Oaklands Bed & Breakfast

The Horseshoe Pass

by budapest8

I have been through this pass many times
and it offers some great views which are typical for
North Wales.

The A542 road to the Horseshoe Pass offers some of the most spectacular views
in Wales as it climbs from Llangollen around a wide valley to form the shape of its name.

An annual stage in the now defunct Tour of Britain cycle race, the steady
incline of the road reaches a maximum height of 417 metres or 1,367ft .

This particular route dates from 1811 as part of a major turnpike road
constructed across the area and replaced the less spectacular, but extremely steep,
Bwlch Rhiwvelen. Due to the altitiude the Pass is frequently closed in
winter due to heavy snowfalls.

Llangollen Railway

by adelaidean

Hop aboard a stream train, and journey through the picturesque Dee Valley for a beautiful hour long trip..Volunteers have rebuilt this great eight mile journey. This would have to be some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen...
At certain times of the year,you can also treat the kids with a ride on Thomas the tank Engine..We were lucky enough to be there at this time...All the characters are at the train station,ready to have fun with all the children.

Home of the International Eisteddfod

by budapest8

"Steam, water bricks and slate"

Llangollen is a small town and community in the county of Denbighshire,
situated in north-east Wales on the River Dee and on the edge of
the Berwyn mountains. I have passed through here many times when
either travelling up to see my Grandparents when I was little or with
my father when driving south with my father.

"Llangollen"

Llangollen takes its name from Saint Collen (from the Welsh llan meaning
'church' and gollen meaning Collen),
a 6th century monk who founded a church beside the river there.
St Collen is said to have arrived in Llangollen by coracle.
As there are no other churches in Wales dedicated to St. Collen,
it is possible that this St. Collen may also have connections in both Colan,
Cornwall and Langolen, Brittany.

"Main stop on the London to Holyhead Road (A5)"

Llangollen was an important coaching stop for the Mail coach
on the old mail route along the A5 road from London to Holyhead.
My Grandafather wrote a book about the mail coachmen,
"Mailcoach men of the 18th Century" by Edmund Vale.

Llangollen

by uglyscot

In July Llangollen holds its annual International Musical Eisteddford. As many as 12000 visitors may attend.
Llangollen has a long history from ancient times, King Arthur and up to Victorian times to today.
The railway was closed, but volunteers kept it open and it now runs at weekends most of the year, and daily from June to October.

River Dee
The River Dee runs through Llangollen.
In the picture to the right is the railway station, and opposite is the old water Mill.
The photo was taken from the Dee Bridge built in 1345, but has since been widened.
Nearby is Dinas Bran castle.
More information can be seen online at www.llangollen.org.uk or llangollen.com