Railway serves up some tasty tweaks to afternoon teas

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced an enhancement to its popular Afternoon Tea on the Dee services following feedback from customers and careful planning by its catering and events team. 

From this season onwards all afternoon tea tables will now be private, regardless of party size. In addition, two afternoon tea services will operate on running dates: a 12.20pm departure returning at 2.30pm, and a 3.15pm departure returning at 5.04pm.

 

The changes come after listening closely to customer comments about table sharing and comfort. Previously, smaller parties could be seated together unless they chose to pay a supplement for a private table. The new format removes that option entirely, ensuring every booking enjoys its own dedicated table.

 

Jordan Edge, Catering Supervisor at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, explained “We have spent time reviewing guest feedback and discussing how we can improve the overall experience. Sharing tables can sometimes feel awkward for guests who don’t know each other, and it also creates practical challenges when serving food, particularly where dietary requirements or allergens are involved.

 

“By moving to fully private tables and introducing a second sitting, we can deliver a more relaxed, comfortable and premium experience for everyone, while also increasing capacity in a sensible and manageable way. It’s a positive step for our customers and for the railway.”

 

Behind the scenes, detailed logistical planning has taken place to ensure smooth delivery. Numbered table plans will manage dietary requirements and allergens, food preparation will be streamlined, and teams will work to a structured turnaround between sittings to relay tables and reset the carriage efficiently.

 

Tickets are already selling well for the first services, which begin on Saturday April 25. The 12.20pm service is already sold out, with limited availability remaining on the 3.15pm departure.

 

Afternoon Tea on the Dee remains one of the railway’s most popular premium experiences, combining a full line return journey between Llangollen and Corwen with a traditional afternoon tea served at reserved tables aboard a heritage carriage. 

Guests enjoy freshly prepared sandwiches, fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, sweet treats and cakes, and tea or coffee, with the option to upgrade to include sparkling wine.

 

The improvements form part of a broader drive by the railway to enhance customer experience while maximising income from existing services, ensuring continued investment in infrastructure, rolling stock and visitor facilities.

 

* Tickets for upcoming Afternoon Tea on the Dee services are available now at: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/afternoon-tea/

 

Local landmarks at centre of 200-year missing millions mystery, says story

A story in the Western Mail tells the fascinating tale of how the search for a missing multi-million-pound fortune has been going on in and around Llantysilio Hall and Valle Crucis Abbey for two centuries.

* To see more, go to PressReader.com | Search for ‘miss­ing will’ could unlock mil­lions and end unseemly 200-year saga

Healing Prayer session at Penllyn Chapel this Saturday

 

Work continues on improving walking routes along Brook Street/Penwern

 

* Up to today, March 4 new, widened pavements have been laid along Brook Street up to Min-y-Coed.

Work continues on a major project by Denbighshire County Council to improve walking routes in the Brook Street and Pengwern areas of Llangollen.

The works are funded by the Welsh Government as part of its Active Travel Fund and the aim is to increase the levels of active travel in the area through creating safer walking routes to key local amenities such as schools and the town centre.

The improvements, which taking place until later this month and are being carried out by contractors Pronin Ltd.

So far work has been carried out on Brook Street from the A5 junction and a series of new pavements have been laid and widened up to Min-y-Coed.

* If you have any queries regarding the scheme, contact Denbighshire County Council via walkingandcycling@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 706000.

Gas works taking place in Abbey Road

Wales and West Utilities have started work on the gas pipeline in Abbey Road, Llangollen.

Sections of the carriageway are closed off and temporary traffic lights have been installed near the entrance to the Pavilion car park.

The work is expected to be finished by March 20, according to a roadworks bulletin by Denbighshire County Council. 

Entries now open for railway's classic transport weekend

* A previous classic transport weekend run by the railway.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has confirmed that its hugely popular Classic Transport Weekend will return on Saturday and Sunday July and 5 and the vehicle entry form is now officially open for exhibitors.

Organisers are inviting owners of classic cars, motorcycles, trucks, tractors and buses to secure their place at what has become one of the Dee Valley’s standout summer heritage events.

Glyndyfrdwy Railway Station will once again serve as the main hub for the weekend, transforming into a vibrant showcase of classic transport alongside an intensive timetable of steam, diesel and heritage railcar services running across the line.

George Walker, one of the event organisers, said: “We are absolutely delighted to officially open the vehicle entry form for 2026. The Classic Transport Weekend is all about celebrating transport heritage in every form, and the quality and variety of vehicles that attend each year is what makes the event so special.

“We encourage owners to submit their entry forms early. Glyndyfrdwy becomes a fantastic display arena, surrounded by trains arriving and departing throughout the day, and it creates a truly unique atmosphere. We are looking forward to welcoming both returning exhibitors and first-time entrants for what promises to be another superb weekend.”

Day Rover and Two-Day Rover tickets include unlimited train travel between Llangollen, Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy, Carrog and Corwen. A free vintage bus service will operate for ticket holders between Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen throughout both days.

On Saturday evening, celebrations continue with Party on the Park, featuring live music from 7pm in Glyndyfrdwy, right next to the Railway Station, with a free evening shuttle train services operating from Llangollen and Corwen. 

Ticket Prices

Adults
• 1 Day: £36
• 2 Days: £65

Children
• 1 Day: £6
• 2 Days: £10

Dogs: £3

Tickets include unlimited travel on all services during the event.

🎟 Tickets available now at:
https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/classic-transport-weekend/

🚗 Vehicle entry form now open: https://shorturl.at/lYbP9

Bird boxes being built during Welcome Wednesday at Pengwern Hub

* From left, Mike Pelling, artist Ben Davis and John Lindup work on the bird boxes. 

A group of volunteers are spending this morning (Wednesday) making bird boxes during a Welcome Wednesday event at Pengwern Hub in Llangollen.

Under the expert direction of Corwen-based artist Ben Davies, the team are putting together a total of 19 boxes - 11 for house martins and eight intended for swifts.

The swift boxes are being built up from OSB and wooden panels while the new homes for house martins are being constructed from mud built around a papier mache base.

On of the the first of the boxes will be installed in the spare land next to the library in Castle Street while the others will be allocated according to suggestions from the public.

Today's session continues until 12 noon and all are welcome.

Further Welcome Wednesday sessions are being planned for the near future.