North East Wales

Discover the charms of North East Wales – where hills and rivers shaped history

Hills, rivers and history are very interwined in North East Wales. With Iron Age hill-forts atop strategic peaks, historic river crossings and bustling trading posts deep in the valleys, North East Wales is a delight to explore.

It takes in the stunning Dee Valley and the Vale of Llangollen. Here, the town of the same name boasts a castle, the ruins of an ancient abbey, a canal with a world-famous aqueduct, and a steam railway. The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod draws performers from around the world and like Mold, another busy market town in North East Wales, it hosts an annual food festival.

Above the Dee Valley are the stark uplands of Llandegla. Here you will find one of the best mountain bike centres in the UK. If you prefer walking boots to wheels, Llandegla and the Berwyn Mountains mark the southern end of the Clywdian Hills. Offa’s Dyke links hill-fort peaks and its long distance trail gives views across North East Wales to Snowdonia beyond.

Loggerheads Country Park is at the heart of limestone country, where woodland walks hide streams, cliffs and caves. The historic vale towns of Ruthin and Denbigh are well worth visiting, with their gaol and castle. For more action and shopping, head to Wrexham, the self-proclaimed capital of North East Wales. Even here you are close to undiscovered country – a few miles away is the Ceiriog Valley where you can have the world to yourself again.