As I'd driven along the road I'd noticed several bunches of flowers and a couple of teddy bears in various places, some tied to marker posts and others left on the grass by the roadside - obviously memorials, presumably to bikers to whom Horseshoe Pass had been their favourite place or maybe had claimed their lives. There was one memorial with a card which simply said 'To Mum' and although the flowers were artificial it was obviously a recent addition and it was beautiful - a photo just couldn't resist taking.
My original intention had been to stop off at Valle Crucis Abbey on the way back down into Llangollen but by then the afternoon had turned so grey that any photos of the abbey would have looked really miserable so I gave that one a miss and carried on back to Corwen instead. Although Corwen is the nearest place to the camp site, being only a couple of miles away, I've only ever been there to go to one of the local shops; classed as a market town it's really no more than a big village and there's not really much to explore but I decided to stop for a short while and have a look round.
Parking round behind the main road I emerged onto the village square and on my immediate right was the 'life sized' statue of Owain Glyndwr, the last truly Welsh Prince of Wales astride his battle horse. Further along was the old black-and-white building which had been a Natwest bank until 2015 and next to it, set right in the corner, was the old narrow-fronted Harp Hotel; a Grade ll listed building parts of it date back to the early 17th century. On my left were several shops, a couple of small cafes and an attractive shelter with back-to-back seating on two sides.
Round the bend in the road and across the other side was the old workhouse, now known as Corwen Manor. The building was completed in 1847 and provided a home for local paupers, with 150 people from seven parishes living there; built in the shape of a cross men and boys lived in one side of the building while women and girls lived in the other side. After its closure as a workhouse the building was used for a variety of businesses including engineering, seed production and shirt making; after falling into dilapidation it was restored in the early 1980s and now houses a cafe and a shop selling candles, crafts, fancy goods and fishing supplies. At the top of the steep street at the side of the old workhouse a waterfall tumbled down the hillside from somewhere up above, and turning round I had a great view over the roof tops to the countryside beyond the town.
Just along the road from the old workhouse was the Wesleyan Chapel. Built in 1879 and set in its own garden there is currently no indication anywhere that the building is still used as a chapel; maybe it's been converted for residential use but whatever it is now it's certainly a very unusual and attractive-looking place and well worth a photo.
Beyond the chapel there wasn't really much else to see so I cut down a side alley from the main road and made my way back to the van. My next stop was at Rhug Chapel on the A494 just at the far side of Corwen but when I got there I found that it's only open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so I did a quick about-turn and headed back to the camp site for the rest of the day. I'd been lucky that even though the day had turned out so grey the rain had managed to hold off while I was out, but I hadn't been back on my pitch for long when it started again. Needless to say the evening dog walk was a short one just before darkness fell then the three of us settled down in the van for the rest of the night.
Pretty little town.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite an attractive little place, even more so later in the year when they have colourful bunting everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI've never visited Corwen before, it looks like an interesting little place. I like he Owain Glyndwr statue :) The colour of the Harp leaves a lot to be desired methinks. I expect the chapel has been converted to a family home now, many of them have. I'm glad the rain kept off for most of the day as you took some nice photos.
ReplyDeleteCorwen is a lovely little place although a bit 'blink and you miss it' as main part, such as it is, just runs along the main A5 and it's easy to drive straight through. There's a big car park just behind the main street, Llangollen steam railway was extended to Corwen a couple of years ago and from the car park to the station is a nice walk. I only found out while writing this post that there's a footpath near that waterfall which takes you up the hillside to a stone circle with great views - something for me to explore next time I'm in that area IF I ever get any good weather! :)
DeleteThe Wesleyan Chapel is still in use as a Chapel. The congregation is small mind you. If you get the chance to visit the Town again - and we are open please pop and see the Museum.
DeleteThank you for taking the time to comment, it's nice to know that the chapel is still used as a chapel. I don't know when I'll be down that way again (hopefully in the not-too-distant future) but when I am I'll make sure to pop in if you are open :)
DeleteAwesome pictures Tigermous, I have only been to a few places in Wales, but I still miss the travbelling life.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
It's a shame you had to give up travelling Yvonne, there are some lovely places in this country just waiting to be explored :)
DeleteSuch a shame about the weather 😞 but loved the photos of the buildings in Corwen.
ReplyDeleteOne day I might manage to get some photos of Horseshoe Pass in the sunshine! At least the rain managed to hold off while I was out though. I often feel for you when I read in your posts that you've been walking in the rain - not funny, especially when it's windy too :(
ReplyDeleteAnother one of your interesting days out :)
ReplyDeleteWell the day didn't quite go as intended because of the weather but at least I made something of it so it wasn't wasted :)
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