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.

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 its appeal.
Further up the Street the Town Hall houses the Tourist Information Office. Just up from the Town Hall the European Centre for Traditional and Regional Cultures (ECTARC) is housed in an old chapel, here a varied programme of exhibitions and Folk Music events are staged.

A Victorian School Museum can be found close by in an old school. Here parties are dressed in period costumes and have to endure a 1 hour lesson, Victorian style.
Crossing the bridge to the North the Station can be found on the left. Turning right and heading out of the town you come to the Doctor Who Exhibition. This houses the largest collection of costumes and props from the BBC TV series in an old mill.

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 ground the nearest being found at Wrexham, 12 miles to the East. Here you will find Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys, Aldi and Kwik Save. The first three stores also have petrol stations.

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.tic@virgin.net

European Centre for Traditional and Regional Cultures
Parade Street
Llangollen
Denbighshire LL20 8RB
Tel +44 (0)1978 861514
Fax +44 (0)1978 861804