Gresford
A village just north of Wrexham with one of the finest parish churches in Wales, bells famed in rhyme and a memorial to a mining tragedy.
Gresford climbs the hillside above the Alyn valley on the road to Chester. Its church bells are one of the traditional Seven Wonders of Wales, and its name is known across Britain because of the Gresford Colliery disaster of 1934. Come for the church, pause at the memorial and finish with a meal by the lake.
Getting there
Gresford is roughly 3 miles north of Wrexham city centre, about 10 minutes by car. The village station closed in 1964, so the nearest is now Wrexham General. Arriva's frequent service 1 between Wrexham and Chester stops in Gresford, including near the Plough; check Traveline Cymru for current times.
Things to do
All Saints Church
Often described as the finest parish church in Wales, Grade I listed All Saints is largely 15th century and holds more surviving medieval stained glass than any other Welsh church. Look out for the carved misericords too. The National Churches Trust lists it as open daily, but check before you go. There is a car park at the church and level access to the main areas.
Gresford bells
"Gresford bells" close the old rhyme of the Seven Wonders of Wales, alongside Wrexham steeple and the Overton yew trees. The original eight bells are first mentioned in 1714, and six smaller bells have since been added. Visit when the ringers are practising and you will hear why.
Gresford Colliery disaster memorial
On 22 September 1934 an underground explosion at Gresford Colliery killed 266 men and boys, one of Britain's worst mining disasters; only 11 bodies were ever recovered. A headgear wheel from the colliery now forms the Miner's Wheel Memorial on Bluebell Lane in Pandy, where a short, informal service is held each year on 22 September. Inside All Saints, a memorial book and fresco in the St Catherine's chapel honour the miners.
The Flash
Between Gresford and Borras lies The Flash, a small lake used by Gresford Sailing Club for dinghy training and racing.
Food and drink
The Pant-yr-Ochain on Old Wrexham Road is a 16th-century house overlooking a small lake, now a Brunning & Price pub with a daily-changing menu, terraces and an inglenook fireplace. Next to the church, the Griffin Inn is a traditional community local run on old-fashioned lines, with no food and no piped music. The Plough serves meals, including a carvery on some days. Check times before you go, and see our eat and drink guide.
Make a day of it
Combine Gresford with St Giles in Wrexham, home of the "Wrexham steeple" from the same rhyme, or head on to Chester; see cityofchester.org. Holt is a short drive east. Browse more attractions, events and places to stay.
Gresford: questions answered
Why are Gresford's bells famous?
The bells of All Saints Church are one of the traditional Seven Wonders of Wales, named in the old rhyme ending "Llangollen bridge and Gresford bells". Eight original bells are first recorded in 1714, and six smaller bells were later added, giving the church fourteen in total.
Where is the Gresford disaster memorial?
The Miner's Wheel Memorial is on Bluebell Lane in Pandy, near the former colliery site. It uses a wheel from the pit headgear and remembers the 266 men and boys killed on 22 September 1934. A short, informal memorial service is held there every year on 22 September, and all are welcome.
Is All Saints Church in Gresford open to visitors?
The National Churches Trust lists All Saints as open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm, or dusk, all year, with a car park, level access to the main areas and a dog-friendly welcome. Services and events can affect access, so check before you go, especially if travelling specially to see the medieval glass.