Bordering on Perfection
Ask any non-Welshman what they know about Wales. Sheep, Snowdonia, the coastline and Cardiff will probably be the answer. What is not realised is that there is an area of spectacular scenery and rich cultural heritage, all within an hour’s drive of Liverpool and Manchester.
The North Wales borderlands with it’s flagship town Llangollen is Wales’ best kept secret. Until the last Century the area was blighted by industrial quarrying. Ugly slate quarries were hewn from the mountains and loaded onto dusty horse-drawn trams. The slate was hauled down to canals and later to railway lines to be transported around the world.
Fast-forward to today, and the legacy of that industrial period has become one of the area’s biggest assets. Building the slate canal was one of Thomas Telford’s greatest engineering feats. It was built so well that it is still in excellent condition two hundred years later. These days, slate doesn’t go out on the canal – tourists come in! The Llangollen canal must surely be one of the most picturesque in the country. It culminates in the source of the canal at the Horseshoe Falls on the River Dee, a truly magical place.
The old slate trams have long gone, but they have left their legacy in the old tramways which have now become roads and footpaths. The Llantysilio tramway is one of the most spectacular. It used to ferry slate from the top of the Horseshoe Pass down to the canal, and the top section is now a level footpath near the mountain tops offering wonderful views and picnic opportunities.
The railway line is also long gone. However, a section of it was restored by enthusiasts and is now the Llangollen steam railway. The line follows the River Dee up towards Corwen and is popular with adults and children alike – especially when Thomas the Tank Engine pays a visit!
Going back a little earlier, Plas Newydd, a timber-framed mansion from the Georgian period, is open to the public. The house was best known as the residence of Lady Eleanor Butler and Sarah Butler, the “Ladies of Llangollen”. The two ladies had “eloped” from Ireland in a barely hidden scandal and settled at Plas Newydd. Their notoriety was such that many famous people came to see this “odd” couple, including the Duke of Wellington and William Wordsworth. Today, the house is well worth a visit and the grounds have been restored to their former glory.
Going back earlier still, evidence of more violent times is ever-present in the towering form of Dinas Bran castle. The castle dominates Llangollen and was once the stronghold of the Welsh princes before succumbing to an English invasion.
Valle Crucis Abbey was built around the same time and despite being destroyed during the reformation, enough of the ruins survive to fire the imagination.
Visitors to the area have a range of accommodation to choose from, but for a real taste of the area why not stay in one of the quarrymen’s cottages? One such property is Velvet Cottage, located on the route of the old Horseshoe Pass tramway. The cottage offers modern amenities in a glorious setting, with access to numerous footpaths right from the doorstep. It retains the original terracotta floors, oak ceiling beams and low doorways!! To get an authentic experience whilst exploring this wonderful area, Velvet Cottage is the perfect accommodation.
About the Author
Ian Carrington
Hottest Embroidery Sari, Sari with Velvet Border Fashion
|
|
Beautiful Antique Velvet Renaissance Border (6993) $69.99 |
|
|
Beautiful Antique Velvet Renaissance Border (6994) $59.99 |
|
|
Kids Crafts – Color-In Velvet Border Sports Poster 6”x9” with 6 Markers ~ $0.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $29.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $29.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $29.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $29.99 |
|
|
VICTORIAN PICTURE FRAME-YOUNG WOMAN-BURGUNDY VELVET BORDER $3.99 |
|
|
Pair Lot Vintage Decorative Wood Framed Wall Hanging Prints Rust Velvet Borders $29.99 |
|
|
Vintage SHELL MIRROR,Velvet Border,Made In England,7×6 $65.00 |
|
|
Victorian Woolwork Embroidery of a Flower Basket with Velvet Border $156.82 |
|
|
Tag 73030 Red velvet 60 Inch Table Runner with Basket Weave Border Detail New $70.85 |
|
|
Antique Vtg Burgundy Velvet Pillow Cover Hand Emb Crewel Peacock Fringe Border $24.99 |
|
|
1 Y BLACK VELVET FABRIC SEQUIN RIBBON TRIM LACE SEWING BORDER LACE $8.99 |
|
|
1 Y BLACK VELVET FABRIC SEQUIN RIBBON TRIM CRAFT SEWING BORDER LACE INDIA $8.99 |
|
|
Class A Peels Stickers-Scrollwork Border-Velvet Black $5.90 |
|
|
140″ DIY Projector Screen Fabric KIT w/4.5″ velvet border 100% POSITIVE F.B. $142.99 |
|
|
Vintage 90s Blk Stretch Velour Knee Lngth Pencil Skirt w/ Embroidered Border~M $16.79 |
|
|
3 inch Black Velvet Projector Screen Border Tape $27.29 |
|
|
Tag 73030 Red velvet 60-Inch Table Runner with Basket Weave Border Detail $72.38 |
|
|
Red Velvet Border & Girl w/ Fruit Basket Framed Print (1920s-1940s) $130.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE VINTAGE SARI BORDER TRIM LACE 1.8″WIDE DECO CRAFT ART DECO $7.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $29.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $29.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $29.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $29.99 |
|
|
TruBlack Screen Flok Velvet Tape Border 2″x32′ roll $34.95 |
|
|
TruBlack Screen Flok Velvet Tape Border 3″x32′ roll $49.95 |
|
|
4.5 Y Baby Pink Velvet Border Sequin Ribbon Trim Sewing $13.59 |
|
|
4.5 Y Off White Velvet Border Sequin Ribbon Trim Sewing $13.59 |
|
|
4.5 Y Turquoise Velvet Border Sequin Ribbon Trim Sewing $13.59 |
|
|
4.5 Yard Maroon Velvet Border Sequin Ribbon Trim Sewing $13.59 |
|
|
New 4.5 Y Green Velvet Border Sequin Ribbon Trim Sewing $13.59 |
|
|
3 Y BROWN VELVET BORDER SEQUIN RIBBON TRIM SEWING LACE $11.04 |
|
|
Lovely Enamel Art on Metal IRISES IRIS Picture with Wood Frame & Velvet Border $22.95 |
|
|
SET / Lot of 8 Vintage CHRISTMAS Green & Red VELVET Border Napkins 17X17 $9.98 |
|
|
Kids Crafts – Color-In Velvet Poster 6”x9” with Markers Sets – Selections $3.89 |
|
|
Women’s Saxon Hall Black velvet Jewel Tone Border Prints Metallic Jacket Sz 12 $20.99 |
|
|
4.5″ Black Velvet Projector Screen Border Tape $36.07 |
|
|
3 inch Black Velvet Projector Screen Border Tape $25.09 |
|
|
BEST WISHES Velvet Heart w Flower Border c1910 Postcard $8.29 |
|
|
Vintage Richard Kerr Round Clip Earrings NAVY Rhinestones VELVET Border HATS $89.00 |
|
|
NWT Area Rug Collection 30×50,46 40×60 CHOICE of DESIGN $34.99 |
|
|
HOWDY FROM DOUGLAS BORDER PATROL BROWN VELVET LIKE VEST FOR BEAR OR DOLL COWBOY $2.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $34.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $34.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $34.99 |
|
|
BA17 WOMENS HANDBAG BAMBOO SHAPE HANDLE VELVET W PURSE $34.99 |
|
|
Tag 73030 Red velvet 60-Inch Table Runner with Basket Weave Border Detail $56.55 Red Velvet Table runner with red sateen basket weave detail – is 60-inch long and 14-1/2-inch wide. This rich color and elegant design will add an air of richness and sophistication to your table or sideboard. Lined with a dyed to match fabric. Dry Clean Only…. |
|
|
Black Velvet Dinner Plate, Sq, Wide – Border Text Print (12pks Case) $33.22 Black Velvet Dinner Plate, Sq, Wide – Border Text Print12pcs per package, 12pks per case, this price is for one caseNOTE: Case Length: 9.8125Case Width: 5.8125Case Height (Depth): 10.25Case Weight: 2.92Case Cube: 0.338Package Length: 9Package Width: 9Package Height: 1… |
|
|
Boy a Velvet Chair 1860S Photo Mugs Boy dark suit with a Zouave style jacket (collarless, one button a rounded front borders), waistcoat, narrow bowtie a boots. His hair is slicked back from his face….. |
|
|
Stay Golden, Smog: The Best of Golden Smog – The Rykodisc Years (+3 Bonus Tracks) $24.88 INCLUDES 3 PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED BONUS TRACKS! In the late ’80s, Minneapolis was home to a tightly knit music scene that claimed its fair share of groups on college and alternative radio playlists. When they weren’t playing in their own bands, singer Kraig Johnson (Run Westy Run) and guitarists Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum) Gary Louris (the Jayhawks) and Marc Perlman (the Jayhawks) got together as Golden… |
|
|
Jill Malek Maidenhair Wallpaper – Red Velvet, Sample Frequency is the measurement of a recurring event in time. The interval during which a recurring sequence of events takes places is a cycle. The world is a composition of parallel frequencies and cyclical events; the sounds of waves crashing, the stages of animal life, the phases of the moon, the seasonal migration of birds, the beat of the human heart. The result of recurring events in nature gen… |
|
|
Creative Converting 7.125 Square Paper Luncheon Plates with Black Velvet Color Border, 12-Count Packages (Pack of 6) $17.52 From dinner with friends or family to a special birthday or anniversary or even a wedding, Touch of Color adds style to any gathering…. |
|
|
Creative Converting 8.75 Square Paper Dinner Plates with Black Velvet Color Border, 12-Count Packages (Pack of 6) $24.48 From dinner with friends or family to a special birthday or anniversary or even a wedding, Touch of Color adds style to any gathering…. |
|
|
12 PACK VELVET SCROLL BORDER STIX RED Papercraft, Scrapbooking (Source Book) $40.60 12 PACK VELVET SCROLL BORDER STIX RED STAMPENDOUS® Class A Peels™ Velvet StickersSheet size: 4 x 9…. |
|
|
Whole Home®/MD Grommet Panel with Velvet Border $44.99 Whole Home®/MD Grommet Panel with Velvet Border, Only at Sears! |
|
|
Whole Home®/MD Back-tab Panel with Velvet Border $39.99 Whole Home®/MD Back-tab Panel with Velvet Border, Only at Sears! |