Dyffryn Dyfrdwy
Llangollen guide
A small town on the River Dee with a big list of things to do: a World Heritage aqueduct, a steam railway, a castle on the hill and the world famous International Eisteddfod every July.1805Pontcysyllte Aqueduct opened38mHigh above the DeeUNESCOWorld Heritage Site since 200910 milesOf steam railway to Corwen
Overview
Why go to Llangollen
Llangollen has been a stop for travellers since the days of the A5 coaching road from London to Holyhead. The town packs a lot into a few streets either side of the old stone bridge over the Dee, with the river rushing underneath and the canal running along the hillside above.The 11 mile stretch from Gledrid Bridge through Chirk and Pontcysyllte to the Horseshoe Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can walk, cycle or take a boat along it.Things to do
Top things to do in Llangollen
Pontcysyllte AqueductThomas Telford's "stream in the sky", opened in 1805: 307m long and 38m above the Dee. Walk across, or take a narrowboat trip over it.
Llangollen RailwayHeritage steam and diesel trains along the Dee Valley to Corwen, about 10 miles. Special trains run for Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas.
Plas NewyddBlack and white home of the Ladies of Llangollen. The house is open 11am to 4pm until 31 October; the gardens are free.
Castell Dinas BrânRuined 1260s castle on the hill above town. A steep walk up, and the best view in the valley.
Horseshoe FallsTelford's curved 140m weir that feeds the canal, a pleasant walk or horse-drawn boat ride from town.
Valle Crucis AbbeyRuined Cistercian abbey in the valley just north of town, looked after by Cadw. Free, 10am to 4pm.
Events
The Llangollen International Eisteddfod
Every July, singers and dancers from around the world come to Llangollen for the International Musical Eisteddfod, started in 1947 to help bring nations together after the war. In 2026 it ran from 7 to 12 July. Book accommodation early for Eisteddfod week. The weekly market is on Tuesdays.Getting there
Getting to Llangollen
By car: Llangollen is on the A5, about 20 minutes from Wrexham and the A483.By train: the nearest mainline stations are Ruabon and Chirk, both a short bus or taxi ride away. Llangollen Railway is a heritage line only.By bus: the T3 TrawsCymru service links Llangollen with Wrexham, Corwen, Bala and Barmouth.What's on
Events in and around Llangollen
- 27Oct
Tue 27 Oct, 7:30pmOpen Mic Night at GalesGales Wine Bar, LlangollenGales Wine Bar holds an open mic every other Tuesday from 7.30pm. - 31OctSat 31 Oct, 10amGravy Train Vinyl Pop-Up Record Fair at Llangollen Memorial HallMemorial Hall, LlangollenAn all-day record fair with LPs, 45s and 78s across all genres, to buy, sell and trade. Everyone is welcome. Organised by Gravy Train Vinyl, www.gravytrainvinyl.com.
- 2DecWed 2 Dec, 7pmPuccini’s Madama Butterfly: North Wales OperaLlangollen PavilionNorth Wales Opera presents a traditional staging of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, directed by Anne Williams-King, sung in the original Italian without surtitles.
- 5Dec
Sat 5 Dec, 12pmLlangollen Railway Santa SpecialsLlangollen Railway StationSteam into Christmas with a festive train ride aboard the Llangollen Railway, complete with a visit from Santa for younger passengers. - 19Dec
Sat 19 Dec, 6pmBingo Lingo: Deck the Balls Christmas SpecialLlangollen PavilionA festive, comedic take on bingo with hosts, performances, DJs and prizes, for regular players and newcomers alike. Tickets via the Pavilion's booking link.
See more eventsListings from North Wales Events. Check with the venue before you travel.
Stay
Places to stay in Llangollen
Riverside hotels, inns, B&Bs and cottages, many within walking distance of the station and the canal.Search places to stay in Llangollen
Live prices and availability from Booking.com, for hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and holiday homes.
Our local guide
Go deeper on Llangollen
Llangollen.comThe full guide to Llangollen and the Dee Valley.Visit the site →Wrecsam.comVisitor guide to Wrexham and the Dee Valley.Visit the site →Ruthin.comOver the Horseshoe Pass to Ruthin and the Vale of Clwyd.Visit the site →
Nearby: Wrexham, Ruthin, Bala, Denbighshire Council, all areas.
