Dee Estuary is Edward I’s earliest Welsh castle.

Though a ruin for centuries, it’s one of the best places to view the spectacular countryside below.

Edward arranged for the River Clwyd to be moved closer to the castle, creating a sea port a whole three miles from the coast. Though time has taken it toll, Rhuddlan Castle still cuts a mighty figure on the landscape.

www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Chirk Castle Continuously occupied for the last 700 years ago, Chirk Castle is the only one of Edward I’s Welsh castles still lived in today. This medieval ‘des res’ comes complete with tower and dungeon, award-winning gardens, views over nine counties and Offa’s Dyke at the bottom of the garden.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Attacks by Dafydd ap Gruffydd in 1282 and Owain Glyndwr ˆ in 1400 left it battle weary, but there’s still plenty to see. The massive rounded keep with 23 feet thick walls is a masterpiece of military architecture in its own right.

www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Ewloe Castle Surrounded by 160 acre woodland at Wepre Park near Chester, this Welsh castle was built by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (‘the Last’) after 1257. Though in ruins since the end of the 13th century, there’s still enough of it left to allow visitors to climb to the top of one of the towers.

Caergwrle Castle Caergwrle Castle near Wrexham was built 1277 by one-time supporter of Edward I, Dafydd ap Gruffydd, who sparked the English invasion of Wales when he changed his allegiance. Remodelled by Edward, the castle made a lovely gift for his wife, Eleanor of Castile. Today, a stunning view of Flintshire is the prize for the short hike to the castle.

Sacred stories

Our churches, chapels and sacred places tell the story of hundreds of years of belief. Many are still important centres of community life today. Some are right at the heart of a town or village, and some are a bit more difficult to find. Whether Norman, Gothic, Victorian or truly ancient, each one has an unique story to tell.

St Asaph Cathedral Located right on the war-path of the medieval Welsh Princes and English Kings, the tiny city of St Asaph is home to the smallest ancient cathedral in England and Wales.

Begun in about 1239, the cathedral was burnt by Edward I, rebuilt, and burnt again by Owain Glyndwr ˆ in 1402. Thanks to the stoic determination of local stonemasons and some thorough remodelling by Victorian architect George Gilbert Scott, it survived the ravages of fire and history. Today, visitors can admire North Wales’ only medieval canopied stalls and the display of early editions of the first Welsh Bible and Prayer Book by Bishop William Morgan, who was largely responsible for the survival of the Welsh language.

Corwen Rug Chapel and Llangar Old Parish Church Don’t be fooled by first impressions. The plain exterior of Rug Chapel belies the riches within. Interior fixtures and fittings at this private 16th Century chapel are extensively decorated High Church-style in a riot of colour. Even older is nearby Llangar Church, a small whitewashed medieval parish church overlooking the Dee and Alwen rivers. Its many original features include stunning 15th-century wall paintings and a 17th-century figure of death.

www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Valle Crucis Abbey In a beautiful countryside setting beneath Llangollen’s mountains, this 13th Century abbey gives a fascinating insight into the lives of Cistercian monks.

For more information about churches in the area please visit medieva l-wales.com or pick up the brochure Enjoy Medie val Denbighshire fro m ou r Tourist Information Centres.

It’s one of the best preserved abbeys in Wales, faring better against the ravages of history than most of its contemporaries. Original features include a richly carved doorway, Chapter House with striking rib-vaulted roof, and the original monks’ fishpond still full of water.

www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

St Dyfnog’s Church, Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch

St Giles’s Parish Church, Wrexham

By the late middle ages St Dyfnog’s was among Wales’ top holy wells attracting pilgrims from far and wide.

One of Wales’ finest examples of religious architecture, St Giles’s receives thousands of visitors each year, many from the USA who come to view the tomb of Yale University benefactor Elihu Yale.

Visitors today are greeted by the magnificent Tree of Jesse stained glass window, one of Wales’ finest medieval treasures, which narrowly escaped destruction during the Civil War by being buried inside the massive dug-out beneath it.

St Winefride’s Well, Holywell

Other things to look out for at this 15th Century church include masonry, woodcarvings, religious artefacts and stunning stained glass. The tower is the tallest building in Wrexham and houses one of the only complete rings cast by 18th Century bell-founder Abraham Rudhall of Gloucester.

Legend has it that a spring erupted on the spot where unwanted suitor, Caradog cut off Winefride’s head when she spurned his advances.

Open Church Network, Wrexham

Though the legend may be grisly, St Winefride’s Well is renowned for its healing waters even today. The present 16th century shrine is both a Grade 1 listed building, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and Britain’s only shrine with a continuous history of pilgrimage since the 7th century.

The churches in and around Wrexham are not only places of worship at the heart of community life, they’re architectural and artistic treasures too. The sixteen churches featured on this open church trail welcome visitors to explore the art, architecture, politics, war, heraldry and nature associated with each unique sacred building.

www.openchurchnetwork.co.uk

Plas Newydd, Llangollen When Sarah Ponsonby and Lady Eleanor Butler eloped from Ireland to Plas Newydd these ‘Ladies of Llangollen’ scandalised Regency society. Wordsworth, Shelley, Sir Walter Scott and literary bad-boy Lord Byron were all on the guest list at Plas Newydd, and today visitors can admire the extraordinary collection of objet d’art, the peaceful gardens with impressive topiary and the stone circle used for 1908’s National Eisteddfod.

www.denbighshire.gov.uk

Plas Teg, Mold

Ruthin Kings, Queens

With more listed buildings than any other market town in North East Wales, Ruthin is heaven for historians, with plenty more to get excited about.

medieval adventures

Ruthin Castle, Ruthin

Ruthin Gaol, Ruthin

Nant Clwyd y Dre, Ruthin

Building work began on this notorious medieval stronghold in 1277 by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd’s little brother Dafydd.

Between 1654 and 1916, thousands of prisoners, innocent and guilty, passed through the gates of Ruthin Gaol to languish at his or her majesty’s pleasure.

Nant Clwyd y Dre is the earliest timber framed town house in Wales and, along with the castle, one of the few buildings to survive the burning of Ruthin by Owain Glyndwr. ˆ

You too can do time here, explore the eerie cells and discover life behind bars years ago; visit the Pentonville block and hear the story of William Hughes, the last person to be hanged here.

This magnificent Grade 1 listed mansion is among Wales’ most important Jacobean houses, and a great place to get a fascinating glimpse of the lives of early Stuart nobility.

Wrexham Museum and Archives Want to know more about Wrexham’s history?

Once reputed to have ‘a pub for every week of the year’, these days Ruthin has fewer taverns. There are still plenty of places to grab a bite though if you’d like someone else to cook, and a multi-award-winning delicatessen packed with wonderful ingredients if you fancy being the chef. Centred around St Peter’s Square, the town has many other notable features including a Victorian clock tower, the 14th Century Parish Church of St Peter, and 15th Century Old Court House; the location of Ruthin’s original gaol before its more famous successor came along.

Edward I took over the building project and it wasn’t long before queen Eleanor moved in. The castle survived Owain Glyndwr’s ˆ burning of Ruthin in 1400, only to be demolished during the Civil War. Now a country house hotel, these days everything’s far less turbulent at Ruthin Castle; visitors can relax at the luxury day spa and plan their next epic adventure.

A recent star of Channel 4’s Country House Rescue with Ruth Watson.

The building tells the story of life in Ruthin through many centuries of renovations and makeovers; with furnishing to make any interior designer weak at the knees.

Wrexham County Borough Museum is a good place to start. Displays and collections depict the eventful story, from prehistory right up to the present day, of this unique English-Welsh border town.

Gladstone's Library, Hawarden In 1895, four-time British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone bequeathed £40,000 and much of his private book collection to found Gladstone's Library in Hawarden. Though 85 at the time, he hauled most of his 32,000 books to the library by wheelbarrow. Today, it’s Britain’s finest residential library, and the nation’s tribute to his life and work.

www.gladstoneslibrary.org

Erddig, Wrexham Famous for the unusually close relationship between the Yorke family and their servants. Erddig’s interiors feature original 18th and 19th century furnishings, while outside visitors can explore the laundry, bakehouse, stables, sawmill and smithy. The landscaped grounds are among Britain’s most important 18th century gardens, and home to the National Ivy Collection.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Fresh

& local

The Clwydian Range food trail With all this delicious food about, we’ve devised our very own food trail to take you on a culinary journey through the beautiful Clwydian Range, where you can try everything from cheese to chocolate, paté to pies, plus a drop of local cider to wash it down. This gastronomic tour of the Clwydian Range takes you through some of the most spectacular views in Wales while you sample the achievements of award-winning local producers who grow or make their delicious food right here. With a café serving up delicious food from local ingredients, two farm shops selling the pick of the crop, two butchers, a delicatessen, two bakeries and six speciality producers, there’s more than enough to satisfy even the hungriest foodies.

www.foodtrail.co.uk

that’s how we like it.

With vegetables grown in our fields, meat straight from the farm, and seafood caught With our lush green landscapes and long this morning, beautiful coast, it’s no surprise that this part of fresh is how the world produces some pretty fantastic food. we like it. And whether you’re choosing from the menu at local Michelin Star-winner Tyddyn Llan, or creating something from scratch at the farmer’s market, a good feed is guaranteed. So proud are we of our local produce, we have not one, but two food festivals: Mold Food and Drink Festival in September, and Llangollen Hamper in October.

Other foodie highlights... The Rhug Estate and Shop, Corwen First opened in 2003 with not much more than a butcher’s counter, Rhug has grown into a wonderful shopping and eating experience. With 70 varieties of cheese, their own award-winning organic meat produced on Lord Newborough’s 12,500 acre estate, and a Michelin Star-trained executive chef in the Bistro’s kitchen.

Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, Hawarden This wonderful farm shop food hall sells meat, fruit and vegetables sourced directly from farms on the Hawarden Estate. Home-cured and home cooked are the buzz words on the deli counter, and the café serves up delicious food using fresh ingredients straight from the farm.

Shopping Small and independent or big and on the high street, our shops come in all varieties.

When you add to the mix our street markets and farmers markets you get a pretty special shopping experience. With unique crafts created by hand and jewellery and ceramics from the local studio, there’s no shortage of gorgeous things being made right here. Treat a loved one, or yourself for that matter.

comes in all shapes & sizes here Shopping in Wrexham

Traditional market towns

Hidden gems you won’t want to miss...

With its medieval market heritage, its only right that Wrexham should have developed into a thriving modern retail centre to satisfy even die-hard shoppers.

Historically speaking, the combination of our proximity to the English border and our lush farmland made North East Wales a perfect place for trade.

Those with a eye for a vintage bargain or a design gem will be delighted at the mix of unusual shops and boutiques that this part of the world has to offer.

Independent artisan shops and quirky boutiques sit happily alongside big high-street names here, and although recent developments have added an extra 250,000 square feet to Wrexham’s shopping area, fans of the town’s old streets Temple Row and Bank Street and its traditional arcades, will be pleased to hear that their unique charm remains intact.

Many of our traditional market towns still hold regular markets to this day. Often held in an historic setting, our markets sell a surprising range of products, from fruit and footwear to furnishings. All have a buzzing atmosphere and traders who are experts in what they sell. Find traditional markets at Wrexham, Denbigh, Llangollen, Ruthin, Holywell, and Mold. Check out your nearest Tourist Information Centres for details.

Fans of original pieces and one-offs will love the unique range of vintage shops selling clothing, footwear, books, textiles and other fabulous pieces you simply won’t find on the high street. Just keep your eyes peeled; the best ones are often hidden down secret side streets – such as Harley’s Vintage Boutique in Llangollen – or out of town, such as Homewood Bound Collections in Ruthin with its everevolving collection of stylish things for the home including furniture, collectables and antiques, plus a delightful tea room with even more to tempt you.

Farmers Markets

Ruthin Craft Centre, the centre for applied arts Ruthin Craft Centre, The Centre for the Applied Arts, is one of Britain’s best places to see and create contemporary arts and crafts. Constructed from cast stone with a zinc roof, the Centre’s distinctive building is a work of art in itself. Around the courtyard you’ll find the working studios of practicing designer-makers where the creative process unfolds. Inside, gallery spaces show top works from home and abroad, and a retail space sells pieces of stunning jewellery, ceramics, glass, metalwork and textiles; all created by the country’s leading makers. After an hour or two spent admiring the collections, Café R, the Centre’s family run restaurant will revive and restore. If you want to discover more about Ruthin - why not walk the new art trail which was launched this year and starts in the Craft Centre. For more information visit

www.ruthinarttrail.co.uk

There’s nothing quite like a farmers market to put you in touch with the countryside and the people who live and work there. Where else can you see and buy the wonderful food that our corner of the country produces, and chat to the farmer who grew it? It’s simple: food fresh from the farm just tastes better. Vegetables straight from the soil, free-range eggs laid that morning. You’ll always find something for supper, and as many farmers these days diversify, there’s lots more besides. Check out your nearest Tourist Information Centres for details.

Plassey Craft Centre With more than 25 shops selling a huge selection of craft items, handmade jewellery, soft furnishings, cycles, scooters and more, there’s enough to keep shoppers busy for a whole afternoon or longer. If shopping isn’t your bag, you can admire panoramic views over the Dee Valley, enjoy a nature walk or practice your swing at the 9 hole golf course.

www.plassey.com

Helfa Gelf Each September north Wales’ biggest open studio event Helfa Gelf invites visitors to see artists at work in their own studios.

ordinary We don’t do

North East Wales is home to Wales’ favourite music festival, Wales’ leading producing theatre, and the National Centre for Ice Sports in Wales. You can visit Wales’ first fully digital cinema, and Wales’ biggest open studio event here too. Add to the mix our 83 mile-long sign-posted driving tour and our top-class racecourse and you’ll probably agree that this part of the world has all the ingredients of an extraordinary holiday. Pretty amazing, really.

68th International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen The biggest and best cultural event on the Welsh calendar, Llangollen’s International Musical Eisteddfod is a world-famous six-day celebration of music, dance costume and culture. Llangollen has welcomed visitors to the event since its very first outing in 1947, with festival-goers now totalling more than 50,000. Around 5000 amateur and professional competitors from over 50 countries are joined on stage by world-famous artists. Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett, James Galway, Joan Baez, Elaine Paige, Katherine Jenkins, Lulu and Russell Watson are just a few of the huge talents to grace the festival stage. This year’s headliners include Bryn Terfel, Caro Emerald, and vintage rockers Status Quo.

www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold As Wales’ leading producing theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru presents much of its work on tour throughout the UK. Back at the theatre, audiences enjoy just short of 1000 public performances each year across five venues, with a huge variety of touring drama, dance, music, exhibitions and a community festival in the summer. After the theatre, there’s a cinema, a book shop and three art galleries. Just in case you need a final fix of culture.

www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk

This free art trail is a great opportunity to view the work of painters, sculptors, photographers, jewellery makers, potters, weavers and printers from across Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. Whether in a gallery or a garden shed, visiting the artist in their own working environment gives enthusiasts the chance to see the creative process come to life, to chat, and buy direct.

www.helfagelf.co.uk

Deeside Leisure Centre, Ice Rink and Afon Spa Deeside Leisure Centre is not your average leisure centre. Sure, it has a fitness suite, football pitches, a sports hall and squash courts, but this one is home to the National Centre for Ice Sports in Wales, where you can try a variety of activities on the rink’s Olympic-sized pad; from ice hockey and curling to disco. Then unwind in the on-site spa afterwards.

Flintshire Leisure Tour Market towns, medieval castles, stunning scenery. With so much to see across Flintshire, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a car trail to help you on your way. The Flintshire Leisure Tour is about 83 miles long altogether and you can tackle it in sections. Officially starting in Mold and sign-posted throughout, the tour takes you on a loop past all our best bits and you can hop out and explore off-trail along the way when you feel like it.

www.flintshireleisuretour.co.uk

Bangor on Dee Racecourse

Wales Rally GB

You can’t beat the spectacle of horses and jockeys close up, the rush to place a bet, and the thrill of the race itself.

This November join thousands of rally fans to see the rally cars, crews and teams at Deeside as they get ready for the next day's gruelling challenge in the North East Wales countryside.

The very first Steeplechase meeting was held here in 1859, and Bangor on Dee Racecourse has been attracting race-goers ever-since. The grass banks overlooking the course create a wonderful natural viewing platform, which is why this racecourse is the only one in Britain without a grandstand.

Based in Deeside with all the action now taking place in north Wales over challenging special stages set in classic Welsh forests, offering amateur competitors the chance to compete on the same stages and use the same Service Park as the world championship contenders.

www.bangorondeeraces.co.uk

The Llangollen Pavilion Opened by the Queen in 1992 and among Llangollen’s most striking landmarks. The Llangollen Pavilion is home to the world-famous Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod each July, plus a year-round programme of concerts, exhibitions and events including the Llangollen Hamper in October.

www.llangollenpavilion.co.uk

www.walesrallygb.com

Scala Cinema And Arts Centre, Prestatyn Once the oldest one-screen cinema in North Wales. This cutting edge arts venue is now a major culture and entertainment destination in its own right, complete with Wales’ first fully digital cinema.

www.scalaprestatyn.co.uk

Events 2014 April RHUDDLAN CASTLE EASTER EGG HUNT 20 APRIL Hop along to Rhuddlan Castle on Easter Sunday for an Egg Hunt. There’s a prize for each of the first 175 children to take part. www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/events

THE DENBIGH CASTLE EASTER QUEST 20 APRIL Join Huw the Spy for the Easter Egg Quest at Denbigh Castle. There’s an egg for each of the first 100 children to join in. www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/events

PRESTATYN WALKING FESTIVAL 16-18 MAY

GWYL RHUTHUN RUTHIN FESTIVAL 29 JUNE - 5 JULY

Walkers of all ages and abilities can enjoy three whole days of walking and more at this 10th annual festival, with themed walks ranging from simple to strenuous. www.prestatynwalkingfestival.co.uk or www.ramblers.org.uk

A week long festival for all the family.

July LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY CLASSIC TRANSPORT WEEKEND 5 - 6 JULY Discover the world of classic steam and diesel engines, heritage railcars and historic vehicles at this unique transport festival where you can even catch a vintage bus. www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

www.ruthinfestival.co.uk

RHYL HARBOUR OPENING 30 MAY - 1 JUNE

LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFOD 8 - 13 JULY See amateur and professionals from all over the world perform at this unique celebration of music, dance, costume and culture; Wales’ biggest and best annual music event. www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY DAY OUT WITH THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE 31 MAY - 1 JUNE Take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends and meet The Fat Controller at this fun-packed day out with the famous locomotive. www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

THE QUEENS BATON RELAY 30 MAY - 1 JUNE WOODFEST WALES, ST GEORGE 30 MAY - 1 JUNE

www.womensfestivalofmusicandarts. weebly.com

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC 10 - 11 MAY Bring the little ones and their cuddly friends for a whole day of fun at the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

LLANGOLLEN FRINGE FESTIVAL 20 JULY Now in its 17th year, the local and national popularity of the Fringe continues to grow. This year the inspiring mix of events includes highlights such as the ‘blues train’. www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

PRESTATYN FLOWER SHOW 25 - 26 JULY

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY 1960S WEEKEND 26 - 27 JULY

WOMAN'S FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & ARTS LLANGOLLEN 2 - 5 MAY

Walkers of all levels can join short, medium and long walks at this friendly festival, where expert guides share their passion for the beautiful Dee Valley. llangollen.org.uk/thingstodo/festival

All the fun of the carnival with an unique mix of modern and traditional entertainment, events and competitions, field attractions, a fun fair and lots more besides. www.prestatyncarnival.co.uk

Join the celebrations as Prestatyn’s annual flower show turns 20 this year. With prize-winning exhibits, classic cars, live jazz and a brass band just a few of the things on offer. www.prestatynflowershow.co.uk

May - June

LLANGOLLEN WALKING FESTIVAL 3 - 4 MAY

PRESTATYN CARNIVAL 19 JULY

COASTLINE BLUEGRASS MUSIC EVENT 6 - 8 JUNE www.coastlinebluegrass.co.uk

DENBIGH MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL 14 - 21 JUNE Heritage walks, live music, a tea dance, a French and Celtic Market, a golf tournament and Welsh and English poetry are just some of the events and activities at Denbigh’s unique summer festival.

A celebration of everything woodrelated, with activities ranging from pole climbing to a chainsaw challenge. Plus mountain bike racing, art and education zones, craft and food fairs and more. www.woodfestwales.co.uk

FESTIVAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY, DENBIGH CASTLE 12 JULY FESTIVAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY, RHUDDLAN CASTLE 13 JULY These annual hands-on heritage workshops are a great way for the whole family to discover our local history. Have a go at some ancient crafts, try a bit of art interpretation, and learn from the experts. www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/events

Come dressed in full ‘60s garb and relive the sights and sounds of the grooviest decade! Arrive in a 1960s vintage car and claim a free rover ticket.

WELSH LANGUAGE MUSIC FESTIVAL 23 AUGUST PROMS ON THE PROM SUNDAY 24 AUGUST EVENTS ARENA, RHYL Pack your picnic and join in the party as Proms on the Prom. The open-air concert will contain an uplifting and inspiring celebration of stirring classical favourites to entertain the entire family. For further information visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or facebook.com/TIC Rhyl

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY STEAM GALA 29 - 31 AUGUST Join hundreds of train buffs at this unique weekend of steam. Enjoy all kind of train activities on Llangollen’s wonderful heritage railway. www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

CORWEN WALKING FESTIVAL 30 - 31 AUGUST Enjoy walks around Corwen town or a high ridge hike along the Berwyn. With guided walks that take a whole day or just a couple of hours, plus skills lectures and great evening entertainment. www.corwenwalkingfestival.co.uk

RHYL AIR SHOW 30 - 31ST AUGUST

August LLANGOLLEN FAERY FESTIVAL 9 & 10 AUGUST www.northwalesfaeryfestival.com

DENBIGH AND FLINT SHOW 21 AUGUST For 2014 in the main arena they will have the UK'S top quad bike stunt riders performing breath taking events. It offers a wonderful day out for the whole family. www.denbighandflintshow.com

Join thousands of spectators on the coast at Rhyl for this free two day air event. With dramatic flying displays, parachute jumps, super-fast jets, graceful flights and more. www.rhylairshow.co.uk

September

November

HELFA GELF ART TRAIL THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY RIDE THE ROCKET FIREWORK TRAIN 2 NOVEMBER

North Wales’ biggest open studio event offers visitors an unique opportunity to peek behind the scenes at designers, artists and craft-makers at work in their own studios. www.helfagelf.co.uk

OPEN DOORS PROGRAMME 1 - 30 SEPTEMBER Wales's largest celebration of buildings and architecture, run by volunteers. For more information visit www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Hop aboard for an exciting evening train ride from Llangollen to Carrog, and enjoy a stunning fireworks display on the return journey. www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

NORTH WALES INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, ST ASAPH 20 - 27 SEPTEMBER A great opportunity to experience live performances of classical music by local, national and international artists centred around St Asaph’s historic cathedral. www.nwimf.com

TOUR OF BRITAIN 7 - 14 SEPTEMBER The Tour of Britain is the UK's biggest professional bicycle race and is a centre of the British sporting calendar. www.tourofbritain.co.uk

WIGGLE ETAPE CYMRU 14 SEPTEMBER This is an 'epic' lung busting, leg -aching, end of season sportive, which provides the most challenging closed road test in the UK. The route takes the contestants through the beautiful Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB including the legendary Horseshoe Pass. www.humanrace.co.uk/events/ cycling/etape-cymru

MOLD FOOD FESTIVAL 20 - 21 SEPTEMBER Watch celebrity chefs at the cookery theatre, visit over 100 food stalls, enjoy children’s entertainers and hear live music at this exciting local food festival. www.moldfoodfestival.co.uk

October LLANGOLLEN HAMPER 18 - 19 OCTOBER A two day celebration of local food. Learn some new and exciting recipes at the cookery demonstrations and pick up and the ingredients to make them yourself at the producers’ market. www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

WALES RALLY GB 13 - 16 NOVEMBER Rally of legends. The final round of the FIA World Rally Championship www.rallygb.com

a drive to explore The Flintshire Leisure Tour is 84 miles of countryside, coastline, market towns and historic attractions, broken into nine manageable sections. A magical mystery tour around the entire county. You won’t do it all in a day. But you’ll have fun trying.

A luxury, 5 star holiday park • Fully equipped touring pitches • Unique retail village • On site restaurant & coffee shop • 9 hole golf course • Indoor swimming pool • Nature trail & fishing ponds

01978 780 277 www.plassey.com

Good Food, Real Ales & Great Atmosphere await you

Tyn Y Capel Community run Inn & Restaurant in beautiful rural Minera Tyn Y Capel Inn & Restaurant, Church Road, Minera, Wrexham LL11 3DA Telephone: 01978 269 347 Email: tynycapel@outlook.com www.tyn-y-capel.com Open: Wednesday evening (6pm) & Thursday until Sunday from 12 noon.

Plassey Holiday Park, Eyton, Wrexham, North Wales LL13 0SP

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS IN THE AREA. Pick up a copy of the latest

from your local Tourist Information Centre

Ruthin Craft Centre The Centre for the Applied Arts Galleries / Restaurant / Shop / Makers Studios Park Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 1BB Tel: +44 (0)1824 704774 Open daily from 10.00am – 5.30pm FREE Admission. FREE on-site parking Visit our website for exhibition information www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk

or download it from

denbighshire.gov.uk/whatson Llangollen

Set in 50 acres of woodland in the Clwydian Range AONB in north-east Wales

Y Capel, Castle Street, Llangollen. Denbighshire. LL20 8NU Tel: 01978 860 828 email: llangollen@nwtic.com

Mold Earl Road, Mold, Flintshire. CH7 1AP. Tel: 01352 759 331 email: mold@nwtic.com

Wrexham Lambpit Street, Wrexham. LL11 1AR. Tel: 01978 292 015 email: tic@wrexham.gov.uk

Courses in bushcraft, basket making, coracles, spoon carving, forge work, longbows, charcoal, stool and chair making, timber frame building, woodland management, coppice and greenwood crafts. Family woodland holidays. Free camping. Telephone: 01745 710626 / 07711 472033

www.woodlandskillscentre.co.uk

Melbourne Guest House

8 Beechwood Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire LL18 3EU Contact: Jenny Clark Telephone: 01745 342 762 Email: inquiries@the-melbourne.co.uk www.the-melbourne.co.uk

Like us on facebook FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AREA VISIT OUR WEBSITE

northeastwales.co.uk

Where you can search for accommodation or give our Tourist Information Centres a call - they are staffed by friendly local experts who will answer any question you have for the area or even book a bed for you.

/NthEastWales

Enjoy a pleasant holiday in our family run home from home. Rooms serviced daily. Tea/coffee facilities. Towels provided. Own keys provided. Full cooked breakfast, optional evening meal. Near to theatre and beach. Open: Jan - Dec B&B: £25 - £35 No of rooms: 6 En-suite: 4 Total bed space: 14 BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE

SıÒ-Ü^tÔ

bordering on the sublime In Flintshire you can come a very long way in a very short time. You’ll find a superb theatre, a castle immortalised by Shakespeare and one of the most beautiful landscapes in Wales. All just a few miles from the English border. But about a million miles from the norm.

Brynteg

Voted one of the TOP TEN ADVENTURE BREAKS in the UK by The Independent

GUEST HOUSE

Susan & Adrian Proprietors

Motor Safari, The Uk’s Leading 4X4 & Multi Activity Adventure Experiences Company. Bespoke Events Designed To Guarantee Wonderful Adventures. Selected Activities/Facilities Include: 4X4, QUADS, ARCHERY, SHOOT & ART STORMING, A BEAUTIFUL CONVERTED BARN, CAFE & CONFERENCE AREA

WWW.MOTOR-SAFARI.CO.UK

01978 754533 | 01978 447199 | info@motor-safari.co.uk

42 River Street ~ Rhyl Denbighshire ~ LL18 1PT

Telephone : 01745 339154 Email : enquiries@bryntegguesthouse.co.uk

WWW.bryntegguesthouse.co.uk The Brynteg is a family run guesthouse just 200 yards away from the seafront and its sandy beach. We are within a short walking distance of Rhyl town centre and all local amenities. All rooms are: en-suite and tastefully decorated, Digital TV (some with DVD players), Tea/Coffee making facilities, hair-dryers, toiletries and towels provided. Free WiFi. We offer a home-cooked full English breakfast.

Open:Jan-Dec B&B:£25-£30 No of rooms:4 all ensuite Credit cards Accepted

Flintshire. Why go further?

How to find us

llwybr arfordir Cymru wales Coast Path

Talacre

Prestatyn

Meliden

Kinmel Bay

RHUDDLAN Abergele

Mostyn

Tourist Information Centres ar

Greenfield Valle y

rHYl

ST ASAPH

Tourist Information Points County Boundaries

FLINT

Riv

Coed Clocaenog Forest

Horseshoe Pass

Llanfynydd

Marford Gresford

Clywedog Valley

Holt

Holt Castle

WREXHAM Marchwiel

W REXH RE EX X H AM

Worthenbury Bangor-on-Dee

Castell Dinas Bran

River Dee

Trevor

Ruabon

Ty Mawr Country Park Pontcycyllte Froncysyllte Aqueduct

LLANGOLLEN

Llay

Alyn Waters Country Park

Riv

Overton

Chirk Castle

Glyn Ceiriog

Llandrillo

Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog

CHIRK

Y N S

BALA

Rossett

Cefn-ybedd

Minera

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iv er

aBeraeron

Saltney

Broughton

Hope

N B A O

DENBIGHSHIRE Carrog

Hawarden

Caergwrle

Llanarmon yn-Ial

Llandegla

aBerYStwYtH

r D ee

FLINTSHIRE

E Y L L VA

aBerdYfi aBerdoveY

CHESTER

Hawarden Castle

Buckley

D E E

Alwen Reservoir

Llanferres

A N D

aBermaw BarmoutH

Penyffordd

Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd

RUTHIN

Llyn Brenig

Ewloe yn

MOLD

E N G R A

Llyn Bran

N I A

HarleCH

Rhewl

Queen’s Ferry Connah’s Quay Ewloe Euloe Northop Castle Hall

Sychdyn Al

Loggerheads Country Park

Y D

PortHmadog

Moel Famau

Northop

Rhydymwyn

W C L

Llanrhaeadr

Rhosesmor

O F

Denbigh Castle

Nannerch

L E VA

DENBIGH

Flint Mountain

Halkyn

Bodfari Henllan

Oakenholt

Afonwen

r E l

Caer CHeSter

Flint Castle

Caerwys

CORWEN

The 870 mile long Wales Coast Path is ready to be explored. Stretching from the Welsh border near Chester in the north to Chepstow in the south, it is the longest continuous aBerteifi coast path in the world. Cardigan The Path offers spectacular scenery from aBergwaun fiSHguard soaring cliffs to sandy bays... tYˆ ddewi and contrasting St david’S atmospheres from big cities to tiny PemBroke fishing ports. The Path is designed dinBYCH-Y-PYSgod tenBY to appeal to visitors and local people alike – helping everyone enjoy a healthy lifestyle by taking more exercise and bringing economic benefits to coastal areas. Work to create and improve the Wales Coast Path is co-ordinated by Natural Resources Wales and funded by the Welsh Government, the European Regional Development Fund and the coastal local authorities. www.walescoastpath.gov.uk

HOLYWELL

Y fflint flint

Bangor Caernarfon

Dyserth Rhuddlan Castle

Bodelwyddan

llandudno

KEY

Ffynnongroyw

RHYL

Towyn

Mae Llwybr Arfordir Cymru – sy’n 870 milltir o hyd – yn barod i’w archwilio. Gan ymestyn CaergYBi o’r ffin rhwng Cymru a Lloegr yng HolYHead nghyffiniau Caer yn y gogledd, i Gas-gwent yn y de, dyma’r llwybr arfordirol di-dor hiraf drwy’r byd. Ar hyd y Llwybr mae yna olygfeydd godidog, o glogwyni uchel i draethau tywodlyd. Mae hefyd yn cynnig sawl awyrgylch gwahanol, o ddinasoedd mawr i borthladdoedd pysgota bychain. nefYn Bydd y Llwybr yw apelio at ymwelwyr a thrigolion lleol fel ei gilydd, gan helpu aBerSoCH pawb i fwynhau ffordd iachach o fyw trwy wneud mwy o ymarfer corff. Ei aBerdaron nod hefyd yw dod â manteision economaidd i ardaloedd arfordirol. Caiff y gwaith o greu a gwella Llwybr Arfordir Cymru ei gydlynu gan y Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a’i ariannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru, Cronfa Datblygu Rhanbarthol Ewrop ac awdurdodau lleol arfordirol. www.llwybrarfordircymru.gov.uk

OSWESTRY

Credits

CarmartHen llanelli

aBertawe SwanSea

PortHCawl

CaS-gwent CHePStow CaSnewYdd newPort CaerdYdd Cardiff YnYS Y Barri BarrY iSland

Design: viewcreative.co.uk Printers: Westdale Printers Ltd Published: Denbighshire County Council Photography: ©Martin Lyons Photography ©David Wilcock ©Dewi Tannatt Lloyd ©Andre Lavadinho ©One planet adventure ©National Trust Images Andrew Butler ©National Trust Images Andreas von Einsiedel ©Denbighshire County Council ©Conwy County Borough Council Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publishers can accept no liability whatsover for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions or for any matter in any way connected with or arising out of the publication of the information. Copyright for the material is held by the publishers and may not be reproduced in part or in whole in any form without written consent.

Meet our holiday areas Wales is divided into 13 distinct areas, each with its own individual character. Allow us to introduce you. 1

1 2

The Isle of Anglesey

2 Llandudno & Colwyn Bay 3

3 North East Wales

4 Snowdonia Mountains & Coast Eryri Mynyddoedd a Môr

5 Mid Wales & the Brecon Beacons 6 Ceredigion – Cardigan Bay & the Cambrian Mountains 7 Pembrokeshire – Britain’s only Coastal National Park

8 Carmarthenshire – Carmarthen Bay 9 Swansea Bay – Mumbles, Gower, Afan & the Vale of Neath 10 The Valleys – Heart & Soul of Wales 11 Cardiff – Capital of Wales

11 12

The Valleys

Anglesey offers unparalleled beauty, amazing adventures, serious solitude and a warm welcome. Easily accessible; this unique island, with its coastline, varied beaches and historical towns make it a superb base for all the family. Those that have visited need not be told. They just return…

Vibrant Llandudno, the Victorian seaside gem with a history that goes back to the Bronze Age. World Heritage Conwy with its rich maritime past. Waterfront adventure in Colwyn Bay. Year round breaks, filled with family fun, good food, great walking, world-class theatre and a full calendar of exciting events. All within easy reach of Snowdonia.

+44 (0)1248 713177 anglesey@nwtic.com visitanglesey.co.uk facebook.com/visitanglesey

+44 (0)1492 577577 llandudnotic@conwy.gov.uk visitllandudno.org.uk facebook.com/visitingllandudno twitter.com/visit_llandudno

3 North East Wales

The last place that Dylan Thomas called home and the best place to be to celebrate and capture his centenary celebrations in 2014. Carmarthenshire stretches from Carmarthen Bay in the south to western Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains in the north, wondrous Gardens, awe-inspiring Castles and Wales’s longest beach, market towns brimming with local produce and chic shopping.

13 Wye Valley & Vale of Usk

2 Llandudno & Colwyn Bay

Magnificent Walks – two national trails, waterfall trails and many other breathtaking walks besides. Take a moonlit walk in the Brecon Beacons under our night-time skies… now with official Dark Sky Status. Muddy Wheels – cycling on and off road. A great track record – four years with the Tour of Britain, home to Dyfi Enduro and Beacons Beast. Family traffic-free routes to extreme mountain biking await. Year-round events – from Hay Literary to Machynlleth Comedy, from Green Man to the Royal Welsh and Winter Shows, celebrating our agricultural heritage. Stay in magnificent mansions to wacky wigwams. All topped off with mouth-watering cuisine, local whisky and marvellous wines. That’s Mid Wales My Way!

6 Ceredigion – Cardigan Bay & the Cambrian Mountains

12 The Glamorgan Heritage Coast & Countryside

1 The Isle of Anglesey

8 Carmarthenshire – Carmarthen Bay

+44(0)1874 622485 tourism@powys.gov.uk midwalesmyway.com

5 Mid Wales & the Brecon Beacons

4 Snowdonia Mountains & Coast The outdoor adventure playground of North Wales that includes the Snowdonia National Park, Llˆ yn Peninsula and Cambrian Coastline. A wide choice of quality accommodation, attractions and activities – castles, narrow gauge railways, golf, cycling, walking, award winning beaches, country parks, Wales Coast Path, World Heritage Site, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coast.

+44 (0)1341 281485 tourism@gwynedd.gov.uk visitsnowdonia.info facebook.com/visitingsnowdonia twitter.com/visit_snowdonia visitsnowdonia.wordpress.com

Discover the landscape, villages and harbours that inspired Dylan Thomas and delve into Wales’s history at Cardigan Castle. Walk gentle or challenging sections of Ceredigion’s coast path from a promenade stroll at Aberystwyth to hill fort climbs at Llangrannog. Spot dolphins and birds; enjoy family fun at award winning beaches and all sorts of events; relax and savour Cardigan Bay seafood to Cambrian Mountain lamb.

+44 (0)1970 612125 brochure@ceredigion.gov.uk discoverceredigion.co.uk facebook.com/discoverceredigion Twitter: @visitceredigion

7 Pembrokeshire – Britain’s only Coastal National Park Rated by National Geographic magazine experts as the second best coastline in the world. With 186 miles (299km) of magnificent and varied coastline and more than 50 beaches, there’s plenty of space for everyone. Choose between lively Tenby and Saundersfoot or peaceful St David’s and Newport. Perfect for outdoor activities or just relaxing. To find out more about Pembrokeshire.

visitpembrokeshire.com

+44 (0)1267 231557 marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk discovercarmarthenshire.com

9 Swansea Bay – Mumbles, Gower, Afan & the Vale of Neath Discover Dylan Thomas in Wales’s Waterfront City, birthplace of our poetic hero and playwright. Be a part of his centenary celebrations throughout 2014. Spend some time in the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Unwind on awardwinning beaches and explore unspoilt countryside. Bring your board, bike and boots and enjoy watersports, cycling and walking.

+44 (0)1792 468321 tourism@swansea.gov.uk visitswanseabay.com

10 The Valleys – Heart & Soul of Wales World-class mountain biking and other activities on, over and under landscapes that are never short on drama. Proud communities bursting to tell you their stories about Wales’s largest castle, a World Heritage Site, craft beers and ciders and an intriguing cast of heroes from the mythological past to the contemporary music scene. You haven’t visited Wales until you’ve been to the Valleys – the Heart and Soul of Wales.

+44 (0)29 2088 0011 contactus@thevalleys.co.uk thevalleys.co.uk

11 Cardiff – Capital of Wales The capital of Wales has unique attractions, top-class entertainment, a wide range of accommodation to suit all needs and quality shopping with a difference. Cardiff Castle, the Millennium Stadium, National Museum Cardiff, the Wales Millennium Centre and famous Doctor Who Experience combined with Cardiff Bay offer indoor and outdoor entertainment for everyone all year round.

+44 (0)29 2087 3573 visitor@cardiff.gov.uk visitcardiff.com

12 The Glamorgan Heritage Coast & Countryside The dramatic Heritage Coast and popular resorts of Barry Island and Porthcawl are fringed by lovely Vale and Bridgend countryside and green hills. Discover the special character of an area steeped in history – and it’s close to Cardiff, Wales’s cosmopolitan capital.

+44 (0)1446 704867 +44 (0)1656 815338 tourism@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk tourism@bridgend.gov.uk visitthevale.com bridgendbites.com

13 Wye Valley & Vale of Usk Fantastic scenery and high-quality food and drink from the Brecon Beacons National Park to the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Explore castles, Roman towns and beautiful gardens; then take in award-winning vineyards bustling market towns and great local pubs. With the renowned Newport and Abergavenny Food Festivals, celebrated restaurants and artisan producers, discover why we’re the Food Capital of Wales.

+44 (0)1291 623772 tourism@monmouthshire.gov.uk visitwyevalley.com Find out more by visiting visitwales.com/brochures to download as many brochures as you like or select up to three for free postal delivery or call +44 (0) 8701 211256.

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Dinbych - Rhuthun - Corwen - Llangollen

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SeaQuarium Rhyl, East Parade, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3AF T: 01745 344660 W: seaquarium.co.uk Partneriaeth Cynllun Datblygiad Gwledig Sir Ddinbych Denbighshire Rural Development Plan Partnership

Partneriaeth Cynllun Datblygiad Gwledig Sir Ddinbych Denbighshire Rural Development Plan Partnership

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Rhylâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harbour development Pont y Ddraig (Welsh for Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridge) Front cover: Carrog, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty