Llan throws open its historical doors

Some of Llangollen’s most historic buildings will throw open their doors to the public next weekend.

Open Doors is a free event which happens every September and is Wales’ biggest celebration of architecture and heritage.

It also features a programme of guided walks, tours but pre-booking may be necessary as organisers say space is often limited. 

Highlights from the programme next week are: 

Saturday and Sunday 

St Collen’s Church

10.30am-4pm Saturday and 1.30pm-4pm

on Sunday.

Booking: booking not required.

Access: fully accessible.

Guides will be available throughout the day to

talk about the oldest established institution in

Llangollen.

* St Collen's Church.

 Plas Newydd Talks

Time: 11am and 2pm. Talk lasts about one hour.

Booking: pre-booking required.

Access: accessible to ground floor.

Talks on the gardens, the carvings, the history of

the Ladies of Llangollen and Plas Newydd since

the time of the Ladies. Casual visitors will be

charged an entry fee. 

* Plas Newydd.

Llangollen Steam Railway Engineering Works

Time: 11am and 2pm both days.

Booking: pre-booking required.

Access: fully accessible

Since the reopening of the Llangollen Railway

in 1975 the organisation has built up a fully

functioning Engineering Workshop. Meet at

works entrance on Abbey Road adjacent to St.

John’s Church. 

Valle Crucis Abbey Guided Tours

Time: 11.30am and 2.30pm both days.

Booking: not required.

Access: accessible to ground floor.

Costumed guided tours by the custodian. The

Abbey will be open to casual visitors from

10am-5pm 

The Castle in the Air – Dinas Brân in

fact and fantas

Time: 12 noon-2pm.

Booking: not required.

Access: not accessible, steep climbs and good

walking shoes required.

Come and experience the history, myth and

magic that is Dinas Brân, the wonderful hill fort

and ruined castle which stands above Llangollen.

Sarah Pevely, community archaeologist and Ruth

Moore Williams, singer, musician, storyteller and

historical comedian will take you on a journey

back through time in the place where it all

happened

The event will be cancelled in severe weather

conditions. If the weather is poor please ring

01978 861958 by 10am to check if it’s happening. 

The Old Lock Up

Time: 12 noon-4.30pm.

Booking: pre-booking of sessions required.

Access: low step (2 inch), accessible to standard

width wheelchairs.

Owner, Sue Hargreaves, will give a talk and lead
sessions on researching the history of your

house at 3pm each day (please pre-book). She

will also show visitors around and there will be

an exhibition of the history of The Old Lock Up.

* The Old Lock Up.

Canal Pump House

Time: open 2pm-4pm.

Booking: not required.

Access: not accessible.

British Waterways will explain the history and

workings of the pump house which controls the

flow of water at the Horseshoe Falls into the

canal. Free parking at Llantysilio Green. NGR

SJ19500 43214. 

Saturday only 

A History Tour of Llangollen with

“Sarah Ponsonby”

Time: 10.30am, tour takes approx 90 mins.

Booking: not required.

Access: accessible – this is a street tour.

Meet at the Museum, Parade Street 

Wildlife Walk

Time: 1.30pm, walk takes approx two hours.

Booking: pre-booking required.

Access: good walking shoes recommended.

A walk with Rhun Jones, Denbighshire’s Senior

Countryside Warden, taking in Dinas Brân and

the Dee Valley. Meet outside the Tourist

Information Centre, Y Capel. 

History of Llangollen Pottery - Town Hall

Time: 2pm, talk takes about 45 minutes.

Booking: not required.

Access: there is a lift to the exhibition area.

An illustrated talk on the history of Llangollen

studio pottery. 

Motor Museum Tour

Time: 4pm (Saturday only).

Booking: pre-booking required.

Access: fully accessible with parking.

With more than 60 vehicles from cars to invalid

carriages and pedal cars, a 50s village garage

scene complete with owners quarters, the cars

that Granddad used to drive and a small exhibition

showing the history and development of our

canal network.

The museum is one mile out of

Llangollen on the road leading to the Horseshoe

Pass. NGR SJ20629 43588. 

Sunday only 

The Archaeology of Llangollen

Time: 10.30am and 1.30pm. Tour takes approx

two hours.

Booking: pre-booking required.

Access: accessible – this is a street tour.

A walk through Llangollen with Fiona Gale,

County Archaeologist, exploring Llangollen’s

history through its buildings. Meet outside the

Tourist Information Centre, Y Capel. 

For more information, call: 01824 706778, e-mail: heritageinitiative@denbighshire.gov.uk,
or wrie to: Open Doors Coordinator, Caledfryn, Smithfield Road, Denbigh LL16 3RJ