Llangollen is a small town steeped in myth and legend. Its name is taken from its founding saint, Collen, a seventh Century Saint. Llangollen was established in the 7th Century when the monk St Collen was instructed to find a valley by riding a horse for one day and then stop and mark out a 'parish', a place to build his hermitage, with tiny church, hospice and outhouses all enclosed within a wall.

Valle Crucis Abbey dating from the 13th Century is two miles from Llangollen. It was largely destroyed during the reign of Henry VIII but the remains still manage to show the sheer scale of the original 14th Century building.

The famous Dee Bridge in the town was built by Bishop Trevor of Trevor Hall in 1345. It is a scheduled ancient monument and was widened in the 1960s to accommodate modern traffic.

Plas Newydd was the home of the 'Ladies of Llangollen' (Lady Eleanor Butler [1739-1829] and the Honourable Sarah Ponsonby [1755-1831]). During their time, Plas Newydd was visited by many of the famous and distinguished of their time, although only the favoured were allowed admission. Today the house receives thousands of visitors each year as one of Wales' most famous tourist attractions.

As well as a host of interesting little giftshops, there are also several walks around the town such as Bishops Walk which runs from the Bridge End Hotel side of the river bridge along the riverside past the old mill sluice gates and leet and the remains of the weir, then past views of St Collens Church over the river, and on to the Sarah Ponsonby Inn and the Exhibition Centre. But there is no doubt that its greatest modern claim to fame is hosting the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod every July.

Castell Dinas Bran (Crow Castle) can be seen on an isolated hill above Llangollen and reached by a steep climb. This was said to be the possible burial site of the Holy Grail of the Arthurian legends. From the top the views of Llangollen and the Dee Valley are stunning.

From Llangollen Wharf, you can embark on a 45 minute horse drawn trip or a two hour trip on the traditional Canal narrow boat. It takes you through the Vale of Llangollen and across the world's biggest aqueduct at Trevor. Towering 126 feet above the river and built by Thomas Telford, it is a masterpiece of engineering.

World's End and The Panorama is a dominating outcrop of Carboniferous Limestone from World's End and Eglwyseg to Trevor. The frost eroded limestone is littered with coral and sea fossils confirming this raised mountain was once below sea level. The Panorama road also hosts a monument to I.D. Hooson, the noted Welsh poet from Rhosllanerchrugog.

The Ruabon to Barmouth railway was closed to passenger traffic in 1965 and goods in 1968. However, a group was formed to renovate part of the line and today some 7½ miles have been re-opened along the Dee Valley passing wonderful scenery and giving a glimpse of how this 65 mile journey must have looked in its heyday. Trains operate during weekends and daily from June to the end of October. During the summer, steam trains are mostly used.