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Wrexham

Wales's newest city, on the edge of the Dee Valley

Photo © Kayla Louise, Google Maps

Tucked into the north-east corner of Wales, close enough to the English border that Chester is a half-hour drive away, Wrexham has spent centuries quietly getting on with being a solid market town — and then, in the space of a few years, found itself impossible to ignore. It became Wales's seventh city in September 2022, one of two places awarded city status as part of the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, an honour that put it alongside Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bangor, St Davids and St Asaph. For a place of around 65,000 people, it was a significant moment, and it landed just as the town's football club was becoming an unlikely global phenomenon.

Wrexham sits on the edge of the Dee Valley, with the Welsh uplands rising to the west and the flatter Cheshire Plain stretching east into England. The town itself is compact and walkable, built around a historic street pattern that radiates from the parish church and the old general market, while just outside it the countryside turns quickly to farmland, wooded river gorges and the dramatic limestone edge of the Clwydian Range. It is this combination — a proper working town with a growing sense of civic pride, wrapped in genuinely spectacular Welsh borderland scenery — that makes Wrexham a more interesting short break than its reputation might suggest.

Getting to Wrexham

Wrexham is well connected for a town of its size. Wrexham General railway station has direct services to Chester, Shrewsbury, Cardiff and beyond, and the town sits just off the A483, linking easily to the M53 and M56 motorway network into Cheshire and North West England. Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester airports are both under an hour's drive away, and Chester itself is only around 12 miles to the north-east, making Wrexham an easy add-on to a wider North Wales or border-country trip.

Best time to visit Wrexham

Spring and early summer bring the Dee Valley and the canal towpaths to their best, with long daylight hours for walking or cycling out towards Llangollen. Wrexham AFC's football season runs from August to May, and matchdays at the Racecourse Ground now draw visitors from well beyond Wales, so book accommodation early if a game is part of the plan. Autumn suits the wooded gorges and National Trust grounds at Erddig, while winter is quieter and better suited to museum visits and cosy pub stops.

Where to go

Popular destinations in Wrexham

About Wrexham’s towns and villages

Wrexham's landscape ranges from lively village life to quiet rural crossroads, offering a mix of options depending on the pace you're after. Rossett, close to the Cheshire border, has an attractive, well-kept feel with pubs and shops that make it a pleasant base for exploring both Wrexham and Chester. It suits those who want village charm without straying too far from larger towns.

Further into the countryside, Horsemans Green offers a genuinely rural retreat, ideal for travellers seeking peace and open farmland scenery. Ruabon, with its history tied to industry and the nearby Wynnstay estate, provides a more grounded, workaday character alongside good transport links. Together these places show the contrast between Wrexham's settled villages and its quieter agricultural corners.

Where to stay in Wrexham(19)

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About staying in Wrexham

Wrexham's places to stay range from town-centre hotels to farmhouse B&Bs scattered through the surrounding countryside. In Wrexham itself you'll find larger names such as the Ramada Plaza Wrexham and Travelodge Wrexham, useful for football matches, business trips or simply a straightforward base for exploring the county, while the Wynnstay Arms Hotel sits right in the town centre with more character.

Outside the town, options spread towards Chirk, Ruabon and Rossett, where places like Rossett Hall Hotel and the Trevor Arms suit those wanting a quieter setting close to the Dee Valley or the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Smaller guesthouses and farm stays, including Hollies Farm B&B near Horsemans Green and Willington Lodge, appeal to visitors after something more personal, with easy access to walking country.

Choosing between them often comes down to whether you want to be within walking distance of Wrexham's shops and pubs or prefer a rural spot with fields and lanes on the doorstep.

Things to Do in Wrexham(16)

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About things to do in Wrexham

Wrexham's attractions span the industrial heritage of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Visitor Centre, a World Heritage Site carrying the Llangollen Canal high above the Dee valley, to grand estates such as Erddig Hall and Garden and Chirk Castle, both cared for by the National Trust and offering gardens and parkland alongside their historic interiors.

Families staying nearer town have plenty to fill a day: Xplore! Science Discovery Centre and AirHop Adventure & Trampoline Park work well for wet afternoons, while Alyn Waters Country Park and Ty Mawr Country Park suit those after riverside walks and open air. Llandegla Laser Combat and Bellis Brothers Farm Shop and Garden Centre add further variety, and Eagles Meadow's ODEON is a reliable fallback whatever the weather.

Where to Eat in Wrexham(197)

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About eating out in Wrexham

Wrexham's dining scene stretches from the county town itself out towards the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, taking in everything from steady high street cafes to pubs built around a proper Sunday roast. In town, expect a mix of quick lunch spots and chain names such as the local Wetherspoon, while smaller independents handle the coffee and cake trade well.

Further out, places near the aqueduct and along the Dee valley lean towards food with a view, useful after a day on the canal towpath or the Llangollen line. Choice comes down to pace: a fast bite in the centre, or a slower meal somewhere with a bit more scenery attached.

Attractions Near Wrexham

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Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Wrexham.

Camping in Wrexham(29)

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About camping in Wrexham

Wrexham's countryside runs from the flat farmland near the border to the foothills of the Berwyn range, and its campsites reflect that spread. Around the town itself you'll find easy-access options for a night or two, while further out places like Plas Issa Farm and Chapel Farm Meadows sit in quieter, more rural settings suited to longer stays.

Glamping has taken hold strongly here, with yurts, pods and shepherd's huts at sites such as Lady Margaret's Park Experience Freedom Glamping, Kingfisher Escapes and Faraway Follies offering a softer alternative to canvas. For those who want a wilder edge, Gwenfro Valley Wild Camping and Wild Cherry Camping lean into the county's woodland and river settings.

Smaller, family-run spots like Hafod Las, Moss Lane Cottage and Rosedale Park tend to offer a more personal welcome, so it's worth checking how many pitches or units each site actually has before booking, as this varies considerably across the county.

Self-Catering Cottages in Wrexham(19)

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About cottages in Wrexham

Wrexham's cottages range from converted farm buildings to riverside retreats, many set within easy reach of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Dee Valley. Moss Bank Farm offers both a farmhouse and a hayloft conversion, useful if you're comparing space and privacy, while Erbistock Mill and Aqueduct Hideaway trade on their waterside settings for a quieter break.

Away from the main routes, places like Godre'r Coed, Hafan Fach and Oak View sit closer to open countryside, good for walking straight from the door. Others, such as Apple Garth, Harvest Cottage and Hillside Cottage, work well as a base for exploring both the town and the surrounding villages. With 19 properties across the county, it's worth deciding whether you want to be near the aqueduct's tourist trail or somewhere more rural before booking.

Common questions about Wrexham

How many campsites are there in Wrexham?

We list 29 campsites in and around Wrexham, of which 25 take tents and 12 offer glamping.

Are there dog-friendly campsites in Wrexham?

Yes — 1 of the 29 campsites we list in Wrexham accept dogs, including Halton Farm.

Which campsites in Wrexham have electric hook-up?

11 of the 29 campsites we list in Wrexham offer an electric hook-up.

How many holiday cottages are there in Wrexham?

We list 19 self-catering cottages in and around Wrexham.

Can I take a dog to a holiday cottage in Wrexham?

Yes — 9 of the 19 Wrexham cottages we list allow pets.

Are there large holiday cottages in Wrexham for groups?

Yes — the largest cottage we list in Wrexham sleeps 23.

Where can I stay in Wrexham?

We list 13 hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in and around Wrexham.

What is there to do in Wrexham?

We list 16 attractions and things to do in and around Wrexham.

Where can I eat in Wrexham?

We list 197 restaurants, pubs and cafes in and around Wrexham.