The Llangollen Bucket List Weekender
Three days. Iconic views. Unesco World Heritage Sites. Legendary history. One unforgettable Welsh escape.
Join us for a weekend of breathtaking trails, riverside rambles, hilltop castles and historic wonders as we explore the very best of beautiful Llangollen. Over three perfectly-paced days, we’ll tick off some of North Wales’ most iconic sights – from the awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Llangollen canal to the infamous Castell Dinas Brân, and from the serene Valle Crucis Abbey and the scenic Horseshoe Falls.
This is a trip designed for adventure lovers who enjoy soaking up stories as much as scenery. We’ll walk along canals, through woodlands, across historic bridges and up to epic viewpoints – all at a sociable pace with time to pause, explore, take photos and just breathe it all in.
Your base for the weekend? The elegant 4 star Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa, a luxurious retreat nestled in the Vale of Llangollen. Set in a beautifully restored 19th-century building, this welcoming hotel combines traditional charm with modern comfort - and just the right amount of pampering. After a day on the trails, enjoy complimentary daily access to the Llangollen Spa for a well-deserved dose of rejuvenation. Soothe tired legs in the hydrotherapy pool, unwind in the steam room or sauna, and soak up that post-walk glow.
With a comfy hotel stay, good company and expert guidance throughout, this is your chance to experience the magic of Llangollen on foot — and tick off that bucket list in serious style.
Think spectacular scenery by day, and spa robes and steam rooms by night. Bliss.
Breakfast and picnic lunches are included. Evening meals are not included in the price, but we will dine out in style together each evening, either at the hotel or a nearby restaurant.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Friday Afternoon Warm-Up Walk – Exploring History & Woodland Trails
🗓 Date: Friday, September
🕒 Time: 3:00–6:00 PM
🚶♀️ Distance: 7.5 km
⛰ Ascent: 160 m
📍 Start/End Point: The Wild Pheasant Hotel, Llangollen
🥾 Grade: Beginner-Intermediate
Kick off the weekend with a relaxed afternoon walk from our base at The Wild Pheasant Hotel. This 3-hour route blends fascinating local history, peaceful riverside paths, and woodland views to ease us gently into the weekend.
We'll stroll alongside the River Dee before heading to Plas Newydd, the former home of the famous “Ladies of Llangollen.” These two upper-class women caused a stir in the late 18th century when they eloped, set up home together, and lived happily at Plas Newydd for nearly 50 years. The grounds are free to wander, and there’s a cosy tea room if you fancy a cuppa or a slice of cake (or both – we’re not judging).
From there, we’ll meander into Pen-y-Coed Wood, a beautiful mix of ancient woodland and recovering conifer plantation. The circular route through the trees offers seasonal wildflowers, glimpses of archaeological features, and cracking views over the Dee Valley. It’s a peaceful spot with a few gentle climbs and a whole lot of fresh air.
Then we’ll loop back to the hotel with time to relax before dinner.
Day 2: Saturday UNESCO World Heritage Canal & Aqueduct Adventure – From Llangollen to the Skies
🗓 Date: Saturday, September (Day 2)
🕒 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
🚶♀️ Distance: 17 km
⛰ Ascent: 270 m
📍 Start/End Point: The Wild Pheasant Hotel, Llangollen
🥾 Grade: Advanced
Ready to stretch your legs and your sense of wonder? On Saturday, we’ll set off on a full-day adventure along one of the most scenic and iconic stretches of canal in the UK. Expect peaceful waterside walking, historic towpaths, and one unforgettable crossing…
We’ll begin the day with a gentle wander into Llangollen town centre, picking up the canal path just as it begins to reveal its magic. The Llangollen Canal is a 46-mile engineering marvel linking Wales to Cheshire, and the section we’ll follow is a real showstopper – a tranquil towpath flanked by hills, rocky outcrops, and the gentle sound of canal boats being pulled by horses (yes, really – it's like stepping into a storybook).
Our goal? The spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Stream in the Sky." This cast iron trough, completed in 1805, carries the canal 126 feet above the River Dee, making it the highest navigable aqueduct in Britain. Designed by Thomas Telford and hailed as a “masterpiece of creative genius,” it’s one of the greatest feats of engineering from the Industrial Revolution. And yes – we’ll be walking across it, so bring your nerve and your camera. It’s a highlight you won’t forget.
After a well-earned lunch and time to admire the views, we’ll loop back towards Llangollen via the peaceful Welsh hillside, swapping the towpath for green pastures and wide-open views, returning to our hotel just in time to kick off the boots and put the kettle (or pint) on.
Day 3: Sunday Funday Scenic Finale – Castles, Abbeys & Riversides
🗓 Date: Sunday, September (Day 3)
🕒 Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🚶♀️ Distance: 14 km
⛰ Ascent: 310 m
📍 Start/End Point: The Wild Pheasant Hotel, Llangollen
🥾 Grade: Moderate
What better way to round off a weekend of walking than with a truly magical mix of ancient ruins, riverside paths, castle views and spiritual serenity?
We’ll leave from the hotel after breakfast and cross the Llangollen Bridge — one of the Seven Wonders of Wales, built around 1345 by Bishop John Trevor. From here, we’ll follow the River Dee upstream, a waterway that once echoed with the sounds of coracle fishing and now plays host to otters, salmon, and international white-water kayaking events.
From river to ridge, we’ll begin our short but steep climb up to Castell Dinas Brân, a spectacular 13th-century castle ruin perched high above the town. Set atop an Iron Age hillfort, this mystical site offers sweeping views of the Dee Valley — and a photo opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Next, we’ll follow quiet hillside paths and wooded trails down to Valle Crucis Abbey. Founded in 1201, this beautiful monastic ruin still inspires awe with its peaceful setting and surviving stonework. If entry is open (and free – fingers crossed!), we’ll have a wander inside. If not, the view from outside is still well worth a pause.
From there, we’ll stroll on to the Horseshoe Falls — a graceful weir where the River Dee feeds into the Llangollen Canal. This tranquil spot marks the beginning of the canal system we walked on Saturday, and it's a dreamy place to stop and reflect.
Before returning, we’ll make a final detour to St. Tysilio’s Church, a peaceful site known for its ancient charm and snowdrops in winter. Then it's a gentle return along the canal and into town — and back to the Wild Pheasant to wrap up our walking weekend.
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The remaining balance is due 6 weeks before the trip.
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Sort Code: 608371
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- Next month, 5th September, 04:00 pm, 2 night holiday including Yoga, Mindfulness Walk and Tropic Pamper evening in Llandudno
- Next month, 5th September, 04:00 pm, Adventure & Serenity Escape - with Erw Glas Glamping in Llandudno Junction
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