Wrexham On-line Tour

Further Information

The Virtual Tour of Wrexham gives a flavour of the town, the area's attractions and villages. It has not been possible to include interactive photographs of all the places of interest within Wrexham County Borough on this first edition. It is very much hoped, however, that future editions of the tour will include interactive images of more places of interest.

Wrexham

Wrexham is the major centre for shopping and commerce in North Wales. Over the years it has grown from a small market town into a modern vibrant centre with aspirations for university city status. Since 1999 more than £150 million of development has brought a transformation to the town, including two new shopping centres and additional pedestrianised streets, creating a pleasant shopping environment.

The town has retained its friendly character and ambience, clearly evident in the interactive photographs included in the Virtual Tour. The civic hub of the town is the area around Llwyn Isaf, which includes the Guildhall, Council Offices, Library /Arts Centre and a little further away are the Law Courts, Memorial Hall and Police Station.

Throughout all the change the Wrexham skyline has been dominated since 1520 by St. Giles Church, one of the 'Seven Wonders of Wales' and burial place of Elihu Yale, benefactor of Yale University, USA. The town and region's history is recorded in the Wrexham County Borough Museum shown in the Virtual Tour. The Library Arts Centre is also an important source of local history and other information.

Modern Wrexham has an increasing reputation as a venue for major sporting events. International rugby and football are now annual events at the Racecourse Ground with its new Pryce Griffiths Stand. Wrexham's Waterworld is a modern swimming complex catering for all levels of swimming ability. Both of these venues appear in the Virtual Tour.

The North Wales Borderlands

Wrexham lies at the heart of the 'North Wales Borderlands', the marketing name for the area covering the whole of North-east Wales. There are a number of tourism publications covering the North Wales Borderlands area - these are available from Wrexham Tourist Information Centre.

Wrexham's part of the Borderlands is quite diverse within a relatively compact area. South-west of Wrexham are Chirk and the Ceiriog Valley. The Marcher Castle at Chirk (a National Trust Property) guards the entrance to the beautiful, secret, Ceiriog Valley, the setting for the picture postcard prettiness of the tiny village of Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog and other villages and hamlets. This is where wild Wales begins - in the Berwyn Mountains. The virtual tour includes Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Pandy, Chirk and a general view of this delightful area.

To the  south-east of Wrexham, the lush Cheshire Plains begin their transformation into Welsh hills, with picturesque settlements such as Hanmer, Erbistock and Overton. On the banks of the broad River Dee is Bangor-on-Dee, with its National Hunt racecourse. Both the village and racecourse are pictured within the tour. Representative of the area north and west of Wrexham is Ruabon. This part of Wrexham's Borderlands is more built-up, with urban villages and settlements.

There are a number of other notable venues within the area such as the National Trust's Erddig Hall with its unique upstairs-downstairs story, and the famous Llangollen Canal, perhaps the prettiest stretch of canal anywhere, enhanced by major features such as Thomas Telford's Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (a proposed World Heritage site) and Chirk Aqueduct and tunnel.  These are all individually featured within the tour, together with a number of other attractions, namely Minera Lead Mines, Ty Mawr Country Park, Plas Madoc and Chirk Leisure Centres.

Transport

For visitors using public transport, as well as the mainline services, there are many regional lines and bus networks, making the area easily accessible.

Rail

The principal rail network extends from Chester to Wrexham, and south to Shrewsbury and Birmingham, via Ruabon, Chirk and Gobowen, with on-going connections at Shrewsbury for Aberystwyth, Pwllheli and Cardiff and at Chester for the North Wales Coast, Holyhead and Crewe.

Wrexham is served by two lines - The Borderlands Line (Wrexham Central - Shotton - Birkenhead Bidston Line) which connects with Merseyrail's West Kirby-Liverpool Service, and the Chester to Shrewsbury Line.

Call National Rail Timetables on 08457 484950 for details on train times and prices. Or use the web site on www.nationalrail.co.uk Timetable and fare enquiries in the Welsh language call 08457 604 0500. If you require any assistance in making your journey please call 08457 056027. The Freedom of Wales 'FlexiPass' offers unlimited travel on all mainline rail services in Wales plus most scheduled bus services. Tickets are available from most rail stations or rail-appointed travel agents.

Bus

For information on bus services and times contact the bus enquiry service on 01978 266166.

Air Travel

Manchester International Airport is only some 45 minutes away from Wrexham County Borough by motorway (M53, M56, A483/A5(T)) .

Sea Travel

Stena Lines and Irish Ferries operate between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire/Dublin.

Car

Wrexham is linked directly to the national motorway system via the A483T/A5T to the M53 and the rest of the motorway network. As a guide, approximate distances are:

UK Drive Times from Wrexham

Accommodation

Wrexham has accommodation to suite all tastes and budgets, from luxury country house hotels, to friendly farmhouses, and self-catering properties set in wonderful locations. To obtain up to date information on accommodation or to make a booking, please contact Wrexham Tourist Information Centre. The following list of accommodation was correct in March 2001. It is divided into Wales Tourist Board Verified Accommodation and Non-Wales Tourist Board Verified Accommodation, and also divided by area:

Link to accommodation listing of Wales Tourist Board verified accommodation

Contacts for further information

Wrexham Tourist Information Centre
P.O. Box 1291,
Lambpit Street,
Wrexham,
LL11 1WN
Tel: 01978 292015
Fax: 01978 292467
e-mail: tic@wrexham.gov.uk

The Tourist Information Centre can supply up-to-date information on accommodation (availability and prices), public transport, events and activities, attractions and other places of interest. Accommodation can be booked through the Centre.

Wrexham Conference Bureau
Croesnewydd Hall,
Wrexham,
LL13 7YP
Tel: 01978 292489
Fax: 01978 292445
e-mail: conference@wrexham.gov.uk

The Wrexham Conference Bureau offers advice on suitable venues, venue and accommodation booking, travel advice, activity and partner programmes and all the support needed to help conference organisers plan for a successful conference or meeting.

Wrexham Tourism Forum
C/o Tourism Section,
Economic Development Department,
Lambpit Street,
Wrexham
LL11 1WN
Tel: 01978 292460
Fax: 01978 292445
e-mail: economicdevelopment@wrexham.gov.uk

Wrexham Town Centre Manager/Wrexham town Centre Forum
Economic Development Department,
Lambpit Street,
Wrexham
LL11 1WN
Tel: 01978 292460
Fax: 01978 292445
e-mail: economicdevelopment@wrexham.gov.uk

Disclaimer

Please note that whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, Wrexham County Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of any errors in the information contained within these pages.