St. Asaph: Cathedral, architectural history and the River Elwy

In St. Asaph, architectural history and walks along the River Elwy offer distinct points of interest. Architectural landmarks include the cathedral, the medieval Parish Church, the bridge built in 1770 and the Bishop’s Palace. There are two different ways to orient yourself on the paths: the St Asaph Town Trail is listed with a distance, while Explore St Asaph describes its route via the street, church and riverside.

Cultural history in St. Asaph

St Asaph Cathedral is considered the smallest ancient cathedral in Britain. Visitors can see the William Morgan Bible there. If this exhibit is a deciding factor for your trip, check in advance whether it will be on display during your planned visit.

The North Wales International Music Festival takes place annually in September at St Asaph Cathedral and is devoted primarily to classical music. William Mathias founded the festival in 1972. The programme may vary from year to year. For trip planning, September is the recurring festival month; 1972 is the year it was founded.

The medieval St Asaph Parish Church is at the lower end of High Street. It is also known as the Church of St Kentigern and the Church of St Asa (Asaph). At the western end of High Street, St Asaph Bridge spans the River Elwy. Built in 1770, the bridge has five symmetrically arranged arches of different sizes and is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument (FL026).

The Bishop’s Palace adds a two-storey stone building to the picture. Its eastern garden side dates from 1791, while the western entrance façade is Victorian. The date 1791 refers to the garden side; the entrance façade is distinguished by its Victorian design. The medieval church, the 1770 bridge and the palace’s two differently styled façade sections can thus be distinguished by period.

Riverside paths and nature at Roe Plas

The St Asaph Town Trail is 1 mile (1.6 km) long and includes a riverside walk. Explore St Asaph describes a different route: it leads downhill along High Street, past the medieval church, and then follows the wooded banks of the River Elwy. The Town Trail provides a specific distance for comparison; Explore St Asaph focuses on the route and its surroundings.

Roe Plas is home to some of the finest specimens of black poplar in the country. An optional riverside walk there offers the chance to observe wildlife. The visibility of animals varies by season, and path conditions can vary. Individual trees and access conditions may also change, so check the current situation before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Denbigh, Llangollen, Henllan, Rhuddlan, Mold, Llandrillo, Llandegla, Clocaenog

For the overview of the wider area: Denbighshire.