Llangollen, Wales

 Dee Valley from Castell Dinas Bran

Dee Valley from Castell Dinas Bran

Today, I am reprising a visit to two important but divergent sites at Llangollen (pop 4000) in N.E. Wales.

First we called at Plas Newydd (New Hall) which was made famous by two aristocratic ladies whose lives straddled the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The two ladies were Lady Eleanor Charlotte Butler (1739-1829) and Sarah Ponsonby (1755-1831) who, between 1798 a and 1814. transformed a nondescript small cottage into an elaborate, Gothic themed home with planned garden. Subsequent owners undertook modifications, additions and alterations culminating in the current building and grounds.

Plas Newydd is now a visitor attraction owned and managed by Denbighshire County Council.

Plas Newydd, Llangollen, Wales

Plas Newydd, Llangollen, Wales

Woodland Garden at Plas Newydd,, Llangollen, Wales

Woodland Garden at Plas Newydd,, Llangollen, Wales.

After Plas Newydd we had lunch in the town and then embarked on the 321.4m / 1054ft ascent up to Castell Dinas Bran (Crow Castle) which overlooks Llangollen  and valley of the River Dee with views of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in the distance. This castle had a relatively short existence during the 13th century. However, prior to that the site was occupied as a defensive ‘fort’ during the Iron Age, around 600 BC, with extant earthworks still visible from that period.

Our hike up to Castell Dinas Bran coincided with good visibility and hence excellent photo opportunities.

After concluding our visit to the castle, we returned to Llangollen and then back to our lodgings.

Landscape view of Castell Dinas Bran, Wales

Landscape view of Castell Dinas Bran, Wales

Castell Dinas Bran, Wales

Castell Dinas Bran, Wales

Eglwyseg Mountain from Castell Dinas Bran, Wales

Eglwyseg Mountain from Castell Dinas Bran, Wales

Another day exploring N.E. Wales awaits us tomorrow.

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