This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Llangollen.
Llangollen is a picturesque little town flanked by the Horseshoe Pass mountain road and Clwydian Hills. It attracts visitors from all over the world who come to enjoy the rapids of the River Dee, vintage steam railway, and the ruins of the historic Valle Crucis Abbey. It is especially vibrant during the annual International Eisteddfod, a festival of worldwide song and dance, which is held in the month of July.
Your choices for hostels in Llangollen are limited, but you will be centrally placed and a short walk from the town centre’s pubs, cafes, and restaurants.
Llangollen has a surprisingly lively arts scene for a town of its size and has a history of attracting artists, writers, and musicians. The Llangollen Fringe Festival is a popular arts festival held annually in the town each July and features comedy, theatre, music, and dance.
A range of good hikes and walks are available in Llangollen, ranging from a gentle stroll along the canal towpath or riverside to a more strenuous hike to the top of Dinas Bran Castle, a thirteenth-century ruin which offers great views of the town below and connects to the Offa’s Dyke trail. Llangollen is also a well-renowned spot for white water canoeing and kayaking just a short distance from your Llangollen hostel.
For backpackers arriving by public transport, Llangollen is reasonably well served by local buses, or the nearest train station is six miles away in Ruabon (connections to Wrexham, Shrewsbury, and Chester) where buses frequently depart for Llangollen. There are further hosteling options available in Chester.
Written by local enthusiast for Llangollen hostels
Laura T