Seven Wonders of Wales

The seven wonders of wales

Of the seven wonders of Wales immortalised in the famous verse, three are in Wrexham, a further three are in Wrexham’s Borderlands, and the seventh, Snowdon, can be seen on a clear day from the Borderland’s town of Llangollen.

" Pistyll Rhaedr and Wrexham Steeple
Snowdon’s mountain, without its people;
Overton Yewtrees, Saint Winifred Wells,
Llangollen Bridge and Gresford Bells."

The steeple of this famous rhyme, which can be seen for many miles as the tallest building in the town, is not a steeple at all, but the 16th century tower of the Wrexham Parish Church of St. Giles. Widely recognised as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in North Wales, a replica has been built into Yale University in America, whose benefactor, Elihu Yale, is buried in the churchyard.

The Gresford Bells can be found in the 15th century All Saints Church in Gresford, Wrexham, one of the finest church buildings in Wales. Perched on a pillar of coal above the Vale of the Alyn, its tower has dominated the skyline for centuries. Its peal of bells can be heard on Tuesday evenings and Sundays.

In Overton village, Wrexham, the 21 yew trees in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin Church are magnificent. The most venerable has been estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 years old. The youngest was planted in 1992 by HM Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the granting of the borough charter. The pretty village of Overton itself is mentioned in the doomsday book.

For Pistyll Rhaeadr you head through Wrexham’s beautiful Ceiriog Valley and head into the Tanat Valley in Wrexham’s borderlands. The road will take you through the charming village of Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, and along narrow lanes with beautiful scenery. When you reach Llanrhaeadr turn right down Waterfall Road clearly signposted ‘Waterfall 4 miles’. This road will bring you to the foot of the beautiful Pistyll Rhaeadr – the highest waterfall in England and Wales (240ft).

St. Winefride’s Well can be found in Holywell in Wrexham’s borderlands. Legend has it that a spring of holy water rises from where the severed head of Winefride fell. She was restored to life and the well became the centre of pilgrimages. Called the ‘Lourdes of Wales’, the holy well gave rise to the name of the town ‘Holywell’.

Llangollen Bridge straddles the River Dee in this small but popular town in the Borderlands. The original bridge is believed to have been built by Henry I and reconstructed in 1346. Today it is a scheduled ancient monument.

Finally Snowdon, though not in the Borderlands area, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the majestic mountain on a clear day from above Llangollen.

For more information on these areas contact one of the Tourist Information Centres for details:

(Wrexham: 01978 292015)

(Mold: 01352 759331)

(Llangollen: 01978 860828)

(Ruthin: 01824 703992)