Walking Tours and Historic Market Towns

Corwen

Located on the banks of the river Dee which curve around this historic market town, there is much to see and do here. Tours can begin as you begin or disembark from the steam train which offers a beautiful journey along the Dee Valley and next to the magnificent Afon Dyfrdwy, or starting at the large and centrally located town car park. The town itself is noted for its historical link with the last of the Welsh Princes, Owain Glyndŵr and the many historical links can be found on this tour. There will also be the opportunity to see the former Workhouse, the important church of St Mael and St Sulien, to learn about the history of the drovers who travelled across the Berwyn mountains, to look at the difference between chapel and church and, for the more adventurous, a walk up to the iron-age hill fort of Caer Drewyn, with its impressive stone ramparts which have been in situ for 3,000 years, or up into the forest, following in the footsteps of the giant Drewyn to the viewpoint at Pen-Y-Pigyn with spectacular view across the Dee Valley and Clwydian Mountain Range. There is so much to pick from and an all important afternoon tea can be added into your tour to taste local Welsh food and drink. Corwen really is a hidden gem which is ripe for exploration and discovery!

Llangollen

A thriving market town which is a must see on your journey along Thomas Telford’s A5 and into the heart of North Wales. A town tour will take you to the home of the world famous international Eisteddfod, where, once every summer, this little market town is graced with the presence of world-renowned music stars such as Bryan Adams, Roger Daltry and even Luciano Pavarotti who performed here in 1955 and 1995! This tour will take you across the Grade I listed bridge which is noted as one of the Seven Wonders of Wales and where you can spot the wild, white waters of the Dee and a kayaker or two rushing along the river Dee. Winding through the streets, stopping to look at churches, chapels and up to the canal which links Horseshoe Falls with the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the longest aqueduct in Great Britain as well as the highest canal aqueduct in the world, you could take a horsedrawn long boat along the canal or stop for a panad (cup of tea) and a Welsh cake smothered in butter before leaving to see one of the many other sites which surround this must see town.

From here, it is an easy journey onto Plas Newydd, Valle Crucis Abbey, Castell Dinas Bran or Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. A walking tour from Llangollen to Horseshoe falls or, for the more adventurous, on to Pontcysyllte aqueduct can also be arranged, with the addition of a supplied picnic made up of traditional Welsh fare to make your day easier and more memorable!

Wrexham

One of the largest settlements in North Wales, this city has a wealth of history, both ancient and, as a result of its recent change in fortunes, a more modern and well-deserved revival owing to the success of Wrexham AFC and the world famous documentary which charts the rise of the club. This tour can be tailored to suit your interests as you explore this city, whether it is a cultural tour taking in the sights of St. Giles church, another of the Seven Wonders of Wales and burial place of Elihu Yale; the architecturally beautiful Victorian markets which reflect the economic rise of the city during the industrial revolution and as a result of the coal industry and the 19 breweries which at one point would have been central to the town’s economy. Now a home to the Arts, Wrexham was a finalist for the City of Culture in 2025 and many signs of this can be spotted around the city centre. In addition, the city will hold the next National Eisteddfod in 2025, with many people coming together to celebrate Welsh culture, language and the arts. Many will of course want to have a glimpse of the Racecourse and the city is home to the Royal Welch Fusiliers and an interesting stop for those interested in military history. Tours can also be designed to explore the local area with trips to wonderful Erddig and its gardens, a fascinating stately home which maps 240 years of history, not just of its aristocratic owners, but of their servants and life ‘below stairs’. For lovers of ‘Downton Abbey’ this is a must see. Not much further up the road is Chirk Castle, a striking medieval fortress which guards the borders of Wales, standing guard over the much disputed lands which separate the two countries and now, home to extensive art collections, with the landscaped gardens and area around being designated both an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and an SSSI (Sight of Specific Scientific Interest). Like Llangollen, a visit to Thomas Telford’s Chirk and Pontcysyllte Aqueducts are both within easy reach of the city and could make a wonderful full day of discovery if built into an itinerary.