NEW railings have opened up access to one of North Wales' most popular beauty spots.

A partnership project led by the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Our Picturesque Landscape team has installed new railings at the Horseshoe Falls in Llangollen to open-up access.

It has created a viewing area for the River Dee and the weir on the river called the Horseshoe Falls.

The new railings have been constructed by a local blacksmith and are in keeping with the existing ironwork at this prestigious World Heritage Site.

The viewing area has been created on an area formerly closed off to the public. It will enable pedestrian access closer to the river and will relieve congestion on the towpath, allowing visitors to enjoy the area and experience the Horseshoe Falls at the start of the 11 miles of the World Heritage Site.

The project has been funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural Resources Wales.

The increasing popularity of the area was demonstrated during the 2019 luminaire, a spectacular three-week light show, staged at the Horseshoe Falls, which showed a 19-fold increase in visitor numbers during October 2019.

Adnan Saif, director at Canal & River Trust, said: “Horseshoe Falls is a beautiful part of the Dee Valley and is where the River Dee and the Llangollen Canal meet. This new viewing area is a fantastic addition to the area and will allow visitors to see the river and valley from a different viewpoint.

“Our research shows that being by water makes you happier and healthier, so I would encourage everyone who visits the area to spend some time exploring this stretch of the canal and river.”

Mark Hughes, North East Wales People & Places Team Leader for Natural Resources Wales, added: “Natural Resources Wales has worked in partnership with “Our Picturesque Landscape” project to enhance parts of the existing green infrastructure in the Dee valley. At the Horseshoe Falls the work will provide improved access for visitors,with a new perspective, whilst reducing impacts on the special landscape of the AONB.”

Councillor Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community, said: “This is a great example of partnership working that is benefitting those visiting Denbighshire, as well as residents of the Dee Valley and surrounding areas. This latest development forms part of the Our Picturesque Landscape project which has been set up to provide better access to the heritage sites through reflecting the area’s inspirational links to various forms of travel, including the canal, Telford’s A5 and the River Dee.

“These projects aim to protect these heritage sites for future generations to enjoy”.