You may recall last month I mentioned a walk in Wales, well finally today I am going to share it. Well almost. Hope you don’t mind but there’s a short delay before we can commence the walk, for balloons, trains, and a quick nip into town.

It was a beautiful morning in September, and we were full of Autumn joys after the wedding. So no wonder we decided to head out along the canal towards Llantysilio and its medieval abbey. Bizarrely I didn’t take one photograph from the 2miles stroll along the canal path, nor the mile or so ‘scramble’ from Horseshoe Falls to the Abbey. So you will just have to imagine that section of the walk! Fortunately however I more than made up for it when we arrived at the ruined Valle Crucis Abbey.

Valle Crucis was founded in 1201 by Prince Madog ap Gruffydd, it was Cistercian abbey although its name (Valley of the Cross) refers to the nearby ninth-century Pillar of Eliseg, erected for the glory of a Welsh chieftain. The pillar, of course, being something else I didn’t photograph!

Look up!

The Cistercian monks may have started with good intentions of a humble and austere life, but it quickly became one of the richest in wales celebrated by poets for its lavish hospitality. What is it about religious houses and their passion for a luxurious life?

Having explored the abbey and stopped for some delicious Welsh ice-cream it was time to make our return to our apartment in Llangollen. And on our walk back in the glorious Welsh countryside you could almost imagine the monks and Welsh kings walking or riding here before us. If only the beauty had not been spoilt by the sound of motorbikes whizzing along on the valley roads.

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This stunning valley was once known as Powys Fadog, the northern portion of the former princely realm of Powys. The medieval castle which lies above Llangollen on the site of a 600 BC Iron Age Hillfort, was believed to be the capital of Powys Fadog, and in the 13th century considered one of the strongest castles in Wales.

We didn’t make it up there on this walk as a strong urge for tea, Welsh cakes and Bara brith overcame us! However we will be back to Llangollen as the apartment we stayed in was superb and Castell Dinas Brân is only a short walk away. Well I say short but the official advice is to equip yourself with stout walking shoes and warm, waterproof clothing before climbing to the castle! It may not look like it from these photographs but the weather can change dramatically here.

Castell Dinas Brân

Our walk of 8 miles covering Welsh history and life from the past three thousand years was a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and with the mention of cakes I know Jo’s Monday walks gang will love it too!

40 thoughts

  1. A lovely walk. Did you visit the Plas Newydd historic house and gardens whilst there? This could be a good place to stop on our west coast road trip 🤔

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    1. We were only there three nights, and one of those was spent at the wedding! So unfortunately didn’t get much done at all, but we want to return. The self catering I found was in a great position, so could send details if you are interested

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  2. Not so very long ago! Our visit was back when James was a wee boy. Steam trains and all that 🙂 🙂 A likely place to head for again this summer? Sue will be enthralled with the ruins.

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  8. Great post. I think I would have made quite a good Cistercian monk apart from my one very obvious disqualification) – they picked their sites, didn’t they?

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  9. I’m glad I’m not the only who goes to write a post and then wonders why on earth I didn’t take more photos. Sometimes I get carried away with just enjoying my surroundings. I’m not surprised that you plan to return for more because it looks beautiful.

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    1. Thank goodness I am not the only one. So frustrating when you get back, I wish I could draw because at least then I could share the images in my mind!!

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  11. Looks really sunny and so green. Just goes to show Wales can top the beauty spots and history and glad the weather was on your side. I like the gallery of changing pics too.

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  13. A pretty part of the country and you had some lovely weather by the looks of these photos. We spent quite a bit of time exploring Wales during our Shropshire years, but never explored this part which is a shame. Driven through a few times, but now I’m wishing we’d stopped. So many places. So little time.

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    1. You can always visit – I can certainly recommend the apartment. Although not sure I’d have liked it as much if it had been raining!!

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  15. Lately we’ve been thinking that holidaying not too far from home is just the thing – and for all sorts of good reasons. But then it’s also easy to overlook places that may seem a bit TOO near. Not so! Your pix are so persuasive. Why drive through when we could stay!

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    1. Thank you so much Tish, it is such a beautiful part of the world especially on glorious days . . .if you ever decide to pop up the road I can certainly recommend the apartment.

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  16. ‘We will! We will’ they cry, dutifully 🙂 🙂 It’s a lovely part of the world, bikers and all. Not so far from Tish? I bet she’d have had tea and scones ready for you! Well, maybe another day… I was going to ask why the wedding was in Wales, but presumably Welsh people… I always was good at silly questions. Thank you very much for this lovely start to my day. The sun is just creeping over the horizon.

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    1. You’re such a fabulous leader 😊

      And no not Welsh they just wanted a venue that combined canals and steam railways!

      Gorgeous red sky here this morning. Hope your sunrise as beautiful xx

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