Local Attractions

 


 

Historic Towns & Race Courses

Chester - 16 miles
Chester is a historic city with world famous rows of medieval shops built one on top of the other and connected by raised walkways. The oldest shop in Chester dates from the 11th century. Chester’s town walls still exist and provide an interesting and unusual walk. Chester Horse Races are worth a visit on race days.

 

Shrewsbury - 25 miles
Shrewsburyis less well known than Chester, but it too has a wealth of historic black and white timber framed buildings. Shrewsbury is the setting for Ellis Peters’ mediaeval detective stories featuring Brother Cadfael. While in Shrewsbury visit Attingham Hall a couple of miles from the town centre.

 

LLangollen - 15 miles
Llangollen is a small Welsh town set in the vale of Llangollen and overshadowed by the mountain Dinas Bran and the Panorama, a large limestone escarpment. In Llangollen you will find the old steam railway and Plas Newydd, the home of the “Ladies of Llangollen”. In July Llangollen hosts the International Musical Eisteddfod; if you like choirs and national dances this is a must. In green fields beneath Llangollan’s steep sided mountains can be found the evocative ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey, founded in the 13th century by Cistercian monks.

 

Bangor-on-Dee Race Course - 3 miles
Bangor-on-Dee Horse Races are held throughout the year; fixture dates are available from the race course on 01978 780323.

 

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Castles & Country Houses

Erddig - 7 miles
Erddig is a country house, built between 1684 and 1687. It is one of the most fascinating houses in Wales with stunning staterooms and provides a unique insight to life below stairs. Its large walled garden has been restored to its 18th century design. Erddig is owned by the National Trust and open to the public.

 

Chirk Castle - 13 miles

Chirk Castle is a great border castle built in 1310 by Roger Mortimer to police the English/Welsh border. This castle has been owned by Sir Thomas Seymore who married Henry the Eighth’s widow Catherine Parr, also by Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester, before it was acquired by Sir Thomas Myddelton who financed the merchant adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh and his lucrative exploits on the Spanish Main. The castle has fine furniture, gardens and you can explore the dungeon. Chirk Castle is now owned by The National Trust and open to the public.

 

 

 

Powys Castle - 35 miles
This medieval castle was built by Welsh princes and became the home of Clive of India. It houses one of the finest collections of furniture and paintings in Wales. The combination of terraces, formal and informal gardens are both a delight and of the highest historic and horticultural importance. It is owned by The National Trust and open to the public.

 

Little Morton Hall - 35 miles
Little Morton Hall dates from about 1460 and has changed little since Queen Elizabeth 1st came to the throne; it is a fine example of a timber framed building. It is owned by The National Trust and open to the public.

 

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Gardens

Biddulph Grange - 35 miles
Biddulph Grange Gardens are just a few miles down the road from Little Morton Hall so you could visit both in an afternoon. These gardens are designed as separate “rooms” each representing a different country. Enter an Egyptian tomb and emerge from a country cottage, a delight for adults and children alike. They are owned by The National Trust and open to the public.

 

Cholmondley Castle Gardens - 10 miles
These romantically landscaped gardens provide a relaxing afternoon. Unfortunately they are not open all week, but they are open in the summer on Sundays.

 

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