Llangollen

Living not too far from Llangollen means I end up back there pretty often, especially when the weather looks like it might be doing something. It’s a place I find myself returning to, whether for a bit of history around the castle ruins or just some quiet valley views. You’ve got the canal winding through, narrowboats cruising under old bridges, and the hills always looming large.

I’ve seen it in all sorts, from golden hour light making the valley look a bit more dramatic than it probably is, to proper winter scenes with snow dusting the hills. One morning, I even caught Dinas Bran castle sitting right above a thick cloud inversion, which doesn't happen every day. It's a reliable spot for a photo, even if the conditions aren't always ideal.

You get hikers making their way up to the castle, adding a bit of life to the landscape, and plenty of sheep just doing their thing in the fields. It’s a mix of rugged Welsh landscape and quiet waterways, a place where the light often does most of the work for you. Always worth the short drive, or a wander through the usual spots, to see what turns up.