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Llangollen is without doubt the North Wales capital of arts and culture. Musicians and entertainers have for decades gathered here for the annual International Musical Eisteddfod (tel: 01978 862000).
Today Llangollen Fringe Festival (tel: 01978 860600) is also enjoying growing appeal as it complements the attractions of the Eisteddfod . And the Royal International Pavilion (tel: 01978 860111) offers a year round programme of arts events, concerts and exhibitions.
Big names from Pavarotti and Jose Carreras to Shirley Bassey, Katherine Jenkins, Joan Baez , Montserrat Caballe, Captain Sensible and The Damned have all played Llangollen.
There are gardening shows and food festivals, antiques fairs and hot air ballooning competitions, all offering visitors the chance to see or do something that little bit different.
Things To See
The town has a year round buzz and a certain cosmopolitan feel, perhaps acquired by having welcomed such a wide and fascinating range of personalities.Along the picturesque streets is a patchwork collection of music and arts shops, gift stores, cafes and bars . And with so many visitors flocking to the town each year there is no shortage of accommodation facilities, from camping and caravan sites in Llangollen to guest houses and top notch hotels in and around Llangollen town.
Here is a place to be enjoyed by young and old, where you can go canoeing, fishing, walking, or white water rafting, visit ancient relics or modern day health and beauty spas, see a mega star or enjoy a night out walking beneath the stars.
It's a diverse choice which perfectly caters for the multitude of people from all over the globe who visit Llangollen each year.
Away from the arts festivals are attractions like horse-drawn canal boat rides , offering one of the most serene ways to view the Dee Valley (tel: 01978 860702), or take a narrow boat journey over the nearby Pontycysyllte Aqueduct. It's not for anyone afraid of heights, though - the aqueduct is a staggering 126 feet high above the River Dee.
Moving up a gear, visitors can enjoy a ride on Llangollen Steam Railway (tel: 01978 860979) or get a close-up view of some vintage wheels at Llangollen Motor Museum (tel: 01978 860324).
Llangollen's a welcoming, vibrant town with a rich and colourful history which locals are only too pleased to chat about. Not surprising as bygone tales of myth and legend include links with King Arthur and the Holy Grail.
Visit the iron age hill fort and medieval castle at Dinas Bran, take time out to discover the serenity of the countryside around the ancient ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey a little over a mile from the town centre, or journey around the windswept but beautiful mountainous scenery of the Horseshoe Pass.
Other attractions include the museum at Plas Newydd , once home to the Ladies of Llangollen, life-long friends, Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby. Originally from Ireland they fled respective family tensions to live in North Wales, buying Plas Newydd in the 18th century and establishing an unconventional lifestyle.
There they entertained poets, playwrights, military heroes and entertainers, so beginning one of the first strands of Llangollen's extraordinary cultural history.
Related Links
Other Pages
International Musical Eisteddfod
How To Get There
Road
If you are coming from the direction of Chester follow the A483 from Wrexham, then leave the bypass at Ruabon and take the A539 to Llangollen.
Llagollen is about 25 miles from Chester.
If you are coming from Shrewsbury, then it's simply a case of staying on the A5 for about 30 miles.
From Llandudno you take the A470 to Betws y Coed, then the A5 to Llangollen. This is about 50 miles.
From Bangor you go along the A5 for 56 miles.
The A5 is very windy in places and you can get stuck behind caravans and the such like, so factor this into your journey time.
Rail
The nearest mainline train service is at Ruabon, near Wrexham, although there is a steam train in Llangollen that will take you about 7 miles up the River Dee!
www.thetrainline.com provides information on tickets and train time.
Bus
Bryn Melyn Ltd run local and rural bus services in the Llangollen/Wrexham/Shropshire borders area
Arriva provide services towards to the coast and the rest of Wales.
Taxi
Berwyn Cars
36, Regent St, Llangollen, Clwyd LL20 8HS
Tel: 01978 861107
Premier Cars
Bronhaul, Abbey Rd, Llangollen, Clwyd LL20 8SN
Tel: 01978 810044
