Facilities are to be upgraded at a popular tourism attraction overrun with summer visitors. Litter, erosion, fires and illicit parking have become a source of concern at Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen.
Previous access improvements saw annual visitor numbers soar past 100,000 and Denbighshire Council realised it needed to do more to manage the site. Having accessed money from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF), the local authority has begun a four-month project to install new toilets and more parking. Following the success of a similar venture at Moel Famau, hardstanding is also being provided for a mobile caterer.
The Horseshoe Falls are a crescent-shaped weir on the River Dee. It was built in 1821 after an earlier construction was partially destroyed by floods. As one of Britain’s earliest river regulation schemes, its meadows and ancient trees provide a genteel spot for summer visitors. It’s also a popular launch site for watersports enthusiasts.
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Six years ago the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB warned some visitor hotspots like Horseshoe Falls were becoming “too popular for their own good”. Parking issues at the site were thrown into sharp relief last summer when dozens of vehicles parked on double yellow lines nearby.
At the time, residents in Llantysilio complained they were effectively “cut off” when the narrow road became impassable. Council enforcement officers ticketed offenders and pledged to find ways of managing the increase in visitor numbers.
KM Construction began work at the site earlier this week. The 10-week project is due to run until March, allowing for a two-week Christmas shutdown. Funding for the work came from £3.8m Leveling Up cash awarded to Denbighshire Council for the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.
Cllr Jason McLellan, lead member for economic growth and tackling deprivation, said improvements were “much-needed”. He added: “The area has seen a significant increase in visitor numbers in recent years. I hope that this project, once completed, will enhance the visitor experience for all who visit the site.”
The upgrades to Llantysilio Green Car Park are part of wider efforts to improve facilities and “visitor movement connectivity” at the 11-mile Llangollen Canal World Heritage Site, which includes Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
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Already the AONB has launched its Dee Valley Picturesque Bus, a hop-on hop-off sightseeing service that runs each Saturday from April to November. This provides a circular route linking Llangollen with Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Horseshoe Falls, Valle Crucis Abbey and other popular sites.
By improving facilities at the World Heritage Site, it’s hoped the area will be better equipped to withstand environmental impact as visitor numbers continue to rise.
An existing toilet block at Horseshoe Falls was built in the 1960s and is “in urgent need of upgrading” to avoid potential contamination of the River Dee. A more sustainable cesspit system is being installed and occasional closures are expected during the work.
Funds permitting, a mobile catering site will also be incorporated, staffed by council countryside officers, similar to the shepherd’s hut at Moel Famau. This will help “ensure that on-site issues, such as camping, BBQs and fires are minimised through an increase in staff presence”.
Denbighshire Council added: “Horseshoe Falls has become one of the major attractions in the Dee Valley. There is now a need to upgrade the facilities in order to meet this increased visitor demand and expectation.”
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