Glyn Ceiriog and the surrounding area

Glyn Ceiriog village is the largest in the valley boasting it's own chemist, mini supermarket, post office, hole in the wall, two pubs and a farm shop and trout fishery where you can chose your own fish straight from the pools, you can't get fresher than that! In spite of all that it still retains the old fashioned charm of a country village rarely seen these days. At only half a mile walk from your door you have everything you need on your doorstep. The Glyn Valley Hotel is an old fashioned local with good beers and good value pub grub, a good place to pick up on the local gossip over a pint or two! The Oak Restaurant and pub further up the high street has recently been refurbished with a modern, comfortable feel, excellent locally sourced food and a good selection of wines. The Sunday lunch is highly recommended and due to it's popularity it is wise to book a table in advance. The Golden Pheasant Hotel is another good eatery which also allows dogs in the bar area, a nice place to sit with the welcoming roaring fire in the colder months and it's only a pleasant  mile and a half walk or drive from your cottage.

The Ceiriog Valley has been carved out of the foothills of the Berwyn mountains by the fast flowing river Ceriog with its crystal clear waters and excellent trout fishing,( day tickets are available), it finally merges with the great river Dee. In the past the valley has been called Little Switzerland and Lloyd George described it as “a little bit of heaven on earth”, which once experienced I think you will agree. Following the B4500 from Chirk, through the valley and Llanarmon to Llanrhaedr you can follow the signs to the Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall, the highest in England and Wales (240ft) a lovely sight any time of the year. You can do as little or as much as you want, there are many excellent walks including the Offas Dyke long distance footpath which traverses the valley to the west of Chirk Castle and crosses the B4500 at Castle Mill. There are many footpaths, bridleways and cycle trails of varying degrees of difficulty, our favorite and the flattest follows the river along the old Glyn Valley Tramway line from just outside Glyn Ceiriog to Pandy and beyond. Bryn Hughes is a local tour guide who will organise tour drives or walks for anyone who is interested.

The valley has two licensed pony trekking centres which are John Pugh Pony Trekking and Quad Bikes and Spring Hill on the Sellatin road, both offering quality horses and ponies for hour, half day and day treks.

Other interesting things along the valley are the National Trusts Chirk Castle with it’s magnificent gates and gardens. A must see is the Chirk aqueduct and viaduct standing side by side, often referred to as Heavens Pearly Gates. You can follow the footpath across the aqueduct, okay if you don’t suffer from vertigo! At the small village of Pontfadog there stands what is believed to be, the oldest living oak tree in the world. Estimated to be 1200 to 1600 years old with a girth of over 40 foot. Also in the village is the old Glyn Valley Railway waiting room, a reminder of the slate mining history in the area.

Further along is the tiny village of Pandy with the old mill where they used to wash the fleeces in the river which was diverted to run under the building. It was then the Woolpack Inn but now houses a fabulous glass studio where you can see and buy hand made stained glass and fused glass pieces.

Six miles from Glyn Ceiriog at the far end of the valley lies Llanarmon where you will find two fine Inns for refreshment to which you could walk, cycle or drive , should the mood take you. Details and information of all of the above are provided for you in an information pack in your cottage. Alternatively you could just stay put in your own “little bit of heaven on earth” Llwyn Onn. The choice is yours.