New Denbighshire visitor maps have been launched
A series of new, illustrated visitor maps have been produced. The five maps focus on different areas to include an overview map, places to visit, walking, cycling and a map highlighting Denbighshire in relation to the wider region and main transport hubs.
Produced by illustrator, David Goodman, the maps are all hand-drawn and include Denbighshire’s landscapes, rail and bus public transport routes, towns and villages as well as visitor amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, golf courses, theatre’s, cinema’s, museums and tourist information centres.
David commented: “It’s taken us almost a year to get all the information distilled into a series of maps that I hope will be a great starting point for anyone wanting to visit or explore Denbighshire further. It’s an area I’ve got to know really well over the years, and I hope the maps bring as much interest and joy as they did to me creating them.”
Councillor Win Mullen-James, Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “Tourism plays a vital part in Denbighshire’s economy, with a total economic impact of over £432 million, and over 4 million visits made to the county. The ongoing investment in both coastal and rural Denbighshire to improve the visitor offer is really encouraging to ensure sustained future growth.”
The opening of Corwen Station is an exciting addition to the tourism offer following the successful completion of the railway platform canopy as part of the Clwyd South Levelling Up Fund (LUF) Corwen Connectivity - New and Improved Western Gateway to the Dee Valley and World Heritage Site. The new station represents the culmination of many years of hard work by staff and the dedicated team of volunteers at Llangollen & Corwen Railway.
Coastal works to improve the visitor experience have also started in Rhyl; not only to protect the town from flooding but also to upgrade and expand the promenade for residents and visitors alike. There are closures to certain sections of the promenade, however alternative access points to the beach are available and clearly signposted and all businesses and visitor attractions are open as usual. Cyclists are able to follow a clearly signposted route. The latest works form part of a £65 million investment in the town including a new harbour, the SC2 Waterpark, a newly renovated Pavilion Theatre and the 1891 Restaurant as well as national chains building new hotels.
If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration of where to visit this summer, take a look at the new Discover Denbighshire brochure, updated town trail leaflets or call into Rhyl or Llangollen Tourist Information Centres. Further information and the new visitor maps can all be found on the North East Wales website – www.northeastwales.wales
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
4 - 9 July 2023
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a week-long arts festival in North East Wales, which for 76 years has brought together performers from across the globe to share their love of song, dance and spoken word.
Llangollen 2023 opens with a bang on Tuesday 4 July: Alfie Boe and musical theatre super-group, Welsh of the West End perform in an evening concert created just for Llangollen. Guy Barker’s Big Band perform on Friday 7 July; guaranteed to raise the roof with a formidable power-house of top-drawer jazz players, guest soloists include: Tommy Blaize, Vanessa Haynes, Clare Teal and Giacomo Smith.
Mid-week the Eisteddfod’s commitment to peace is highlighted through The White Flower: Into the Light, a large-scale classical music concert on Wednesday 5 July. Massed choirs and NEW Sinfonia join performers from Wales, Bosnia and Ukraine for a concert of remembrance culminating in a message of peace and hope. On Thursday 6 July daring cross-genre multi-instrumentalists Propellor Ensemble present an immersive theatrical experience blending contemporary music, folk, dance and dynamic live visuals; inspired by the wonder of the natural world.
Two incredible live finals form the closing weekend, Choir of the World and Stars of Tomorrow. The very best choirs, dance ensembles and operatic stars feature on Saturday 8 July whilst the next generation of talented performers compete on Sunday 9 July.
The outdoor festival site has had a makeover for 2023 with a vibrant daily dose of world, folk and popular music, dance showcases, comedy, thought-provoking talks, workshops, street food and shopping, family friendly entertainment all with an international flavour.
The festival site, incorporating the iconic 4000-seat Royal Pavilion, is a 5-minute walk from the town centre, with ample parking on-site.
A wide range of ticket prices/options exist; Field entry starts at £5, and Evening Concert tickets cost £10-£48. Tickets can be booked online: www.llangollen.net or by phone: 01978 862 001 (Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm).