Llangollen campsites

The small and pretty town of Llangollen is a lovely riverside retreat in Wales. The River Dee flows alongside the town, all part and parcel of the peaceful country feel of this Denbighshire spot.

Places of note in the area include the stately home and gardens of Erddig which give an insight into the lives of the different classes in the 18th and 19th century. Life above and beneath stairs could not have been more different! Pop by in the school holidays to try one of many family friendly events that take place in the grounds.

Plas Newydd is another grand historical house, well worth its salt, set along the Menai Straits with views of Snowdonia that you won't get anywhere else. Not only that, but a military museum inside will get you clued up about waepon used in the Battle of Waterloo. Set in even more rural solitude is theValle Crucis Abbey -a 13th century building that is also a must see and where tempting details of the monks' world survive.

Llangollen Wharf is where you can enjoy a horse drawn boat ride on the town's canal or instead try the cruise which will take you across the imposing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. The canal itself crosses the border between England and Wales and is a link between the two countries. Look to the other side and you'll start to wonder, what's just beyond your field of vision? Exploring further is only a matter of time. 

The Llangollen Railway is also a popular attraction - a sixteen mile route aboard an old steam train which will take you through plenty of picturesque countryside, including the Dee Valley. Above the town stands the imposing medieval castle, Castell Dinas Brân. This looming pinnacle is also where you can discover a fort dating back to the Iron Age and the home of the International Eisteddfod.

As you head back to town, tiptoe over the Llangollen Bridge. It was built originally for packhorses, in the 16th century, and is steeped in history. Dawdle there and watch the beautiful River Dee race by.  

Nearby you can explore the Ceiriog Valley, Moel y Gamelin (the highest summit of the hill range) and the Pillar of Ellseg, near the Valle Circus Valley. Horseshoe Falls, manmade waterfalls, are located around 3 miles west of the town. Wrexham is only a short drive away and here you can learn about the traditional brewing of the area and sample a few tasty nips, as well as visit the catherdral or Chirk Castle. Shrewsbury is a larger town and is home to over 600 listed buildings as well as the renowned Shrewsbury Abbey.