Cefn Mawr
A former industrial village on the ridge above the Dee, with a World Heritage aqueduct and a towering railway viaduct right on its doorstep.
Cefn Mawr means "big ridge", and the name fits. The village sits on the northern slopes of the Dee Valley, and in the 18th and 19th centuries its iron, coal and sandstone fed some serious industry. From 1867 a chemical works at Plas Kynaston grew into a major producer, later working with Monsanto, until production ended in 2010. Today the big draws are the two great crossings of the valley below: Telford's canal aqueduct and Henry Robertson's railway viaduct.
Getting there
Cefn Mawr is roughly 6 miles south-west of Wrexham city centre, about 15 minutes by car via the A483. The nearest open railway station is Ruabon, a couple of miles away on the Shrewsbury to Chester line; Cefn's own station closed in 1960. Arriva's service 2 between Wrexham and Oswestry stops in Cefn Mawr, but check Traveline Cymru for current times.
Things to do
Walk the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Completed in 1805 by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, the aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal 126 feet above the River Dee and is the longest in Great Britain. It sits at the heart of an 11-mile UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2009. Walking the towpath across is free; it is narrow, so take your time and hold on to little ones.
Trevor Basin Visitor Centre
At the northern end of the aqueduct, the free Canal & River Trust visitor centre has models, films and artefacts about how the "stream in the sky" was built. Car parks are pay and display (satnav LL14 3SG), and opening hours are seasonal, so check before you go. Short boat trips across the aqueduct leave from the basin in season.
Ty Mawr Country Park and the Cefn Viaduct
Wrexham Council's Ty Mawr Country Park sits on the banks of the Dee right beneath the Cefn Viaduct, a Grade II* listed railway bridge finished in 1848 with 19 large arches standing 147 feet above the river. Children can meet the park's sheep, goats, pigs and two llamas, and there is a small daily parking charge. A waymarked walk of about 4 miles there and back links the park with the top of the aqueduct, with two sets of steps on the way.
Food and drink
Linden's Coffee Barn at Ty Mawr Country Park serves hot and cold refreshments, ideal before or after the riverside walk. Down at the basin, the whitewashed Telford Inn on Station Road, Trevor, has several rooms, a rear restaurant and outdoor seating a short stroll from the aqueduct. Opening days vary, so check before you go. For more ideas see our eat and drink guide.
Make a day of it
Pair Cefn Mawr with neighbouring Ruabon for church monuments and terracotta heritage, or follow the canal south to Chirk and its castle and aqueduct. Llangollen is just up the valley, and llangollen.com covers everything there. Browse more Wrexham attractions, see what is on in our events listings, or find somewhere to stay in our accommodation guide.
Cefn Mawr: questions answered
Can you walk across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct for free?
Yes. Walking the towpath and the aqueduct is free. You pay only for parking at the pay and display car parks near Trevor Basin. The path is narrow with a railing on one side and a drop on the other, so keep children close and allow time for people coming the other way.
Where should I park to visit the aqueduct from Cefn Mawr?
The Canal & River Trust recommends the satnav postcode LL14 3SG and following the brown signs to avoid narrow, steep lanes. Car parks are pay and display, open 8am to 8pm, with no overnight parking. Alternatively park at Ty Mawr Country Park and walk about 2 miles to the aqueduct.
Is Ty Mawr Country Park good for children?
Very much so. The council-run park has sheep, goats, pigs, free-range chickens and ducks, plus two llamas called Carlos and Pedro. There are toilets, baby changing, a coffee barn and riverside walks under the Cefn Viaduct. The park is open every day, and there is a small daily parking charge.