
"Llangollen translates as Collen's
enclosure, Saint Collen having migrated from Glastonbury to here in the
seventh century"
PLACES TO VISIT
Castle Dinas Bran
Dominating the town from the top of its steep conical hill, Castle
Dinas Bran is believed by some to be the final resting place of the
Holy Grail. The impressive stone ruins are are the remains of the
castle built by the last Welsh Princes. The remains stand on top of
extensive earthworks dating from the Bronze Age. Although it is easy to
imagine that great battles were fought here, the castle never saw
action. It was razed to the ground to prevent it falling into the hands
of the Norman invaders.
The walk up from the town is well worth it if only for the views up and
down the Dee Valley.

Plas Newydd
Home of the Ladies of Llangollen, two unconventional spinsters who
eloped from Ireland to Llangollen, causing much scandal in the early
part of the 19th century. The ladies became famous and were visited by
by the Duke of Wellington, William Wordsworth and many other renowned
members of society. They made many changes to the small cottage where
they had settled and gave it a distinctive Gothic appearance.
Subsequent inhabitants continued this process.
Llangollen
Railway
Steam trains once more run on this restored section of the Ruabon to
Barmouth Line. The 8 mile journey to Carrog takes you through some
beautiful countryside as the train follows the River Dee. A variety of
locomotives work this line from the old GWR types that used to run here
to industrial locos. The Llangollen
Railway Website will provide all the information you could
possibly need on Trains, Timetables and news.

Around Llangollen
There are many good walks and car drives in the countryside around
Llangollen. For those wanting less strenous walks then the canal
towpath is ideal, but the less energetic can take a horse
drawn boat trip they leave the Canal Wharf regularly
throughout the Spring / Summer.
Valle Crucis Abbey
Just
2 miles outside the town this was a very important abbey in its time.
The abbey got its name from the oldest Celtic cross in Wales (Eliseg's
Pillar) which can be found a little further up the valley. The ruins
are managed by CADW and have been partially restored.
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Summary
Llangollen is an old market town, founded at a ford on the River Dee.
Later a bridge, which now ranks as one of the Seven Wonders of Wales,
was built. The construction of Telford's London to Holyhead Trunk road,
the canal and railway brought further prosperity to the town. Today
tourism is probably the most important industry. The town lies in the
delightful Vale of Llangollen and has countless visitor attractions.
Llangollen translates as Collen's enclosure, Saint Collen having
migrated from Glastonbury to here in the seventh century. Every July
the Llangollen International Eisteddfod is staged here. Singers and
dancers from all parts of the globe compete in the Eisteddfod Pavilion
but give impromtu performances around the town.

The town
Bridge Street / Church Street is the old main street. It is here that
many of the old coaching houses can be seen. The London to Holyhead
coaches used to run this way and the town became a staging post. Saint
Collen's Church is very impressive with its ornate stained glass
windows and carved roof rescued from Valle Crucis Abbey after the
dissolution of the monastries.
In the newer Eastern side of the town Castle Street starts at the 14th
century bridge over the River Dee. This bridge is one of the seven
wonders of Wales. It has been widened a number of times down the
centuries, but has not lost any of its appeal.
Further up the Street an old Chapel houses the Tourist
Information Office.
Turn into Parade Street where Llangollen Museum is
located in an octagonally shaped building. Turn down towards the RIver
Dee for the old Corn Mill, now a restuarant / gastro pub.
Crossing the bridge to the North the Station can be found on the
left.
Where to stay
Apartments / Hotels:
There are a few Self Catering Cottages and Apartments in the vicinity
of Llangollen. The best way to find one is either via Tourist Office or
town website
Camping and caravan sites:
Again information can be found at the above addresses.
Wern Isaf
Farm Camping and Caravan Site
Set in a small valley below Castle Dinas Bran this site is in a
delightfully rural position and enjoys unrivalled views
Food and fuel
There are numerous good restaurants in Llangollen. Supermarkets are
thin on the groundbut there are some good greengrocers, butchers and a
Spar and Somerfield Supermarket. The closest petrol stations
are at either Wrexham or Oswestry.
Tourist Information
At the Tourist Information, located at the bottom of the Town Hall in
Castle Street, you can obtain plentiful information on places to visit,
stay and dine. The town has its own website http://www.llangollen.org.uk
where a significant amount of information on the town, events, places
to visit, stay and eat can be found.
Llangollen Tourist
Information
Town Hall
Llangollen
Denbighshire LL20 8PH
Tel/Fax: +44(0)1978 860828
E-mail:llangollen@nwtic.com
Plas Newydd
Hill Street
Llangollen
Denbighshire LL20 8AW
Tel +44 (0)1978 861314
Fax +44 (0 1978 861906
Llangollen
Railway
The Station
Abbey Road
Llangollen
Denbighshire LL20 8SN
Tel +44 (0)1978 860979
Horse Drawn Boat Trips
Tel +44 (0)1978 860702
Take a photo tour of Llangollen
and NE Wales or send an e-card from BBC Wales's free image library
showing local landmarks and landscapes. link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/fun/galleries/index.shtml
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