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Wrexham is a few miles from the English border, 12 miles from Chester, and 13 miles from Llangollen.
The town has been modernised in recent years and now competes with Chester in attracting shoppers.
The town's football team Wrexham FC is the region's most successful club and helps give the town a cosmopolitan edge.
There are a lot of things to see and do in and around Wrexham and althought it isn't usualy considered a toursit town, it is well worth a visit.
Things to see in Wrexham
Wrexham shopping
The Eagles Meadow shopping centre has a 24 lane Tenpin bowling along with an 8 screen Odeon cinema opening Easter 2009.
There are a number of fashion chain stores, as well as a Starbucks, Frankie and Benny's, Pizza Express, Greggs and a Muffin Break.
It's opening times are:
Weekdays 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm
Bank Holidays 11am - 5pm
There are also a large number of shops in Wrexham town centre. This website has an extensive listing of what's there.
Wrexham eating out
As you might expect from a large town, Wrexham has a lot of places to eat out.
Our directory can be found here.
Our review of Imfeld's Swiss Bistro (the Kiln Inn) can be found here.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was built between 1795 and 1805 by William Jessop and Thomas Telford to carry coal from the mines in Denbighshire to Britain's canal system.
It is an impressive piece of engineering and architecture and was the tallest aqueduct in the world for 200 years.
The BBC have a good site, including a video of how the aqueduct was built, here.
Valle Crucis Abbey
Valle Crucis Abbey is just outside Llangollen, itself only a few miles from Wrexham.
It dates back to the 13th centuy and was built by Cistercian monks.
It is still standing and much of the original architecture is still intact. You can make out the 14th century inscription ‘Abbot Adams carried out this work; may he rest in peace. Amen', as well as the carved doorway and rose window.
From April 1 to September 30 the abbey is open between 10am and 7pm, and there is free access in the winter.
Adult tickets are £2.70, £2.30 for concessions. Telephone 01978 860 326 for further information.
You can also find out more on Cadw's website.
Erddig Hall
Erddig Hall is a furnished 18th-century large country house and has one of the last surviving 18th-century gardens with a large walled garden and Victorian parterre.
It gives an insight into servants' lives at that time, with demonstrations of restored historic machines and horse-drawn carriage rides around the estate.
There are 13 miles of footpaths in the estate.
More information can found on the National Trust's website, who are its custodians.
Chirk Castle
Chirk Castle is the last Welsh castle still lived in today from the reign of Edward I and boasts 700 years of history.
It has award-winning gardens with thatched 'Hawk House', shrub garden, lime tree avenue and yew topiary, a circular woodland walk through the medieval hunting park and stunning location with views over nine counties.
See the National Trust's website for more information.
Techniquest
TECHNIQUEST@NEWI Discovery Centre offers a varied programme of events and activities throughout the year.
From their site: "At our Discovery Centre we aim to explain some of the many principles of science in a fun and informative way. Visitors of all ages can gets hands-on with the 60+ exhibits and puzzles, all of which are designed to demonstrate science by making it fun!"
Wrexham Lager
Wrexham Lager plays a key part in Wrexham's history. The brewery was founded in 1882 by German immigrants, but finally closed down in 2000.
The brewery is listed building and can still be visited. Wrexham Lager was once the sponsor of Wrexham FC and gave rise to the chant "Wrexham Lager Wrexham Lager feed me until I want no more!"
Wikipedia have an interesting article here.
The sister clubs Liquid and Envy offer bright lights and loud dance music, as well as student nights and the like.
Central Station offers more alternative nights, with acoustic sets as well as dance nights.
How To Get to Wrexham
Road
Wrexham is on the A483, which comes off the A55 at J36 just outside of Chester.
The A483 continues down until it meets the A5 Llangollen about 15 miles away. The A5 comes up from Shrewsbury.
Rail
The new station at Wrexham Central is part of the new Island Green retail area and provides a convenient gateway to the shopping, leisure and commercial centres of the town. At Wrexham General station, connection is available with the Chester-Shrewsbury-Birmingham train services.
After Wrexham General the trains call at Gwersyllt, Cefn-y-Bedd, Caergwrle, Hope, Penyffordd and Hawarden. These stations are all conveniently located in the local communities served by the railway. After Hawarden comes Shotton, where connections are provided with the North Wales Coast rail services.
More from WBRUA site.
www.thetrainline.com provides information on tickets and train times.
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 firms in Wrexham
Wrexham & Prestige Taxi
Tel: 01978 357777
Freephone: 0800 654321
Grab a Cab
Tel: 01745 353 333
Tel: 01745 798 004
A2B Taxis
Tel: 01978 448159
Mob: 07970 135122
GLT Cars
Tel: 01978 358660
Tel: 01978 357777
Wrexham Minibus Co
Tel: 01978 843355
Ace Taxis Ltd
Tel: 01978 751649
Crown Cars
Tel: 01978 842000
Nev's Minibus & Taxis
Tel: 01978 761504
