WREXHAM, NORTH WALES
Wrexham is the largest town in North Wales. Although it is
only 4 miles from the English border, it is a major shopping
centre for Wales - some customers come over 40 miles to our
shop.
Being so close to the border means the town shows both English
and Welsh influence. The church is English in style, and the
course of both Offa's and Wat's Dykes - ancient
earthworks dividing England from Wales - would put Wrexham in
England. However in many other ways, the town is definitely
Welsh, and quite often we hear Welsh spoken in the streets.
The church, built in 1472, is the burial place of Elihu Yale,
founder of Yale University in the USA. It's also a fine
example of the Decorated style of Gothic architecture, one of the
best in North Wales. Do visit and enjoy the well preserved
wall paintings in the nave.
The town achieved fame in the industrial revolution because the
method to accurately bore cannon and steam cylinders was invented
at Bersham, about 2 miles from the town.
It was also a coal-mining centre, but all the mines have closed
now. As well as coal the area used to have many lead and
ironstone mines, as well as limestone and slate
quarries. The proximity of the coal greatly helped the
development of local industries.
While the decline of these traditional industries is sad, I have
to say the town is now much cleaner, and is a very pleasant place
to live. It now supports a wide range of industries
including electronics.
Tourist Attractions
Erddig House, a National Trust property is just on the edge of
the town. It retains much of its original furniture, and
still has no electricity (except for safety reasons) in the main
building. Just as it was when the last of the Yorke family
lived there, until the 1970s. I understand he did have TV,
he used a generator to run it.
Wrexham is only 12 miles from Chester, which is a historic
town dating from Roman times. While in the other direction a
short drive takes you into the beautiful scenery around
Llangollen and the river Dee valley. Less than an
hour's drive from Wrexham and we reach Bala Lake, and the
start of the Snowdonia National Park.
While not well known by tourists, I love the local hills.
Delightful views, and covered with purple heather in late summer,
they're both quiet and beautiful. In many ways I find
them more beautiful than the higher mountains of Snowdonia.
The view below is taken from these hills, looking towards the Dee
valley. So peaceful today, yet 100 years ago this was an
industrial area. This picture was taken from a track
leading to a slate quarry, and the distant hills are still
scarred with slag.
