Horseshoe Falls in Wales is a picturesque weir on the River Dee, situated close to the pretty town of Llangollen. Here is a complete guide.
How To Get To Horseshoe Falls
Located on the River Dee, near to Llantysilio, Horseshoe Falls is a 460ft (140m) picturesque weir designed to draw water from the River Dee into the Llangollen canal.
On Foot
There are many scenic walks in this area that take in Horseshoe Falls along the way.
One of the popular and prettiest is the 2 mile (3.2km) walk along the towpath from nearby Llangollen town to Horseshoe Falls.
Car
Horseshoe Falls can be accessed from the Llantysilio Green Car Park (LL20 8B).
Open from 7am to 7pm, charges are:
Up to 2 hours £1.
All day £3.
Free parking for National Trust members.
Public toilets are available at this car park.
Train
Ruabon is the nearest train station with a taxi ride to Llangollen.
Horse Drawn Boat
As of the 26th March, at weekends and on some weekdays, you can book a trip on a horse drawn boat leaving from Llangollen Wharf.
From here you can take a unique and leisurely 2 hour boat trip to Horseshoe Falls.
Adult: £14.00
Child: £10.00
Family Ticket: £44 (2 adults + 2 children aged 3-15)
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
Horseshoe Falls Entrance Fee
It is free to visit Horseshoe Falls.
Horseshoe Falls Opening Times
Horseshoe Falls is open all day, every day.
We would recommend caution by the water especially after dark.
Best Times To Visit Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls is a popular tourist attraction so gets busy at weekends and during the school holidays.
We would recommend visiting early in the day or in the evening, during the summer.
You can enjoy lots of water activities, especially during the warmer weather.
It’s a great place to take your dogs. As well as a pretty spot to have picnic.
Access can be difficult for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
What To Pack
Horseshoe Falls History
Completed in 1808, Horseshoe Falls is a 460ft (140m) long masterpiece of engineering by civil engineer Thomas Telford.
This horseshoe shaped weir was designed to draw water from the River Dee into the canal and it became a stunning addition to the landscape.
Since 2009, the weir has been part of a World Heritage Site which covers 11 miles (18 km) of the Llangollen Canal from just west of Horseshoe Falls to just beyond Chirk Aquaduct.
Today, around 12 million gallons of water are drawn in here each day from the River Dee to supply water to the canals, and to help supply south Cheshire with drinking water.
What To Expect At Horseshoe Falls In Wales
We visited Horseshoe Falls on the first stop on our Wales itinerary on the way to The Great Orme.
The setting at Horseshoe Falls in Wales is very pretty. The lovely grassy banks are a great place to relax and enjoy a picnic whilst taking in the beautiful scenery.
It’s not what you’d picture of a traditional ‘waterfall’ but more of a flat river bed with some tiers. If you’re looking for something a bit taller and more powerful we recommend visiting Aber Falls.
It’s very easy to access and only 100m from the carpark, although it is located on quite a steep hill.
If you are looking for something more active, you could spend some time here, weather permitting, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding or walking one of the many picturesque trails.
In the local area you will find plenty of activities to keep you busy, including horse drawn boat trips, steam train rides and beautiful walks.
A visit to the historical and popular town of Llangollen is also recommended whilst in the area.
Where To Stay In North Wales
Luxury
Cottage Apartment by Seaside Llandudno
Situated in Llandudno, just 400 yards from Llandudno North Shore Beach, Cottage Apartment by Seaside Llandudno features beachfront accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi.
The property has city views and is less than 0.6 miles from Llandudno Pier and a 7-minute walk from Leisure Parks.
The apartment features 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a patio with garden views.
Guests at the apartment can enjoy hiking and skiing nearby, or make the most of the garden.
Mid-Budget
Situated in Llandudno in the Gwynedd Region, 200 yards from Llandudno Pier, Belmont Llandudno features a terrace and guests can enjoy the on-site bar.
Each room has a flat-screen TV. You will find a kettle in the room. Every room is equipped with a private bathroom equipped with a bath or shower. Extras include free toiletries and a hairdryer. Belmont Llandudno features free WiFi .
There is a 24-hour front desk at the property.
The hotel also offers bike hire. Llandudno General Hospital is 1.1 miles from Belmont Llandudno, while Leisure Parks is 100 yards away.
Budget
Located in Llandudno, within 450 yards of Llandudno Pier and 550 yards of Leisure Parks, No 6 Quality Guesthouse provides accommodation with a shared lounge and a garden, and free WiFi throughout the property. The guest house features family rooms.
At the guest house, every room is equipped with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
A Full English/Irish breakfast is available daily at No 6 Quality Guesthouse.
For more places to stay in Wales, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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