Overview
Wrexham has had a good few years: city status in 2022, and a football club half the world now follows. The Racecourse Ground is the oldest international football stadium still in use, Wrexham Lager claims to be Britain's first lager, and Elihu Yale, who gave his name to Yale University, is buried in the churchyard of St Giles.
The morning is the valley: the Horseshoe Pass, Valle Crucis Abbey and Telford's aqueduct over the Dee.
The day ends where Wrexham does, in The Turf, next to the ground.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Group size
- Up to 7 guests
- Vehicle
- Mercedes V-Class
Includes
- Expert bilingual local guide
- Travel in a Mercedes V-Class
- Daily pick-ups & drop offs
- Fully customisable
Excludes
- Flights, transfers and accommodation
- Food and drink
- Entry fees to attractions
- Heritage & culture
- Castles
Itinerary
The valley, then the city
Over the moorland of the Horseshoe Pass and down to the abbey ruins of Valle Crucis, then into Llangollen, where horse-drawn boats still work the canal. After Telford's aqueduct, it's east into Wrexham for the Racecourse, St Giles' tower, a Wrexham Lager, and The Turf, which on a match day is anything but quiet.
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Bwlch yr Oernant, a mountain pass rising to 417 metres
Bwlch yr Oernant, the pass of the cold stream, climbs to 417 metres on the 1811 turnpike from Llandegla to Llangollen, swinging around the head of a valley in a horseshoe, which is where the English name comes from. Open moorland, long views, sheep on the road and the Ponderosa cafe at the top. Often closed by snow in winter. -
One of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in Wales
Begun in 1201 by Madog ap Gruffudd, and remarkably complete seven centuries later: the west front, the rib-vaulted chapter house, the cloister and the monks' fishpond, the only one in Wales still holding water. The choir monks and the lay brothers who worked the land worshipped separately, divided by a screen in the abbey church. -
Dee Valley town below the Berwyn Mountains and Castell Dinas Bran
A small town at a crossing of the Dee, in the narrowest part of the valley below the Berwyn Mountains. The river runs fast here and canoeists fight through it under the old bridge, while a horse pulls the passenger boats along the canal above the town. Each July the International Musical Eisteddfod fills the Royal Pavilion with singers and dancers from around the world, and a heritage railway runs ten miles up the valley to Corwen. On the hill above are the ruins of Castell Dinas Brân. -
A branch of the Shropshire Union, and a World Heritage waterway
The canal runs from Llangollen to Hurleston in Cheshire, crossing the Dee and the Ceiriog on Telford's aqueducts. Horse-drawn boats still work the stretch from Llangollen Wharf towards the Horseshoe Falls. -
Hilltop fortress ruin with spectacular views over the Dee Valley
Crow's Fortress, the Welsh princes of Powys' castle of the 1260s, ruined on a conical hill 300 metres above Llangollen, on the site of an Iron Age hill fort. It was abandoned within twenty years and never rebuilt, which is why so little stands, and legend has attached it to King Arthur and the Grail. The climb from the town is steep and the view along the Dee Valley is the reward. -
Telford's 1805 aqueduct, the highest navigable one in the world
Thomas Telford's aqueduct of 1805 carries the Llangollen Canal 307 metres across the Dee on 18 tapering stone piers, hollow at the top to save weight, 38 metres above the river: the highest navigable aqueduct in the world and a World Heritage Site. You can walk the towpath across, with a railing on one side and the drop on the other, or see it from the riverbank below. -
Home of Wrexham AFC, founded 1864 and now known the world over
The club was founded in 1864 and is one of the oldest football clubs in Wales. Wrexham FC has a long and storied history. Wrexham FC has a passionate fan base and a rich history, and the recent takeover from Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has brought renewed hope and optimism for the future of the club. -
Historic medieval church in the heart of Wrexham
A prominent historic church in the heart of Wrexham, known for its striking medieval architecture and distinctive tower, which forms an important landmark in the town centre. The church has played a significant role in Wrexham’s religious and community life for centuries and is an important part of the town’s heritage. Its historic setting and architectural features make it a notable point of interest for visitors exploring Wrexham and its historic centre. -
42 St George's Cres, Wrexham
Wrexham Lager is a historic Welsh beer with roots dating back to 1881, when it was first brewed in Wrexham, North Wales. Often recognised as Britain’s first lager, it was inspired by traditional German brewing methods and became known for its crisp, refreshing character. Today, Wrexham Lager continues that proud brewing heritage while celebrating its place in the town’s industrial and cultural history. -
Pub beside the Racecourse Ground, a favourite on match days
A popular pub near the Wrexham Racecourse Ground, well known among football fans visiting Wrexham on match days.
What guests say
if you are going to spend time in northern Wales, which seems to be an underrated travel destination, with its beautiful landscapes, colorful coastal towns and magnificent old castles, you would be very lucky to have John Pritchard from Célticos as your guide. He took us around Wales for three days and then drove us back to a suburb of London where we were staying stopping at Stratford Upon Avon on the way back. The itinerary he put together for us was flawless. HIs knowledge of the area where he grew up, combined with his kindness and easy to be around attitude, made the trip very special. We started watching welcome to Wrexham and we had a tour of Wrexham with the ex director of the football club and got to meet some of the locals . The hotel we chose from his many suggestions was perfect for us. I am already thinking of going back and doing another part of Wales with him. If you are considering Wales, and you should, John is your perfect choice of a guide.
We had a fantastic day with John - from the moment he picked us up in London to our final destination in Wrexham, Wales. The drive across England flew by, thanks to John’s engaging and informative conversation. We even learned a little Welsh along the way! He perfectly curated our stop in Llangollen to have lunch, ride along the canal, and visit the amazing Pontcysylite Aqueduct before dropping us at our hotel in Wrexham. He also made sure we had the most brilliant guide for our walking tour of Wrexham the next day. Wales was a highlight of our trip and John was a big part of that. Can’t recommend him or his services highly enough
Frequently asked questions
- Can we change the itinerary?
Yes. Every tour we run is customised, so treat this itinerary as a starting point. Tell us what interests you and we will build the days around it.
- What time do we start and finish?
Usually around 9am to 5pm, but we are flexible. What matters most is that you have a good time, so if starting earlier or finishing later makes for a better day, that is what we will do.
- How many of us can come?
Up to 7 guests, travelling together in our Mercedes V-Class. For a party of 8 or more, get in touch and we will make special arrangements.
- Can children come?
Children over 12 years old are welcome. Not every tour suits children, so tell us their ages when you get in touch and we will plan the day around them. We are not able to accommodate infants and babies.
- Can this tour be combined with other tours, or made longer or shorter?
Yes. A day tour can be built into a multi-day tour, and a multi-day tour can be shortened, extended or joined to another. Tell us how many days you have and we will plan around them.
- Are admission fees included?
No. Entry to castles, gardens and other attractions is paid on the day, where a fee applies. Most of the castles are maintained by Cadw, part of the Welsh Government. Please visit cadw.gov.wales. We can advise you on the best deals when you book your tour with us.
- Is food included?
No. As we tour we will suggest eating places that our guests have enjoyed.
- What should we wear and bring?
Sensible footwear for some light walking, and a rain jacket, just in case.
- How much walking is involved?
Some, and none of it strenuous: the walk from the car to a castle gate or a viewpoint. If walking is a concern, tell us and we will plan the stops accordingly.
- Where should we stay?
Somewhere central, so that touring time is not spent driving to the start. Our accommodation advice lists places our guests have used, and we are happy to suggest a base for your tour.
