http://www.dailycourier.co.uk/dee-valley-tourist-and-visitor-guide/chirk-area/ http://www.dailycourier.co.uk/dee-valley-tourist-and-visitor-guide/chirk-area/chirk/ <p style="font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.8em; line-height: 1.4em;">There are two fine river crossings here, the Henry Robertson viaduct for the Chester to Shrewsbury railway line and the Telford aqueduct for the canal from Ellesmere to Llangollen cross the River Ceiriog and span the valley. A very long tunnel from the aqueduct brings the canal out into the open air again on the same road as and below the famous Davies Brothers gates of Chirk Castle. The canal barges often had to be walked through the tunnel by the bargee. He lay on his back and pushed against the tunnel ceiling in a slow walking action to drive the barge through.</p><p style="font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.8em; line-height: 1.4em;">The gates and castle near here are well worth a visit and time for a walk around the beautiful and well-stocked gardens should be scheduled. If you visit the gallery ask why there is sea below a landscape painting of Pistyll Rhaeadr, at least thirty miles from the coast.</p><p style="font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.8em; line-height: 1.4em;">There is a public Swimming Pool at Chirk Leisure Centre and other extensive training facilities.</p> Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:37:55 +0100 http://www.dailycourier.co.uk/dee-valley-tourist-and-visitor-guide/chirk-area/chirk/ http://www.dailycourier.co.uk/dee-valley-tourist-and-visitor-guide/chirk-area/glyn-ceiriog/ <p><strong>Glyn Ceiriog</strong></p><p>Glyn Ceiriog is an excellent rambling area and there are many leaflets available detailing the routes. There are two trout farms along the valley and fishing in lakes and rivers is available. Slate and flannel were once the industries. A steam tramway used to travel between the quarries in the valley and the main line railway in Chirk. Photos and more information can be had in the Glyn Valley Hotel and there is a very interesting museum in the Ceiriog Memorial Institute which also remembers literary notaries Cynddelw, Huw Morus and Ceiriog.</p><p><strong>Castle Mill</strong></p><p>Castle Mill was the nominated mill for the tenants of Chirk Castle in the old days and a long-term lucrative business for the estate owner. This was virtually the end of the road from Chirk to Glyn Ceiriog. The valley, in those days, was heavily wooded and the narrow lane on the South side of the Ceiriog Valley was the only decent route until the steam tramway was built in 1873, it passed just outside Castle Mill on its way to Chirk. Considering how important this small place used to be it’s surprising to see little evidence of the olden days hustle and bustle.</p> Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:45:18 +0100 http://www.dailycourier.co.uk/dee-valley-tourist-and-visitor-guide/chirk-area/glyn-ceiriog/