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The Town
A small town of some 3000 people Llangollen is seeped in myth and legend.
In many ways it is best known for hosting the Llangollen International
Musical Eisteddfod every July which brings in some 120,000 visitors and
turns the town into a vibrant international stage.
As with so many ancient Welsh towns, it takes its name from its founding
Saint; Collen, a seventh century saint. Llangollen, was established in the 7th Century when The monk St. Collen
was instructed to find a valley by riding a horse for one day and then
stop and mark out a "parish" a place to build his hermitage or cell in the
custom of the times, with tiny church, hospice and outhouses all enclosed
within a wall.
The History
The famous Dee Bridge,
was built by Bishop Trevor of Trevor Hall in I345. It is a scheduled
ancient monument and was widened in the 1960’s to accommodate modern
traffic.
Up to the I9th century Llangollen town was located south-east of the
bridge around Bridge Street and Church Street, and to the north-west
around the old village green, which has now disappeared , but is
remembered by such names as 'Green Lane; and 'Green Lodge' which still
exist. Nearly all of this densely populated area disappeared to allow the
building of the Railway.
Llangollen became important because of its prominent position on the main
London to Holyhead coaching road which was improved by Thomas Telford from
1815 and continued for some 15 years. The Canal was also constructed
around this and combined to bring considerable immigration into Llangollen
during the early part of the 19th century.
These improved communication routes and local natural resources made an
ideal location for newly developing industries. The old Water Mill
opposite the Railway Station had already functioned for hundreds of years
when a new Flannel Mill was erected at the north end of Church Street on a
site later to be occupied by a tannery after the business had expanded and
moved across the river to Lower Dee Mills.
Many objected to this noisy new Flannel Mill. These included Lady Eleanor
Butler and the Honourable Sarah Ponsonby, known as the 'Ladies of
Llangollen' who were able to glower down on `this monstrous building' from
their home Plas Newydd. During this time Plas Newydd was visited by many
of the famous and distinguished of the time, although only the favoured
were allowed admission.
Today the house receives thousands of visitors each year as one of Wales'
most famous tourist attractions.
Valle Crucis Abbey dating from the 13th century is 2 miles from
Llangollen. It is well worth a visit and shows the sheer scale of
buildings in the 14th century. It was largely destroyed during the reign
of Henry VIII.
The Rug Chapel and Llangar Church can be found in Corwen, some 10 miles
from Llangollen, these beautiful religious sites are well worth a visit.
The church retains many ancient features including 15th century wall
paintings while the Rug Chapel is a fine example of a private 17th century
chapel.
The Castle
The remains of
Castell
Dinas Bran (Crow Castle) can be seen high on an isolated hill above
Llangollen and reached by a steep climb. From the top the views of
Llangollen and the Dee Valley are stunning. This was said to be the
possible burial site of the Holy Grail of the Arthurian legends, and was
known to have been the 13th Century home of Madoc ap Gruffydd Maelor, the
founder of Valle Crucis Abbey and it was possibly a stronghold for Eliseg,
Prince of Powys in the 6th Century.
The Town
Llangollen is a haven
for shoppers looking for interesting and unusual gifts. There are also
many interesting walks in the town. The canal from the town to the Chain
Bridge Hotel and Horseshoe Falls as an example. Another walk is Bishops
Walk from the Bridge End Hotel side of the river bridge along the
riverside past the old mill sluice gates and leet and the remains of the
weir, then past views of St. Collens church over the river, and on to the
Sarah Ponsonby Inn.
A favourite walk is the town side of the bridge stroll along Dee Lane and
Victoria Promenade to Riverside Walk. This passes gardens with views of
the steam trains, ducks, a bandstand, tennis courts, bowling green and
children's play area.
The Culture
The town has become a
Mecca for amateur theatre productions with thriving societies producing
high-class plays, musicals, operas, cabaret and concerts. There are over
one hundred groups with a multitude of different interests in the
immediate locality, we are all spoiled for choice.
The Eisteddfod
Thousands of visitors
from around the globe descend on Llangollen in July each year when it
hosts the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
The Railway
Opened in 1862 the
Ruabon to Barmouth railway steamed its way through the Welsh countryside.
At one time it was possible to board at Llangollen Station and travel to
London without a single change! the Railway closed to passenger traffic in
1965, and to goods in 1968 and over the next seven years Nature closed in
on the buildings and track bed . However steam trains are once more to be
seen in Llangollen Station thanks to the efforts of the Llangollen Railway
Society.
A group was formed to renovate and reopen part of the line in September
1975, with just 60 feet of track which has now grown some 7½ miles along
the Dee Valley passing wonderful scenery and giving a glimpse of how this
65 mile journey must have looked like in its heyday.
Trains operate during weekends virtually all year and daily from June to
the end of October. During the summer, steam trains are mostly used.
The Canal
From Llangollen Wharf
you can embark on a 45-minute horse drawn trip or a two hour trip on the
traditional Canal narrow boat, which takes you through the Vale of
Llangollen and across the world's biggest aqueduct at Trevor. Towering 126
feet above the river and built by Thomas Telford it is a masterpiece of
engineering. You will not be the first to experience this. For over 100
years, pleasure boats have operated from Llangollen Wharf - and the
experience is as popular as ever.
The Fishing
Most of the fishing in
and around Llangollen Town is owned by Llangollen Angling Association.
Permits can be purchased Newsagents/Fishing Tackle shop at 12 Chapel St,
Llangollen. Tel +44(0) 1978 860155. No permit holder may fish with out
being in possession of a valid Environment Agency rod licence which can be
purchased from any Post Office in England and Wales.
The Association has 14 miles (22.53km) of fishing in and around the town
with all waters above the Chain Bridge Hotel being strictly fly only for
Trout, but spinning and bait fishing is allowed for Salmon. Worm fishing
is allowed below the Chain Bridge Hotel for Trout, Grayling and Coarse
fish between the l6th of June and the 3rd of March. No spinning, maggots,
or any other baits are allowed and keep nets are banned. A bag limit of 4
fish per day applies which can be made up from either Brown Trout, Rainbow
Trout, or Grayling. All Salmon fishing to Environment Agency byelaws on
the use of baits etc.
The Panorama
Worlds End and The Panorama, a spectacular and dominating outcrop of
Carboniferous Limestone from Worlds End and Eglwyseg to Trevor is
stunning. Great outcrops of limestone providing walkers and climbers with
ample scope to escape civilisation for a while. You can also drive along
the single track toad and park up - take a picnic for a wonderful peaceful
day out.
The frost eroded limestone is littered with coral and sea shell fossils
confirming this raised mountain was once below sea level. The Panorama
road hosts a monument to I.D. Hooson, the noted Welsh poet from
Rhosllanerchrugog, a proud local village which was once the largest
village in Wales. It is still famous for its choirs and are proud of their
nickname of ‘Jacos’ - so called because there was great support in my home
village for the Jacobite cause.
The views from the Panorama are stunning and extended to the Shropshire
and Cheshire plains. It is well worth visiting.
The Ladies
Plas Newydd was home to the Ladies of Llangollen, Lady Eleanor Butler and
Miss Sarah Ponsonby, from 1780 - 1829. They became famous throughout the
country and entertained many Regency Society The house still retains the
Gothic features they introduced and receives thousands of visitors each
year as one of Wales' most famous tourist attractions. The gardens
surrounding the house are worth visiting and offer an excellent view of
the local Castle perched high a top a nearby mountain.
Visit St
Collen's Church with
its carved oak ceiling and after which the town is named.
For photos of Llangollen click on the
following links - Photos of Llangollen - Photos
of the scenery around Llangollen and Old Photos of
Llangollen
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