the seat of the Earl of Powys, is a stately but irregular pile of building, venerable for its antiquity: it is pleasantly situated in a well-wooded park, at the distance of a mile from the town, on the right of the road leading to Montgomery, and occupies a commanding site on a ridge of rocks overlooking a vast extent of richly diversified country, the greater part of which was formerly subject to its lord. The views from its extensive and richly wooded park are remarkably interesting and beautiful.
Angling Stations.
| Distances from Welshpool. | Miles. |
| Berriew, on the confluence of the Rhiw and Severn | 5 |
| Llandysylio, on the Vyrnwy | 8 |
| Llandrinio | 9 |
| Llanvyllin, the Abel, Cain, and Vyrnwy | 12 |
WREXHAM,
(Denbighshire.)
| Chester | 12 |
| Llangollen | 11½ |
| Oswestry | 6 |
| Ruthin | 16 |
Wrexham is a large and well-built town, whose population, including the parish, was returned in 1841 at 12,981 inhabitants. From its extent and importance, it has sometimes been denominated the metropolis of North Wales. The town is pleasantly situated at the junction of the Shrewsbury. Welshpool, Oswestry, and Chester roads, and in the centre of the mining and manufacturing districts of the eastern part of Denbighshire. Races are annually held early in October, on a course a little north-west of the town, on the right of the road to Mold. Wrexham is one of the principal stations on the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway.
No particular branch of trade or manufacture is carried on in the town; but the parish, which is about twelve miles in length, abounds with mineral wealth, and extensive works of various kinds are carried on in different parts of it. The principal inns are the Wynnstay Arms and the Lion. Markets are held on Thursday and Saturday, the former being the chief market day. There are several fairs held annually for cattle; but the principal one is that which commences on the 23d of March, and continues for fourteen days. For the accommodation of the various dealers attending it, five extensive areas are fitted up with shops and booths. A new and handsome market-hall has also been lately built, and cheese fairs established. Wrexham is contributory with Denbigh, Holt, and Ruthin, in the return of a parliamentary representative.
The church, dedicated to St. Giles, is a spacious and noble Gothic structure, deservedly regarded as one of the finest ecclesiastical edifices in the Principality. It was erected in the year 1472, the tower not being finished till 1506, as appears by a date on the building. The exterior is elaborately embellished with sculpture; and the tower, which is very lofty and highly enriched, consists of several successive stages, panelled throughout, and decorated with numerous statues of saints in canopied niches: from its elevation, and the light open-work turrets by which it is crowned at the angles, it forms a conspicuous and interesting object in the surrounding landscape. It has a remarkably fine carved roof: and a noble altar-piece, designed by Mr. Jones of Chester, and worked in stone by Mr. Blayney of that city; the east window being filled with beautifully stained glass by Mr. Evans, of Shrewsbury.
In the chancel is an altar-tomb, on which is a recumbent effigy of Dr. Bellot, successively Bishop of Bangor and Chester, who died in 1596, and was there interred. Nearly opposite to this tomb is an interesting monument, by Roubilliac, to the memory of Mrs. Mary Myddelton, of Chirk Castle, representing a female rising from the tomb in all the freshness of youth and beauty, at the sound of the last trumpet which is to summon the dead to judgment. At the corner of the aisle is also a monument by Roubilliac, to the Rev. Thomas Myddelton and Arabella his wife; and there are monuments to Wm. Lloyd, Esq. and his son, the Fitzhughs, the Pulestons, the Longuevilles, Sir Foster and Lady Cunliffe, and other families in the neighbourhood..
About a mile from Wrexham, on the right of the road leading to Chester, is Acton Park, the residence of Sir R. H. Cunliffe, Bart., a spacious mansion, delightfully situated in extensive grounds, richly diversified with picturesque and romantic scenery, and commanding pleasing views of the town and adjacent country. Acton was the birth-place of the notorious Judge Jeffreys, who obtained so bad an eminence in the reign of James the Second.