Totally customisable Totally customisable
Local guide Local guide
Hotel pickup & dropoff Hotel pickup & dropoff
We head further east on this day, into the valley of the Dee and the borderlands of North East Wales. The natural centre is Llangollen, itself an attractive small town at an important crossing point of the Dee. The river is quite wild at this point and it’s a great pleasure to spend time on its banks watching canoeists battle their way through. On a gentler note, the town is also a cultural centre, hosting an International Eisteddfod (festival). 
 
Yet another World Heritage Site is nearby – the famous Pontcysyllte aqueduct which takes the Llangollen canal soaring above the valley of the River Dee. You can visit Telford’s masterpiece from below or for those who want to brave the heights, you can walk across. Nearby are also the atmospheric ruins of Vale Crucis Abbey and the hilltop castle of Dinas Bran – the City of the Crow.

We can include visits to

  • Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
  • Llangollen canal
  • Valle Crucis Abbey
  • Horseshoe Pass
  • Llangollen Town
  • Denbigh Castle
  • Corwen & Owain Glyndwr

Touring Information

Llangollen canal

Llangollen canal

Ancient Monument
Bridge

The Llangollen canal is a branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. The waterway links Llangollen in Denbighshire, North Wales, with Hurleston in south Cheshire, via the town of Ellesmere, Shropshire. It flows through beautiful countryside and features engineering masterpieces in crossing the deep river valleys of the Dee and Ceiriog. 

 
Denbigh Castle

Denbigh Castle

Castle

Denbigh Castle is one of many castles which were originally built by Welsh lords and princes but, after the conquest under English King Edward 1, were rebuilt as fortresses to maintain control of the newly acquired lands of North Wales. The castle, which stands on a rocky promontory above the Welsh market town of Denbigh, Denbighshire, was defended by a unique triple-towered gatehouse.
Ponycysllte Aqueduct

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Bridge

The world-famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is not only visually breathtaking but an astonishing feet of engineering - over 300 metres/1,000 feet long and 38 metres/126 feet high. Thomas Telford's masterpiece crosses the valley of the Dee on 18 tapering stone piers, hollow at the top to reduce weight. The aqueduct is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

 

 

Valle Crucis Abbey

Ancient Monument
Building work got underway in 1201. Seven centuries later and the abbey is one of the best preserved in Wales. Even the monks’ fishpond is still full of water!
 
From its cloister to chapter house, with striking rib-vaulted roof, this abbey was shaped by the devout nature of its inhabitants. The abbey was also remarkably self-sufficient thanks to the lay brethren. They were happy to leave the choir monks to their prayers while they got on with the job of tending the land. All friends together? Not quite. The monks observed their daily offices in the choir, separated by a screen from the lay brethren who worshipped in the nave of the abbey church.

The Horseshoe Pass

Farming
Mountains
The Horseshoe Pass (Welsh: Bwlch yr Oernant, "Pass of the Cold Stream") is a mountain pass in Denbighshire, north-east Wales. The road from Llandegla to Llangollen runs through the pass, reaching a maximum height of 417 metres (1,368 ft). The road travels in a horseshoe shape around the sides of a valley, giving the pass its English name.
This route dates from 1811 when a turnpike road was constructed across the area. As with the rest of the roads in the Clwydian Range, it is not uncommon for sheep to gather on the road, sometimes causing problems for drivers. The road is also frequently closed in winter due to snowfall or landslides.
 

Llangollen Town

Castle
Ancient Town
Bridge
Llangollen, home to Han Solo's favourite canal (Harrison Ford took a canal boat holiday here) as well as enough attractions to fill a brochure. It's popular and with good reason.
 
Once home to Welsh princes and influential abbots, this historic "Gateway to Wales" makes the most of its riverside setting in the narrowest stretch of the Dee Valley. Trains, boats, festivals and more make Llangollen a delight to visit at any time.
It's a hub of history and culture. The Royal Pavilion hosts festivals year-round, famously welcoming thousands of visitors each summer for the International Musical Eisteddfod, a unique celebration of world music and dance.
 
The town marks the start of a 10-mile heritage railway journey along the Valley to Corwen. It's the longest preserved standard gauge steam railway in Wales. The remaining ruins of Castell Dinas Bran. The medieval castle is rumoured to be linked to the legends of King Arthur. It's built on the site of an Iron Age hill fort, high above the town, so get your breath before you start the steep climb!

Tour information

Can I include this tour as part of a multi-day tour?
Yes, all our tours are fully customisable
Included
Your knowledgeable local guide & experienced driver • Pick up and drop off at your hotel
Not included
Admission fees to sights and attractions, where payable
To help you enjoy the day
Please wear sensible footwear for some light walking and bring a rain jacket (just in case!) As we tour, we will make suggestions for eating places that our guests have enjoyed visiting

Start your journey.
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The booking process

The booking process

Once you’ve sent us your message, this is the process:

1. We will confirm if your requested date(s) are available and/or respond to your initial questions.
2. Following our response, if you wish to proceed further with your enquiry we can discuss and plan your specific tour requirements in more detail.
3. Once you are happy with our plans we will then send you our quotation (Total tour price and deposit amount) for you to review. 
4. On our receipt of the deposit, you will receive an email from us confirming and securing your booking.