Spring is well under way and summer is nearly upon us, what a great time to take a look at the top 10 things to do in Wrexham.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Thomas Telford finished Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – the tallest canal boat crossing in the world – in 1805 and in 2009, Unesco made this masterpiece of civil engineering, that stretches over the River Dee, a World Heritage Site – along with 11 miles of canal including Chirk Aqueduct and the Horseshoe Falls near Llangollen.
See pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk
Chirk Castle
This Marcher fortress dates from 1310 but it’s no ruin: it’s been lived in for the last 700 years. The grand 18th century state apartments are crammed with elaborate plasterwork, Adam-style furniture, tapestries and portraits. Also, the gardens were once voted the best in the National Trust.
See nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle
Erddig
Set in a beautiful 18th century formal garden and landscaped park, Erddig is a fine example of the upstairs/downstairs life of a gentry family spanning some 250 years. Visit the servant’s quarters and the impressive kitchen, then see the finery of the upstairs, including fine furniture, textiles and wallpapers.
See nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig
Bangor-on-Dee Races
Horse racing at Bangor-on-Dee started more than 150 years ago when a couple of chaps from the local hunt galloped across the meadows for a £50 prize. It’s a left-handed National Hunt racecourse, and it doesn’t have a grandstand – it doesn’t need one because the views are so stunning from the grass banks of this natural amphitheatre.
See bangorondeeraces.co.uk
The Plassey Craft and Retail Centre
Set in 247 acres of parkland near Bangor on Dee, it has 25 outlets including an interior designer, blacksmith, beauty salon, hairdressers, garden centre, tea shop and restaurant. It also features a 5* touring caravan park, recently voted best in Wales at the National Tourism Awards for Wales.
See plassey.com
St Giles Church
The steeple of St Giles in Wrexham is 135ft tall and one of Seven Wonders of Wales. Is it one of 15 churches that have come together to form the Open Church Network.
See openchurchnetwork.co.uk
Motor Safari
Featured on TV programmes such as Top Gear, Blue Peter and This Morning, Motor safari offers unique 4×4 driving experiences, quad biking, archery and more in the gorgeous Welsh countryside.
See motor-safari.co.uk
Wrexham County Borough Museum
Inside one of Wrexham’s landmark buildings, Wrexham County Borough Museum is the starting point for discovering the eventful history of this region on the English-Welsh border. The museum’s displays and collections tell the stories of Wrexham and its people from prehistory to present day.
See wrexham.gov.uk
Techniquest Glyndwr
Techniquest aims to explore the mysteries of science – through the medium of big bangs and slippery slime – and there are more than 60 interactive games and exhibits here. They include a spinning orb with flowing crystals and a spooky ‘shadow wall’ that takes on a life of its own.
See tqg.org.uk
Wrexham’s Country Parks
Feel the burn at Alyn Waters, Wrexham’s biggest country park with six calorie-counted walks of different gradients and distances. Or head to Ty Mawr to see donkeys, pigs, rabbits and chickens, plus a lovely walk alongside the River Dee with dramatic views of the Cefn viaduct.
See wrexham.gov.uk/countryside
For more see wrexham.gov.uk and visitwales.com
