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LLANGOLLEN
WALES
"Below a reputed resting place of the Holy Grail, people from all over the world meet to sing and dance. You can meet them on one of the seven wonders of Wales."

Location map
"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.
Dinas Bran
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.
Plas Newydd 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.

Llangollen Railway

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
Eliseg's PillarJust 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.


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.

Canoe by Station

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
We endeavour to provide accurate information on this web-site. However, due to the time sensitive nature of travel information, we cannot accept liability for the content of this site, nor for any transactions that occur based on that data. John Williams, Webmaster, Eurapart
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