Why visit Llangollen?
Stunning scenery
Camping in Llangollen… Where do you even start? There’s just so much to do in this Denbighshire destination on the Dee River and by the Berwyn mountain range. A decent intro though would be to amble around all of the aforementioned spots. Add a trip to Horseshoe Pass for the spectacular view and to embark on a moorland meander to the top of Moel Morfydd (Llantysilio Mountain).
Wales’ best bridges?
Put Llangollen Bridge, a Gothic structure considered one of the seven wonders of Wales, on the itinerary as well. This 14th-century structure was built for packhorses and widened much later to fit road traffic. And speaking of equine animals, you can get one to pull your barge down the river from the Horsedrawn Boating Centre. For more bridge-based sightseeing, take a trip to the impossibly tall Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – designed with a whopping 19 arches by Industrial Revolution engineer Thomas Telford – in a motorised vessel.
Historic houses
Llangollen isn’t short of places to peek into the past. Venture to Valle Crucis Abbey to see how the Cistercian monks spent their days (eating and drinking, apparently) or check out Chirk Castle, a fantastic fortress surrounded by pretty plants. Plas Newydd Historic House & Gardens also has manicured outdoor spaces to stroll through and a home renovated by the Ladies of Llangollen, a pair of Victorian-era ‘It’ girls.
Top things to do in Llangollen
* Follow in King Arthur’s footsteps at the Castell Dinas Bran ruins
* View the vintage vehicles in the Llangollen Motor Museum
* Wander into the wild through the narrow, postcard-perfect World’s End vale
* Climb the 830-metre Cadair Berwyn (or one of the mountain range’s other 24 peaks)
* Make tracks for the 10-mile heritage railway journey from Llangollen to Corwen
Delve deeper into Llangollen
The Eisteddfod (and other excellent events)
Go camping in Llangollen in the summer months to catch the International Musical Eisteddfod, where singers and dancers from all over compete. There’s also the Llangollen Fringe Festival, an indie arts event, along with gardening shows, food fiestas and antiques fairs.
Winding waterways
Harrison Ford once went on a canal boat break in Llangollen. If that’s not a reason enough to hire a craft and take to the water, we don’t know what is. It’s also worth visiting Horseshoe Falls and strolling from there to Llangollen along the canal, passing by the recently restored Chain Bridge – another of the town’s river-spanning structures – enroute.
Tŷ Mawr Country Park
This special space sits on River Dee’s banks in the vast Vale of Llangollen, a section of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Head here for picnics under the Cefn Viaduct’s arches or to pet the pigs and goats at the pesticide-free farm. There are also top trails for some light trekking beside the water.
Here’s how
Not sure which campsite in Llangollen to go for? You could stay near town or pick a park in the countryside – perhaps head to the Ceiriog Valley for access to the Berwyn mountain range, running from Llangollen along the Dee Valley to Bala. Alternatively, settle in near tiny villages like Trevor, right by the Pontcysyllte Viaduct, or Llandegla for the mountain-biking trails.
Or browse based on your needs. Would you prefer a pitch for a tent? Or maybe one of our Llangollen caravan sites so you can skimp on the packing?
Here are a handful of our guests’ fave filters:
* Llangollen campsites with electric pitches
* Dog-friendly Llangollen camping
* Camping in Llangollen with fully serviced pitches
* Campsites in Llangollen with a play area
There’s also glamping in Llangollen for self-catering holidays. Opt for a boutique bell tent or choose a decadent lodge with a hot tub.
Our campsites near Llangollen are so close to England that breaks just over the border are also a must. Embark to Ellesmere in Shropshire to loll by the lake. You could also ease your way east to Gwynedd for Snowdonia National Park’s peaks and the Llŷn Peninsula’s spectacular beaches.
We’ve got camping guides to give you a helping hand wherever you’re off. Discover why tent-based trips are better than hotel holidays or learn how to build a campfire in seven simple steps.
