Carol Rogers - North Wales

As part of our 2025 UK trip, we spent five days in North Wales, using the town of Wrexham as our base. We explored local sites such as the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, and Chirk Castle, nearby Chester, and ranged around Snowdonia and Anglesey viewing castles and ancient burial mounds.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Opened in 1805 after ten years of construction, the aqueduct sits 127 feet (39 metres) high and carries the Ellesmere Canal 336 yards (307 metres) over the River Dee. Quite a feat of engineering, and the views were breathtaking

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

View from Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Chirk Castle

Originally built in the 13th Century as one of the English border castles, Chirk came into the private hands of the Myddleton Family in the 15th Century until they turned it over to the National Trust in 1981. The residence is still lavishly furnished, and we were able to tour some of the older towers as well.

Chirk Castle

Entrance to living space

Dining Room

Receiving room for guests

Great Hall

Servants' Dining Room

Section of the Old Tower

Chirk Castle

Chester

Not actually in Wales, Chester sits on the border of England and Wales. Originally founded by the Romans, it remained an important defensive location through Saxon and Medieval times. Chester easily rivals York in historic charm, but with less of the tourism. It also hosts a magnificent Cathedral that dates to the 13th Century.

Roman statue of Minerva

Along the river Dee

Chester from across the river

Ruins of the Church of St. John the Baptist

Roman ruins

Chester from the city walls

Chester Cathedral

The Imp of Chester Cathedral

Downtown Chester

Downtown Chester with the High Cross

Snowdonia & Angelsey

Reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, Snowdonia in North Wales is an area of remarkable beauty! Our travels took us past Dolwyddelan Castle, one of the native Welsh castles (as opposed to the many English strongholds built primarily by Edward I to keep the Welsh in check).

A short hop across the Menai Strait took us on to the island of Angelsey. Beaumaris Castle has a long history in the struggle between England and Wales. Built originally by Edward I, it was taken over by Welsh rebels in 1403 and held for two years until the English took it back. Going even further back in time, we stopped at Bryn Celli Ddu, a prehistoric burial chamber dating to about 3000 BC.

Snowdonia

Dolwyddelan Castle (One of the many native Welsh castles)

Snowdonia

Beaumaris

Menai Bridge

Beaumaris Castle

View from Beaumaris

Bryn Celli Ddu

View from Bryn Celli Ddu