Searching for the best trips and days out?
Make the most of your visit to Wrexham. Take some time out and see our leading local independent sights and attractions.
Erddig
Erddig Hall and Gardens are Wrexham's closest National Trust property. In fact, you can walk from the centre of town to the edge of their 1200 acre park estate in under 10 minutes, meaning you don't need to drive if you are staying in town.
The parkland itself is free to access, with level walks and is well signed, but note that cows and sheep do graze freely in the open fields. The park includes level riverside trails and woodland walks circling around the grand 18th Century estate. The paths also form part of the Clywedog Valley Trail which is well worth doing for the more adventurous walker.
The house and gardens themselves are stunning and are chargeable, or free to National Trust members, but are worth the entrance fees. Ticketed access means access to a good onsite café and other amenities. It is open all year round, albeit with some reduced access to the main house itself during winter.
With plenty of organised family activities arranged throughout the year, you should plan your day out in advance to make the most of their popular events. And with some great picnic areas in good weather, you can plan a grand day out easily on foot from the heart of town. One of our favourite places in Wrexham.
Plas
Power
Woods
Located around an hours walk from Erddig, heading past Felin Puleston on the Clywedog Valley Trail, you will eventually arrive at Bersham. Just outside Bersham lies Plas Power Woods, which offers the walker a magical, enchanted forest in a timeless setting of babbling brooks, waterfalls and ancient woodland.
With sturdy boots you can get a decent circular walk in at Plas Power Woods itself without having to do the whole trail. With well made paths throughout and crossing over the river on stones and doubling back on the choice of low or higher trails, taking in the ancient Offa's Dyke in some sections, permitting splendid views of Wrexham in the far distance. If you are feeling even more adventurous, the route extends beyond the woods to Nant Mill and Minerva Quarry Nature Reserve even further.
From Wrexham, head west on the A525 and follow brown signs for Nant Mill Visitor Centre. Turn left onto Rhos Berse Road where you will find the Nant Mill Visitor Centre. There is a car park here, within walking distance of the woods.
The nearest post code is LL11 3BT. OS Grid REF: SJ289501.
With stunning wildlife and views throughout the entire woods, it's easy to see why we have bumped into Wrexham artist Mikey Jones in the past here, such is the attraction of the place for creative types and established artists.
The keener eyed might spot King Offa in the woods sending you on your way.
If you have parked alternatively back at Bersham instead of Nant Mill before your walk, you can reward yourself afterwards with a proper pit stop. Get the designated driver a lemonade and treat yourself to a real ale and relax in front of a real fire at the traditional pub called the Black Lion conveniently sited in the village.
Set for a bright future it’s
Park in
the Past
In early autumn we were fortunate enough to spend a whole afternoon over at Park in the Past, located only a 10-minute drive north of Wrexham town centre, occupying a beautiful spot in the Welsh countryside, nestled at the foot of Hope Mountain.
A physically impressive site in scale of some 120 acres with a 35-acre lake, Park in the Past is a truly phenomenal visionary project as it offers a uniquely exciting day out and encompasses nature, archaeology, history and ecology all in one stunning setting.
Feeling like a life’s work for the small team of founders and volunteers involved who are some 10 years into their quest, we were treated to a personalised, guided tour of all the different projects and builds that are in various stages of completion, dotted around their extensive and thoughtfully planned out site.
A former quarry, the site was previously abandoned to nature with limited options for future uses – that was until Paul Harston and his team set their bold and clear vision out to the local council. Born locally, Paul’s father was also a well-read and regarded local historian, and Paul himself grew up with a similar passion for local history and had a particular interest in Roman history and archaeology.
We first came to know Paul many years ago when his friendly face was a familiar sight giving popular guided tours around Chester City centre dressed in his full Roman soldier regalia. Paul spent many years searching the UK for a perfect site to achieve such a grand vision, and it was completely by fluke the opportunity finally arose, and such a site being located on his very own doorstep.
Paul and his team offer their team of volunteers training, safe working environments, and is supportive of local communities and veterans in particular looking for skilled work training opportunities, all set in pleasant, relaxing and calming settings.
Possessing the world’s only full-sized reconstructed Roman fort as their great reveal, it is further amplified with other grand designs and builds located around the park. The fort was built using research and experimental archaeology techniques.
There is also an Earth House which can hold up to 250 people, and everything designed has been physically built on site, following strict architectural footprints, based on other historical Roman sites in the UK, with everything made as close as possible to being authentic.
Paul highlighted the painstaking attention to detail the team takes with the colours and patterns on fabrics faithfully copied from local museums and artefacts. We certainly felt like we had time travelled back to that period. This was made even more believable with some of the volunteer carpenters quietly working on site under cover, using traditional methods and materials and the faint aroma of died down fires from the night before filling the air. We even met a business owner on site who makes real mead nearby!
The crowning beauty of the site is their beautiful crystal-clear lake, which offers a ½ mile swim when swum across its longest section out and back, and in places is up to 90 feet deep. We saw evidence of a beaver who has decided to settle here as well. Offering so many choices for long summer days out there is a beach, sauna tent, wild swimming, boating and sailing – and with a strict no engine policy the site remains tranquil, peaceful and supporting both mindfulness and well-being.
With a great future potential and a lovely café already on site, the team have grand plans to turn this into a world class destination, and we can believe it. Hosting many organised events already throughout the year that include organised trips from schools across the north of the UK and Wales. Events also include Viking weekends with longships on the lake, Roman Days, Natural World Days, Bronze Age Days and re-enactments, meaning there is something for everyone. Park in the Past has a bright future.
Explore Even More
Eats
Popping into town for a welsh breakfast, or looking for a decent spot for brunch or lunch? Maybe a special and memorable meal? We've got you covered.
Events
With national and international events and festivals taking place throughout the year, you won't want to miss any of what goes on.
Stays
Make your visit to Wrexham an overnighter, or stay even longer. Stop over in our recommended places right here in town and nearby to extend your visit.