Wrexham (Welsh: Wrecsam) is a city in North Wales, with a population of approximately 68,000. It used to be mainly an industrial town with coal mining and brick making as the main industry, but employment has broadened. It was elevated to city status in 2022.
The first known settlement was known as Wristleham Castle, a motte and bailey located in what is now known as Erddig Park, established in 1161. King Edward I of England is on record as having briefly stayed at Wrexham during his expedition to suppress the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn in 1294. The town became part of the county of Denbighshire when it was created in 1536. Wrexham was divided into two distinct townships, Wrexham Regis (which was under the control of the King) and Wrexham Abbot (generally the older parts of the town, which originally belonged to Valle Crucis Abbey at nearby Llangollen).
In the 18th century, Wrexham was known for its leather industry. There were skinners and tanners in the town. The horns from cattle were used to make such items as combs and buttons. There was also a nail-making industry in Wrexham. In the mid-18th century Wrexham was no more than a small market town with a population of perhaps 2,000. However, in the late 18th century Wrexham grew rapidly as it became one of the pioneers of the Industrial Revolution.
The Industrial Revolution began in Wrexham in 1762 when the entrepreneur John Wilkinson (1728–1808) known as 'Iron Mad Wilkinson' opened Bersham Heritage Centre and Ironworks. In 1793 he opened a smelting plant at Brymbo. At the top end of the Clywedog Valley, about ten minutes' drive from Wrexham, Minera Lead Mines are the remains of the profitable lead industry that dates back to prehistoric times.
Wrexham gained its first newspaper in 1848. The Market Hall was built in 1848, and in 1863 a volunteer fire brigade was founded. Wrexham was also home to a large number of breweries, and tanning became one of Wrexham's main industries. In the mid 19th century Wrexham was granted borough status. Wrexham's mining heritage is nearly all gone. Most former mines have been converted into industrial and business parks - one such development at Bersham Colliery has the last surviving head gear in the north Wales coalfield. Just off the A483, on the edge of Wrexham, the Gresford Disaster Memorial stands witness to the 266 miners who lost their lives after a series of explosions at Gresford colliery in September 1934.
Just 2 miles (3 km) south of Wrexham town centre, Erddig, a National Trust property, was home to the Yorke family until 1973. Its last resident, Philip Yorke, handed over a house in need of restoration as years of subsidence caused by the workings of Bersham Colliery had caused a lot of damage. The house was voted one of the two most popular stately homes in the UK by a National Trust/Channel 5 publication.
In the mid to late 19th century Wrexham had over 35 breweries, and grew a proud tradition of brewing both ale and lager. In 1882 German immigrants set up Britain's first lager brewery under the name of Wrexham Lager. In 2000 the Wrexham Lager Brewery was the last one to close. A number of the original brewery buildings remain, most notably Wrexham Lager on Central Road (offices), Soames Brewery on Yorke Street (Nags Head) and Border Brewery on Tuttle Street (converted apartments).
The Wrexham industrial estate, which boasted many companies on its estate has drastically reduced, but is still home to major companies such as Kellogg's, Avox, Calypso, Hoya Lens, Wockhardt, and JCB. The county also boasts companies such as Cadbury's, Sharp, Grote, moneypenny and brother.
The nearest airports to Wrexham are Liverpool Airport (IATA: LPL) and Manchester Airport (IATA: MAN), they can take approx 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Wrexham Central station 📍, as the name suggests, is in the town centre. Wrexham General station 📍 is a 5-10 minute walk from the town centre, General station is the largest in North Wales, the only station in the UK to have kept the name "General", and is well served by regular direct intercity trains from Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff and London. Regular services to Bidston and some direct services to Liverpool are also available. Services provided by Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast.
There are buses operated by Arriva [Sapphire service] from Chester to Wrexham bus station and G.H.A. operates buses from Oswestry and Rhyl to Wrexham bus station. Services are also available to Ruthin, Ruabon, Rhyl, Barmouth and Denbigh.
The train services from Wrexham Central station and Wrexham General station is a fast and useful way of travelling to see the surrounding area.
There is also an extensive bus service from the Wrexham bus station to all the local villages such as Coedpoeth and to towns such as Oswestry and cities such as Chester.
Taxi offices are found throughout the town centre and can be contacted day and night.
One of the Seven Wonders of Wales, built between 14th-16th century. 45-m tower with far-reaching views. Mural of the Last Judgement, and other artistic artifacts.
The town centre boasts a market on Mondays and Fridays with the traditional indoor markets still in existence. The main shopping streets are Bank Street, Henblas Street, High Street, King Street, Regent Street, Overton Arcade, Hope Street and Queen Street. The variety of shops has increased over the years and now includes: Sports Direct (w/ Game & USC), Matalan, Laura Ashley, New Look, and Primark. Eagles Meadow shopping centre includes many popular stores such as JD Sports, River Island, Next and M&S, in addition to an ODEON and Tenpin bowling alley. Independent designer boutiques include Ragazzi, Chevron and Serutti. Stores near the numerous retail parks throughout Wrexham include: Sports Direct, TKMaxx, The Range (all Plas Coch retail park), Dunelm, B&M (both Central retail park), Argos, Wilko, Asda Living (all in Island Green, near Wrexham Central station) and Next Home in Border retail park. Wrexham's independent retailers are amongst the best in Britain according to mystery shopping visits, which rated them highly.
There are supermarkets in the area for any time you may need to buy something for your stay or your journey, Wrexham is home to most supermarkets, such as Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Iceland (the Food Warehouse), Aldi, Lidl, Co-op, Heron Foods and SPAR.
Council-owned car parks are available on Crescent Road, St Giles and Tŷ Pawb (multi-storey).
There are several independent restaurants in Wrexham town centre offering international dishes.
Offering many delicious cuisines, such as:
Indian:
Chinese:
Other:
Recommended places to eat in the Wrexham county include Pant-Yr-Ochain and the Beeches in Gresford, The Boat, Erbistock, the Croes Howell in Llay, The Ffrwd Inn and The Hollybush both in Cefyn-y-Bedd.
Some restaurants located in the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre includes Subway, Nandos, and Try Thai Noodle Bar. Many popular food chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Domino's Pizza, Pizza Hut and Chatwins are located in Wrexham.
Pubs in the area such as Plas Coch, Crafty Dragon, and Nags Head, serve popular favorites such as steak and chips and fish and chips on a budget, but at the same time offering a good standard of food and service. There's two Wetherspoons (Elihu Yale, and the North and South Wales Bank) are in the town centre which offers food and drink at reasonable prices.
Excellent local produce is available at Village Bakery and Gerrard's, which compete with national chains such as Sayer's (as Poundbakery) (most southern store) and Gregg's. The Butcher's Market and also butcher's located in various places around the town centre also serves local produce.
Wrexham has a decent nightlife mainly because of the proximity between the various bars and clubs with most situated on the High Street, Town Hill, Hill Street and Brook Street.
Some of the more popular bars include Horse & Jockey, Bar Cuprum, Lloyds No1 bar, Yales Cafe Bar, Voodoo Moon, The Bank, Bar 1-5, Honky Tonks, The Commercial, Golden Lion, Cross Foxes, The Old Swan, Ironworks. Nightclubs include Liquid/Envy, and Central Station. The latter showcases many local bands and popular musicians from the UK and overseas while also hosting local DJs mainly on Saturday nights.
Wrexham and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of June 2022, 5G has not reached town.
There is plenty to do in the surrounding area, including:
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