Visitors are being encouraged to take the train to Corwen on Wednesday September 16 for Owain Glyndŵr Day, with Llangollen and Corwen Railway offering a special £14.16 fare to mark 1416, traditionally cited as the year of the Welsh hero's death.
The railway has also specially brought forward its departure from Llangollen to 9.30am, making sure passengers can arrive in Corwen in time to attend a 10.30am Service of Celebration at Eglwys Seion Chapel.
The year 1416 is taken from the remarkable statue in Corwen, close to the railway station.
Passengers can enjoy the journey through the spectacular Dee Valley to Corwen, take part in the Owain Glyndŵr Day celebrations and then jump back aboard the 1.45pm train from Corwen.
A full programme of events is planned, bringing together the local community, schoolchildren and visitors to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the most important figures in Welsh history.
After arriving by train, visitors can make their way to Eglwys Seion Chapel, Bridge Street, Corwen, where the Service of Celebration begins at 10.30am.
At 11.15am, a procession featuring local schoolchildren will leave Seion Chapel and make its way through Corwen to the Owain Glyndŵr statue on the town square.
The procession will be followed by a short wreath-laying ceremony at the Owain Glyndŵr statue, giving the community and visitors an opportunity to commemorate his life and legacy.
Following the ceremony, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a special light lunch at the Owain Glyndŵr Hotel. The lunch is an optional extra, with the additional cost payable directly at the hotel.
There will then be time to enjoy Corwen before making the short journey back to the station for the 1.45pm return train.
Who was Owain Glyndŵr?
Owain Glyndŵr is one of the most celebrated figures in Welsh history. A descendant of Welsh princes, he was proclaimed Prince of Wales in 1400 and led a major uprising against English rule which spread across much of Wales.
Glyndŵr established a Welsh parliament and pursued a vision for a Wales with its own institutions, including universities. Although the uprising was eventually suppressed, Glyndŵr was never captured and the circumstances surrounding his final years and death remain uncertain.
More than six centuries later, his legacy continues and he remains a powerful symbol of Welsh identity, history and culture, with Owain Glyndŵr Day celebrated each year on September 16.
The Owain Glyndŵr Day offer is also part of the railway's growing partnership with Corwen.
This includes the railway's Glyndwr Steam Roast, which combines a heritage steam train journey from Llangollen to Corwen with a traditional Sunday roast at the community-run Owain Glyndŵr Hotel.
Paul Reynolds, a senior volunteer at Llangollen and Corwen Railway and Head of the Responsible Officer’s Department, said: “Owain Glyndŵr Day is an important occasion for Corwen and for Wales, and we are delighted that the Railway can play a part in helping people come and enjoy the celebrations.
“This is also part of our developing partnership with Corwen. The Glyndwr Steam Roast, working with the Owain Glyndŵr Hotel, is another example of how we can use the railway to bring people into the town, give them time to explore and support the local community.”
Wayne Ronneback, Station Master at Corwen, said: “Corwen might be the end of the railway line, but we want it to be the start of people’s visit to the town. There is so much history here and Owain Glyndŵr Day is a fantastic opportunity for people to come and discover it.
“For us at Corwen Station, it is about making that connection between the railway and the town even stronger. We want people to step off the train, explore Corwen, visit our businesses and attractions and be part of the local community.
“Heritage railways are about much more than trains. Corwen Station is part of the community here, and we are really looking forward to welcoming passengers off the 9.30am train and seeing them head into town to enjoy this very special Welsh celebration."
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