Local Area – Things to do near Overton-on-Dee, Llangollen, Chester and BEyond
The Quirky Barn holiday hideaways are located in rolling and gentle border countryside with Shrewsbury, Llangollen and Chester all only about half an hours drive away. Whilst many of our guests choose to enjoy the wonderful peace and quiet of the countryside and venture no further than the gardens, just a few minutes walk across the fields will take you to the banks of the river Dee. There are also some magnificent places right on the doorstep which you might want not to miss.
The medieval fortress of Chirk Castle (National Trust, 8 miles) provides an excellent outing and often has activities for young children laid on in its magnificent formal gardens. Erddig (also National Trust, 7 miles) is a major stately home, packed with antiques and again surrounded by lovely gardens. Further afield is Powis Castle (also National Trust, 28 miles), set in a stunning location with one of the best landscaped gardens in the country.
Hawkstone Follies (23 miles) are a group of very interesting and rather odd grottos, monuments, underground passages (take a torch!) and ornate buildings all set in a couple of square miles of countryside on a magnificent escarpment. Three hours are needed to see it. Stout footwear is also needed and this is an excellent place to wear out children.
Park Hall (11 miles) is an award winning outdoor farm experience again very good for young children.
At Llangollen (15 miles), there are a number of attractions including a steam railway which takes you up the valley on a return trip, with lovely views of the mountains.
At Chirk (8 miles), as well as the castle there is a canal which is carried across a huge drop by Telford’s aqueduct at Pont c syllte (pronounced Pont c Silter). You can walk out across this if you have a sound head for heights and also explore a couple of long canal tunnels nearby. This is also a popular spot for canoeists.
At Oswestry (12 miles), there is a large bronze age castle mound and also some very interesting shops, old buildings and a market.
At Ellesmere (4 miles), there is a swing park by the Mere and also an excellent lakeside tea shop/restaurant. You can hire rowing boats to go out on the water. On the other side of the village is the canal.
There are swimming pools, both with big slides, at Wrexham (Waterworld) and Plas Madoc (just through Ruabon). Plas Madoc also has a wave machine.
Closer to home you will find a very well equipped swing park in the village. It is on the right as you drive out of Overton towards the “Cross Foxes”. There is a little tea shop in the delicatessen. You may also like to have a look at the fine medieval church of St Mary’s which is home to one of the wonders of Wales: the 1500 year old ancient Yew Trees.
Excellent local pubs include the award winning Boat at Erbistock, the Cross Foxes at Overton Bridge, and the Black Lion and Red Lion in Ellesmere. There are many other pubs and restaurants to explore as well!
Mountain Biking
There are many quiet roads to explore in the immediate vicinity of the Quirky Barn, and if you would like to go further afield Llandegla is about 30 minutes drive away. Here you will find a fantastic set of forest tracks through spectacular scenery ranging from the relatively leisurely ‘green’ to the absolutely terrifying ‘black’. You are welcome to use our bike store which is located at the rear of the stable block, or if you have not brought your own mountain bikes you can hire them from the cycle centre at Llandegla.