Northern Wales Uk

It was another full day of discoveries in Northern Wales. The weather has once again been kind to us. We set off from our pub stay in Talybont to the lovely harbour town of Conwy. We drove through an opening in the medieval wall that surrounds the historic centre. 

We chanced a street park for an hour. 

The castle built in the late 1200’s by Edward I dominates with its numerous towers..

We walked to Telford’s suspension bridge built in 1826. He had also designed Menai Bridge (yesterday) and an aqueduct we will see later today. 

We stroll past St. Mary’s church.

Then to Lancaster Square where there is a statue of Llewelyn the Great, Wale’s most successful medieval leader. 

We grab a delicious pastie for breakfast and make our way to the quay where Britains smallest house is found. It is 2.75m high and 1.5m wide. The funny thing is that the last owner was a fisherman that was 2m tall! 

We managed to get a few souvenirs before our time was up and we were in our way to St. Asaph. It is the place of Britain’s smallest cathedral. Although founded in 560 today we see a mostly 14th century building. It houses a copy of the 1588 translation of the bible into Welsh.

In Denbigh we filled up with gas at £0.99/l then continued to Ruthin. We walked past the Gaol and into the square with numerous half timbered buildings. 

Mark is re-enacting getting his head chopped off.. 

we peaked into the church. 

Then had a look around the castle grounds. 

Not the nicest things…

Poor bunny didn’t look to healthy 

We drove through some gorgeous countryside and up and over Horseshoe Pass (alt. 416m) surrounded by slate quarries.

Our next stop was to see the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. We paid £3 parking at the tea rooms and the wondered over the stunning 39m high construction built in 1805. It is said to be the longest and highest in the UK and is a World Heritage Site. We watched a couple of long boats and canoeist come across. 

Not far was the National Trust property Chirk Castle. It was built as a border fortress in the late 13th century and was bought by the Myddleton family in the 16th century.

The rooms we saw had some interesting features. Cromwell Hall named after the 17th century arms displayed on the walls. 

The Grand Staircase was designed in neo classical style. 

The dinning room had gold decoration on the walls and ceiling. 

The Saloon lovely ceilings. 

The Drawing Room with more incredible ceilings. 

The Long Gallery was quite impressive. 

Apparently Kings Charles I in 1645 slept here. 

The Chapel was set up as in the 1920’s when Howard de Walden lived here and used it as a music room. He restored the buildings and kept the castle from deteriorating during the 19th century. 

We finished our visit with a tour through Adam Tower set in the medieval past.

Then it was back into Chirk with a sneaky spot in a carpark.. had enough of pub food . 

130km today..