We did a lot of exploring

We have just returned home from the annual family holiday, and this year we went to Wales, to Pandy Mill near Llangollen – as its blurb says –

Located at the confluence of two rivers in Pandy village, this property is just over a mile from the local shops and a pub. A little further afield, the vibrant towns of Wrexham, Llangollen and the market town of Oswestry.

We stayed in the actual mill – converted now into beautiful accommodation, enough for the ten of us. Husband and I had never been to this area before, and we were stunned at how beautiful it is – although being someone born in flatlands I was a little overwhelmed,not to say slightly intimidated by the hills, or maybe mountains!

Being new to the area we did a lot of exploring, spent an interesting day in Oswestry, paid a visit to the amazing Shropshire Sculpture Park, toured the countryside, and visited Chirk Castle. It’s the sort of place you might imagine if you were thinking about castles, and we found it fascinating. If you ever visit, do go on the tour because you learn so much more and have all sorts of intersting insights into the history of the area.

In 1282 when the English King Edward I defeated the Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd (also known as Llywelyn the Last, and grandson of Llywelyn the Great), he established the new Marcher Lordship of Chirklands.  The Chirklands were granted to Roger Mortimer in recognition of his service in King Edward’s wars against the Welsh and Scottish and he built Chirk Castle in the late 13th century.  Constructed on a rocky escarpment at the head of the Ceiriog valley, the castle’s location was carefully chosen to maximise its defensive capabilities, whilst controlling the neighbouring Dee Valley and trade along the border.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/chirk-castle/history-of-chirk-castle

We visited on a glorious sunny day, and after the tour we sat outside in the courtyard and had a rather splendid cream tea!