Llangollen
The railway station is just to the west of Llangollen Bridge, which crosses the Dee and connects the northern part of the town with the larger southern part. Just up the hill from the train station is Llangollen Wharf, where you can get a ticket for the horse-drawn boat, enjoy the tearoom or book a day boat.
Just east of Llangollen Wharf you can find paid overnight mooring berths along the towpath or just west of the wharf you can find a 32-berth marina (which is as far west as you can go on a narrowboat). Unfortunately it’s first come, first served and you can’t pre-book. There’s an attendant during the summer months, but the best thing to do is call 01606 723800 for more information. If you download a canal guide, it will have up-to-date information about these moorings.
Northeast of the town is Castell Dinas Brân, the ruins of which offer a panoramic view of the Vale. The castle, built in 1260, is about a one-mile walk from Llangollen Wharf (about 750 feet of elevation gain). The name of the castle can be variously translated as Crow Castle or Brân’s Castle and it was the home of the Princes of Powys Fadog, although it didn’t last long after Welsh defenders tried to destroy it rather than let it fall to English forces in 1277. Take a jacket. Click here for a map to the castle or to walk a section of Offa’s Dyke.
The canal runs north of the Dee. If you walk south from the canal, you can cross into Llangollen proper over the bridge (Castle Street). There are many pubs and restaurants along the southern bank of the Dee and the town has many little hotels, cottages and bed and breakfasts. There’s even a hostel if you’re trying to save money. As you walk down Castle Street you can stop at the Llangollen Museum and the tourist information center (a good source for local maps and books, including about Castell Dinas Brân). If you drove to Llangollen, there’s also a large lot west of Castle Street where you can park your car for £7 a day.
Southeast of town is Plas Newydd, the home of the celebrated Ladies of Llangollen. Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby were two (possibly) lesbians famous in the Georgian era for their story of defying their family and convention. They attracted the attention of the rich and famous who traveled to their home to admire them. The house and grounds are quirky and purposely romantic.
There are Google map street views all the way from Horseshoe Falls to Bridge 19W, about 11 miles in all. You can familiarize yourself with the towpath, identify narrow spots and pick a choice mooring from the comfort of your home computer.