Contrary to various other lists of 7 Wonders of the World, which were mostly chosen by voting, the 7 wonders of Wales have been eternalized in a poem mentioning them.
This poem goes as follows:
Pistyll Rhaeadr and Wrexham steeple,
Poem describing the 7 Wonders of Wales
Snowdon’s mountain without its people,
Overton yew trees, St Winefride’s well,
Llangollen bridge and Gresford bells.
Nobody knows for sure who wrote the poem but it’s assumed it was written in the late 18th century by an English visitor who was clearly fascinated by what he saw in the northern part of Wales.
1. Pistyll Rhaeadr
Pistyll Rhaeadr is the most famous waterfall in Wales and is located in the northeast of the country. It can be found 4 miles (6 kilometers) from the small village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant in Powys, and about 16 miles (26 kilometers) to the west of the market town Oswestry.
The name of the waterfall translates to “spring of the waterfall” and it drops about 240 feet (73 meters) down a cliff in 3 stages. If it didn’t consist of 3 separate drops it would have been the tallest waterfall in the United Kingdom, even though it’s sometimes erroneously referred to as such.
2. St Giles’ Church
St Giles’ Church is the parish church of the city of Wrexham, the main town in the Wrexham County Borough in the Northeast of Wales. It’s a prime example of the perpendicular architectural style, also referred to as English Gothic, and has been listed as a Grade I Building.
The church was built in the 16th century and works on its most prominent feature, the tower, which started in 1506. It contains over 30 niches and is elaborately decorated with statues. It’s believed that the tower might have been the inspiration for the Victoria Tower located next to the Palace of Westminster on the opposite side of Big Ben.
3. Snowdon
Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and the highest mountain in the United Kingdom outside of the Scottish Highlands. It stands 1,085 meters (3,560 feet) above sea level and is one of the most prominent peaks in the British Isles, ranking third after Ben Nevis and Càrn Eige in Scotland.
The mountain is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Wales with over half a million people visiting the Snowdonia National Park where it’s located. Apart from walking, it’s also a popular attraction for rock climbers as it features several amazing cliffs!
4. Overton yew trees
Overton-on-Dee is a small part of Wrexham County Borough in Wales. It features the St Mary the Virgin Church which is located on the Main Street of the town and which is home to a remarkable feat of nature.
In the courtyard of the church, there are 21 “yew trees” which were planted anywhere between the 3rd and 12th centuries, meaning many of these trees are over 1000 years old. Better, yet, most of these trees are most probably older than the church itself as well.
5. St Winefride’s Well
St Winefride’s Well is a well located in the village of Holywell, Flintshire, in the northeast of Wales. The water in the well is believed to have healing powers which is the reason it turned into a famous pilgrimage.
The well is claimed to be the oldest continually visited pilgrimage site in the United Kingdom, dating back to at least the 12th century. It’s a Grade I listed building as well and is sometimes referred to as the “Lourdes of Wales.”
6. Llangollen Bridge
The Llangollen Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Wales and is located in the town of the same name located in the northeast of the country. It was constructed in the 16th century and is believed to have been the first stone bridge crossing the River Dee.
The bridge replaced an older bridge in the same location which was built during the reign of Henry I in the early 12th century. It’s a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument as well.
7. Bells of the All Saints’ Church in Gresford
The Bells of the All Saints’ Church is located in the church in the village of Gresford in the Wrexham County Borough. The church was built in the 15th century and is described as one of the finest churches in Wales.
The bells of the church are remarkable for their purity of tone, which is the reason they were included in the 7 Wonders of Wales list.
