Stations between Crewe and
Holyhead
Please note:
Stations listed below are those served by Virgin Trains services.
For complete list and gazetteer of other stations on the North Wales route, see Arriva Trains Wales.
The stations are shown in order from Crewe. Journey times from Crewe are given,
together with journey times from Holyhead in brackets.
Chester 25 mins (97)
To the Romans, the fortress of Deva, and there is a reminder of that phase of its history
in the wall which encloses the city. The two mile walk along the wall is a must and takes
in relics of later eras: Viking, Norman, the Middle Ages, the English Civil War, and the
Industrial Revolution.
There is the largest Roman Amphitheatre every uncovered in Britain with space for 7,000
spectators; In 'The Rows' are found half-timbered shops which date back to the Middle
ages, while the relatively-modern ornate clock in Eastgate is said to be the most
photographed timepiece after Big Ben in London, since it was erected in 1897. Parts of the
Cathedral date back to 1092, while the museum of broadcasting is of more recent vintage.
There are boat trips along the Dee, a Zoo, and horse racing at the historic Roodee.
Throughout the year, there are various festivals to cater for all tastes, including film,
boating, transport, youth, music, and the Civil War Spectacular held in August.
Prestatyn 49mins (70)
Like Rhyl, it rival just along the coast, Prestatyn vies to attract the most visitors to
its resort. Latest attraction is the Ffrith Beach Pleasure Gardens - with boating lake,
go-karts and children's activity centre. There is also the Nova Centre with a selection of
water-based entertainments which is open all year round. Sport is catered for at the North
Wales Bowling Centre, and the golf clubs which separate Prestatyn and Rhyl.
Rhyl 55mins (64)
Though Prestatyn may disagree, Rhyl considers itself the premier holiday resort of the
North Wales coast, with sandy beaches, funfair, the 260-ft Skytower (left) and the Sun
Centre, an indoor all-weather leisure facility in the style of a tropical lagoon, replete
with palm trees and surf.
Colwyn Bay 68 mins (52)
A busy seaside resort in its own right, a three-mile promenade links Colwyn Bay with the
resort of Rhos-on-Sea. Its sheltered location and mild climate, makes it a year-round
attraction, equally popular in the winter months.
Llandudno Junction 76 mins (45)
Principally the interchange station with services between Llandudno
and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Bangor 94 mins (28)
A university city facing Anglesey across the Menai Strait, its history as a religious site
can be traced back to the fifth century. Over the ensuing centuries, battles and uprisings
have taken their toll, and the present cathedral dates from the twelfth century, most of
what can be seen results from a number of restorations and rebuildings between 1866 and
1971. It contains a number of important relics and documents, including the Mostyn Christ,
a C16th wooden statue showing Jesus bound and wearing a crown of thorns, seated on a rock.
In the grounds of the Bishop's Palace is the Bible Garden, filled with the plants, shrubs
and trees which are mentioned in the holy book. In the upper part of the town, the
University (right) was formed as part of the University of Wales in 1884, though the
present buildings date from 1911. Theatre Gwynedd is part of the University complex, where
plays in Welsh and English are staged. North of the city centre, the pier stretches far
out into the Menai Strait, half way to Anglesey.
Holyhead is reached via the 1,250-yard long Stanley Embankment which joins Holy
Island - on which Holyhead stands - with Anglesey.
The station adjoins the Irish Ferry to Dun Laoghaire, on the outskirts of Dublin. Holy
Island boasts some spectacular cliff scenery, an ideal location for the Roman fortress of
Caergybi around which the town developed, and from which it takes its Welsh name. In the
town, parts of the medieval church date from the 13th century, but is built on the
foundations of a monastery founded in 550 by St Cybi. Restored in the late 1870s it
features the work of pre-Raphaelites Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. There are
spectacular views and an Iron Age fort at the top of Holyhead Mountain to the north of the
town.
Connections from Chester also serve Wrexham Central.
Wrexham is served by two stations - the Central and the General - a ½-mile apart.
Virgin Trains call at Wrexham Central.
The town is dominated by the 140-ft pinnacled and decorated tower of St Giles' Church -
once considered one of the seven wonders of Wales. In the churchyard is the grave of Elihu
Yale who gave his name to the famous Connecticut University. In the Clywedog Valley, south
of the town, are reminders of the area's industrial past: A heritage trail through the
valley includes the Minera Lead Mines, the Bersham Ironworks - where cannon for
the American War of Independence were cast - the Heritage Centre and the wildlife centre at Nant
Mill. Two miles south is Erddig Hall, a restored mansion house. Bangor-on-Dee National
Hunt racecourse is three miles south east of the town.
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Copyright © 1996/7/8/9/2000/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13 by Deryck Lewis. All rights
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Page created November 2 1997; Redesigned March 29 1999; Updated
January
1 2013
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